Man, I know they spec at 9,000+ pounds towing capacity, but wil an F-150 really tow it effectively? I felt like with my last 2005 Crew 5.4L worked hauling my 3500# of trailer and tractor (total). Now I went back to a 2006 F-250 Stroke and anything I haul isn't a problem - except the daily commute is a rough ride, and diesel 'aint cheap.

So, I've entertained going back to a 150 if fuel prices keep up, and if I decide the average 55k a year driving gets too rough on the keister, but I am concerned a Supercrew loaded in the bed with all the families camping gear and a 4000# pop-up in tow could be a pain... and a load for the truck. What are your thoughts guys? Will I regret it? Yes, I know a diesel isn't a good comparison to a 5.4L gasser in the load department, but if I only haul a dozen times a year, that extra six grand could go somewhere else, too.

 

I tell ya I work in the trailer industry and almost every truck we see is a diesel. Yesterday a customer brought in a F-250 with the 5.4 and after installing a brake controller, I hitched up her new 2 horse bumber pull trailer and headed out for our customary test drive...for a total of 1 mile on level ground. Boy what a pooch! You could definately feel the empty trailer weight on that truck. It was lively before the trailer like any F150 with the 5.4 and then wammo.....poochville with only 2000#'s tops.

You have the turbo diesel, or have had one, it is not even comparable. When people say they tow that weight ---8-9k it means they can....but nothing like towing with any of the 3 big diesels.

What was that I saw on Tv about the new F350....6800# in the bed?? and that's not even being pulled behind on a sled.

I wouldn't risk a tranny towing that much weight regularly in a F150, but there are those that do. I'm waiting for the F150 with the 6 cylinder diesel for my next purchase.

 

In a word NO 3-4K TOPS. I towed a U-haul with maybe 2K and I could tell. I pull a duck boat or a trailer with 2 four wheelers and peoples gear. It is a little poochish with all our duck gear but I don't feel that it is hurting it so I just deal with it because I can't afford a 250.

 

I guess it depends on your idea of capable. I tow about 4-5000 lbs about once a month with my '02 5.4L F150 and it tows just fine. Gets on the freeway at 60+mph and maintains 70+mph on most hills.

Not going to win any drag races, but it's sufficient.

 

That's why I put a supercharger on my truck. I just needed a little more grunt. My boat and trailer weigh in at just under 9000# and I think it pulls it o.k. I just take it easy when I start off and gradually get into the gas. I can merge on to the highway at 60 and maintain 75. Sure, when I hit a big hill it pulls me down but I don't try to force it. My tranny stays nice and cool even when it's over 100*. Once a year I pull it to CA. on vacation, haven't had any problems as of yet.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=7238

 

I pull about 6500# with my 02. It does ok, but I don't take it over 60ish.

 

Diesel may be expensive, but there is no way an F-150 will get the same fuel economy towing or empty as a PSD. The depreciation of the truck will be way more than fuel cost differences.

 

I'm a big fan of overkill when it comes to towing.
The only thing that gives me pause is your post mentions a pop-up camper at 4,000 lbs.

Even the big 25 footers only weigh about 2600 lbs.
I've never seen a 4,000 lb pop-up.

If there if one thing the F150 is well suited for, it's towing a pop-up with it's low wind resistance.

A F250 Diesel pulling a pop-up is an embarrasment to all us Ford owners.
Don't you dare!!

 

I just towed my race car and trailer today for the first time. Open 18foot steel deck trailer. Fox Body Mustang. Toolbox on the trailer. Had an 18 wheeler in my lane trying to merge on the hwy. No guts at all. Thought I had more pedal, but it was already on the floor. 3k, 4k, 5k rpms just noise.

That 2wd PSD is looking better than my new 4wd 150. I just sold my 7.3 250 because I wanted a crew and 4x4 (had neither). I looked for 6 months for the right truck (i am very picky) nothing to be found to my liking. Bought this 150 because my dads truck tows the trailer well on 45 mph hwys. Should have taken that thing on the big I-12.

Its fine once up to speed. Feels real stable (150 inch wheel base), but merging on leaves a lot to be desired. I had it up to 80 once it got rolling. No surprises.

Had the 6.0 not been such a turd (IMO) I would have had a new diesel.

If I remember right, they are rated 9k with 4.10's. Waay lower with the 18s and 3.55's like my truck is setup. I think I am under 5k with my trailer. 7600 is my max load. No guts. Cant compare to 15k towing capacity of my diesel.

My 250 towed a 28ft enclosed trailer with tools, car and electric golf cart better (power) than my 150 just did with my open trailer and car.

 

You need to figure out how much city driving vs towing you will be doing. I tow a 27' camper (6800 lb empty, 7500 loaded) with my 04 F-150, 5.4, 3.55 gear, 18" wheels. I only tow a few times per year. Otherwise, I drive normally the rest of the year. I love the ride of the Larait ( cant beat it). The F-150 does a fairly good job pulling the trailer. Flat land its great, big hills it feels like the brakes are on. So what, I get 21 mpg not pulling the trailer. I cant imagine pulling anymore weight. I pulled a 4500lb boat, and it did great. Your Pop up would be a no-brainer. I know several people who have owned F-250 PSD, then go back to F-150's. They are never satisfied. F-250's pull like a mule. I'm glad I never got used to them. I'm real happy with my little ole 150.

 

Personally I only went back to a 150 because of the 6.0 liter diesel. I dont like an engine that is almost guaranteed to have a head gasket or turbo replaced before 80k miles. If it would have been still available with a 7.3, I would have a new one today.

I find my 150 4x4 rides firm, but not harsh. I had a 2wd 250 and it rode great. Never spent any real seat time in a 4x4 250 or 350. BTW my 2wd 250 got 18.5 MPG from Louisiana to Texas doing 75-80 the whole time ( a few trips up to 90 to pass). With some mild modifications they get in the low 20's.

 

Depends on how you drive. Don't go above 70mph very often and your wallet will love you.

For example: I get 18-19mpg just about every tank unless I'm towing or in a hurry for a week straight. Truck gets between 14-16mpg towing my racecar (2300lbs) or fun car (2500lbs) and a 16' steel/wood open trailer (1200lbs?). Has enough power to get on the freeway on a short uphill onramp at about 60-70mph and can maintain 65mph up the Grapevine (8% grade for 8-10 miles or so) without ragging on it enough to unlock the TC in 3rd (1/4-1/2 throttle).

Most diesel guys get upper teens unloaded and towing what I'm towing, about 16mpg or so. For me, it's not enough to justify the cost.

I daily drive my truck (until I find my motorcycle) so there are some things I need to consider other than maximum towing capacity like parking, etc.

To each his own, YMMV.

 

I tow 6000lbs about once a week with my f150. And my truck is lifted on 35" tires as well.

Its heavy for my truck but it pulls though every time.. flat ground, small inclines, freeway is all good. I can merge onto the freeway at 70MPH with the 6000lbs load.

However on my way home there is a really steep grade. And sometimes my truck will say in second gear and bog down.. (2500rpm) and i will go about 40MPH up this grade. Other times it will downshift to first for a couple seconds then pop back up into second..

Anyways, i would say that 6000lbs is about the max i want to tow with my truck since its on 35" tires with 3.73 gears.

 

When I stated, Going back to 150's, they are never satisfied. What I meant was, once you get used to the grunt of a 250, the 150 seems weak. One day I might get a 250 psd. Once you get used to a Caddilac, an LTD just wont do. However, it will get the job done.

 

I get 12mpg average w/ my 03 Screw 4x4. Never gotten more than 14.2mpg Towing, 10-11mpg.

Yes, it depends on how you drive. However, for the same driving conditions and styles, a PSD will get better than an F-150. If someone already has a PSD, there's no fuel savings going to an F-150. You just lose depreciation on the truck and towing/payload capacity. for a softer ride.