Educate me about 1/2 ton trucks

[Palinduff]

I personally like the EcoBoost. I have the F150 with an extended cab and an 8' box, max tow and HD payload (my second eco boost). I tow a 7000lb dry (usually around 8500 lbs loaded with water) 5th wheel. I occasionally B Train with a utility trailer with my quad, another 1000 lbs. When I bought the 5th wheel I considered a 3/4 ton, but with the HD payload package I get 2440 lbs; which is plenty for my unit. The reasons I didn't want a 3/4 ton were cost, maintenance and fuel mileage. The fuel issue particularily when not towing, which is most of the time. Power wise, the ecoboost pulls with no problems, even up fairly steep inclines. I did see an extended cab 5.0 V8 with a 2585 lb payload, but it did not have the max tow so it was rated for 10,200 instead of the 11,700 that I got.

I believe in a Chev with the Denalli you can get a pretty decent payload and the bigger V8. Big bucks though.

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by KyDan

One more question-- I get a dismal 9 MPG towing my trailer. That's pretty much my standard and it doesn't make much difference what speed.
IF I have a head wind as we did crossing Texas earlier this year that numbers
goes down to 8.

What kind of MPG do you eco-boost guys get?
I'm especially interested in similar trailers.
Mine is 29' and weighs about 6500 loaded.

Thanks again!

Wow do I feel somewhat blessed. Pulling a 30 footer at roughly the same weight with a half ton Ram running and a 5.7L engine and I get about 11.5-12.5 MPG when towing. I realize we are talking about completely different engines here but I've wondered since day one if my truck was a good match for my camper. Part of that is probably me wanting more truck...which inevitable would parley into me wanting more trailer!

[babock]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I just went thru the Ford website and clicked all the options I wanted.
I sent it in and the local dealer will get back to me.
We'll see how it prices out with the X plan and go from there but honestly
it's probably gonna be later next year before I write any checks.

If you are a Costco member, compare their plan to the X-Plan. Where I work has the X plan and the Costco plan is better.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Palinduff

I personally like the EcoBoost. I have the F150 with an extended cab and an 8' box, max tow and HD payload (my second eco boost). I tow a 7000lb dry (usually around 8500 lbs loaded with water) 5th wheel. I occasionally B Train with a utility trailer with my quad, another 1000 lbs. When I bought the 5th wheel I considered a 3/4 ton, but with the HD payload package I get 2440 lbs; which is plenty for my unit. The reasons I didn't want a 3/4 ton were cost, maintenance and fuel mileage. The fuel issue particularily when not towing, which is most of the time. Power wise, the ecoboost pulls with no problems, even up fairly steep inclines. I did see an extended cab 5.0 V8 with a 2585 lb payload, but it did not have the max tow so it was rated for 10,200 instead of the 11,700 that I got.

I believe in a Chev with the Denalli you can get a pretty decent payload and the bigger V8. Big bucks though.

That's an outstanding payload number for a 1/2 ton! Very nice. The new aluminum body has really increased payload numbers. Stability-wise, your HD Payload equipped F-150 is probably not far off a F-250. One big, pleasant surprise I found when I got my F-250 was the braking power. It has relatively massive brake discs that far outperform my previous '09 F-150's brakes. I know the trailer has its own brakes but if they ever failed I'm more confident with the much bigger brakes of my F-250 that I'd be able to stop fairly quickly if needed. But I'm definitely jealous of the mpg you get with the Ecoboost. My 6.2L is a thirsty beast!

[canmes]

Don't sell the Ford EcoBoost (3.5L) short. Has more power than a V8 and much better fuel economy. We pull a Lacrosse TT that is 37' and about 9500. Handles it in great style.

[Palinduff]

Originally Posted by itat

That's an outstanding payload number for a 1/2 ton! Very nice. The new aluminum body has really increased payload numbers. Stability-wise, your HD Payload equipped F-150 is probably not far off a F-250. One big, pleasant surprise I found when I got my F-250 was the braking power. It has relatively massive brake discs that far outperform my previous '09 F-150's brakes. I know the trailer has its own brakes but if they ever failed I'm more confident with the much bigger brakes of my F-250 that I'd be able to stop fairly quickly if needed. But I'm definitely jealous of the mpg you get with the Ecoboost. My 6.2L is a thirsty beast!

The payloads have stayed the same. The aluminum body just decreased the GVWR. Mine is 7650 lbs, it would have been 8200lbs previously (in a 4X4).

Brake wise, I don't follow too close and am very conservative on the declines. I drove like that with my much lighter previous trailer also though. I have never felt uncomfortable with my 5th wheel, it tows like a dream.

[popeye305]

I’m with you on the extended cab. I have an 09 3/4 Silverado extended cab. (Red) don’t like the look of 4 doors. V8 6.0 I have 100000 miles on it. I wanted a new truck but they stuck 2 more door handles on the new ones. My truck pulls my 32 foot crusader over hills no problem.

[ksmith954]

We had the Ford 5.0 with tow package and pulled a 6500 lb. trailer. 9-10 MPG going up the steep mountains engine always hit high rpm's but the biggest area of concern was the tx. temp it would always go over 200. I purchased a Chev. 2500 6.0 gas- night and day difference. I pull the same hills at 50 MPH at only 3300 rpm, if passing lane open, and the transmission is less than 180 (9000 lb. 5er- usually 10 mpg). Although the 1/2 ton unloaded had much better MPG and road like a car (3/4 rides like a truck) I would never go back to a 1/2 ton for towing. The Chevrolet is much roomier in side also.

[Aggie Dad]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I almost hate to start yet -another- which truck is best thread but....
Can we please talk about what's out there and avoid the heated "which is
better" discussion pretty please...

I've been a Chevy guy for a very long time.
I currently have an 04 Silverado extended cab medium bed 5.3L 2 wheel drive.
I LOVE IT and will probably hang onto it a few more years but....

I've been shopping online at local dealers inventory and here's the rub for me-

I REALLY like the extended cab body style. 2 door handles- 4 doors.
I REALLY like maroon red. My motorcycle is maroon red also.
I'm not interested in 4wd. If it's snowing- I ain't going!
Finally- I really don't want a diesel.

Well Chevy totally walked away from me on those top 2 things.
They don't have extended cab w/2 door handles and they only have Red red no more maroon.

Ford still has a F150 extended cab 2 door handle model.
They have a color that is sort of a maroon red. They call it Ruby red.
Of course they have 2 wheel drive.
But.... when I'm looking all I can find are eco boost V6.

I want a V8. In fact I wanted a bigger V8 than my 5.3L

The main reason I'd trade is I would like a little more HP when we're pulling
the hills. It just sounds so wrong to consider a trade to a smaller engine.

Does Ford even make a F150 with a big V8??

I guess you have no clue about Ford Eco-boost. It will out tow any V-8. Read up on Ecoboost....

[Aggie Dad]

Originally Posted by Aggie Dad

I guess you have no clue about Ford Eco-boost. It will out tow any V-8. Read up on Ecoboost....

I had Titron 5.3 V-8 in F150 and traded for the F150 V-6 Ecoboost. It will tow more and gas mileage better...

[djemgoss]

KyDan, I think you will be very pleased and impressed with the power of the Ford Eco Boost engines! I bought my 2015 Ford 2.6 Eco boost in 2016 and it pulls my Roo 21SS with no problem. Went to Florida from Wisconsin last April, and went up over the mountains with no problem in Tennessee! When not pulling, I get over 20/22 mph! You won't get that with any V-8!

Read this article that was in Motor Trend from last August about the 2018 Ford Trucks and their engines.
2018 Ford F-150 First Drive Review

I think you need to go drive a 2018 Ford 1/2 ton with the 3.5 Eco Boost and 10 speed trans and then decided what you!

[rooseveltNC]

After many hours of looking for the perfect 1/2 ton truck, I finally chose what has worked perfect for us. It is a 2017 F-250 gas at the STX trim level. It is the most qualified 1/2 ton truck I have ever had. Some look at our truck and see 3/4 but I look and only see a 1/2 ton pick-up truck. Robust is truly in the eyes of the believer.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by rooseveltNC

After many hours of looking for the perfect 1/2 ton truck, I finally chose what has worked perfect for us. It is a 2017 F-250 gas at the STX trim level. It is the most qualified 1/2 ton truck I have ever had. Some look at our truck and see 3/4 but I look and only see a 1/2 ton pick-up truck. Robust is truly in the eyes of the believer.

The F-250 Is a 3/4 ton. The F-150 is a half ton so yes, you are buying a 3/4 ton.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by rooseveltNC

After many hours of looking for the perfect 1/2 ton truck, I finally chose what has worked perfect for us. It is a 2017 F-250 gas at the STX trim level. It is the most qualified 1/2 ton truck I have ever had. Some look at our truck and see 3/4 but I look and only see a 1/2 ton pick-up truck. Robust is truly in the eyes of the believer.

The F-250 is not a half ton truck.

[Murbella7]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Chevy does not make a 4 door with 2 handles any more.
The extended cab has 4 handles and would not be a deal breaker but
they don't have a dark maroon red.
AND I was sort of dreaming due to the TV ads lately touting "employee" discounts up to $11,000
So I went online just to see what was available in my area.
Nada- just about all were white and 4wd and crew or regular cab.

IF I had a magic wand I'd get a brand new version of my current truck with
a little more HP.

I am pretty sure you are referring to what is known as suicide doors. The name tells you why the 2-handle option was changed to 4 for the extended cab. The crew cab is a four door, four handle, large rear seat model.

I still think the Chevy is the better option, especially if you are already a Chevy driver. But I too am very biased towards Chev and away from Ford. Too many bad memories and bad stories from others.

[carbonblack]

I haven't browsed through all the replies - but have you considered Nissan's new Titan with the 5.6L V8 gas engine. The Titan comes with a King Cab model (4 doors/2 handles). It comes in a Cayenne Red color and a 7-speed A/T. The engine has more hp and torque than the 5.3L GM engines. Towing capacity for this engine is 9,400 lbs. It's worth a look

[Scrapper]

I question how no manufacturer makes a gas V-8 turbo. Sure, Dodge had a V-10 twin turbo in the Viper, but I don't think they put them in trucks.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

I question how no manufacturer makes a gas V-8 turbo. Sure, Dodge had a V-10 twin turbo in the Viper, but I don't think they put them in trucks.

I have an 8 cylinder with a turbo! LOL

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by CNYCamper

I need the double cab in order to fit my kayaks in the bed. Lar

Not sure what the cab size has to do with getting something into the bed. Isn't that just based on what the bed size is? Or is it that you can't get the bed size you want with the other cab size?

For KYDAN,
Over 4k miles towing on my 2016 3.5 EB 4x4 Screw. Got several fill-ups that turned in 12.6 MPG, got more that were in the 8.8-9.5 range. I do recall complaining that it seemed most trips I was ALWAYS running against the wind... Truck always had the power I wanted. Going from KY to NC steepest points caused the truck to downshift to 3rd. Mostly in 5th. I really like the adaptive cruise control and miss it when driving the DW's car.

[kjohn5801]

Check out the Titan HD 5.0 Diesel. Very affordable Get 9 to 11 towing dependent on conditions. 20 to 22 on the Hwy not towing Had it from FL to Yellowstone and back this summer. Towing 7000 lbs forest Hemisphere 34 ft.