Puma 253-FBS

Our 2014 Puma 253-FBS weighs 9400 with 1740 on the king pin scaled, ready to camp, fully loaded. We get about 11 mpg diesel which is about the same as we got with the previous square nose bumper pull 6500 lb trailer. I would attribute that to to the more rounded aerodynamic front end of the Puma fifth wheel. Having towed that previous trailer with a small block V8 F-150 I would guess the mileage with a gas engine is going to be down around 8 mpg. Also, based on our F-150 experience I would not consider any truck (half ton or more) that doesn't have at least a six speed transmission because you're going to spend a lot of time in lower gears with a high a high revving gas engine . If that sound doesn't bother you, then today's engines will take the revving just fine. I would also try to get the heaviest tow package available (Max Tow in Ford land) along with the heaviest payload package to take the pin weight. The Ford Eco-boost 3.5 engine has a great torque curve for towing compared to naturally aspirated engines but Ford suggests premium gasoline while towing adding to the fuel cost while getting bad mileage. Other than the Eco-boost I wouldn't consider less than a 6 liter engine for towing this Puma, so another option is to jump to a 250/2500 gasoline engine truck. You'll still experience a lot of 4th and 5th gear except when going down hill, but it will feel more solid.

DO NOT trust either a RV or truck salesman to give safe advice--do your own research. Feel free to PM me.