I will be upgrading from my F-150 to a F-250 to pull my 7500# GVWR TT next year. It's not that my F-150 can't do it but we will be taking grandkids and a few extras so I need something larger. The age old question is gas or diesel? Not sure I want the added cash outlay and it will be used some as a personal vehicle when not towing. Most of the trips could be anywhere. What are the important things that need to be looked at concerning the truck? What say you?

Thanks

 

The 6.2 gas engine (2011 and newer) should be plenty good enough. If you are looking used (2010 and earlier) the gas 6.8 V-10 is a beast, a 5.4 isn't enough.

 

If I were going to spring for a Super Duty there is no question that I would also drop the extra coin for the diesel. If you're going to go, go whole hog.....

 

If you go for a used diesel, just be aware of the potential problems with the 6.0L and 6.4L diesels. A new Superduty with the improved 6.7L diesel would be the ultimate TT tow vehicle.

 

While the F-150 can handle 7,500 fairly easy in most cases a F-250 can tow it with ease and you'll have more confidence on the road. My daughter and son in law have a F-250 with the 6.7 and they love it...I've been quite impressed how quiet it is and for daily driving it gets 18-19 mpg when empty. Personally for towing in the 8K to 13K pound range the F-250 is hard to beat.

 

Go big or go home. Don't regret getting the options you want if you are really buying a truck you plan to keep

 

Diesel! If you are upgrading for towing purposes do it right. We ran a few SuperDuty gassers at work for a year or so and making runs to NY with a loaded trailer it felt like the thing couldn't get out of its own way, especially on the highway. Thankfully Uncle Sam gave us more money this past year and we got some new diesels that do the job much better. +1 on how quite the new diesels are too, actually didn't believe it was one the first time I drove one of them.

 

I doubt the 6.2 in a F250 would have much more pulling capability than the eco especially if you get into some hills. It would have a heavier duty everything else. If I could afford it, I think I would go diesel too because it would tow much better and get better fuel economy all of the time.

 

What YEAR Super Duty and which gas engine? The 2011+ 6.2 is a pretty strong engine, the 2010 and earlier 6.8 V-10 was a real strong engine. The 2010 and earlier 5.4 was too small to tow heavy. Also, how heavy were your trailers?

It shouldn't NEED more pulling capability than the F-150 eco. The F-150 with eco runs out of GVWR long before it runs out of pulling power.

I'm just sour on a diesel for a daily driver. Yes, it gets better mileage. However, diesel fuel costs more, there's the DEF to worry about, and both routine and unscheduled maintenance costs are higher.

 

Oh boy GLC I couldn't tell you to be honest, I just know that after the second trip when motor pool gave us the gasser we told them to politely shove it haha. We just got a refresh this past year on our vehicles all brand new 350 diesels (mostly) and it is night and day better. As for the trailers we haul 12' cam superline equipment trailers with air ground support equipment. We definently weren't past the tow rating on those trucks that is for sure. Just like you're sour on diesels for daily drivers I guess I'm sour on gas jobs if you plan on doing serious hauling. When you buy something with a super duty badge there is nothing worse than feeling underwhelmed with the power, but hey lucky for me the trucks aren't mine haha.

 

I'm sure that the trailers were within the ratings, but the OP is only towing 7500#, which is well within the ratings of a F-150 with either Ecoboost or the 5.0. A 6.2 F-250 should tow it fine, that's not serious hauling.

 

If you run the numbers on gas vs. diesel equipped trucks, the difference in MSRP is staggering. Then you have to add in the increased cost of maintenance on compression ignition engines. Most studies I've seen suggest that unless you're going to keep a diesel truck for over 100,000 miles, the gas motor version is more cost effective. That said, nothing pulls (or pushes if you're plowing) a heavy load like a diesel.

If you want my 2 cents, a 250 with the 6.2 should do just fine pulling only 7,500 pounds.

 

Are you looking at "bigger" for more space or towing capacity? Your current truck is more than capable of towing that trailer and has more space inside than a superduty unless you're looking at 2017's. Even in the case of a 2017, the cab is the same as the f150. You can look at investing in a few items to make your truck very comfortable to tow. Look at a rear sway bar, good LT tires and upgrading the rear shocks with some Bilstein 5100's or Fox 2.0's. You can even put in a AAL or air bags if you're running near max payload.

I moved from a F350 to a F150 as I wasn't towing anymore and didn't need that capacity. It was a 6.0 and the power was impressive with a few minor mods and a good custom tune.

In my personal experience, you're right on the verge of an excuse for a F250. Keep in mind going to a higher GVWR may impact your cost of insurance as well as the need for log books (up here it really starts with F350's).

I would suggest taking them for a test drive and see what you think. I wouldn't go gasser with a superduty, but that is personal preference.

 

Thanks for all of the input and perspectives. After great consternation, wringing of hands, looking at budget, etc. for better or worse I have decided to purchase a 2017 F250 Lariat 4x4 with the 6.2l engine. It will be used to pull our 7500lb TT from spring though fall and as a sometimes daily driver to work until the glorious day of retirement down the road. Again, thanks for everyone's input.

 

Enjoy the new ride.....