Tell me what options I need on my new truck for pulling a TT?

[THenne1713]

FACTORY Tow package typical= frame mounted hitch receiver, Brake controller, 7-pin Plug harness with Fused/ IGN controlled B+ line (IN A 7-PIN PLUG wire), Extra large radiator and EXTRA TRANS COOLER and new, modern vehicles have features for TOW/ HAUL trans shift/ trans/engine brake that I never thought of.. :-)

[mitchoe]

I towed my 23’ Jayco with a 2015 3.5L twin turbo just fine in the California mountains. I put air bags on the back with the compressor under the hood and a control in the cab. Also used a good weight distribution system with a sway bar after trying it once without it, made a world of difference in handling. Plenty of power with the turbos, just had to make sure my revs were above 2000 to keep the turbos engaged when pulling the grades. Tow/haul also came in handy on the steep downhills.

[Precab]

Originally Posted by move on

Ford has dropped the diesel in their F-150. The problem was low sales. That's too bad because a diesel is so much more energy-efficient than an Ecoboost, an Ecoboost hybrid or the new F-150 lightning, especially when towing. RAM still offers a 3.0 liter diesel, though.

Granted a F150 Diesel will do about 25mpg vs 20mpg on the Ecoboost Hybrid and the V8 is about 20m MPG as well. Noting the Hybrid was not created for MPG Savings but performance.....it does have incredible Torque hence no need for the Diesel.

If he is only towing 7k+ lbs aprox a few weekends a month he does not need an F250. As one persons opinion I am going to avoid the filth/hassle of Diesel and purchase a hybrid ecoboost.

[Aharmmms]

Originally Posted by Sam 3

It takes 7 or 8 months to make a chip. Trucks have 23 chips in them. Not much price difference.

9-20-2021
1. Totally agree with the F-250 opinion. Visit <ford.com> to evaluate your build.

2. Please see attachment for the timeline of our truck order & delivery.
3. We got the 7.3 gas V8 with the 4:30 gears, which means 26K GCWR if the stars & the planets are aligned correctly. See second attachment.



Regards,

[Homeby5]

Thanks guys...
I posted my final build earlier in the thread. The only thing I added since then was the Camper Package.
Basically I went with the F250 diesel 4 x 4. Because I get Ford employee discount it only cost me $3500 more when compared with the F150 Eco. I did have to drop the trim package but I still upgraded every option I wanted.
For only $3500 difference...it seemed silly not to upgrade to the F250 diesel whether I need it now or not.

[mistercee]

Originally Posted by Pepeyvr

I had a 2015 250XLT with the great 6.7 diesel. Pulled great but watch your cargo carrying capacity. Very limited on 250 due extra weight of diesel engine. Mine was only 2,018 lbs with a 9,900 GVWR. Recently traded for 2021 350 diesel to get the much higher 3,864 cargo capacity. Both towed my 10,300 lb trailer well but really appreciate the extra cargo carrying capacity with the 350.

^^ This.

Order what you spec'd out but change the 250 to a 350.

You will be surprised at the (lack of) payload on an F250 diesel. For the negligible price difference between the 3/4 and 1 ton you will get a significant payload bump and ride quality will be virtually the same.

OP...you might also consider the 7.3L gas. You could easily go up to 10K....mountains included with that engine. I haul my 8500 lb rig in the SW with no problem with a 6.2L and only the 6-speed tranny. I have 4.30 gears.

[Nlambert]

Originally Posted by bneukam

But people do complain about having too much truck when not towing.

How many HD trucks do you see at the shopping mall, or the grocery store.

Today’s 1/2 ton trucks make great TV’s, and everything else from errands, to vacations.

I guess it depends on where you live. If you come to Alabama, you're going to see more 1T duallies in the parking lot than you'd anticipate (mine being one of them). It's no trouble for me, but I've gotten used to it.

Originally Posted by Homeby5

Thanks guys...
I posted my final build earlier in the thread. The only thing I added since then was the Camper Package.
Basically I went with the F250 diesel 4 x 4. Because I get Ford employee discount it only cost me $3500 more when compared with the F150 Eco. I did have to drop the trim package but I still upgraded every option I wanted.
For only $3500 difference...it seemed silly not to upgrade to the F250 diesel whether I need it now or not.

Congrats! If you intend to stay with a TT or not upgrade past a smaller 5th wheel down the road, you're in good shape!

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by Homeby5

...to pull a TT around 25ft or under and weigh less than 7,000 lbs.

It's water under the bridge now, but you ordered more truck than you need for that TT.

You'll probably enjoy that truck, but you would also probably enjoy an F-150 with the heavy duty payload package (HDPP), 3.5L EcoBoost engine, and carefully selected other options just as much or more, with some dollars left in your pocket..

I've had both; A '99 F-250 PowerStoke dragging a small 5er for over 200,000 miles all over the USA, a 2012 3.5l EcoBoost dragging a 6k TT over most of the USA, and my current 2019 3.5L EcoBoost. If I were ordering one today for towing a 7k TT, it would be an F-150 with HDPP, 3.5L EcoBoost engine, and carefully selected other options. But... HDPP is required for any TT with GVWR over about 5,000 pounds. And HDPP was not available with any trim better than XLT. So my 2019 does not have HDPP

[momcat]

Homeby5...I don't think you need it at all, but I do think you will be really happy that you have it. Although....I do not think the xtra mileage will ever cover the cost and expense of a diesei engine used only as a every day driver. JMHO MOMCAT

[SGhost]

Hope your brother has some pull on the production line....... I keep hearing about delays still due to chip shortages. They've got to move all the existing inventory first so it may take awhile.

We love our F350. Good luck, looks like a sweet ride.

[Homeby5]

Originally Posted by SGhost

Hope your brother has some pull on the production line....... I keep hearing about delays still due to chip shortages. They've got to move all the existing inventory first so it may take awhile.

We love our F350. Good luck, looks like a sweet ride.

LOL...nope...no pull. I have to get in line like the rest of them. Probably several months.

Hey guys...let me ask...what is the automatic sway control? Does it come with the towing package and camper package I ordered? I can always change things around until the truck actually starts getting built...

[Homeby5]

I just looked at my cargo capacity with the high capacity tow package. It looks like it is 2487#'s.
The F350 with the same specs has a cargo capacity at 3002#'s
Price difference is $308 for the F350
I guess I will call dealer and change to F350, huh?

Question...WTH is the Tremor package? I keep seeing that in the capacity charts but I don't see it when I did my build...

[77Travco]

Look here for SuperDuty Tremor package info.... https://media.ford.com/content/fordm...d-package.html

[rebfan]

I have 2014 F150 6 cyl ecoboost that has towed my 25 ft tt (4500lbs)coast to coast a few times with no problems. I have towing package and wt distribution hitch