I am really perplexed about this decision. I have a boat that I am going to have to trailer 200 (400 total) miles three times a year that weighs 5400 lbs. + about 1500 lbs for the trailer. Plus whatever fuel, water, gear, and people are in the truck/boat. Will the F150 cut it?

I also like the exterior of the F-250. I think it will look a lot better than the F150 with a lift kit and bigger tires installed. However, it does not hold a candle to the interior of the new F150.

I drove the 6.0 diesel last night and WOW! I love the power that it had.

Anyone know if there will be any rebates out of the gate on a 2004? I am having trouble finding a 2003 with the options I want.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Frank T. Lee

 

Stick with the SuperDuty. There is nothing quite like having too much truck and let me tell ya it always feels better than wanting a more from your current truck, even if it is only a few times a year. GO BIG

 

I'm somewhat on the fence on this one too.

The 04' F-150 is definitely going to be the choice for the buyer who doesn't necessarily need a heayy duty truck, but bought one for a bit more payload and a real truck exterior.

The F-250 crowd should be demanding some of the same improvements the 04' F-150 offers since the 250 is lacking many of the interior options and improvements the competition has made.

I'm going to wait and see if the 04/05 SuperDuty rises to the occasion of comfort and convenience, and if not, will stick with the invincible F-150.

 

What kind of terrain are you talking about, how many people? What kind of cab?

You would be pretty much taxing the 150 (at least the current one). It looks like the '04 F150 will be able to handle the towing fine (as long you get the right configuration) - the reviews sound great and it will be the truck to beat (in that segment).

Of course, the 6.0L is going to run more money, but the '04 won't have any discounts unless the current market conditions persist for a while longer...But the 6.0L is really overkill unless you are really going to work it for other things.

If you are really going to use the truck more for "light duty" things and regular driving, then I would look more closely at the '04 F150 - it should handle your towing needs.

 

Don't expect any big rebates on the 6.0L. Right now I think it is $1000 in most regions for the '03s, compared to $3000 for a gasser. Ford knows the PSD sells itself so they aren't going to offer huge rebates on their new offering for a while.

If you go with a Super Duty, go with the 6.0L or the V10 for towing. The V10 will get about the same mileage as a 5.4 in these big trucks, and will have more than enough power to pull your boat. The biggest pro for the V10 is upfront cost. It will save you $5000 vs the 6.0L.

As you've already stated, the F150 will be a lot more comfortable and have more "carlike" features, as it has ever since the design split between the light and heavy duties in '99. The 5.4L when used in the F150 is a great engine. The new 3V versions should be even better than the current version. I think it will do fine pulling your trailer. I've seen a lot of F150s pulling good sized trailers down the road.

You're going to have to make the decision on whether the you want the added power for the 3 trips a year, or the more comfortable ride all year. Probably ought to wait until you can actually drive an '04 F150 before you make you decision though.

 

Hi Frank

I know, can be a tough decision. Did you ck. out t/haul bd?

Good replies here...so just reason it thru, whats right for you. There is a difference between needing/wanting etc.

I certainly hope the new 04 triton engine will be a 100% winner..not like past where some ok/some not...even new 6L PSD has been a bummer for some.

If you dont need it right away...you might want to think about waiting 6mo for real world testing by others? Results will show up here and other sites, quick enough..thats for sure. JMO!

Good luck...OT

btw...i also think you will see no immediate rebates or even great deals on 04 job1 first production models..but that remains to be seen.

 

Thanks for the input everyone! I think I may compromise. I may go with the F-250 with the V-10. It has a tow capacity of 12500 lbs with 4.30 gears. That should do it. Opinions?

Thanks,

Frank T. Lee

 

If you opt for the 250 V10, I would suggest you get the 3.73 axle, I have an '02 4x4 V10 with the 4.30 gears, and if you only tow what you have described, you will never need the extra towing capacity the gears give you, and you will need every bit of help you can get with gas mileage.

I tow 2 different trailers, both over 9,000 lbs, and the V10 tows them with ease--its the 98% of the time I'm not towing that the 12.0/12.5 mpg hurts.

The '04 F150 is rated for up to 9,000 lbs, and will certainly ride a lot better for the time you aren't towing.

BESIDES--for several months, with the 150, you will be the envy of almost everyone by having the newest, best pickup in the world!

 

If I plan on putting bigger wheels and tires on, should I get the 4.30 gears? Doesn't your gear ratio effectively go down with bigger wheels and tires?

Thanks,

Frank T. Lee

 

I think the F-150, with the proper tow package will suit you just fine- but, if you want to "forget it's back there" then an F-250 (properly equipped) is what you're looking for.

However, the new 150 is rated to tow 9,000 lbs and your combo will only weigh 6,900. With that in mind, I think the 150 will be a much more liveable, parkable, washable, not to mention good-lloking, and great riding vehicle.

I've seen some nice F-250's on the road, but nothing rides like an F-150. If I can tow 6,000 lbs with my (Non-tow package) 4.6L Expedition- with a butt in every seat, loaded w/internal cargo at 80 MPH- a properly equipped (5.4L) pick-up with the right gears will do just fine. In fact, after a few miles of tranny/gear hunting- my Expy rode better with the trailer full, than it did empty. I had a 6 x 12 U-Haul trailer LOADED..... The only thing I couldn't pass was a gas-station.

(I didn't have a tow package, I added a tow bar after-market)

If you want to be SURE you're gonna have enough more than enough power- Go w/ F-250 6.0L PSD. If you want enough power, but a with little extra engine work- the F-150 5.4L will do.

I'm sure the 5.4L is up to the task- otherwise I don't think Ford would offer it on the F-250. I saw a nice 250 yesterday- I couldn't believe my eyes ($44,000+) with the 6.0L PSD (Very quiet for a diesel)

 

Thanks again for the replies. I need to make my mind up this weekend. It is pretty flat around here in MD. There are only two things that concern me about the F-150. One, the Bay Bridge and two, getting the boat out of the water.

Frank

 

ftlee - what are you using now for your towing?

I think the v10 with the 4.30 gears would not make sense for your needs. If you want bigger wheels/tires that is also going to affect your towing also.

One thing to remember with the diesel is that it needs to be "worked" i.e. it really will run better and last longer if it is run "hot" - short trips, tooling around is not the best for it.

One thing you may want to consider it getting a used truck for a couple of years and see how the '04 F150 turns out in real life. Maybe pick up a F250 v10 for less than $15000? then you aren't out as much money if you change your mind in a couple years.

 

SUPER DUTY....

 

I am in kind of the same boat, so to speak.

One thing that has come to mind is, because I only need a bigger truck a few times a year I don't want to endure the harsher ride the rest of the year driving around empty.

I figure if I buy the 04 F-150 it will be so nice that a few of my friends with bigger trucks (250 + 350's) won't mind trading with me for a day or two, I pull my trailer, they cruise around in the new style. Besides we are all good friends and help each other when and where we can.

I also could rent a bigger truck for a day or two each year, much less expensive overall than buying a truck that I don't need 99% of the time, that might work for you too.

Now having said that, I still like the look of the SD-250 with a slight lift and larger tires, and I know the new F-150 won't have a lift available for a while, and the rims are supposed to be the same as the Expy, strange offset (not many rims available).
So I too have not completly made up my mind.

Some food for thought though.

 

Real world experience here...

I have an Expy and I tow a boat about the same weight as yours. It's anywhere form 7000-7500 lbs. With the mods, the Expy does really well. However, I'm within 300-500 of tow capacity and about the same in GVWR.

I've considered, and now it looks like on the way to buying a Super Duty or an Excursion. The Expy does fine and the only time it's really taxed is generally one tripo we do once a year and it's dragging that boat up and down some serious grades at Lake Ouachita on the way in and out of the marina. (still kicks the crap out of Suburbans dragging less boat )

Since you're buying with towing in mind, go SuperDuty. We bought before having the boat. I'm now looking down the road and can see wearing out the Expy much faster than the SD or Exursion with diesel power!