Help with tow vehicle decision

**ALScott** · 04-26-2017, 05:02 PM

We are about to buy our first ever RV. It will likely be a 2800BH. As luck would have it my dealer has made it easy for me to get out of my current 2015 F150 I have had issues with. He threw a wrench in the works by asking if I had ever thought about a F250 and so I have been driving a 2016 for a few days. I really like it and would get a 2017 if I go that way. I just can't decide if it's worth the extra cost over the F150 for towing the 2800BH. The payload sticker on my 2015 is 1,611 lbs and a F150 on the lot I looked at was 1,400 lbs. This 2016 F250 is 2,007 lbs don't know what 2017 would be. I want the option of towing the trailer anywhere, any distance and not worry about the truck. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. The F150 would be 3.5 Ecoboost with max tow package and the F250 would be the 6.7L diesel, thus the extra cost.

**steve gravelle** · 04-26-2017, 05:09 PM

You will NOT be sorry you bought theF250. I can't say the same about the F150- not that it is an inferior vehicle, but for now and the future more is better IMHO.

**Paul & Deb** · 04-26-2017, 05:52 PM

Throwing my wrench in the works I will add I think the 3/4 ton truck is useless. Now I know they're not useless but for folks with a mind to RV, the 1 ton is a much better choice. There is very little, if any, cost increase for a 1 ton over a 3/4 ton but your future trailer choices will be far better with the increased payload and towing capabilities. I wish someone had told me this when I bought my first 3/4 ton truck.

As long as you'r shopping ........ Just sayin'

**Cate&Rob** · 04-26-2017, 05:58 PM

Does your dealer have an F350 that you can look at? If you are going to step up to the cost and complexity of a diesel, you could spend just a few dollars more and get a payload considerably above 2000 lbs by getting an F350 which is physically the same size truck. If you like the F150 Ecoboost for all the driving you will do when not towing, you can get one of these with the heavy payload option which would get you a 2600 lb payload.

Rob

Edit: Didn't see Paul's post before I posted my comments
Yeah . . . . what he said

.

**arhayes** · 04-26-2017, 06:21 PM

You're getting good advice. It's certainly better to have more truck because you will probably buy a bigger rig down the road so why pay depreciation twice?

Alan
2015 380TH RVD2
2014 F350 DRW 6.7L
2012 Honda GW1800

**LCBoyer** · 04-26-2017, 06:24 PM

I think you should buy as much truck as you're comfortable with

**Ruach-Elisha** · 04-26-2017, 06:43 PM

I agree that you have gotten some good advice, and you should get as much truck as you can comfortably afford. If you can afford a 2017 F350, I can highly recommend one: I love mine more than any vehicle I have ever owned. But, the 2017 Diesel Powerstroke engine is quieter than some of the late model V8 gas engines (and more powerful too) and I think the ride of the truck is better than the 2016's. 2017 is the first year that Ford made the F250/F350 in the full aluminum body with a fully boxed frame as well. I would lean towards the F350 as well: if this is your first RV, most people end up making a change within 2-4 years to upgrade based on their learning curve, and you probably won't go smaller for the 2nd trailer. You will have a blast.

**SkiSmuggs** · 04-26-2017, 07:31 PM

Having been through it, the F350 is only a few hundred more, but the payload is a bunch more. The issue with RVs is after you get one, you may want more. Why limit yourself?
And one more thing, I paid for the diesel option by getting an XLT instead of the Lariat.

**Greene728** · 04-26-2017, 07:57 PM

Please just forget the F-150 if towing an RV. Not that they can't or are they bad choices. It's just they are so limited on payload capacity unless you special order it at which point your better off to just go 3/4 or 1 ton from the get go. Yes, a 150 with max tow and max payload would work. But why when it's available already in a 250, or better yet a 350. Another option to consider is a gas burner 3/4 ton. It will save you a ton over diesel and will have the payload of a 350 with the diesel. Reason being is the gas engine is considerably lighter than it's diesel counterpart. And the Ford 6.2 gasser is a rock solid engine! Special order it with the 4:30 rear end and have a gas towing beast. However, if your set on diesel then do what others are saying and go straight to the 350. It's a tough choice I know.
Good luck!

**Greg107** · 04-26-2017, 09:07 PM

I have a 2016 F150 Super Crew Lariat FX4 with the 3.5 Eco boost and Max Tow. My payload capacity is 1,668 lbs. I am pulling a 2600RB and have had no issues with the truck pulling the trailer. I looked at a buying an F250, but in the end it was just to big for my wife to use as a daily driver, she would have a hard time parking it where she works. Plus I wanted to be able to park it in the garage. I am very impressed with my F150's performance.

Now if I was retired and full time camping I would get an F250, but then again I would have also bought a fifth wheel. I wonder what is making the payload capacity for the F150 on the lot only 1,400 lbs? My F150 is loaded with a higher payload capacity.

Greg