F150 5.0 vs F250 6.2 for towing

[FED 387]

Joe-- there is NO comparison with any 1/2 ton VS. 3/4 ton in towing capabilities--- 3/4 ton has beefier suspension/brakes/tires/cooling/frame are all much more "heavy duty" than in a 1/2 ton vehicle-- this gives you more safety,peace of mind and durability to do the job--- not sure what rear gear ratios are available but try to get around a 3:73 better mileage with a sacrafice in acceleration its gonna be slow getting up to speed but once there it will idle down the hiway about 1700RPM at 65 MPH--- Is this a dedicated tow vehicle or is this going to be a everyday driver too?? Get at least an extended cab and if its in the budget get a crew cab gives you much more room inside than a single cab --- If this truck is going to be garaged and you have the typical size garage something to think about is an extended cab short bed is the same length as a standard single cab 8 foot bed pick up--- get the factory platform hitch/wiring harness do not bother with the OEM trans cooler its inside the radiator not an external cooler get an aft mkt one for a motorhome about a 17000-25000 pound range one you'll never over heat it - heavy duty cooling/radiator----LOAD RANGE E TIRES too-just some suggestions if I were buying the truck---if you go with the shortbed truck and you want to put a CAP/TOP on the bed get it when you buy the truck YOU WILL NEVER find a used Super Duty SHORT BED cap very rare and usually junk too and if you do its almost as much as a new one and its always the wrong color!!!
Just some food for thought---Regards FED 387

[FED 387]

SD is rated for 10000 pound towing capacity to start with--lotsa problems with that ecoboost and EXPENSIVE($2000-2500) plus ya dont get anywhere near the mileage that Ford claims!! -- also YOU MUST get the extendable towing mirrors stay away from the small mirrors ya cant see anything with them--and if its in the budget get the heated mirrors--- it's a nice touch & ya don't have to scrape em off

[DIAPERMAN]

I have a F 250 2013 6.2 motor Crew cab 8 ft bed . Love the truck I put a set of 5000 lb air bags on it I get 14 mpg on road about 10 towing Good alturative to diesle

[FED 387]

not sure on this but I have heard ya need to use PREMIUM instead of REGULAR fuel in the ecoboost for better performance--somewhere in the fine print Ford recommends it but they never come out loud and tell you that.

[Dave Turner]

Joe, I tow the same size trailer and approximately the same weight car with a 2011 F250 2wd reg cab long box 6.2L.....works like a champ. Only thing that I find annoying is the choppy ride with the short wheelbase. I drive it daily.

[FSA1673]

I tried using Premium fuel in my Ecoboost and there was no measurable difference in fuel mileage or driveability. I tested it both while towing and not towing. Mine is a 2012 with roughly 45000 miles, 4000 miles towing.

I friend of mine had the 6.2 in the Harley Davidson Edition and switched to the Ecoboost last summer. He was quite happy and surprised with the switch.

The 8200 pound F-150 is quite a bit different that the regular F-150 when you get into the details, frame, rear differential size, suspension, wheels, tires, etc.

Scott

[Joe Grippo]

Thanks for the replies everyone...Looks like the a '14 6.2 Super Duty is in our near future. Just have to decide between crew or super crew cab to go with the 6' box.

This will primarily be the tow vehicle with other occasional uses. Thanks again for all the feedback.

[Sam M]

Originally Posted by FSA1673

I tried using Premium fuel in my Ecoboost and there was no measurable difference in fuel mileage or driveability. I tested it both while towing and not towing. Mine is a 2012 with roughly 45000 miles, 4000 miles towing.

I friend of mine had the 6.2 in the Harley Davidson Edition and switched to the Ecoboost last summer. He was quite happy and surprised with the switch.

The 8200 pound F-150 is quite a bit different that the regular F-150 when you get into the details, frame, rear differential size, suspension, wheels, tires, etc.

Scott

I just picked up a 13' F-150 with Ecoboost. Just curious what milage were you getting when towing?