3/4 to 1/2 Ton Tow Rig

[The_Rhino]

Rhino, my shiny new [2013] F150 was 29k new off the lot

That was a 2013... The new 2015's are still in high demand & pricey & the dealers aren't a dealin' much on them... At the time I was looking I was unable to configure one with lesser trim options...

Again, I think the F150 EB HD is a very capable truck for towing TT's, although you need to watch your payload with a 5er... However, I think they are as pricey as 3/4 tons...

That led me to the Ram 2500's with 6.4 gas. My daily commute is reasonable enough that I do not need to make the decision on MPG alone. In my area I was able to find a Ram 2500 w/6.4 & reasonable trim options for $35K but decided to keep my 2011 for a couple more years - until the replacement engine warranty expires...

[B and B]

Originally Posted by fishrprice

Rhino, my shiny new F150 was 29k new off the lot. It has the HD Payload package and the max tow package. The F250 had 80k on it when I sold it. E rated Tires had 10k on them. I know a lot of people can't wrap their minds around how well these Eco Boost trucks pull. Now in no way am I saying they pull better then a new 3/4 ton truck but the F150 is more then capable. As for 10 years from now, mine is 2013, I won't be able to answer that for 7 more years. But there are some Eco Boost out there that are 5 years old and still going strong.

I agree with Fisherprice on this. Until you have used one for towing commenting might be premature on its abilities.

This is not a 1/2 ton truck any longer. The rating is near many 3/4 tons. Same goes for 3500 dodge dually with 32,000 lbs towing capacity or something close to that.

[pastorscottz]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

Shipped weight is 1146 on the pin. most Rams have 1440 as their payloads. I am sure you and your wife are skinny, carry nothing in your fifth wheel and never have more then a 1/4 tank of gas in the truck

Not saying your truck won't handle it, but if you weigh it, you will be over

Ram literature includes full tank of gas and 150 lbs for driver for payload calculation. And it's completely level ride with the trailer in tow.

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by pastorscottz

Ram literature includes full tank of gas and 150 lbs for driver for payload calculation. And it's completely level ride with the trailer in tow.

you are completely right about the full tank of gas. I will re-post what I stated before and be done.

"I would assume that there is more than one person going. That adds 150 to the payload. That's 1300 lbs (Pin weight from the manufacture + passenger). What's a fifth wheel hitch weigh? If its more than 140 lbs, he is already over the payload without loading a single thing in his truck or trailer.

I just got done looking for a new Ram and couldn't figure out how to make the payload work so I bought a 2500. It was 35k out the door and I am ready when DW wants a shiny new camper

With that said, if he is comfortable towing it, that's his business, I wish him good luck, cold beers and hot campfires. "

[Fivealive]

Originally Posted by pastorscottz

Ram literature includes full tank of gas and 150 lbs for driver for payload calculation. And it's completely level ride with the trailer in tow.

150lbs! That's one skinny Italian!

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by D. J. Schuler

Take a good look at the F150 EcoBoost, 2011 had 365hp/420ft/lbs. Got the 8,200 Package - Heavy Duty Payload (2,393 bed/cab), Max Tow 11,200 (brake controller, extendable mirrors (htd, remote, signal) and LT E rated tires.

Pulled a 30 ft TT 7,750 with Equalizer Hitch easily, the 10,000 with 1,650 pin is even better.

Bottom line this F150 found a home. The 6 speed auto/select is great, my foot is too heavy, I had a 66 GTO.

I have a 2014 150 EcoBoost and love it, pull a 32' Shasta TT but moving to a Roo just make sure dealer knows what they are doing with the Hitch I had to fix mine front wheels were up 3/4"


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[The_Rhino]

This is not a 1/2 ton truck any longer. The rating is near many 3/4 tons...

I have always agreed that the 1/2 ton EB HD is a capable TV & even test drove a (lightweight alum.) 2015 last Fall during a private invitation promo event... However, there is a big difference between manufacturers' ratings and how the truck responds in bad conditions.

For a number of years I drove a variety of 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton trucks often pulling the EXACT SAME commercial trailers. Regardless the engine, tranny, springs, etc. the lighter trucks are easily pushed-around by heavier loads when the conditions get rough (bad roads, weather, winds, failing TT brakes, etc.). Even when the 1/2 ton had a larger tow rating than an older 3/4 ton I still preferred hauling with the 3/4 ton. IMO with the 1/2 tons the WDH has to be spot-on whereas with the larger, heavier (empty) trucks you have more wiggle-room.

Again, I really like the addition of the F150 EB HD & may eventually get one for my 8,000 lb. (loaded) TT. However, there's no way I would use one to pull a 10,000+ lb. TT regardless the specs... Too much weight behind a lightweight TV...

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by The_Rhino

I have always agreed that the 1/2 ton EB HD is a capable TV & even test drove a (lightweight alum.) 2015 last Fall during a private invitation promo event... However, there is a big difference between manufacturers' ratings and how the truck responds in bad conditions.

For a number of years I drove a variety of 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton trucks often pulling the EXACT SAME commercial trailers. Regardless the engine, tranny, springs, etc. the lighter trucks are easily pushed-around by heavier loads when the conditions get rough (bad roads, weather, winds, failing TT brakes, etc.). Even when the 1/2 ton had a larger tow rating than an older 3/4 ton I still preferred hauling with the 3/4 ton. IMO with the 1/2 tons the WDH has to be spot-on whereas with the larger, heavier (empty) trucks you have more wiggle-room.

Again, I really like the addition of the F150 EB HD & may eventually get one for my 8,000 lb. (loaded) TT. However, there's no way I would use one to pull a 10,000+ lb. TT regardless the specs... Too much weight behind a lightweight TV...

I agree that for a given trailer, a heavier truck will obviously respond less to movement from the trailer. However, I think a truck at 8K hauling 12K (max loaded HD F150, for example) will be just as stable as a truck at 11K hauling 16K(SRW 1 tons hauling big 5ers). I also agree that hitch selection and setup becomes much more important the heavier you go.

[larryallenmyers]

Finally retired and got a new F-250 6.7 to tow my trailer. I am so impressed, i can't describe how wonderful it performs. I had a 4.6L F-150 with 370 rear end and it did ok, but nothing like this truck. Fast and strong. Life is good.

[merrykalia]

We had a 2012 Ford F150 Ecoboost 4X4 with the HD and Max Tow for 3 years and it was a HOSS!!

We started planning to upgrade our fifth wheel, so traded it in on an F250 Super Duty and the F150 pulled our current fifth wheel as good or maybe better than the F250.

It had plenty of capacity to pull the trailer you have.

[Fivealive]

Originally Posted by B and B

I agree with Fisherprice on this. Until you have used one for towing commenting might be premature on its abilities.

This is not a 1/2 ton truck any longer. The rating is near many 3/4 tons. Same goes for 3500 dodge dually with 32,000 lbs towing capacity or something close to that.

Not even close in capacity ratings. I have used both and will confirm that there is a significant difference in the towing confidence. The 250 pulls the trailer like it owns it, the 150 is more like it suggested which way it should go. The 150 did OK, but I would not go back to one.