starting to look at trucks

bartlettj wrote:
I think 8k pounds for a F150 is a bit heavy as you are going to be light on truck payload if you plan to take passengers in the cab. There's not much of a price premium on used 3/4 ton trucks unless you go diesel.

I've towed with the 3/4 ton F-250 6.4 Turbo Diesel. It was a beast. I loved it.
I've towed with the 6 cyl. 3.5 Ecoboost. Also a beast if it's geared to tow.

The 3/4 ton 6.4 Ford Diesel is my all time favorite.
Towing 8500 lbs, I had to check my rear view Elephant Ear Mirrors to see if my trailer was still behind me.

My EB is good. but it's not a big Turbo Diesel... I still like to drive the EB.

I think 8k pounds for a F150 is a bit heavy as you are going to be light on truck payload if you plan to take passengers in the cab. There's not much of a price premium on used 3/4 ton trucks unless you go diesel.

Go to ytube and look up "Fast Lane Trucks". They do a lot of towing & mileage test on most trucks. I think they did a comparison test with the EB vs the 5.0. While they are not very scientific, they are consistent in there testing and fun to watch.

valhalla360 wrote:


I wouldn't get too hung up on rear-end ratios...with the newer 10speed transmissions, the truck can select an appropriate gear to convert HP to torque at the wheels.

PS: If you do want to look at torque, you need to look at the torque curve not just the peak number. A slightly bigger maximum torque doesn't prove anything if the engine can't get up to the RPM where it generates the max.

Kind of proved my point. The lower rear gear gets you to the needed RPM for max torque.

As for the other statement about the 10 speed. Ford's engineers determined the tow capacity is always higher with the lower geared rear. No matter how many gears it has. A truck will NEVER be rated for max tow, with a 3.15 rear gear. It's in the book, and is no more than physics.

I won't try to sway you to the bigger truck. I like the sound of the 5 liter, but the Ecoboost has proven itself and will likely out perform it all day everyday. Oh, and they pump the V8 sound through the sound system on some models too. As already pointed out, that 10 speed will make either engine more than powerful enough for that load.

A larger truck does not cost much more. For 7,000 pounds I would be buying a 3/4 or one ton.

What have you got against a F250? I don't know what the standard engine is in a F250. If it's the 6.2 you would be good to go.

I have the 2016 F150 Max Tow W/3.5 eco boost and 3.55 gears. I pull a 8300 trailer. Pulled it from Mn to Nashville thru the Smokey Mtns and back the truck has no issues what so ever pulling this trailer. Gas mileage is between 8 and 9.5 depending on speed and terrain. without the trailer the truck gets 19-21 mpg. Hope this helps.

The 3.5 will pull much better than the v-8.

I'm a 3/4 ton fan. We tow a 7K lb TT with an F250 with 4.10 rear end. Been all over the place in 7 states in the west and has never left me wanting for more out of it. Used to tow with a 1/2 ton. No comparison. The 3/4 ton are beefier all round, although the newer HD payload/max tow 1/2 tons are allegedly pretty good. Our F250 was a lease return and has been very reliable. Until you've towed with both, you'll never appreciate the difference.

I would avoid getting a 4x4. They reduce available payload capacity, are 5-6" higher above the ground (so annoying) and there's more "stuff" and cost to maintain. A longer wheelbase is better for sway & handling. A higher (numerically) rear end is better but can reduce in-town gas mileage.

Old vs. new: