There was no disclaimer on my F150 ecoboost tow package in regards to my tow rating of 10k lbs needing a weight distribution hitch; neither online nor in my owners manual.
You have a link for that from the OEM?

 

Skip the pickup truck and get a van instead. I went with a Ford E250 cargo van. Has a 7500# tow rating.

Not a fan of pick ups generally which influenced my choice. Van has way more interior space. So much so that I skipped enclosed and went for open trailer. Cheaper, simpler and meets all my needs. ymmv

I put an awning on the van which provides some nice shade and rain protection. Sets up in less than 5 minutes. Will add AC to the back during the off season along with 12V air compressor and some exterior lights for loading.

Van is also very useful for hauling things and it keeps them dry unlike a pick up.

 

IF they are the same price range Should I pick a new f150 with tow package etc over a used f250 ( similar for ram 1500/2500)

 

No. Secondhand diesel F-250/350, FTW!

 

^^THIS^^

After three-quarters of a million miles towing since 1988, this is really good advice. No drive will be more treacherous than getting to and from the track...

The stability, weight, brakes and comfort of the larger capacity will be worth it in the long run, especially when your want to go up and down the hills to Mid-Ohio and points West.

As much as I appreciate the new F-150 tech, for this job you want NO drama. For that, a diesel F-250/350 SRW is the daddy.

 

You got that right Coach. There is a huge chasm between the f150/f250 or 1500/2500. The 3/4 trucks are so much more stable and capable. I crossed that chasm two years ago and can't go back. Come to this side if you can.

 

I'm sure there are plenty of 1/2 ton p/u trucks that can tow your rig but you should always want something in reserve. A 3/4 ton diesel will provide you with more than enough torque, stability, braking and most importantly, durability to not only tow your current combination, but pretty much anything you might move up to later.

If talk of the harsher ride is putting you off, I switched from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton not long ago. Initially I found the ride in my new truck to be a bit bouncy, but I aired down the tires to an acceptable unladen pressure that my TPMS could live with and the ride improved enough to equal my 1/2 ton.

While you are shopping trucks, head down to your local dealer and check out the frame size, brakes and drive train on a 3/4 ton then compare that to any 1/2 ton. Now ask yourself which one you want to trust pulling your prized race car in sketchy conditions.

 

I have a Chevy 2500 with off road package and the truck rides really nice. No tramlining or stiff ride at all.

 

One other question that you'll need to answer for yourself if this truck is strictly a tow vehicle or will it also perform DD duties. I know that most here say go diesel but keep in mind that in some parts of the country diesel costs as much as premium. In addition you will experience acquisition cost as well as higher maintenance costs with a diesel which may or may not be offset by the mpg.

Its not an easy choice. GL

 

A friend of mine bought a new F150 and 24ft trailer a little over a year ago, added a sway control hitch and helper springs to the truck. He picked up his new 2500 diesel after our last DE. A 3/4 may seem like overkill, but it's future proof and they seem to hold value better than a 1/2 ton.

 

Bought the wife a GL550 and use it to tow 24' enclosed featherlight with my gt3 and gear. It's configured with off-road package which includes tow, and with the big twin turbo motor it's like it's not even there.

 

Had a Dodge 1500 Crew Cab Hemi to pull my 20' enclosed trailer. Pretty light trailer given I'm carrying a Formula Ford, small tool chest, and a set of extra wheels.

The Hemi couldn't get out of its own way. Could not tow in O/D so had to run in 3rd gear pushing RPMs up above 3600. At 65 mph I got a whopping 6 to 7 mpg. Had to stop every 195 miles to fill up with gas. With 1,000 mile pulls this was a huge pain in the rear.

Forget about pulling at 70 mph or higher.

Hated it. Fortunately, one day on the way home from work it burst into flames (dash wiring). Took all of about 30 seconds for the car to poof. I have lots of photos! Fortunately I saw the spark in the instrument cluster. Immediately pulled over had my daughter jump out and call 911.

Stay away.

 

That sounds like it was an older MY with the 4,6,8 cylinder feature of the engine.
Might be nice to specify the MY on that truck to allow members to stay away from it in case they are looking at used.

 

I know that's a very popular thing to say by everyone who tows anything, but that's impossible. I tow a 2400 lb, 20' ATC with my '16 F-150, and I can absolutely tell it's there even when empty. Hauls to NJMP are flat, but the trip up the WGI involves a lot of 3rd gear running just to maintain speed up the hills

I'm towing with much more frequency than expected and am already thinking about upgrading to a 3/4 ton. Yes, a 1/2 ton can comfortably tow my setup, but the long-term wear and tear worries me, and the 200-mile range is annoying.

Like everyone else says, I should've done it right the first time and gone with a 3/4 ton.

 

+1

That GL has a max tow of 7500 lbs. The tongue weight goes towards max load. Anybody who can't feel that back there needs a recal of their butt dyno.