We currently own a '09 F150, 4 dr 5.4L, 4x4.  I would like to get an Aluminum Gooseneck, at most we pull 2 horses and 2 ponies.  Looking at a 4 horse slant. I know everyone is against pulling a 4 horse with a half ton so my question is what am I going to get out of a 250 that the 150 wouldn't have?  We have been told we can put air bags on the rear end and willing to do that.  We can also install the brake controller.  Im not looking for negative comments on the 150, we are willing to look at a bigger truck, but I need to know what the difference is.  Also, we live in Iowa, only pull a couple times a month, mainly local fun shows/trail rides within a couple hours.  This truck is also a daily driver.

Thanks!

Diesel would be my choice, but I'm partial, especially if you go older. Sticking with the "Ford" theme, the 7.3 turbo diesel is a great engine. The 6.0 has a bad rep, but I love mine. Diesel trucks will have higher torque which is better of course for towing. They will yield better fuel mileage than a similarly equipped gas truck. They are also more expensive to maintain and at the present fuel cost, more expensive fill at the pump. Diesels will also have a higher initial purchase price than a similarly equipped gas truck.

Again, sticking with "Ford," the 6.8L V10 is a very good option. My dad has a 2001 F350 dually with the V10 and 4.30 gears and loves it. He pulls similar weights that I do with my diesel and has zero issues and does it very well. He gets about 12mpg on average. It is much cheaper to maintain and again, at the current fuel prices, cheaper to fill at the pump. The V10's will also be cheaper at the initial purchase.

Here's a cost analysis post that I used a while back:

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=14851&start=1

Diesels are going to be anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 more to purchase than any gas truck right off the bat. For my diesel, Ford 6.0, it takes 15 quarts of Motorcraft 15w-40 diesel engine oil that is $14.00 per 5 quarts which is $42.00 total and a Motorcraft Oil Filter that is $18.77 at the local Wal-Mart. We'll call this $60 even for each oil change done every 5 thousand miles--labor done by yours truly. Now $60 times 20 Oil changes (per 100,000 miles) is $1200. If you factor in Fuel filter changes done at the recommended 10,000 mi mark at ~$50 per change (Motorcraft fuel filters) is another $500 per 100,000 miles. Diesels use 2 batteries instead of 1 (+$85) and will need changed before 100k.

So initially, we are going to look at middle of the road $5000 off the top for diesel engine option. We're at $6785 in VERY basic maintenance cost plus the initial cost for the diesel option.

For the sake of conversation, transmission fluid change, transfer case fluid change, differential fluid changes, tires, and basic 100k maintenance(belts, t-stat, water pump, etc) I will leave out because are necessary on both trucks and will both equal about the same - We'll call it $3000 total for 100k.

V10's--use 6 quarts of Motocraft Syn blend 5w-20 oil at $3.99 a quart and a Motorcraft oil filter that is a mere $3.69. Change every 5k makes for a $30 oil change labor done by yours truly. Half the cost of a change for a diesel. $600 per 100,000 miles. Spark plugs--Motorcraft Iridium Plugs are $3.49 each times 10 is ~$35.00 every 50k (even though they are 100k plugs). So, $70 total and lets call it $80 for the change of plug wires at 100k. On gas engines I've owned, I don't worry about fuel filter changes until about 100k or I start noticing problems because they are such a hassle. $750 per 100,000 in VERY basic maintenance costs.

Both diesel and gas barring additonal "warranty claim" troubles and cost (glow plugs, injectors, ball joints, u-joints, etc).

Fuel costs-Current price at the pump- $2.95 for 87, 3.25 for diesel. For sake of conversation, both trucks have BONE DRY on E 38 gal tanks. Gas = $112.10 to fill excluding tax, Diesel = $123.50 to fill excluding tax. $11.40 more to fill up. Lets say I get 550 miles from my diesel per tank and the V10 gets 450 miles per tank (realistic #'s from experience). Per 100,000 miles--drum roll please-- Diesel--182 fill ups at $123.50 per fill (assuming static fuel price) = $22,477 per 100k in fuel cost -- V10 -- 222 fill ups at $112.10 per fill (assuming static fuel price) = 24,886.20 per 100k in fuel cost.

-Diesel $22,477 + $6785 (initial cost and maintenance) equals $29,262 per 100k.

-V10 $24,886.20 + $750 (Maintenance) equals $25,616.20 per 100k.

29,262 - 25,616.20

EQUALS

$3645.80 in additional diesel cost in 100,000 miles.

Is it worth it? Absolutely 100%. I'll never own another truck that isn't diesel powered. The towing power is worth it. 

I just copied it from a post I had written a couple months ago. No problem at all.

In the 2000 year range, the Ford 7.3L turbo diesel or the 6.8L V10 would be your best choices in my opinion, but be careful of anything you buy. Ford has an "Oasis Report" that can be ran at any dealer (or over the phone) that spells out any warrantly work that was performed on the truck--so at least you know what you're getting--good or bad. If you end up going for a V10, the 99-early 01's had issues with blowing out spark plugs. Many were fixed under warranty or afterward. They still offer a fix kit for this problem that is fairly easy to do yourself. My dad has a late 01 V10 and it has had 95,000 trouble free miles. The 7.3 diesel in the Super Duty ran 99-early 2003. In late 2003 they switched to the 6.0 diesel. I love my 2006 6.0 diesel, but the earlier ones (2003-2004) is what got them the bad reputation, although many have reported early 6.0's to be great trucks.

Next choice would be Dodge with the 5.9L cummins diesel, but I'm personally not a fan of Dodges from that time. They were a smaller truck than the Ford Superduty and the transmissions had a bad reputation. The 5.9L gas V8 is a good engine, but I think you would find it underpowered, and the 8L v10 they offered leaned to being more problematic than it was worth and theres not many around so parts are a little more scarce.

I wouldn't consider a Chevrolet until about 2003 or 2004 model years. The 6.0L gas V8 is a good engine, but again, I think you'll find it underpowered and a gas hog, the 8.1L V8, again, good engine but a gas hog-very powerful, and the duramax 6.6L turbo diesel which has a good reputation. The Allison trans offered with the 8.1L and Duramax is probably one of the best available, IMHO. If you go older, I would get a late 90's with a 454 V8, but thats MY preferences. Stay away from the 6.5 diesel they offered.

I have a truck sickness..

Good info here from both Grnm and Gonzo.

I had a F250 with the 5.4 gas. Not e'nuff power. Got an 05 F250 6.0 now. Love it.

Your looking at a 2000 7.3 thats 11 years old.  How many miles?  Good motor but thats 11 yrs worth gone by.

Stick with the diesel in a 2500 size truck for towing.  If diesel keeps going up my daily driver will be a bicycle. I am only 7 miles to work.

Grim,  My sister had a 2008 6.4L and they towed a very large boat with it.  Their truck performed great for them.  Had more power than my 2006 6.0L.   2008 got the make over of the interior. So you were able to get the newer features, Ipod plug in for radio that kind of stuff.  And you are right the 6.4L will get worse fuel mileage the 6.0L from earlier years.

I had both a 2003 and a 2006 6.0L.   Other than odds and end mostly under warranty. They were both good engines.  My 2006 had a bunch of problems right about 100,000 miles and Ford fixed them under warranty, But if I had not seen the problems till after the 100,000 mile warranty expired,  It was about $2000 in repairs.  FCIM, HPOP kind of stuff.

With the stuff that Grim has done to his truck, It should be solid performer for many many miles to come.  My advice if somebody was buying that model year ford. Is just buy the truck right and put some money in saving against the day you need to do those repairs if you ever have to.

The 2011 Fords have been out almost a year now. You are starting to see a few float through used truck sales.  Both my sister and i bought 2011 last summer. With 14,000 miles on mine, I can honestly say, This is the best Ford Truck yet.