I want to pick some brains of the experts here.

I have a 2004 XLT SCrew 4X4 5.4L with towing pkg.

I routinely pull a 16 ft WW stock trailer with 2-3 horses in it. I also routinely pull a 16 ft. tandem trailer with a JD 5103 tractor with front end loader(approx 7000#) . My current truck will pull it, but not as well as I would like it too.

I'm looking at the new 2011 Ecoboost and want the FX4 SCREW with max towing package and 6.5' bed.

I would like to start using gooseneck trailers as I like the way they pull better than bumper pulls.

My questions:

Any news on how the EB engine and transmission will work with a GN trailer?
Does anybody know why I couldn't use a GN trailer with this combination?
Would I be better off getting the F250 diesel?

Thanks for your input.

 

I have always thought that gooseneck trailers meant an automatic upgrade to at least a 250.

 

what does the towing package on the ecoboost fx4 offer?

 

For that weight the EB seems like it will do pretty well, obviously not as well as a F250. You do need to remember that a diesel has a hellish maintenance schedule and cost. Plus, diesel fuel cost way more. The gassers have less emission BS and fuel is widely avaiable and cheaper. Lets also not forget the initial cost diffence between the two, insurance, registration, etc... I could live with slightly less towing performance for those reasons alone.
I recently got rid of my 2008 6.4L F-250. Driving those beast everyday in the city is not fun. I don't have a sour taste in my mouth because the truck was great. It was just ultra expensive to own, maintain, and difficult to get around.

 

I really don't want a diesel. I have to admit I like the looks of the F250's just from a "brutish" standpoint. (hey it's a girl thing...)

I love my F150 I have now. I really like the information I'm seeing about the EcoBoost engine.

Just curious about what everyone thinks of pulling a Gooseneck trailer with it. I don't see my trailer needs changing unless I went to a GN aluminum 3 horse trailer instead of my trusty BP W&W stock trailer that weighs a ton itself! The tractor I pull 200 miles round trip several times a year.

Live in TX, so no major mountains......

 

Check into the tongue weights of the goose necks. I may be off, but I though goose-necks & fifth wheels usually have a 15%-25% tongue weights vs the 10% of bumper pulls. Payload without Heavy Duty Payload Package for most trucks is between 1500-1700. after you account for Fuel, Driver, passengers, tool box, etc, you could run out of payload quick. Heavy Duty Payload Package bumps the payload up to 2000-3000lbs, so that may get you by.

Can you order the Heavy Duty Payload Package and Max tow at the same time? IDK....

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

 

Just get the best of both worlds...a new F250 with the new 6.2 liter gas engine.

 

Now that would just make too much sense

 

My ecoboost XLT 4x4 with 3.73 and max tow is on order. I will be pulling my 20' gooseneck that weighs 3400 lbs unloaded. With a load of hay it will be around 10-11k lbs total. I currently have A F250 with the 6.0 and see no problems with going with the ecoboost. If the total weight of the loaded trailer is 10k lbs then 15-20% would put 1500 to 2000 lbs in your bed and that is not a problem for me.

If the max tow springs sag too much, a set of Firestone airbags will fix that right quick. And like you, I don't tow every day

I am leaving the diesel for several reasons, higher fuel costs, higher maintenance costs, and a ride that feels like you are riding an old tractor with steel wheels.

 

Airbags are good , but pricey. On my Superduty, past F-150's and all my other friends installed Timbrens springs. The are under $200 and ready to go anytime. No need to air the bags up. Unloaded does not change the ride and loaded just squishes down on the timbren piece and holds the truck at that level. Just a thought.....
http://timbren.com/

 

Apples and oranges here; diesel vs. a turbo V6. The 250 with the 6.2 would be the best option here if going with a 5th wheel. You can also get the factory fifth wheel prep package if going with the SuperDuty. On the other hand the EcoBoost would pull that trailer without issue as well and would be better on gas in the long run.

 

Diesel without a doubt. Don't buy into all the commercials and hype of towing 11,300lbs with an F150.

I had a F250 and now have a 2010 F150. I towed a 28ft race car trailer with the F250 it was at most 11k lbs. I barely felt it back there and got 11-13mpg hauling 75mph+.

I tried hauling it with the F150 empty @ 6,500lbs and it almost through my F150 off the road. I tripped sway control twice under 65mph.

I do haul my 24ft 5k lb camper with the F150 it does okay as long as the wind and hills aren't too bad and I stay under 70'ish. It is exactly the occasional weekend hauler I thought it would be. It gets 9-11mpg doing this task.

I had to tow a Kubota L3350 with a 6ft cutter on a 20ft trailer bumper pull with the F150. About 7-8k gross. It was a white knuckled 55mph pull. Even with the tractor back on it's trailer the front tires would hop on dips.

For horses, goose necks, tractors and regular work you are crazy to pass up a new diesel.

 

I'm the same way about F250s so I guess it is a girl thing. Test drove a black diesel 2011 F250 Lariat with FX4 package when my truck was getting it's first oil change a few months ago, and man it was a heck of a truck. It's the only truck I'd "cheat on" my truck for. I actually went home wishing I had some horses to tow to justify that much truck lol. But as to your question, I'm not a towing expert by any means, but just from the fact you say you tow the tractor a long distance several times a year I'd probably opt for a 6.2 superduty if I were you. Also, I believe the Screws with 6.5' beds have a lower payload number, so that's something to look into.

 

Since you haven't towed with an ecoboost, your statement has no validity

 

Thanks, I will check them out