F150 5.0 vs F250 6.2 for towing

[Joe Grippo]

Looking at a new tow vehicle. Anyone have any experiences towing with a 2014 5.0 F150? I see the 6.2 Gas engine is available in the 150 but I have not been able to find one to test drive. I have seen a few 5.0's and tons of ecoboosts....

At this point, I am leaning '14 F250 Super Duty with the 6.2. Anyone using one of those...I have a 24' tag along box trailer with a 3300 lbs race car.

[Kirk Morgan]

With what you are going to pull i would only go with a F250. There is a large gap in the fuel mileage department. Unloaded the 5.0 will get much better fuel mileage. I work on a fleet of Fords and the 6.2 has given us very good service. The fuel milage is about the same as a V-10, 14 HWY-10 towing depending on gear ratio and driving conditions.

Kirk

[Joe Grippo]

Thanks Kirk...The Super Duty 6.2 does seem to be the way to go.

[FSA1673]

Why not the Ecoboost in the F-150 with the 8200 pound package? This is what I have and it works pretty well towing a 24' enclosed.

[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