Howdy,

I'm in the market for a new truck for towing my travel trailer. What is the difference in driveability between a HD half ton and a 3/4 ton truck? On paper (well, actually on the computer screen), it appears they have very similar capacities for payload, towing, and tongue weight limits. They are also only about $1,000 apart.

For towing 7,200 lbs., would I regret getting the HD half ton (looking for a more comfortable ride for the 49 weeks/year I'm not towing)?

BTW, I am very well versed in figuring out how much capability I need to tow. I just wanted to know if the "heavy duty" label on the 2012 crew cab is something cooked up by the marketing department.

 

If ride quality is imporant to you, the F150 will ride FAR! better than any Superduty. And if you get the Eco-boost V-6, it will get much better gas mileage. I wouldn't want to go with much larger trailer, but 7k# is fine.

The Superduty with the 6.2 will easily handle your travel trailer, and will be more stable in cross winds, and when passed by trucks. The payload is much higher than the F150HD, so I'm not sure where you got that. If you think you will ever upgrade your trailer, then get the SD now. Especially if you might ever consider a fifthwheel. The SD is simply a far better tow platform. But that doesn't mean the F150 is a slouch.

Sounds like the other 49 weeks is most important to you, so the F150 would be a good choice for you.

 

For an extra grand I'd definitely get the F250. There won't be any second guessing and as bpounds says, you won't have to worry about a trailer upgrade.

 

Think about future needs. While I think the F150 HD will do the job day in and day out..and ride better when not towing..there is no room for upgrades.

 

I would add that, having owned an '04 F150 with the 5.4L and pulling only 6k# with it, I will never do that again. The platform was fine, stable, good braking, but that 5.4 is a gutless wonder. I know the OP is looking at new trucks, but in case some kind of good deal comes along on a '10 or earlier model, my advice is don't do it. But the Eco-boost is very impressive, and I have test driven it pulling a trailer.

 

Remember that the F250 is de-rated on paper. Using the ratings for a SRW F350 gives you a more accurate picture of what the F250 is mechanically capable of. Legally you can be constrained with the lower GVWR of the F250, but given that SRW Super Duty trucks are 95% mechanically identical across badge lines, just looking at dervied payload and towing numbers won't be truly indicative of what the F250 can actualy do.

When you step up into the F250 badge you get a truck that is capable of a lot more than the paper shows, whereas the new HD F150s are on the higher end of the ratings scale for that lineup. Basically, the F250 is overbuilt for it's ratings, whereas the HD F150 maxes out many of the components for that series. You said a 7200# trailer, I don't know if you've added in any "wet weight" in the RV, plus cargo on the truck, people, fuel, tools and jacks, all the other small things that go on camping trips with you. As I understand it, the F150's advertised max towing capacity of somewhere in the 11,000# range allocates much of the ratings to trailer tongue weight, and not to additional cargo and people. I've read on other F150 forums that some guys are running into RGAWR/GVWR problems while coming in under what Ford calls the maximum tow capacity because of how tag along trailers put weight on the truck.

If you'll come in under the weight ratings of the F150 with a loaded truck and trailer, definately go that way. Since driveability and handling are primary concerns, then you'll probalby be much happier the other 49 weeks in a 150 than you would with a SD.

 

Same reason I ditched the '07. Wasn't impressed at all with the 5.4.

 

I've been towing for the past four years with an Expedition so I'm very familiar with the 5.4. Works fine as long as there's no uphill climb, or headwind, and if I'm extremely patient.

As far as the specs, I'm going from Ford's 2011 Towing Guide. Hitch weight and max trailer with the F150's at 1,130 & 11,300. Hitch weight and max trailer weight with F250 are 1,250 & 12,500. I know these numbers get smaller as you add a crew cab, options, etc.

I appreciate everyone's input and I think I'll end up going with the SD. My gut feeling is that the F150 HD would be near its upper limit and the F250 would more than capable.

 

those hitch weights are with the reciever. keep in mind that 5th wheel or gooseneck is considerely higher with the Super Duty.

 

The towing limits are similar. It was your comment on payload that I disagreed with. Rated payload is higher on the F250, and actual safe payload is even much higher than that. And payload ratings are not found in the towing guide. Some people will ignore payload ratings when discussing tag trailers, but that is a mistake. Tongue weight obviously is payload, and so is all the stuff you put in the bed for a typical camping trip, fuel load, people in the crew cab, the dog, etc. You can run out of payload capacity on an F150 pretty easily.

 

In the towing world the f250 is much better then the f150 if you need a truck to do safe towing with.

 

bpounds,

Yep, I read the wrong line comparing the payloads. F250 totes about 800 lbs. more in the crew cab. That'll come in handy with all the crap I usually take with me.

 

You also have to consider the OP is only towing a couple weeks out of the year. If the new truck will be your everyday driver then i say go with the HD F150 Ecoboost. You will not see the MPG's from the Superduty like you will from the Ecoboost. Also the F150 rides like a Cadillac compared to a F250. And 7,200lbs is nothing for the new HD F150 with Ecoboost. I know its not a big diesel dully but there are a bunch of happy owners out there towing 8,500-9,500lb travel trailers with no problems.

 

Good points about being the better daily driver but don't under estimate the ride of the new f250...it's really not too bad. What is the actual payload of your truck if I may ask?

 

Mine I think is 1800lbs. But the new 2012 HD F150 depending on what model you get is around 2500-3000lbs for payload. Don't quote me on that but I will try and find out.