Help - husband and I do not agree on truck

[tragusa3]

Originally Posted by bconley

tragusa3 - are you saying that the gas mileage in the 3.7 would be similar to that in the V8? Because the truck is driven without towing something most of the time. I would think there would be some gas savings there. Otherwise, what is so great about them, because off the lot they are more expensive than the V8's (according to my dear husband). What am I missing here?

Thank you all for your opinions - so much food for thought!

Not exactly. If you are very sensitive to how you drive, you might see better mileage, but not enough to be a deciding factor. Definitely not.

In my opinion, Ford marketed the Ecoboost wrong. Compared to the Ecodiesel, it is a joke for economy. They should have marketed the bigger differences for use as a towing engine.

[pojp58]

If you are going all over the country then I would say 3/4 ton minimum. And diesel if you can.
It will be so much easier and more relaxing. You will not regret it.

[bradacc]

Per the signature I have a 2017 F150 Supercrew 2.7L Ecoboost (no tow package) and just did my first trip with our 2018 Roo 233S. Trailer weighed just over 5000 and the truck had no problems. Transmission temp and engine temp stayed same as when not towing, fuel mileage went from 16mpg commuting (I have a lead foot), to 11mpg.

[GearHd6]

The OP's camper is only 5500 lbs, they don't need a 3/4 ton truck for that. Get the F150 with the bigger Eco Boost with the max tow package and you'll be fine. My dad has one and tows a 10k lbs Arctic Fox all over the country with no problems. He gets great mpg empty and about 8-10 mpg towing that camper.

[babock]

Just ordered a 2018 F-150 with the 3.5 Eco to pull the trailer in our signature which is 5K empty. Was going to order a 3/4T Chevy but decided the 1/2T will be better as our daily driver.

[tdhanses]

Might wait for the new F150 3.0 diesel, I have a Nissan Titan wth the diesel and it is kind of an in between of a 1/2 and 3/4 but rides way better then a 3/4. Towing my 6000lb trailer across windy Kansas you don’t even feel it there.

[SailorSam20500]

My trailer is about a ton heavier than what you are looking at. I'm towing with a 3.5 EB, max tow, 4x4, short bed. Just towed from Michigan down to Texas. Very comfortable job towing.

My thought - if you are towing mostly on flat ground, either the EB or V8 will do very nicely. As has been noted, the EB really shines when towing at altitude. The V8 will loose a lot of power as you go up in elevation. The turbo's on the EB will compensate and maintain power.

If you are buying new - Ford does NOT include tow mirrors in the max tow package - they must be ordered separately. It is virtually impossible to add power telescoping/ folding mirrors after the fact. The power feature is controlled by the truck computer and can only be implemented at the factory.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by GearHd6

The OP's camper is only 5500 lbs, they don't need a 3/4 ton truck for that. Get the F150 with the bigger Eco Boost with the max tow package and you'll be fine. My dad has one and tows a 10k lbs Arctic Fox all over the country with no problems. He gets great mpg empty and about 8-10 mpg towing that camper.

Finally, someone with a rational thought!

It's funny how quick this thread jumped to 3/4 ton territory. Why?

A 5500 pound trailer is well within the capabilities of an F150, Ram 1500, Silverado 1500, Tundra and Titan rated to tow north of 9000 lbs.

If 5500 lbs is territory for a 3/4 ton, then it is only logical that any 3/4 or 1 ton is heavily overworked and outmatched with say a 12,000 lbs 5th wheel behind hit.

3/4 ton advocates: PLEASE TELL ME WHY AN F150 RATED TO TOW 9000+ POUNDS IS NOT ENOUGH TRUCK TO PULL 5500 LBS?

OP: For the weight of that trailer, the 5.0 or 3.5 motor in the F150 will be more than enough to tow your trailer when properly equipped. I would go with at least the built in brake controller and a 3.55 or 3.73 rear end for maximum torque.

[babock]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

If you are buying new - Ford does NOT include tow mirrors in the max tow package - they must be ordered separately. It is virtually impossible to add power telescoping/ folding mirrors after the fact. The power feature is controlled by the truck computer and can only be implemented at the factory.

When I ordered my truck, I ordered the mirrors. Only $250. VERY hard to find F150s on the lots with them.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

3/4 ton advocates: PLEASE TELL ME WHY AN F150 RATED TO TOW 9000+ POUNDS IS NOT ENOUGH TRUCK TO PULL 5500 LBS?

I think most of the 3/4 ton recommendations were IF there would be a future possibility of an upgrade.

[SlfMdeFam]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I think most of the 3/4 ton recommendations were IF there would be a future possibility of an upgrade.

At least you see the entire story.

Nothing wrong with a F-150 for a 5500 lbs trailer. But like most people who are long time RVers the first trailer isn’t the last and the truck for the first trailer doesn’t do well with the upgraded trailer options.

So instead of buying for today think a little into the future...

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Chris Allen

At least you see the entire story.

Nothing wrong with a F-150 for a 5500 lbs trailer. But like most people who are long time RVers the first trailer isn’t the last and the truck for the first trailer doesn’t do well with the upgraded trailer options.

So instead of buying for today think a little into the future...

I agree.

For us, we would have needed a different truck, whether with our new TT or a 5th wheel.

Our old 5.3 Avalanche had over 100k and was a 4x2.
It struggled with the new TT and couldn't get up our new house's driveway with any snow or ice.

Also after building our new house, a 5th wheel and 3/4 ton diesel were too much money.

[Chuckinca]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

Finally, someone with a rational thought!

It's funny how quick this thread jumped to 3/4 ton territory. Why?

A 5500 pound trailer is well within the capabilities of an F150, Ram 1500, Silverado 1500, Tundra and Titan rated to tow north of 9000 lbs.

If 5500 lbs is territory for a 3/4 ton, then it is only logical that any 3/4 or 1 ton is heavily overworked and outmatched with say a 12,000 lbs 5th wheel behind hit.

3/4 ton advocates: PLEASE TELL ME WHY AN F150 RATED TO TOW 9000+ POUNDS IS NOT ENOUGH TRUCK TO PULL 5500 LBS?

OP: For the weight of that trailer, the 5.0 or 3.5 motor in the F150 will be more than enough to tow your trailer when properly equipped. I would go with at least the built in brake controller and a 3.55 or 3.73 rear end for maximum torque.

Not all 1/2 tons can handle a 5500 pound trailer - especially if the 5500 pounds is empty weight.

My very nice 4 year old, low mileage 2006 F150 5.7 V8 with 3 speed and OD and camper shell was horrible with the bed loaded with the wife's crafts and the camper also pushing max load.

It was a great truck for running around but not built for cross country RV towing. (It only had 48,000 miles and sold the day after I traded it in for the 3500)

[SlfMdeFam]

It’s only the F-150 owners who get bent over hearing there are other trucks out there that’ll do the job not only better but also safer than their gas saver grocery getter.

There’s nothing wrong with having a F-150 but there’s a reason the 3/4 ton trucks have 8 lugs, bigger breaks, higher tow rating and higher carrying capacity.

Bottom line is 3/4 Ton trucks are made for TOWING and CARRYING loads... So why would you SETTLE for a limited truck?!

[itat]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

My first question is the trailer is 5000 lbs dry weight or gross weight???? Do not go by dry weight by the advertised weight. Dry weight is as it leaves the factory (probably heavier than advertised dry weight as well) without anything added, no propane, no water, no dealer installed options, no gear.



You will need to compare the rated gas mileage of the truck too many apples and oranges............ My one ton duelly gets 8 mpg better than my 1/2 ton truck did........ but it is apples and oranges.......... also expect a serious drop in mileage while towing...........



But you can never have too much truck...........

I agree with Oaklevel. Go by the loaded weight. Assume you'll be adding at least 1000# over the advertised dry weight. To be conservative, go by the trailer's GVWR. For a travel trailer, the tongue weight will be in the 12% range so that weight will go on your truck.

I would start to think about moving up to a 3/4 ton if your loaded weight starts to get higher than 6500#. (That's based on my personal experience and tolerance for exceeding GVWR.) It's not about pulling the weight, it's about carrying weight and not exceeding the truck's GVWR. (Others will be a lot more comfortable than I am with exceeding their GVWR.) A 1/2 ton will have a GVWR around 7000# and a 3/4 ton will have a GVWR around 9900# plus much beefier brakes and many other components designed for regular towing.

Pulling all around the US would be even more reason to have the capability of the larger truck. But if the trailer will weigh under 6500# fully loaded then the 1/2 ton with a max. tow package should be fine. The F-150 with HD payload package would be a good alternative to a 3/4 ton. You won't be able to find a used F-150 with the HD payload package but you should be able to find a good used 3/4 ton if you decide you need to go bigger.

[LynnGlaze13]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

My trailer is about a ton heavier than what you are looking at. I'm towing with a 3.5 EB, max tow, 4x4, short bed. Just towed from Michigan down to Texas. Very comfortable job towing.

My thought - if you are towing mostly on flat ground, either the EB or V8 will do very nicely. As has been noted, the EB really shines when towing at altitude. The V8 will loose a lot of power as you go up in elevation. The turbo's on the EB will compensate and maintain power.

If you are buying new - Ford does NOT include tow mirrors in the max tow package - they must be ordered separately. It is virtually impossible to add power telescoping/ folding mirrors after the fact. The power feature is controlled by the truck computer and can only be implemented at the factory.

You are correct that they do not include Tow Mirrors on a Max Tow truck (why we may never know!) but not all is lost.

https://www.1aauto.com/search?q=tow+...017&model=1521

They are available aftermarket for a very decent price.

[LynnGlaze13]

Welcome to the forum!

Either of the F-150's, either 3.5 EcoBoost or 5.0L V-8, if properly equipped will be more than enough to tow a 5,500 pound trailer. Even if the 5,500 is Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), or dry weight, then the GVWR would be in the 7,000 range and still well within the limits of either.

As already mentioned the 3.5 Twin Turbo EcoBoost will perform better in the higher altitudes if this in the plans as well.

If for some reason (you mentioned it) you decide you want a Chevy or GMC then you can get a properly equipped one that will do the job as well just minus the Turbo's.

If you have any plans of getting a bigger trailer in the near future then a step up might be a prudent decision as well.

If I were thinking about getting a 5'er in the near future I would mess around and get a 3/4T but go ahead and get a 1T and not limit yourself if the 5'er bug hits.

My wife and I will probably end up with a 5'er in the future but it will be many years down the line so we held off on getting a 1T until then.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Chuckinca

Not all 1/2 tons can handle a 5500 pound trailer - especially if the 5500 pounds is empty weight.
.....

Agreed. Some can't and are not able to tow a trailer with a dry weight of 5500.

That's why you should read my full statement and not take it out of context. I clearly stated in my post that "A 5500 pound trailer is well within the capabilities of an F150, Ram 1500, Silverado 1500, Tundra and Titan rated to tow north of 9000 lbs."

Originally Posted by Chris Allen

It’s only the F-150 owners who get bent over hearing there are other trucks out there that’ll do the job not only better but also safer than their gas saver grocery getter.....

Not getting bent here; however, just taking a rational approach to the original question. She want's to know about F150's to tow a trailer that is well within the range for that truck...I happen to have an F150 that tows a similar sized trailer well. The knee jerk assumption that she will be upgrading to a 5th wheel and suggestions of a 3/4 ton for the OP are misleading and overkill to answer her question. And, I'm sorry my pigmy truck isn't any more than a "gas saver grocery getter".

Originally Posted by Chris Allen

.....There’s nothing wrong with having a F-150 but there’s a reason the 3/4 ton trucks have 8 lugs, bigger breaks, higher tow rating and higher carrying capacity.

Bottom line is 3/4 Ton trucks are made for TOWING and CARRYING loads...

Bottom line is that 3/4 ton trucks are made to tow more and carry more loads than a 1/2 ton. Last time I checked, 1/2 tons were still made to tow and carry...just less than a 3/4 ton.

Can't the 1 ton owners make the same argument for their trucks over the 3/4 tons? That would make those pigmy 3/4 tons just cute grocery getters wouldn't it?

Originally Posted by Chris Allen

.....So why would you SETTLE for a limited truck?!

Because for the OP's trailer, an F150 is a more than adequate truck. Is buying a well matched truck to the trailer settling? Why buy overkill when you don't have to?

[Cypressloser]

IMHO, get the 3.5 EB with tow package unless you're planning to put a lot of miles on in a year then an eco diesel would make sense.
Buy a bigger truck when you need it, speculating into the future seldom pays off.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by Chris Allen

It’s only the F-150 owners who get bent over hearing there are other trucks out there that’ll do the job not only better but also safer than their gas saver grocery getter.

There’s nothing wrong with having a F-150 but there’s a reason the 3/4 ton trucks have 8 lugs, bigger breaks, higher tow rating and higher carrying capacity.

Bottom line is 3/4 Ton trucks are made for TOWING and CARRYING loads... So why would you SETTLE for a limited truck?!

LOL! Be careful how you generalize. At least half of the 3/4 ton trucks on my local lot have payload ratings similar to some of the 2017-2018 F150s parked there. It is all about the individual truck and it's particular ratings.