should I upgrade

[richf28]

Im thinking of upgrading from my 2011 f150 ecoboost with a 11, 300 tow capacity. We think it limits us a bit when upgrading to a fifth wheel camper. After going to the Ford dealer I find that an f250 with gas and 3:73 gears only ups me a 1000 lbs of tow capacity and a GM vehicle 2500hd with 4:10 gears and gas about 1200 lbs more. Is it really worth the expense to upgrade or are my figures incorrect. I really wasnt hoping to go diesel on account of the cost of the vehicles and price of the fuel. Would like some experienced opinions on behalf of the gasoline vehicles. I figure if I go the expense of a diesel truck and the cost of a fifth wheel I might as well look into a motorhome with them costs.

[SAD]

When you're comparing trucks.... Forget "tow rating".... It's a BS lie, perfect world scenario you cannot achieve.

If you're wanting to 5th wheel and you're comparing your F150 to a F250 with similar "tow ratings".... Instead look at the GCWR and GAWR (rear) of each truck.

GCWR is the max recommended weight Ford rates the truck for. This is the combined weight of the tow vehicle PLUS the towed unit. The GCWR of the F250 will likely be much higher than the Ecobost.

GAWR (rear) - gross axle weight rating for the rear axle. This is where nearly 100% of the pin weight of a 5er will sit. The F250 will have a much higher rating than the F150.

Given some "rule of thumb", a 5er will put roughly 20-25% of it's gross weight directly on the rear axle of the tow rig. On an 11,000 pound 5er, this translates to about 2,500 lbs. Within the capabilities of the F250 rear axle (and tires) and NOT within the capabilities of the F150 (axle and tires).

[Laredo291OH]

From my experience, tried towing a 29' Laredo TT with my wife's Yukon that has a tow capacity of 8200 lbs, surprisingly the same exact gross weight of a Laredo 291TG, I'm guessing not by accident of Keystone. The Yukon was more than capable of pulling the camper but it wasn't capable of towing it, as in I couldn't get rid of sway. I bought a GMC 2500 HD, according to GM it only has a tow capacity of 9000 lbs, only 800 more than the Yukon. Can't understand that seeing all the heavy duty stuff on the truck, but that's what GM says. This truck can tow the camper just fine, don't even really know it's back there and I'm guessing it could tow quite a bit more than the 9000 lbs it is rated for, but I'm not going to start that whole debate.

[mguay]

Payload capacity is the number of concern.

A 5th wheel usually has 20% of its GVW on the king pin (in the bed of the truck).

So a 12,000 lb 5er will have approximately 2400 lbs of pin weight.

[Hoojs12840]

I would reckon the f150 has around 3k payload capacity. Figure in whatever your family and in cab gear weight (capacity ratings only consider 150# driver, which would be great if I could have afforded to do this as a junior in high school) hitch. My guess you would have around 2400-2500 left after adding hitch.

I would check what the payload, tire and axle ratings. That will give you the info you need. Depending on model and options (sierra Denali has less capacity then sle/slt.) guess all the nice stuff weights a lot!

[SAD]

Rather than speculate, look it up.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/

[SAD]

Or even better.... Take your vehicle to a cat scale and find out based upon what YOU take along with you.

http://www.cat-scales.com

[jsmith948]

This ^^^^^^^^^^!

Also, not to start a diesel vs. gas thing. Run the numbers - you will find that the increased fuel mileage while towing will more than offset the increased cost per gallon of diesel over gasoline.

[440justin]

You can look at my scale numbers to see the story of how little cap the rear axle of a 1/2 ton truck really has.

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16663

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[GaryWT]

Most 150's have a payload of 1300 to 1700 unless it has a heavy duty package. 250's and 350's are close on most everything but payload on a 260 is around 3200 and a 350 is around 3900. Tow is over 12,000 and can approach 18,000 with a diesel which on a Ford cost $8,300 more. I looked at Chevy's but none that we looked at towing better than 9,600. In my area there are a lot more 350's than 250's and the price was similar.

[fla-gypsy]

Forget the 5th wheel with the 1/2 ton. It is about payload if you want to go that route. The Ford gasser with a 4.30 rear wheel do it if you prefer not to go diesel.

[richf28]

Thanks for the replies. So what I'm getting is when towing a tag a long style you go by the tow capacity rating. On a fifth wheel you go by payload capacity and not exceed the gross combination weight. I understand diesel will balance out in the mpg with the gasser but I cant justify the initial cost of the diesel unless I figured on towing full time long distant.

[440justin]

Originally Posted by richf28

Thanks for the replies. So what I'm getting is when towing a tag a long style you go by the tow capacity rating. On a fifth wheel you go by payload capacity and not exceed the gross combination weight. I understand diesel will balance out in the mpg with the gasser but I cant justify the initial cost of the diesel unless I figured on towing full time long distant.

No, you have to look at all the numbers no matter what kind of towing you do. GAWR and GVWR matter for both bumper pull and fifth wheel.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[richf28]

Ok. Thanks. Looked up the specs on mine as well as the 250s and 350s. I see what you're saying now and it makes sense. I dont think the salesman was really knowledgeable and because of it lost a sale.

[avidbowhunterww]

I am jumping into a 2014 Ram 2500 from my 2010 F-150. The frame, suspension, etc... is what is making the difference for me. My F-150 tows well, but not in windy weather. I am getting the 6.4 Hemi.

My reasons:

CTD is a strong motor, but even if it gets me 300k miles and decent towing mileage.... it still means 15 quart oil changes, fuel filters, fuel additives, and everything except the motor under the hood will not last 300k miles.........

Add this up and my Hemi is the better option. I will only be driving the truck to work and at most camping 25 times per year. Mostly short trips about 4 to 5 hours away from home....... Probably not what diesel fans want to hear on our forum, but the extra $8,500 for the CTD is a factor as well. Just my opinion, but you know what they say about those............

[Javi]

Originally Posted by avidbowhunterww

I am jumping into a 2014 Ram 2500 from my 2010 F-150. The frame, suspension, etc... is what is making the difference for me. My F-150 tows well, but not in windy weather. I am getting the 6.4 Hemi.

My reasons:

CTD is a strong motor, but even if it gets me 300k miles and decent towing mileage.... it still means 15 quart oil changes, fuel filters, fuel additives, and everything except the motor under the hood will not last 300k miles.........

Add this up and my Hemi is the better option. I will only be driving the truck to work and at most camping 25 times per year. Mostly short trips about 4 to 5 hours away from home....... Probably not what diesel fans want to hear on our forum, but the extra $8,500 for the CTD is a factor as well. Just my opinion, but you know what they say about those............

15 qts.... but it's every 7500 miles instead of 3000 miles... that kind of negates the extra cost, at least as far as oil changes go..

And you get the extra 8K back on trade in..

[avidbowhunterww]

I run full synthetic and change every 5,000 miles. Only 3,000 when towing.

[Ken / Claudia]

Avidbowhunterww, for this comment lets leave out fuel type and brand. I think you hit the nail on the head with that comment about what and why you beleive the bigger truck is better. If a tow vehicle is heavier it should tow better, handle better, stop better than a ligher truck pulling the same trailer. Let us know what trailer you have and how the two different trucks compare pulling the same trailer on the same roads after a trip or two.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by avidbowhunterww

I run full synthetic and change every 5,000 miles. Only 3,000 when towing.

And some folks running full synthetic in the diesel are going 10K between changes..

My diesel gets better mileage towing, and running empty than a gasser of the same size class. The maintenance is about the same on an yearly basis as my gas gasser was. Fuel is higher but the extra mpg helps negate that. So the only real difference is in the initial cost and like I said you get most of that back at trade in.

Nothing wrong with a gas truck, just for me the diesel is better cause I ain't listening to the motor scream at 6000 rpm to climb a hill.

[SAD]

I LOL when people try to justify ANY purchase (gas, diesel, etc) when it comes to RVing..

I bought it cause I like it... I've got a good job and I don't give a damn what it costs ->