F250 6.2 V8 vs F150 Ecoboost

[vrmnthntr]

Very similar situation. Out of curiosity which 3/4 ton route did you go? If doing again would you do the same? Change anything?

I bought a RAM 2500 diesel. No particular reason going with Dodge. I bought the truck used with 11,000 miles and the price was right. Its a crew cab, 4wd.

Overall I like the truck. Its not a daily driver. I have a work vehicle. I average about 16 mpg around home. That's back roads mainly with a little town driving. No interstates where I live. Had it for a year now and put almost 10,000 miles on it.

A friend of mine bought a new F250 diesel. One thing I would consider if buying a Ford would be a 350. The rear springs on the 250 give a nice ride, but when a load is put on it they sag too much for my liking. With little towing though I don't see the difference.

The RAM doesn't squat much. Just levels out. I will say that his ford pulling my same trailer will pull better (acceleration). Not trying to start a "who is better" argument. Just my opinion.

Any truck these days are nice and with all the money you pay for them better test drive to see what you like. And as another poster said, plan ahead. The reason for me getting a diesel. Who knows, maybe a camper or larger trailer in my future. The extra weight of the heavier truck is definitely safer when stopping.

I would not change a thing for my needs. Just a gooseneck trailer, but that's another thread.

 

[Soundguy]

i deffinately like the rear suspension on the 1 ton trucks better when loaded...

 

[slider909]

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.

 

[deere5105]

So I do hear/see a consensus of the need to move to a 3/4 ton for this kind of load even if the frequency is "occasional"? It seems that the majority think the 1/2 ton will do it, which is indisputable since I do it now with a 2004 model rated for 2000 lbs less tow capacity than the current models, but long term the 3/4 ton would be both safer and last longer? I do currently have some signs of rear end wear and slipping, but is it tow related or just 140,000 miles? Will not dispute the diesel will outperform the gas engines in towing contests, but it comes at a price that is hard for me to justify for my needs.

 

[mikehaugen]

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.

My kind of test! :laughing: very scientific!

 

[slider909]

The main reason I went from a F150 to a 250 was the extra security the big truck gives. Some of the time my wife and family would take the camper to the lake and I would meet them after work. The F150 was rated to handle the weight of our trailer, but it would push the truck around at times, semi's passing would cause the truck and trailer to move. You would have to stay on top of everything or it seemed like something could go wrong quickly. With the F250 you can hardly feel the camper. It handles the load a lot better, braking is better, handling is totally different for the better. I feel much better letting them tow in this truck. Plus you just can't replace the sound,feel and power of that diesel.

 

[CJONE]

So I do hear/see a consensus of the need to move to a 3/4 ton for this kind of load even if the frequency is "occasional"? It seems that the majority think the 1/2 ton will do it, which is indisputable since I do it now with a 2004 model rated for 2000 lbs less tow capacity than the current models, but long term the 3/4 ton would be both safer and last longer? I do currently have some signs of rear end wear and slipping, but is it tow related or just 140,000 miles? Will not dispute the diesel will outperform the gas engines in towing contests, but it comes at a price that is hard for me to justify for my needs.

I know I have said this before but I have a F-250 diesel that pulls great and also a 08 F150 crew cab and the F-150 gets used way more for towing than the F-250. My tractor and trailer is at about 11k and the F-150 does fine with it for short trips. When I go 100 miles plus then the F-250 gets used because I usually have a couple of implements in the bed. If the trailer and equipment weighs more than a few thousand pounds then you better have trailer brakes and quit depending on the truck to stop it!! CJ

 

[RedNeckRacin]

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. Gasoline has come down in price pretty substantially and that alone should be reason to look at a gassser. While everyone likes to tout the EB as a game changer, there is an old saying that "there is no replacement for displacement". An engine that loafs along will last much longer than an engine tuned to the edge and ran hard. I would agree with the general feeling that a 3/4 is a much more capable truck and will handle your current load nicely. If you upgrade/find a good deal on a gooseneck, you will already be set-up for that step. The other thing to consider is (depending on your # of implements) you can also load the bed of the truck up and not be white knuckle driving. All it takes is one near death experience to change your perspective on what matters. If ride quality is of concern, the new RAM HD trucks are coming out with an air ride suspension option in the 2500 and up trucks starting in '14.

If you're sold on the EB and a 1/2 ton, spec it out as heavy as possible, keep an eye on your GCWR. You might be surprised at how quickly different options reduce your capacities. I would think that as long as you're close to your weights, a good W/D hitch will greatly help things out. You can also add some firestone ride rite air bags if you're truly occasionally towing your heaviest load.

It all comes down to what your willing to spend, what your acceptable level of risk is, and if your going to let someone else drive your vehicle.

 

[jejeosborne]

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. Gasoline has come down in price pretty substantially and that alone should be reason to look at a gassser. While everyone likes to tout the EB as a game changer, there is an old saying that "there is no replacement for displacement". An engine that loafs along will last much longer than an engine tuned to the edge and ran hard. I would agree with the general feeling that a 3/4 is a much more capable truck and will handle your current load nicely. If you upgrade/find a good deal on a gooseneck, you will already be set-up for that step. The other thing to consider is (depending on your # of implements) you can also load the bed of the truck up and not be white knuckle driving. All it takes is one near death experience to change your perspective on what matters. If ride quality is of concern, the new RAM HD trucks are coming out with an air ride suspension option in the 2500 and up trucks starting in '14.

If you're sold on the EB and a 1/2 ton, spec it out as heavy as possible, keep an eye on your GCWR. You might be surprised at how quickly different options reduce your capacities. I would think that as long as you're close to your weights, a good W/D hitch will greatly help things out. You can also add some firestone ride rite air bags if you're truly occasionally towing your heaviest load.

It all comes down to what your willing to spend, what your acceptable level of risk is, and if your going to let someone else drive your vehicle.

I agree with everything you discuss except for the comment " there is an old saying that there is no replacement for displacement". There is a reason it is an old saying. We aren't in the 60's anymore. That engine isn't tuned to the edge. Put a tuner on it and easily get another 50 HP out of it. It doesn't have to operate at 4500 rpms to produce power either. This thread should have been about which class of truck the OP needs rather than throwing around engine options in two different classes. Your username might need changed if you step into the current decade and try some of this new fangled yuppie power. LOL

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I agree with everything you discuss except for the comment " there is an old saying that there is no replacement for displacement". There is a reason it is an old saying. We aren't in the 60's anymore. That engine isn't tuned to the edge. Put a tuner on it and easily get another 50 HP out of it. It doesn't have to operate at 4500 rpms to produce power either. This thread should have been about which class of truck the OP needs rather than throwing around engine options in two different classes. Your username might need changed if you step into the current decade and try some of this new fangled yuppie power. LOL

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: