- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Ford 3.5L twin turbo or F250?
Posted on 4/7/17 at 10:31 am
Posted on 4/7/17 at 10:31 am
Trying to decide between a F150 with 3.5L twin turbo or F250 diesel. Would be towing a 7000lb travel trailer occasionally also a boat once in a while. What are the advantages of either considering the F250 would be used and a few years older than the new F150. It would also be the main travel vehicle for my wife and I.
10
Posted on 4/7/17 at 10:42 am to DLP7637
The 3.5L will tow 7,000lbs with ease. Quiter and more comfortable on trips, better MPG too.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 10:52 am to DLP7637
Don't buy a diesel to pull 7k pounds. A half ton will do that easily. If the tongue weight is a concern, add air bags to the truck.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 11:03 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I have a 2013 f150 3.5 I pull a 40hp tractor with loader and hog on a 20ft hd trailer with no issues. I did add a set of air bags.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 1:17 pm to DLP7637
Yeah absolutely no need for the diesel. The only reason you see so many nowadays is because they are status symbols.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 1:19 pm to DLP7637
The 3.5 ecoboost gets great mpgs normal driving, but towing something heavy it goes to shite. Got 8 mpg towing 22ft trailer. If you tow a lot get the f250, if not get the six banger.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 1:25 pm to tigers225
Yeah but averaged out for the amount of regular driving and towing between the two you would have to be doing a whole hell of a lot of towing to make it work out. Considering most diesels will only get about 14 towing and maybe 16-17 driving
Posted on 4/7/17 at 2:01 pm to DLP7637
Typically tongue weight of a trailer is 9-15% of the loaded trailer weight. If the F150 gives you enough payload after the trailer is hooked up go for it. If you want to see how much actual payload you have, and it will be different than the F150 brochure fill your truck up and drive it across a truck stop scale with only you in the truck - subtract this number from your GVWR number on the door sticker and you get your actual payload. Plenty of power to pull but as the trailer gets heavier or loaded down more you can run out of available payload pretty quick.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 4:40 pm to swanny297
Is budget a concern? I may be in the minority here, but if the vehicles are similarly priced and within your budget, I'd go with the diesel F-250 due to resale value. I've owned two diesels to pull 5th Wheels and both held their value way more than a gasser. I know you're only pulling 7,000 #s but who knows what you might purchase in the future. Good luck either way and enjoy the new truck.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 4:47 pm to DLP7637
I had a '15 3.5 that got flooded. It towed my 24' CC easily. The problem was stopping it. On a trailer with electronic brakes, no problem. With surge brakes, not fun.
I replaced it with a '16 F250. It tows like a mule and stops the boat even better. It all boils down to what you want and what you need. I liked driving my F150 daily better, but I also like knowing that I can hook up to any trailer my family owns and go to Montana.
I replaced it with a '16 F250. It tows like a mule and stops the boat even better. It all boils down to what you want and what you need. I liked driving my F150 daily better, but I also like knowing that I can hook up to any trailer my family owns and go to Montana.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 5:07 pm to tigers225
quote:
The 3.5 ecoboost gets great mpgs normal driving, but towing something heavy it goes to shite. Got 8 mpg towing 22ft trailer. If you tow a lot get the f250, if not get the six banger.
I had a 13 f250 and when towing anything tall my MPG went to crap. Towed my 24' vnosed enclosed with nissan GT-R in it. Got 9 mpg.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 5:37 pm to DLP7637
You can't roll coal with an ecoboost
Twofiddy or bust
Twofiddy or bust
Posted on 4/7/17 at 7:19 pm to DLP7637
You are going to get longevity with the 250. Are you planning on keeping truck well after 100k. If so get the 250 if not get the 150.
I have the 3.5 and tow a 21 and 24 boats, loaded with gear and gas. Tows great, routinely do 5-10hr drives. I upgraded my brakes and have s performance add ons. Pulls with ease and haven't had issues braking at all. Surge brakes on both
I have the 3.5 and tow a 21 and 24 boats, loaded with gear and gas. Tows great, routinely do 5-10hr drives. I upgraded my brakes and have s performance add ons. Pulls with ease and haven't had issues braking at all. Surge brakes on both
Posted on 4/7/17 at 9:48 pm to Ice Cream Sammich
I saw you posting on powerstroke army earlier about your shitty lights 
This post was edited on 4/8/17 at 12:36 pm
Posted on 4/7/17 at 9:59 pm to Rize
Wasn't me, baw. Been working on power steps today.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 10:47 pm to achenator
quote:Subtle brag, but I like it.
with nissan GT-R in it.
Nice car broseph!
Posted on 4/7/17 at 10:54 pm to DLP7637
I guess it depends on how often occasional means. Also, how far are you towing the travel trailer? In state or cross country? Once a month? 2x a year?
Why not consider the 5.0 V8? Also the Tundra has a pretty powerful engine/powertrain combo that may be worth a look.
Modern diesels are very expensive to buy and maintain and with the new EPA emissions controls the reliability has gone down.
7k is within the limits of a F150 but I disagree with people who say the half ton truck will tow that much "with ease". Would need have to have working trailer brakes for sure and the proper weight distributing hitch and/or airbags.
Why not consider the 5.0 V8? Also the Tundra has a pretty powerful engine/powertrain combo that may be worth a look.
Modern diesels are very expensive to buy and maintain and with the new EPA emissions controls the reliability has gone down.
7k is within the limits of a F150 but I disagree with people who say the half ton truck will tow that much "with ease". Would need have to have working trailer brakes for sure and the proper weight distributing hitch and/or airbags.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 11:06 pm to DLP7637
Pros vs. Cons. (Assuming the prices are similar)
Ride: F-150 is much better than an F-250 (I had one)
Gas mileage: F-250 gets better MPG, but diesel is more expensive, so it's a wash.
Comfort and Features: Both are very roomy and comfortable. F-250 has a larger cab though. Later model F-150 may have better interior features though.
Towing: F-250 hands down.
Resale value: Both have very good resale value if you take care of them and don't have dents, scratches, frick up the interior, or it runs like shite. The F-250 with the 6.7L has the edge here on resale though.
Maintenance: F-150 easily unless both are in warranty. Diesels are expensive as frick to repair, and oil changes/filters are much more expensive.
Basically, if you don't mind the rough ride while not towing, buy the F-250.
DO NOT BUY AN F-250 WITH THE 6.4L! (2008-2011)
Ride: F-150 is much better than an F-250 (I had one)
Gas mileage: F-250 gets better MPG, but diesel is more expensive, so it's a wash.
Comfort and Features: Both are very roomy and comfortable. F-250 has a larger cab though. Later model F-150 may have better interior features though.
Towing: F-250 hands down.
Resale value: Both have very good resale value if you take care of them and don't have dents, scratches, frick up the interior, or it runs like shite. The F-250 with the 6.7L has the edge here on resale though.
Maintenance: F-150 easily unless both are in warranty. Diesels are expensive as frick to repair, and oil changes/filters are much more expensive.
Basically, if you don't mind the rough ride while not towing, buy the F-250.
DO NOT BUY AN F-250 WITH THE 6.4L! (2008-2011)
This post was edited on 4/7/17 at 11:16 pm
Posted on 4/8/17 at 6:54 am to bhtigerfan
From all of this the obvious answer is a 3/4 ton gas burner.
Sacrifice a few features and they can be had for cheap. Will tow far better than the half ton, last longer, and likely burn less fuel towing. All you sacrifice is ride quality and unloaded fuel economy. It isn't difficult to find one for under $30k if you're shopping the most basic trim.
Sacrifice a few features and they can be had for cheap. Will tow far better than the half ton, last longer, and likely burn less fuel towing. All you sacrifice is ride quality and unloaded fuel economy. It isn't difficult to find one for under $30k if you're shopping the most basic trim.
Posted on 4/8/17 at 7:24 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
RV Open Road Forum
Link above is to a towing forum where this topic is talked about regularly. Yes they're talking about RVs but their knowledge in towing is superb. This very topic is brought up weekly.
Link above is to a towing forum where this topic is talked about regularly. Yes they're talking about RVs but their knowledge in towing is superb. This very topic is brought up weekly.
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News