I just got off the Ford site dealing with the Gross Combined Weight Ratings for F150's and F250's and have discovered that with the 5.4 L engine that I don't really need to get a F250 truck for towing.

The max allowed on the F150 is 15,000 GCWR with 9500 lbs trailer tow capacity with a 3.73 axle. (Supercrew)

The max allowed on the F250/F350 is 15,000 GCWR (Crew Cab)with only 8700 lbs trailer tow capacity with the 4.10 axle, or 13500 GCWR with the same 8700 lbs. trailer tow capacity on the 3.73 axle.

Am I missing something here? I would have thought that the F250/F350 would have had a higher rating regardless of the axle size, because of the larger frame size. I notice that the V10 is a higher rating, but if the V8 will do, why bother with the V10. I presently have a 2001 Supercrew with a 4.6L engine 3.55 axle, and am shopping for a new truck preferrably the F250, but after visiting the Ford site, I don't think I really need the F250. On paper, the F150 looks adequate.

The trailer we are looking at weighs in at a GVW of 8900 lbs.
I posted this on the Tow and Hauling thread previously, but expect to get a better response here.

Some advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

I too am suprised at the low tow limits of of the F-250. It must be because of the higher weight over the F-150. The basic weight of the 2004 F-150 SuperCrew is about 5400 lbs. If you consider 4 passengers (175 lbs), a full tank of gas (6.8lbs/gal x 29 gal) and 200 lbs of cargo almost 1100 lbs is added. (I may be wrong but I don't think gas and passengers are included in the basic weight. It may be that just the driver and the gas are considered so you can subtract 375 from 1100). Using the most conservative numbers with your 8900 lb trailer the GCWR is 15400 lbs. Least conservative the GCWR is 15025 lbs. That is a lot of weight. If you don't plan on towing that much I think you'll be fine. If towing frequently, I would be concerned. My personal rule is not to exceed 75% of my GCWR.
I recently traded my 99 F-150 RegCab 4x4 (5.4l, 3.73) for a 2003 F-250 CrewCab 4x4 (6.0l PSD, 3.73). My trailer weighs at most 6000 lbs. I looked at the 2004 F-150s but was able to swing a good deal on the F-250.
Hope this helps.

Greg

 

The F-250 CC weighs about 6800 lbs average with a full tank of fuel and nobody in it. That's where you see a lower capacity than you would imagine. However the Superduties are made for everyday towing of that size vs the F-150. The 1/2 ton will do it however I think you would be more pleased with a Superduty pulling the load. Also gas mileage between the V-10 and the 5.4 is negligible. If you get a crew cab and tow a trailer of that size with any regularity you will once again wish you had gone with the bigger option.
All my opinions mind you.

 

I am allowed to tow 13000 with my 04 CC diesel, like you said 9,500 for the 1/2 ton...

 

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the F250 with the V10 is the way to go. The Diesel although would do the job handily, but the added expense of a diesel and the automatic tranny in Canada adds about $8000 to the cost of the truck. And the wife doesn't like the noise or smell of a diesel. Looks like I have some more homework to do

 

You came to the exact same conclusion I did when buying my truck, after noticing some of the same things that you have already commented on. Can't say that I regret my decision at all, and don't think you will either.

 

My wife doesn't like diesel smell, or noise, she had a f150 SCREW..

Now she loves her 04 6L...

The TS trans is THE best trans I have ever owned...

We just got back from a 3000 mile trip in it...All I can say is Supreme...

Do yourself a favor and drive one...

P.S. I got $8000 off the MRSP...and it got 20mpg at 70 mph..

 

Also, That F150 with the 15,000 GCWR is in essence an F250. They used to call it an F250LD, now it's the F150 8200 GVW HD series..Which is not a standard F150..

Yes, when you're talking abour GCVW ratings you have to look at the max combined weight and subtract the vehicle weight to get the max trailer towing capacity!

Even though the F150 HD may say it can tow those heavy loads, believe me you would be much happier with an F250 with the V10 for towing.

But, when not towing the F150 would be better!


Also remember that the F150 HD (7-bolt wheels) has the 300 hp 5.4L engine vs. the 260 hp 5.4L in the F250, so with the same gears the F150 can tow more!

 

fomocofan

Quote; (Also remember that the F150 HD (7-bolt wheels) has the 300 hp 5.4L engine vs. the 260 hp 5.4L in the F250, so with the same gears the F150 can tow more)

You raise an interesting point on the new version of the 5.4L engine in the F150. Does anyone know if and when Ford will install this engine into the F250/F350. I would bet that that change alone would have a definite increase in the towing ability and performance of the F250/F350's.

 

My wife and I are going through a very similar comparison right now. We currently use a '99 F150 with the 4.6l V8 to tow a 6,500 lb horse trailer. It does the job well down here in flat south Florida. However, we've started experiencing differential problems at 45k miles and are looking at F250 SD replacement options.

It is odd that there isn't a greater increase in towing capacity with the 5.4l SD truck (7,500 lbs) compared to our light duty 4.6l F150 (6,800 lbs). However, I've noticed that the towing capacity increases substantially with the larger engine options - 10,800 lbs with the 6.8l V10 and 12,500 lbs with the 6.0l V8 TD. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that indicates to me that the SD truck frames and drivetrain are capable of handling substantially more weight than the F150, especially the LD model that we have.

We're inclined to go for the diesel and not worry about marginal capacity anymore.

 

My wife and I are going through a very similar comparison right now. We currently use a '99 F150 with the 4.6l V8 to tow a 6,500 lb horse trailer. It does the job well down here in flat south Florida. However, we've started experiencing differential problems at 45k miles and are looking at F250 SD replacement options.

It is odd that there isn't a greater increase in towing capacity with the 5.4l SD truck (7,500 lbs) compared to our light duty 4.6l F150 (6,800 lbs). However, I've noticed that the towing capacity increases substantially with the larger engine options - 10,800 lbs with the 6.8l V10 and 12,500 lbs with the 6.0l V8 TD. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that indicates to me that the SD truck frames and drivetrain are capable of handling substantially more weight than the F150, especially the LD model that we have.

We're inclined to go for the diesel and not worry about marginal capacity anymore.

 

If I were towing somethign that weigthed 7000-10000lbs...You better believe I would be using the heaviest truck I could find...Diesel...

You dont want a load like that throwing around a little half ton...Thats dangerous!!!!

Reminds me of the time a gentlemen towed a 763 Bobcat with an explorer...He lost it and could not controll it and rolled it...

 

Realizing that this thread is 5 years old, are you guys around? What has happened, I would love an update because I am right at the same crossroads now.

I have a 04 f150 5.4 3v. It tows my 20 foot cargo trailer well. The trailer is rated to 10,000 gvw and the truck is rated close to that. I have 110k miles, little to no problems (limited slip, plugs and brakes are new) but want a 4 dour and the local dealership has offered a decent deal on a 2005 f350 6.0 psd, lariat, 54k miles. I cant decide.

I tow a little less than half the time, but drive mostly highway and cruise around 75.

So, OP and opinion contributers, what did you you and or what would you have done now that we are 5 years removed? I wonder if yall are around too!

Any help from anybody, please.

 

Holy thread revival batman.


Considering the OP is the only one from this post that has even logged into this site in the last year (most haven't revisited since 04 when this thread was started) I doubt you'll get an answer from them.


Hope you don't live in a cold climate with that 6.ohno. The 07 work truck I've got now won't start unassisted at anything under 6*F. It has to be plugged in all night, and even sitting at 20*F temps all day it still barely starts on its own. My old 7.3L doesn't even flinch at 6*F. You decide.