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Old 10-29-2015, 01:35 PM   #1
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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!
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Old 10-29-2015, 01:41 PM   #2
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Gmc just saying.
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Old 10-29-2015, 01:46 PM   #3
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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.
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Old 10-29-2015, 01:48 PM   #4
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Get the larger gas tank, your gonna need it.


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Old 10-29-2015, 01:49 PM   #5
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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.


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Old 10-29-2015, 07:11 PM   #6
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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...
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Old 10-29-2015, 07:28 PM   #7
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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.
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Old 10-29-2015, 08:55 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by lbrjet View Post
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.
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Old 10-29-2015, 09:00 PM   #9
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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.


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Old 10-29-2015, 09:03 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 10-29-2015, 09:15 PM   #11
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shop by payload first, then towing capacity. You already know you are upgrading trailers, make sure the truck will handle that future upgrade
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Old 10-29-2015, 10:05 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 10-30-2015, 11:20 AM   #13
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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
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Old 10-30-2015, 12:13 PM   #14
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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.
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Old 10-30-2015, 12:24 PM   #15
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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.
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Old 10-30-2015, 02:00 PM   #16
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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.
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Old 10-30-2015, 02:30 PM   #17
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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.
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Old 10-30-2015, 02:45 PM   #18
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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.
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Old 10-30-2015, 03:13 PM   #19
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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

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Old 10-30-2015, 04:24 PM   #20
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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.
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