F250 6.2 V8 vs F150 Ecoboost

[deere5105]

My current tractor with heaviest single implement weighs around 9000 lbs. I use a 82" x 22' 12K bumper pull equipment trailer when I move it. Total combined weight of tractor, implement and trailer is approximately 11,500 lbs. I don't know the exact weight on the trailer but estimated 2500 lbs. I usually tow this set up three or four times each year approximately 30 miles to the hunting lease. My current daily driver and tow vehicle is a 2004 F150 with the 5.4 V8 and 3.73 gears. I am not currently in the market to buy, but like to plan ahead for major purchases. I have been torn over whether to consider a F250 for my next vehicle or stay with the F150. I typically keep a truck 10 years so want to make the right decision. I like the idea of the diesel, but see them as too much maintenance and cost. I currently get around 14-16 mpg with the average closer to 14 mpg. I think the F250 gas burner would be very close so mileage not a deal breaker. Curious to hear thoughts on this and why.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think I would go with a f250 or f350 with a 6.2 or maybe a 6.7. A Ecoboost would do the job but a I think a F250 would hold up better towing that much weight. The 6.2 should not be much harder on gas than your current truck.

 

[redobbin]

At 11,500 lbs. for loaded trailer weight you are over the GCWR for the F150. Pulling is not the problem it is stopping and suspension. You should look at the F250 as I am

 

[Johndeere3720]

I also believe you'd be better off with an F250, it is better equipped to tow that kind of load.

 

[brown40]

If you are wondering whether or not to go bigger, the answer is yes, go bigger. You rarely wish you'd gone smaller... plus at 3.7 liters, that's not a lot of displacement turning, despite the power it's generating. If you want a vehicle for towing 4 tons plus with regularity you should get out of the 1/2 ton range. My .02 anyways.

 

[haveissues]

You won't have a problem power wise with the ecoboost but will be over the legal limit. I was really impressed with the power my 3.5L f150 had when I pulled out of the quarry and had to go up a pretty decent hill from a dead stop with 5 tons behind me. My old 98 ram would not of been happy. Even with the max tow package you will be overweight though.

 

[bucktaker]

60 miles x4 =240 x 10 yrs 2400 miles. in 30 mile trips...... Id say get what ever you want. If that is the majority of your need go with the f150 as it will ride better and possibly get better mileage.

 

[slowzuki]

3-4 times a year? Unless you have to travel in heavy traffic at the speed limit I'd be happy with an F150. I usually tow my 16,000 lb loads of hay 100 miles monthly with our F350 but had to borrow my brother in laws 4.6 F150 last week, took the load down to 13,000 lb and it towed fine but I was only going 30 mph as its an unbraked hay wagon.

I wouldn't have been able to use our 27 ft flatbed with the F150, its too much tongue weight.

 

[deere5105]

All good comments and hits the difficult to decide on questions head on.

The trips with this kind of load are pretty much just what was stated. On occasion they will increase in frequency due to moving a second tractor, but the weight would not likely go up. It will likely be 12 months plus before I do anything. I have been looking and contemplating this issue for a long time. When I purchased the current tractor I trailered the trade in 400 miles one way and the current tractor the 400 mile return. I used my current F150 and a borrowed trailer. The borrowed trailer was a bad experience and prompted me to invest in the current 12K 22' trailer with brakes on both axles.

I suppose the real question remains if the occasional overloading of the 1/2 ton will result in damage. When loading with an implement on I am having to pull forward further than preferred which is likely placing more than the optimal tongue weight. The other thing I learned recently is that when building on the Ford website there was only $400 difference in the trucks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My current tractor with heaviest single implement weighs around 9000 lbs. I use a 82" x 22' 12K bumper pull equipment trailer when I move it. Total combined weight of tractor, implement and trailer is approximately 11,500 lbs. I don't know the exact weight on the trailer but estimated 2500 lbs. I usually tow this set up three or four times each year approximately 30 miles to the hunting lease. My current daily driver and tow vehicle is a 2004 F150 with the 5.4 V8 and 3.73 gears. I am not currently in the market to buy, but like to plan ahead for major purchases. I have been torn over whether to consider a F250 for my next vehicle or stay with the F150. I typically keep a truck 10 years so want to make the right decision. I like the idea of the diesel, but see them as too much maintenance and cost. I currently get around 14-16 mpg with the average closer to 14 mpg. I think the F250 gas burner would be very close so mileage not a deal breaker. Curious to hear thoughts on this and why.

A new Eco Boost is a night and day difference from your 5.4 truck. The EB F150 is about as much truck as a gas 2004 F250 if you want to look at it that way.

You do not need a diesel. You may want one and that's fine but gas is all you need.

Chris

 

[deere5105]

A new Eco Boost is a night and day difference from your 5.4 truck. The EB F150 is about as much truck as a gas 2004 F250 if you want to look at it that way. You do not need a diesel. You may want one and that's fine but gas is all you need. Chris

We run several F550 diesel trucks heavily loaded at work. After watching the many and often diesel engine related issues, I have no interest in a diesel. I have been watching the Ecoboost for awhile now and for the number on the road now there doesn't seem to be any widespread failures. I continue to wonder how it will hold up at 8-10 years and 200,000 miles plus. My current 2004 has around 140,000 and has had no major issues.

 

[94BULLITT]

If you are going to wait a year the 2015 F150 should be out. Hard to tell what it might be.

A new Eco Boost is a night and day difference from your 5.4 truck. The EB F150 is about as much truck as a gas 2004 F250 if you want to look at it that way.

You do not need a diesel. You may want one and that's fine but gas is all you need.

Chris

The thing that sucks about a gas F250 is you don't gain much towing capacity over a Ecoboost F150.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using TractorByNet

 

[jejeosborne]

Being an ecoboost owner, i would recommend getting something with the proper capacity to tow what you tow regardless of the frequency unless you are making a short local trip under 30 mph. The 3.5 liter engine is up to the task the rest of the truck is a judgment call. Your question shouldn't be engine related but rather which class of truck.

 

[deere5105]

This is definitely a down the road purchase unless my current ride begins to become problematic. I feel the fuel mileage is a non-issue as it is not terrific now. Gut feeling says go with the 250 and be covered. Never know if future will lead to cab tractor, heavier loads, hunt lease further away, goose neck trailer, travel trailer, etc...

Guy I purchased current truck from had purchased a 5th wheel camper and towed some with this truck. When lease was up I bought it and he went to a F250 with the 5.4 V8. He has held on to this one past his lease end. Seems to me if the running gear can handle the extra stress and strain and higher tow rating of the high torque diesel it should last that much longer with the gas engine??

 

[94BULLITT]

It is always good to think ahead.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using TractorByNet

 

[mikehaugen]

Seems to me if the running gear can handle the extra stress and strain and higher tow rating of the high torque diesel it should last that much longer with the gas engine??

Not sure about nowadays, but in the past the running gear would be beefier in a diesel vs. gas (unless v10) even in the same truck.

 

[deere5105]

Not sure about nowadays, but in the past the running gear would be beefier in a diesel vs. gas (unless v10) even in the same truck.

Since this 6.2 V8 replaced the V10, are you implying that the transmission, rear end and brakes are different pending which motor is chosen?

 

[mikehaugen]

I'll be honest, I can't even speak for ford necessarily. I know dodge used to put a beefier trans, rearend, and front suspension on the diesels and v10's then the v8's.

I guess the reason I brought it up was just to warn you not to assume that because it's a 2500 or 3500 that it has the same diesel drivetrain... find out for sure.

 

[deere5105]

I'll be honest, I can't even speak for ford necessarily. I know dodge used to put a beefier trans, rearend, and front suspension on the diesels and v10's then the v8's. I guess the reason I brought it up was just to warn you not to assume that because it's a 2500 or 3500 that it has the same diesel drivetrain... find out for sure.

Got a friend that runs the shop at local Ford dealership. Messaged him and he too thought they were different. Said he would have to run a VIN to make certain, but thought the engine choice determined the drivetrain components. I ASSUMED they would keep it simple and keep them the same.

 

[moship]

Took the liberty to look at the 2014 Ford Towing Specifications. Below are the maximum capacities possible with the configurations shown below. Please note these are maximums and are heavily dependent on cab style, wheelbase, 4x2 vs 4x4, gear ratio, etc. (One must really be careful how the truck is configured with the F150 to achieve these values)



Link to F150 Specifications: 2014 Ford F-150 | View Towing Specifications | Ford.com


The newer F150 with the "Heavy Duty Payload Package" seems to be very capable from "Fords" perspective.