F250 6.2 V8 vs F150 Ecoboost

[aczlan]

Then why do tractor trailers run 15 liter engines? :stirthepot: If you have ever run a truck with an engine brake, you appreciate all the cubic inches that are there and the subsequent savings on your brakes. (I realize this is for a pickup truck but even still a 6.2 liter v-8 is put in the bigger trucks for a reason).
I have actually gone back a decade for my towing needs and dumped a common rail cummins because I found a safer towing experience with a bigger displacement medium duty truck.:thumbsup:

Because if they didn't have turbos, they would need 25-30L engines to do the same job.

Aaron Z

 

[jejeosborne]

Then why do tractor trailers run 15 liter engines? :stirthepot: If you have ever run a truck with an engine brake, you appreciate all the cubic inches that are there and the subsequent savings on your brakes. (I realize this is for a pickup truck but even still a 6.2 liter v-8 is put in the bigger trucks for a reason).

I have actually gone back a decade for my towing needs and dumped a common rail cummins because I found a safer towing experience with a bigger displacement medium duty truck.:thumbsup:

Engine braking is an advantage. Empty mileage is a disadvantage. I'll take the better empty mileage and buy a set of $25 brake pads every 100,000 miles over engine braking but that is just me.

Because if they didn't have turbos, they would need 25-30L engines to do the same job.

Aaron Z

Exactly! Volumetric efficiency and flat torque curves too.

 

[Soundguy]

I personally think diesel is way overkill for your needs. If your towing as infrequently as you claim, the price is darn near impossible to justify. .

Used and diesel would be the way to go for towing jobs.

good work trucks can be had fairly cheap. then you get the benefit of cost reduction.. some increase in tow rating, perhaps larger brakes and more rubber on the ground ( maybee ). safety.. weight control.. etc.

 

[deere5105]

Used and diesel would be the way to go for towing jobs. good work trucks can be had fairly cheap. then you get the benefit of cost reduction.. some increase in tow rating, perhaps larger brakes and more rubber on the ground ( maybee ). safety.. weight control.. etc.

Had actually considered that option, but got to figuring that would be another insurance, tag, upkeep, etc... This is what made me begin to wonder if wouldn't be better to consider a gas 3/4 ton as the mpg I am getting now isn't much different and could get by maintaining one vehicle at close to same cost and then the second question of am I "making a mountain out of a mole hill" and should just go with a newer half ton and be better equipped than I am now. There is no doubt in my mind that a newer half ton would improve my situation, but am I setting the bar too low? As for braking with current trailer, I did intentionally order trailer with brakes on both axles to help getting it stopped under load.

 

[vrmnthntr]

I think with the little amount of towing you do a gas 3/4 ton would do.

Even with brakes on both axles the weight of the trailer can push a 1/2 ton around as I found out. Power was not a problem.

Its no fun having the hair stand on the back of your neck when someone pulls out in front of you.

Another reason I went diesel was because most everything I have runs on diesel and I have 200 gallons of it at home that I can fill up with.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a F250 with the 6.7, daughters friend has a F150 with the EB engine. We did a test pulling my 8,000 lb camper from a dead stop to 70 mph going up a nice uphill on ramp and highway. The F150 pulled nicely from a stop all the way to about 50 mph when it seemed to loose some power. It took 55 seconds to reach 70. Hooked up the trailer to the F250 and it passed 70 in 35 seconds and was pulling like a locomotive, would have knocked a few seconds off that time but had some wheel spin on take off. I would never go back to running a gasser.

Diesel to gas is not a fair fight. Put a gas 6.2 in the 250 and the EB would come out on top.

Chris

 

[swines]

I have an Ecoboost F150 with the tow package and an F350, diesel, dually. I pull a trailer that weighs 2600 pounds loaded with a variety of equipment - the gross of the largest load on the trailer is 9K + trailer = 11,600 pounds. The Ecoboost has no problem pulling the trailer and since the trailer has electric brakes - no problem stopping it. Given the choice as to which truck to use - the F350 wins every time. The difference in feel between the two vehicles is remarkable. With the F150 I am always aware there is a trailer in back of the truck and it gets pushed around by the weight in crosswinds, rough roads, etc. The F350 is a way different experience - it just handles the load, doesn't get moved around by the weight and makes towing a much more pleasant experience. Get whatever you can afford - but bigger is way better in trailer towing.

 

[Loadstar]

Put a gas 6.2 in the 250 and the EB would come out on top.

Chris

Sure uhh huh

 

[check]

I would focus more on the comfort level of the truck you're driving, since most of the time you won't have anything attached, and certainly not your heavy duty trailer and tractor.

Since you tow that heavy load very rarely, wouldn't you be more comfortable in the F150? I don't know about the comfort levels of the F250's and F30's for 2013 and 2014, but my 2010 F150 Is Way more comfortable and loaded with nice interior and Exterrier options than the 2010 F250s and F350's were.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Well for 3 to 4 times a year, 30 miles one way, I would get the F150 ecoboost, and go slow and make sure the trailer and it's tires and brakes are up to the job.

 

[jejeosborne]

Sure uhh huh

I would have to agree with DP on this one. The EB F150 would out accelerate a 6.2 F250 towing any weight as well as empty.

Just talking acceleration now.

 

[Soundguy]

Even with brakes on both axles the weight of the trailer can push a 1/2 ton around as I found out. Power was not a problem.

.

deffinately no fun when you can't stop. that's more annoying than having to pull out and speed up slowly..

 

[Loadstar]

I would have to agree with DP on this one. The EB F150 would out accelerate a 6.2 F250 towing any weight as well as empty.

Just talking acceleration now.

Amazing, I wonder why they have not taken the oil fields and construction sites by storm.

 

[ericb2400]

Get the 150EB and when you need to towe heavy, rent a uhaul truck ;-)

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[jejeosborne]

Amazing, I wonder why they have not taken the oil fields and construction sites by storm.

Oil fields and construction sites need quick acceleration? I am confused with this reply.

 

[econometrics]

I've been a a similar quandary as the OP here, with almost the same tractor weights and needs for towing it. I probably only trailer my 5075E 2-3x per year, and it's a 20mile round trip MAX.

I have borrowed my in-law's F250 gasser with a 25' gooseneck to do this, as my 2007 5.3L Silverado crew would never pull the JD safely.

After doing that a couple times, I've realized I need to look at the V10 or 7.3L diesel engine for a future acquisition. I'd much rather have something that's not towing my tractor at or near the top of it's towing range, but would be nice to have something with a little power to spare.

I'm going to keep my 2007 Silverado, as it's a great all-around truck for 98% of my every day needs. So I've been on the lookout for a late-90's to early-2000's F250/350 V10 or diesel. I had a shot at a 2002 V10 DRW F350 but was a day late to the party for $4200. Big time bummer. Still looking.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[deere5105]

I've been a a similar quandary as the OP here, with almost the same tractor weights and needs for towing it. I probably only trailer my 5075E 2-3x per year, and it's a 20mile round trip MAX.

I have borrowed my in-law's F250 gasser with a 25' gooseneck to do this, as my 2007 5.3L Silverado crew would never pull the JD safely.

After doing that a couple times, I've realized I need to look at the V10 or 7.3L diesel engine for a future acquisition. I'd much rather have something that's not towing my tractor at or near the top of it's towing range, but would be nice to have something with a little power to spare.

I'm going to keep my 2007 Silverado, as it's a great all-around truck for 98% of my every day needs. So I've been on the lookout for a late-90's to early-2000's F250/350 V10 or diesel. I had a shot at a 2002 V10 DRW F350 but was a day late to the party for $4200. Big time bummer. Still looking.

Let us know what you decide!

Your situation is almost identical to mine. As I get a little older I tend to like to acquire my own tools for my projects and interests. Have no problem sharing and loaning things, but much prefer having at my disposal whenever I need it. I have found other uses for the trailer as it was last towed for a hay ride for the youth group at church. Getting some feedback from a friend who has went from the F150 to the F250(V10) and now back to the F150. All were Super Crew 4wd units. His greatest tow load is a bumper pull camper at 8,000 lbs. His comments were that for a daily driver the F250 begins to get frustrating parking and maneuvering and is tight fit in most garages.

 

[econometrics]

Getting some feedback from a friend who has went from the F150 to the F250(V10) and now back to the F150. All were Super Crew 4wd units. His greatest tow load is a bumper pull camper at 8,000 lbs. His comments were that for a daily driver the F250 begins to get frustrating parking and maneuvering and is tight fit in most garages.

Indeed! my '07 Silverado has 75K miles and is paid for. Trading that thing for something in the 3/4 ton range with similar milage and features would mean I would likely pay out of pocket around $10K.

Then, like you said, I would have to drive a truck every day that got worse fuel mileage and was a little more of a bear to maneuver around town.

Thus, I have decided to look for an older, higher mileage, basic towing vehicle for around $5K that I can let sit in my shop most days of the month without feeling bad about not driving it!

 

[deere5105]

Indeed! my '07 Silverado has 75K miles and is paid for. Trading that thing for something in the 3/4 ton range with similar milage and features would mean I would likely pay out of pocket around $10K.

Then, like you said, I would have to drive a truck every day that got worse fuel mileage and was a little more of a bear to maneuver around town.

Thus, I have decided to look for an older, higher mileage, basic towing vehicle for around $5K that I can let sit in my shop most days of the month without feeling bad about not driving it!

With that being the case, do you invest in diesel or gas? Hear stories of diesel accumulating water and not fairing well for infrequent use, however it should be no different than my tractor and I do not have these issues with it? With your scenario, I would likely still invest in the F150 Ecoboost when the replacement time came and by staying with a bumper pull trailer could have a back up if needed. Yet another potential option.

 

[econometrics]

With that being the case, do you invest in diesel or gas? Hear stories of diesel accumulating water and not fairing well for infrequent use, however it should be no different than my tractor and I do not have these issues with it? With your scenario, I would likely still invest in the F150 Ecoboost when the replacement time came and by staying with a bumper pull trailer could have a back up if needed. Yet another potential option.

I agree. Whenever I replace my 1/2ton, it will be with something beefier. I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off, so by then I'm sure 1/2ton trucks will be able to pull 25K with V6s, HA!

I would rather have a V10 since I will not drive it as much, for sure. They seem harder to find in the DRW, single cab flat-bed trucks, but I'm keeping watch patiently.