1/2 or 3/4?

[Thespis]

I apologize in advance, because I know this has been asked and answered before, but some searching didn't really didn't give me the information I need.
My wife and I are both retired and are talking about downsizing our home and buying an RV/Truck to do some quality travelling across the country. I currently have a 12 year old F150 that runs great, but it's time for a new truck anyway and since we're buying an RV, we might as well buy an F250. Except all the salesmen seem to want to sell me an F150 because they can get more incentives to lower the price.
We're looking at smallish couples trailers that seem to average about 5500-6000 pounds dry, so probably 7500-8000 in reality. An F250 is overkill for these trailers, but a new 3.5 Ecoboost F150 would be almost at the limit. The F150 would be cheaper, but not by a huge number.
Am I right in thinking that driving an F250 would be a very pleasant experience while the F150 would be a little scary from time to time?
Also, if you're still reading this wall of text, what is your opinion of buying an F250 with 50000 miles on it and taking it cross country?

[Old-Biscuit]

Too much trailer......not enough truck can be nerve wracking

F250 with 50,000 miles ---trip across country ...... WHY NOT
*unless maintenance has been poorly done

Buy the F250, get the 8500--9000 GVWR Trailer and GO ENJOY.

[High Road Travelers]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Too much trailer......not enough truck can be nerve wracking

F250 with 50,000 miles ---trip across country ...... WHY NOT
*unless maintenance has been poorly done

Buy the F250, get the 8500--9000 GVWR Trailer and GO ENJOY.

Agree with Old Biscuit. I don't think you would be happy with a F150 towing your trailer.
Thank and Happy Camping

[Thespis]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Buy the F250, get the 8500--9000 GVWR Trailer and GO ENJOY.

I'm trying to decide between new and used right now. There are some really nice used XLT out there for about the same price as a stripped down new XL. The new XL has a lot of good tech on the dash for an entry level truck, but those vinyl seats... I feel like we're going to spend a lot of time in there so it should be as comfortable as possible but used with no bumper to bumper vs full warranty is a tough decision.

[Tachdriver]

F250 gives you more power and braking.

[mokurt]

After towing trailers with our 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 we replaced with a '24 F250 7.3.

I would not want to tow with a 1/2 ton.

[ViperJD]

Agree with the rest, make the jump. We traded in our 150 and ended up with a 350. Wouldn't look back. We love it and was within $500 of same price. Sests aren't perfect, but wo much more capacity.

[MFL]

Originally Posted by Thespis

I'm trying to decide between new and used right now. There are some really nice used XLT out there for about the same price as a stripped down new XL. The new XL has a lot of good tech on the dash for an entry level truck, but those vinyl seats... I feel like we're going to spend a lot of time in there so it should be as comfortable as possible but used with no bumper to bumper vs full warranty is a tough decision.

While some 1/2 ton Fords would work for you, the right one, best equipped for towing, will be about same price as F250 XLT.

The XLT has always been best choice for options/price. My last 10 trucks have all been new purchases. I did look sometimes, for low mileage used, but with incentives, warranty, and getting just what I wanted, I ended up new.

Many HD trucks get used hard, unlike 1/2 ton trucks, that are often used like a car. Fifty thousand miles on a used 250 is not a lot of miles, but how those miles were added, and who used it, can make a big difference. I've never been too concerned about budget, so buying new was always my choice.

A new 250 with 7.3/10-speed will serve you well, for many years. You may decide to go with a heavier TT, or even a FW at some point.

[ArtJoyce]

It sounds like it's your first trailer and it sounds like your talking about going full time? I would go biger. Maybe even consider a 350.

It seems a lot of people upgrade their camper within a few years of owning their first trailer. On top of that, going full time upsizing happens alot if they bought small.

[MooseCountry]

We just went even bigger to tow our 9,995 lb GVWR TT, 6,145 lb dry.

The Rockies where we live required a 3500 HO turbo diesel vs our 2500 gas 6.4L with 4.10-1 rear gear ratio. Just an opinion. Revving between 4,000 to 5,000 RPM consistently on our gas engine towing up our 21.4 mile long continuous grade wasn't a good idea. Costly repairs by doing so. We also own a 1500 with a V8. Yes, it could tow it dry, but I doubt that it would last long, so we don't.

Truck training companies teach student drivers on our steep highway grade and we hear those Jake brakes. The exhaust brake on our 3500 while towing down is something that I can't understate versus trying to hold it back in low gear with our gas.

[zrock2010]

Go with the 250, while the 150 may tow what you are looking at you may feel the need to upgrade your trailer in the future and then you will be limited. Since you seem to keep your veh for a while i would spend the extra on a new and also get a better trim package for comfort. In the end its really not going to be much of a difference in payments and you will be much more comfortable on trips. Nothing worse than being in a truck that is uncomfortable on long trips trust me i know i used to drive pilot cars even through the truck was new it was the most uncomfortable truck i had ever been in. i outfitted my personal truck so i could stand to drive and that was not cheap to do

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Thespis

I apologize in advance, because I know this has been asked and answered before, but some searching didn't really didn't give me the information I need.
My wife and I are both retired and are talking about downsizing our home and buying an RV/Truck to do some quality travelling across the country. I currently have a 12 year old F150 that runs great, but it's time for a new truck anyway and since we're buying an RV, we might as well buy an F250. Except all the salesmen seem to want to sell me an F150 because they can get more incentives to lower the price.
We're looking at smallish couples trailers that seem to average about 5500-6000 pounds dry, so probably 7500-8000 in reality. An F250 is overkill for these trailers, but a new 3.5 Ecoboost F150 would be almost at the limit. The F150 would be cheaper, but not by a huge number.
Am I right in thinking that driving an F250 would be a very pleasant experience while the F150 would be a little scary from time to time?
Also, if you're still reading this wall of text, what is your opinion of buying an F250 with 50000 miles on it and taking it cross country?

“I bought too much truck for my trailer” said no one ever!

[PCBMartyn]

Definitely get the 3/4 ton.

[MooseCountry]

So we're in Montrose, Colorado last month standing next to two new 2024 3500's at a dealership. Both are 4x4's, both crew cab long beds with 6.7L Turbo Cummins diesels. Prices were nearly the same.

One was a basic Tradesman with next to nothing on interior options, but the other was a not to be customer ordered Big Horn with every luxury and interior option available. Better wheels and probably had better 4x4 traction features too.

It was under the hood that was different by gobs of more towing power with the HO in the Tradesman and not in the Big Horn. Stronger transmission in it too. For towing in the Rockies maximum power rules.

We got the Tradesman.