Acceptable amount of sway?

[NDIrish]

Do you think it would be worth trading up for a 3/4 or 1 ton?

[UtahEngineer]

If the company I work for did not provide the 1/2 ton trucks that I tow with ... I would still drive a 3/4 or 1 ton for towing.

[Normal_Dave]

I'm always going to advocate for making what you have work. (budget) If a step up in truck is the solution, I usually look for the Ram 2500 Tradesman 6.4L. Nicely equipped, quite the value if you shop around.

But, I think Ford has quietly thrown one by me...

Check one of these out. F-250 Crew, 6.2L Gas, XL, add the STX appearance package, power/equipment group, FX4, a few towing goodies, and you're set. If you want a more than capable tow rig, at a decent price for a new truck, and some nice features included, I think the XL, "dressed up" is the ticket.

Example of a leftover new 2017 in your neck of the woods. 6.2L 385HP, 430 ft/lbs torque.
http://www.windowsticker.forddirect....%2FOZZg9LLc%3D
All this for a price potentially south of an F-150...?
https://www.gilboyford.com/new/Ford/...22a0f17bb7.htm

What say the gallery?

[NDIrish]

The look of the STX is nice but they don't make it in an 8 foot bed

[Normal_Dave]

http://www.windowsticker.forddirect....SeODERYzh4Y%3D

I think Ford could have at least named it "Notre Dame Blue"...

New 2018 Ford F-250 Super Duty For Sale | Lebanon PA VIN :1FT7W2B67JEC23215

176" WB

[tuffr2]

Upsides of a 3/4 ton gas truck.

1. Will tow alot better
A. * W/D and Sway control easier to dial in
2. Cooler to drive (my opinion)
3. Will come with all the stuff you need for towing. (Brake controller, mirrors, brakes, frame, longer wheelbase)
4. More truck for less money
5. Can be used to run errands in a pinch.

Downside

1. Expect 15 mpg vs 1/2 ton 20 mpg.
2. Does not ride like a 1/2 ton
3. Running errands will eventually get old.

* I ran across a towing feature of the F-250 super strong hitch attachment that I need to reseach more but I think it said no W/D gizmo needed.

Oh, I saw a Ram and now a Ford with extended running boards. You need this option to stand on the running board to reach into the bed of the 3/4 ton trucks.

[NDIrish]

How does the 6.2 pull compared to the 3.5 ecoboost

[Normal_Dave]

I'm not qualified to make the real world towing comparison, but there is this regarding power:

Your current 3.5L EB
365HP @ 5,000, 420 Torque @ 2,500
https://media.ford.com/content/dam/f...F150_Specs.pdf

2018 6.2L 385HP @ 5,750, 430 Torque @ 3,800
https://media.ford.com/content/dam/f...Super-Duty.pdf

In a snapshot, as far as engine capability, for me, it's a wash. For frame, suspension etc. night and day difference.

I guess the difference would be trailer load handling of the F-250 vs. F-150 and whether you prefer "naturally-aspirated" power vs. turbocharged power. (They always told me "no free lunch") back in my hot-rod building days of old.

[archer75]

A ram 2500 with the rear coils rides quite nice.

[khuffmanjr]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Upsides of a 3/4 ton gas truck.

1. Will tow alot better
A. * W/D and Sway control easier to dial in
2. Cooler to drive (my opinion)
3. Will come with all the stuff you need for towing. (Brake controller, mirrors, brakes, frame, longer wheelbase)
4. More truck for less money
5. Can be used to run errands in a pinch.

Downside

1. Expect 15 mpg vs 1/2 ton 20 mpg.
2. Does not ride like a 1/2 ton
3. Running errands will eventually get old.

* I ran across a towing feature of the F-250 super strong hitch attachment that I need to reseach more but I think it said no W/D gizmo needed.

Oh, I saw a Ram and now a Ford with extended running boards. You need this option to stand on the running board to reach into the bed of the 3/4 ton trucks.

I run errands in my dually....happily.

Ken

[khuffmanjr]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

I don't see a speed claim in the above quoted post except, "passed many 3/4 and 1 ton diesels going uphill" which doesn't claim excessive speed, just that he passes other trucks on hills.

I could pass some trucks in the same situation in my '63 VW microbus with a 36 hp engine. I certainly wasn't speeding.

I can make a reasonable assumption of speed with the claim of "6 mpg" made in that post.

Ken

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by khuffmanjr

I can make a reasonable assumption of speed with the claim of "6 mpg" made in that post.

Ken

Nice try.

[UtahEngineer]

We have logged 6 mpg climbing steep grades and fighting head winds simply maintaining the 65 mph towing speed limit. We regularly travel from Utah through western Idaho, Wyoming and Yellowstone Park to visit family in eastern Montana. Routes with roads that have some of the steepest passes and worst head winds in the US.

[UtahEngineer]

Going back to college in 1998 from Billings, MT to Butte, MT .... driving a 1997 Chevy Silverado with a 5.7L Vortec V8 gas motor (20k miles on truck) ... no trailer ... fighting a 65 mph headwind just east of Big Timber, MT ... with my foot almost to the floor ... I was only able to go 70 mph in an 80 mph zone ... and I ended up getting only 6.5 mpg ... had to get fuel in Bozeman, MT because the truck only had a 25 gallon gas tank. So why is it so hard to believe my 2017 Ford 3.5L twin turbo Ecoboost cannot get 6 mpg without speeding when hauling over 8,000 lbs following the same roads?