|
|
10-29-2015, 01:35 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: California
Posts: 142
|
New TV: Ford F-150 or GMC Sierra 1500?
Hi all. We have narrowed our search for a new tow vehicle to the Ford F-150 and the GMC Sierra 1500. It will replace our 1999 GMC Yukon. Both pickups have the Max Tow package with the GMC having slightly greater tow capacity and payload (about 300 lbs.). The Ford has the 3.5 EcoBoost and 6 speed trans, the GMC the 6.2 liter V-8 and 8 speed trans. The Ford has standard mirrors but the GMC has power extendable tow mirrors. Otherwise, equipment is similar. We expect to upgrade our travel trailer in the near future to one with a GVWR of no more than 9K lbs.
We are leaning towards the F-150 because of it's better reliability rating, fuel economy and larger gas tank (36 gal. vs. 26 gal). The GMC is slightly more comfortable and $1400 cheaper.
Any thoughts to help us choose? Thanks & happy trailering!
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 01:41 PM
|
#2
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
Gmc just saying.
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 01:46 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Corpus Christi
Posts: 342
|
Both are great trucks. Go test drive each with the various engine choices.
Make an informed decision based on your own experience. Either should pull your trailer choice without any issue.
Drive em both my friend.
I lean towards Ford, because i believe it's a more refined and modern platform. I like how the shocks are spaced out closer to the rear wheels and some claim it makes for a better towing experience. The GM lineup does have a slightly high max convential tow rating. The Ford has 360 cameras and a really cool trailer backup asssit feature. My co-worker drives a 2015 GMC Sierra model loaded. He loves it truck.
__________________
Corpus Christi, Texas
TT: 2016 40' Chaparral 360IBL at 14000lbs
TV: 2016 F450 Platinum 6.7 CC LWB FX4, B&W Companion Hitch
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 01:48 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
|
Get the larger gas tank, your gonna need it.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 01:49 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,219
|
GMC for sure. Those 6.2's are a great engine. Combine that with the 8 speed, tow mirrors and higher payload makes it a no brainer. At least it would be me if I was choosing between the two.
2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
EQUALIZER E4 1200/12000
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 07:11 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 670
|
After extensive research a few months back, IMO the ONLY 1/2 ton I would consider for serious towing is the F150 EB HD. The HD upgrade, not tow upgrade, gives you the payload you need to handle the hitch weight, people & cargo onboard.
Our TT is "1/2 ton towable" w/empty weight of 6,500 & empty hitch of 650. However, ready-to-camp those numbers are 8,250 & 1300. The 1300 takes into consideration the Equalizer 4, full propane tanks, battery, gear stored in the pass-through storage & under the bed, & enough water in the front FW tank for a couple flushes / hand washes... With family of 5, dog & gear our payload is around 2,300 (or 2,500 with fiberglass cap - which keeps everything dry!) Therefore the F150 EB HD could realistically replace our current 3/4 ton but the F150 EB tow-upgrade only could not...
IMO these days you can find a LOT of nice roomy 2-slide TTs in the 7,500 (empty) range but once you go lighter, you have to start making some bigger sacrifices. Someone doesn't have access to their side of the bed, someone's sleeping under canvas, or someone's bed has to be converted into living space every morning...
The GMC is a solid everyday truck but when you are only getting 9 mpg towing, you need a bigger fuel tank. The F150 EB can go 4-5 hours before needing refueling whereas the GMC will only go about 3 hours...
In the end I decided to keep our current 3/4 ton & will unlikely downsize to a 1/2 ton. I'm starting to utilize my 3,000 lb. payload to haul free firewood, discounted mulch & topsoil. My yard is looking 5X better now that I have a HD truck to get all of those projects done affordably...
__________________
2011 RAM 2500 ST Crew Cab 5.7 Hemi
2011 Primetime 3150BHD Touring Edition
Days camped in 2018- 25
2017- 31; 2016- 36; 2015- 37; 2014- 31
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 07:28 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Cheney, Washington
Posts: 254
|
We love our Ford F-150 with the eco-boost engine and a crew cab. We ordered it from the factory and have the towing mirrors that you have to manually extend. The only thing we would change is to order the Max Payload package as well as the Max Towing Package. Also, if you are interested in a 2016, they have an option that will help you back up the trailer. There are You-Tube videos of it and it looks really helpful for those of us who have trouble backing a trailer.
__________________
2020 Rockwood 2608BS
2017 Wildcat Maxx 26BHS
2016 Rockwood MiniLite 2503S (2015-2016)
2012 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost
2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 08:55 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: California
Posts: 142
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lbrjet
GMC for sure. Those 6.2's are a great engine. Combine that with the 8 speed, tow mirrors and higher payload makes it a no brainer. At least it would be me if I was choosing between the two
|
Yes I mostly agree. It's the 208 mile range (8 mpg X 26 gallon tank) that concerns me the most. I absolutely hate maneuvering into a gas station to refuel when towing. The extra 10 gallons on the Ford would get an extra 80 miles.
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 09:00 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,219
|
I have a 30 gallon tank and scope out my gas stops on Google Earth before every trip. I pick stations with plenty of room so I have no surprises along the way. An extra gas stop per trip wouldn't stop me from buying the GMC, but a larger tank would certainly be nice to have.
2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
EQUALIZER E4 1200/12000
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 09:03 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
|
Running dry the Ford with Ecoboost with blow he doors off GMC or Chevy. I owned a Ford with a 5.4 then a 3.5 Ecoboost. Tow mileage went from 8 to 11 and dry went 12 to 16. I would definitely look at the Ecoboost Max everything. I have no experience with the Chevy GMC other than most people I know that have them up here wish they would have looked at Ford.
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 09:15 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
|
shop by payload first, then towing capacity. You already know you are upgrading trailers, make sure the truck will handle that future upgrade
__________________
David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
|
|
|
10-29-2015, 10:05 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: E. MT
Posts: 506
|
The 6.2 if it has an 8 speed will probably best the 6sp ecoboost in MPG empty. My dads boss and coworker both have one and they get surprising mpg. Towing will be a toss up.
The smaller tank on the GMC is a big downer.
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 11:20 AM
|
#13
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 96
|
With either one you can forget upgrading your camper to 9,000 lbs. if that's something u r really going to do, go ahead get a 3/4 ton
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 12:13 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 85
|
I am with lynne brownlee. I would get the 3/4 ton too. We do mostly the Rockies, so I would also get a diesel. My Dodge Ram 2500 gets about 14MPG towing our ready to camp 7000lb. trailer, and it gets about 22MPG not towing. JMO.
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 12:24 PM
|
#15
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 16
|
Tow vehicle
Well, I've had the GMC and it towed good but I just bought the new ram 1500 eco diesel, whichwill tow up to 9200 lbs. With 29 to 32 mpg not towing. From what I've read it should get somewhere around 14 to 16 towing. I will find out on thanksgiving weekend. The truck is amazing so far.
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 02:00 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 55
|
2+ ditto w/Lynn Brownlee .. 9000# would be a challenge on the 1/2 ton 6.2L GM trucks. Consider the 3/4 ton in your planning. I have the Chevy 1500/6.2L (430 hp)/8-speed and tow about 6000# (Roo 23IKSS). Truck does fine. I avg about 10 mpg when towing. That's pretty typical. I avg over 21 mpg when clean and had a 1200 mile trip peak at 24.9 mpg. Active cylinder management seems to work nicely. What impresses me the most about the Chevy is how quiet the cabin is. Even under heavy load climbing hills when towing, the engine strain is barely noticeable in the cabin.
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 02:30 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: indiana
Posts: 688
|
IMO 9000 lbs with a half ton is pushing the envelope. I pull about 6000 with a ram 1500 ,5.7 hemi, 6 speed. Mileage is 10 towing, 23 hiway dry. Never a question of stability , power or safety with this rig. A friend pulls a 33 ft trailer with a ram 2500 hemi after pulling a 30 ft with a ram 1500. Accprding to him, the difference is like night and day. The stability provided by the 2500 platform takes all the white knuckle time out of pulling a larger unit. I'm a dodge guy. I've driven the ford and the chevy and I prefer the ram. That being said, they are all good trucks and any will give you years of service. Personal preference. But if I were you, I would consider a 2500 if you indeed are planning a camper upgrade.
__________________
Jim and Deb
Many times..asst grandkids
2015 Shamrock 23ikss
2013 Ram 1500
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 02:45 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: California
Posts: 142
|
We currently tow a 2005 Rockwood 2601 with our 1999 Yukon. GVWR on the trailer is 6400 and tow capacity on the Yukon is 7000. But we load lightly and only carry jugs of water for toilet flushing, so actual towed weight is 5500 or so. We have no problem pulling most grades at 50 mph. The new camper will most likely be in the 8000 lb GVWR range rather than 9000. 9000 is possible but we have found several we like at under 8000. I know some say you will always load up to GVWR but this has not been the case with us. It would seem that increasing tow capacity by 4500 lbs to tow a trailer 2500 lbs more is feasible. I have never been worried about being the first to the top of the hill anyways.
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 03:13 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Medina, OH
Posts: 118
|
2010 F150 XLT supercab HD
I purchased a Ford F150 XLT supercab HD with 5.4 liter gas engine. The biggest factor for me was the integrated brake controller and automatic sway control that the Ford offered. Not sure if Chevy offers this now or not?
We tow a Crusader 270RET fifth wheel. Have traveled about 35,000 miles in three years with only minor issues.
https://owner.ford.com/how-tos/vehic...-150&year=2015
|
|
|
10-30-2015, 04:24 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: California
Posts: 142
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by drelec
I purchased a Ford F150 XLT supercab HD with 5.4 liter gas engine. The biggest factor for me was the integrated brake controller and automatic sway control that the Ford offered. Not sure if Chevy offers this now or not?
We tow a Crusader 270RET fifth wheel. Have traveled about 35,000 miles in three years with only minor issues.
https://owner.ford.com/how-tos/vehic...-150&year=2015
|
It has the brake controller and the sway control also. The brake controller is at steering wheel height on the gm which makes it easy to use. If I remember correctly it's low on the dashboard on the Ford.
Thanks for your input.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|