Towing with half ton!? Shopping for truck...

[icemanftr]

Long story short I am selling my diesel because my super short commute to work (7 miles). Feel like it's pointless and I don't even get heat in cold days.

Thinking F150, Ram1500, or Chevy 1500. Not new, but 5 years or less old.

Who is towing with one? 5.4 triton, 5.3 Chevy, hemi, or Eco boost? Wanna know your thoughts and if they get decent mileage. I have a cummins now and longest I tow for 5 day trips is 60 miles. Otherwise I'm 15 mins from lakes galore.

Thanks everyone. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160526/bc926e68b6e4ec2cd9c29430d32514cc.jpg


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[mmandley]

I used to tow my 08 LSV with a 5.4 Triton F150 and it flat out sucked. It drank gas to the tune of 7mpg, and would be at 3100rpm going up hills. I hated it.

I also owned a 13 F150 Ecoboost, and it Towed great with tons of power, and got great mileage when not towing. I was getting 17 mixed non towing and 10-11 towing. I only sold it because I tow a Lot, and my Mojo has a heavy nose and the F150 did fine but coming from a diesel I missed the bigger truck, power, and true long bed.

IDK if i would jump into an older Ram 1500 I have always been scared of the trans they have, but I do love my 14 2500 Diesel.

Chevy trucks, can't really go wrong but I would be cautious of the 5.3, I have heard a lot of people by pass the auto cylinder kill and they have some others issues, only what I have read, no other experience with that truck.

[icemanftr]

I used to tow my 08 LSV with a 5.4 Triton F150 and it flat out sucked. It drank gas to the tune of 7mpg, and would be at 3100rpm going up hills. I hated it.

I also owned a 13 F150 Ecoboost, and it Towed great with tons of power, and got great mileage when not towing. I was getting 17 mixed non towing and 10-11 towing. I only sold it because I tow a Lot, and my Mojo has a heavy nose and the F150 did fine but coming from a diesel I missed the bigger truck, power, and true long bed.

IDK if i would jump into an older Ram 1500 I have always been scared of the trans they have, but I do love my 14 2500 Diesel.

Chevy trucks, can't really go wrong but I would be cautious of the 5.3, I have heard a lot of people by pass the auto cylinder kill and they have some others issues, only what I have read, no other experience with that truck.

Good feedback. My dilemma is the stop and go the diesel gets 90% of the time. As a daily driver it doesn't care to much for short trips and in winter it sucks not having heat tell you drive for 40 mins. Lol

I was looking at the newer Rams 13-up but I hear you about their notorious tranny issues in the past.


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[Wax]

The newer ram 8 speed ZF (I think) trans is different than the one you're talking about I believe. I have a 14 1500 quad cab and it's awesome. I tow a 7k dry camping trailer with no issues, barely notice it's there and can cruise at 75 getting 11mpg fully loaded with gear and 6 people (4 are small people lol). I never understand why people think they need more than a half ton to pull a boat like ours. Anything more is overkill imo, you're only using around half of the already safety-factored towing capacity in a 1500 these days. Shoot I've pulled our boat, which is about 5k with trailer, with our Traverse no prob lol.

The hemi is great, power for days. I average close to 20mpg daily driving. Highway I'll average 22. It's the best truck I've had, and you wouldn't believe all I've had.

My dad pulls a 7500lb dry fifth wheel with his 14 Chevy 5.3 and it pulls like a dream, and he gets close to same mileage as me daily driving. He averages around 11 pulling that trailer also. He pulls that through the Rockies no problem. I like the chevys a lot and almost got one, but I got a better deal on the ram and liked the styling more.

I had a 5.4 a long time ago, 2004, and it was way more than adequate at the time for pulling the Supra Launch. Daily driving mileage was only 15-17 but I'm sure they've improved that by now.

I honestly don't think you can go wrong. When it comes to half ton trucks I get whatever I like the best at the time based on style and cost. They're all more than capable of pulling my trailers.

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[jtatexc]

I have a 2015 f150 with the 3.5 ecoboost and love it. I was blown away the first time I towed with it. I get about 11 to 12mpg (and better highway) towing with it and it has a crazy amount of power. Worth checking out. I drove every truck in class when shopping and kept going back to this. Love it.

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[icemanftr]

Just test drove 14 Eco boost and the new 5.0. Hard to tell difference on street run. Wish I could bring boat and say ok let's test drive. Lol
Also drove 14 ram and it felt most peppy.
I hate making these decisions. Ram gives you more for your money with cool factor and leather where as ford is plain Jane for same price. I'm gonna do some research or just say truck it and keep diesel.


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[icemanftr]

It don't help their case when they only offer me 16k trade for my clean ass cummins. Idiots http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160527/9d2071fef280dd0ca56e38663995a498.jpg


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[Sjenkins]

24239I recently picked up an xlv and have towed a little with my f150 5.4. I wouldn't want to haul long distance, but I think in our area you'd be fine

[zabooda]

2014 F150 here 5 liter. 18.5 mpg without a load. 13 mpg with a trailer. Less than $30k new. 40 gallon tank is a plus. Love the newer trucks with Bluetooth.

[deerfield]

Thinking ... Ram1500 ... 5 years or less old. Who is towing with one? ... hemi ...? Wanna know your thoughts and if they get decent mileage.[/IMG]

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iceman - Daily drive vehicle is a 2012 Ram Hemi 1500 Crew Cab. Averages 21 mpg to/from work, mostly interstate. On cross-country trips, can reach 22 mpg. Pulling tandem axle trailer w/ Outback to the lake get 13 mpg, on county road with 55 mph speed limit. Bought it new at the end of the 2012 season. Truck has now logged 83,000 miles. Replaced the serpentine belt because of a squeal and put on a new set of tires at about the 80,000 mile mark. It’s an entry-level model from the lower end of the lineup, w/ cloth seats, factory sound system, general power options (door locks and windows), and four-wheel drive. Nonetheless, it delivers a smooth, pleasant ride, especially on long trips and is an excellent tow vehicle. Lots of interior room. Nice add-ons include running boards for easier entry/exit, Tonneau cover for the truck bed, and backup camera for parking. It’s a big truck with a wide turning radius. After a hard day at the office or for the run to Home Depot for supplies, it’s great to climb into the cab, turn the key, hear the dual exhaust come to life, and know I’m in for a nice ride. - Deerfield

[trayson]

we're happy with our 2013 F150 Ecoboost. Tows great for us, but I've never owned a diesel so hard to compare. LOVE the tech and ammenities in the FX4. it has basically everything. heated seats, cooled seats, BT, Wifi, backup cam, folding mirrors, adjustible pedals, rear locker. Like the step that comes out of the tailgate.

Ours has a 6" lift and 35" tires on 20" wheels. so it drinks a bit of gas. Wife seems to get 12 or so city driving. We drove it up to Mt Hood a couple times. Got 11mpg on the way up the mountain, 15mpg on the way down.

It's a head turner. a couple weeks ago, we got off the freeway and had the truck in front of us slow down in the left lane, and as we passed him on the right I saw that he was taking video of us and the boat.
http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u492/traysonh/Moomba%20XLV/20160407_133619_zpslcb0rxi6.jpg

[icemanftr]

24239I recently picked up an xlv and have towed a little with my f150 5.4. I wouldn't want to haul long distance, but I think in our area you'd be fine

Sjenkins, the farthest I tow is to Roosevelt and my old Tundra did that with 4.7, but she was a screamer. Lol Thanks for feedback and good to see someone else from the Spokane Area. I hit up long lake quite a few times, should try and catch a beer on water this year.


2014 F150 here 5 liter. 18.5 mpg without a load. 13 mpg with a trailer. Less than $30k new. 40 gallon tank is a plus. Love the newer trucks with Bluetooth.
Zabooda, that's not bad at all! I test drove one today (same year) and it was nice. 30k new though? This one was almost 30k used. Lol


iceman - Daily drive vehicle is a 2012 Ram Hemi 1500 Crew Cab. Averages 21 mpg to/from work, mostly interstate. On cross-country trips, can reach 22 mpg. Pulling tandem axle trailer w/ Outback to the lake get 13 mpg, on county road with 55 mph speed limit. Bought it new at the end of the 2012 season. Truck has now logged 83,000 miles. Replaced the serpentine belt because of a squeal and put on a new set of tires at about the 80,000 mile mark. It’s an entry-level model from the lower end of the lineup, w/ cloth seats, factory sound system, general power options (door locks and windows), and four-wheel drive. Nonetheless, it delivers a smooth, pleasant ride, especially on long trips and is an excellent tow vehicle. Lots of interior room. Nice add-ons include running boards for easier entry/exit, Tonneau cover for the truck bed, and backup camera for parking. It’s a big truck with a wide turning radius. After a hard day at the office or for the run to Home Depot for supplies, it’s great to climb into the cab, turn the key, hear the dual exhaust come to life, and know I’m in for a nice ride. - Deerfield
Deerfield, which trim you have? I saw a smoking deal on 14 express model with hemi. Curious on the gearing though. What's yours have?


we're happy with our 2013 F150 Ecoboost. Tows great for us, but I've never owned a diesel so hard to compare. LOVE the tech and ammenities in the FX4. it has basically everything. heated seats, cooled seats, BT, Wifi, backup cam, folding mirrors, adjustible pedals, rear locker. Like the step that comes out of the tailgate.

Ours has a 6" lift and 35" tires on 20" wheels. so it drinks a bit of gas. Wife seems to get 12 or so city driving. We drove it up to Mt Hood a couple times. Got 11mpg on the way up the mountain, 15mpg on the way down.

It's a head turner. a couple weeks ago, we got off the freeway and had the truck in front of us slow down in the left lane, and as we passed him on the right I saw that he was taking video of us and the boat.
http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u492/traysonh/Moomba%20XLV/20160407_133619_zpslcb0rxi6.jpg

The ecoboost was nice and fairly loaded as well today. Yours looks great. But I have to wonder if they were videoing your ride or your wifey? Lol joking...



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[rdlangston13]

Not sure how far back you want to go on year model but I tow with 2006 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Hemi 1/2 ton and while it does get the job done, it needs to down shift just to making over an over pass unless you turn off O/D completely. I average 10 mph towing in it at 65 mpg and about 17 Hwy not towing at 70-75 mph. It leaves a little to be desired pulling.

We also tow with our 2015 Ford Expedition Ecoboost and I can lock out 6th gear and it will turn about the same RPM in the dodge when it is in OD and it never down shifts on over passes, only on decently steep grades. Its got great power and we average about 21-22 mpg at 70 mph with no wind and about 12 mpg pulling the boat at 65. If we go 65 without the boat we can average 24 mpg.

[sivs1]

2015 Ram 1500, hemi is great. Tow at 5,000 feet or higher on a regular basis. The SA is a big boat and can avg. 11 mpg on long trips. 20 mpg or better without towing. Had a 2013 2500 Cummins and am happy with the overall change.

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[icemanftr]

Not sure how far back you want to go on year model but I tow with 2006 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Hemi 1/2 ton and while it does get the job done, it needs to down shift just to making over an over pass unless you turn off O/D completely. I average 10 mph towing in it at 65 mpg and about 17 Hwy not towing at 70-75 mph.
Yeah probably 11 or newer with 6 or 8 speed tranny. But I'm gonna keep driving them all. I know nothing is gonna compare to my hopped up cummins, but I miss having a smooth ride and heat in winter.


2015 Ram 1500, hemi is great. Tow at 5,000 feet or higher on a regular basis. The SA is a big boat and can avg. 11 mpg on long trips. 20 mpg or better without towing. Had a 2013 2500 Cummins and am happy with the overall change.

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That SA is a heavy boat. I'm assuming yours is the 8 speed? 3.21 or 3.92 rear end?



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[smokeysevin]

What gears do you have in your current truck? You may be better off just re-gearing it for "city" driving. I know on my 01 tundra my gas mileage in the city and highway went up after I re-geared it since I was less hard on the throttle getting it moving. That is corrected mileage not odometer. I am currently running 4.56 gears and 33's. Towing my 3 jet skis, a full bed, and 4 people at 75mph I still get 14 or 15 mpg

Sean

[trayson]

Yours looks great. But I have to wonder if they were videoing your ride or your wifey? Lol joking...


You're probably right! I mean, I did hit the jackpot with her. And she would want me to point out that they were either videoing her or they were videoing HER truck. (she just lets me drive it when I tow! LOL)

[viking]

Icemanftr -- have you ever considered just buying a cheap daily driver? That's what I did when I was in your position. My 07 Duramax LBZ sits in the heated shop most of the time but when duty calls to pull the 5ver, boat, enclosed trailer, ect.... its ready to go and less than 60K miles it's pristine.
Almost anybody I know that has had a diesel and lets them go ends up buying one again and regrets doing it.
No dealership is going to give you what it's worth on trade. Your going to have to sell it outright. And most likely regret.
Start shopping around for a cheap reliable car that gets good gas mileage and keep the truck for longer trips and towing. Just a thought!

[trayson]

Icemanftr -- have you ever considered just buying a cheap daily driver? That's what I did when I was in your position. My 07 Duramax LBZ sits in the heated shop most of the time but when duty calls to pull the 5ver, boat, enclosed trailer, ect.... its ready to go and less than 60K miles it's pristine.
Almost anybody I know that has had a diesel and lets them go ends up buying one again and regrets doing it.
No dealership is going to give you what it's worth on trade. Your going to have to sell it outright. And most likely regret.
Start shopping around for a cheap reliable car that gets good gas mileage and keep the truck for longer trips and towing. Just a thought!

Worth consideration. My commute to work is 8 miles and I'm quite happy that I get to do it in a European sportscar (albeit certainly nothing "new" or even really all that expensive). I'm way happier driving my M3 or S6 to work daily and leaving the truck for the wife to drive. :-) I'd say that if you get a daily driver that's a car, at least get something FUN. Life's too short to be miserable behind the wheel.

[deerfield]

Deerfield, which trim you have? I saw a smoking deal on 14 express model with hemi. Curious on the gearing though. What's yours have?


It's the ST model, w/ 3.55 rear axle ratio.

[patrick232]

I would lean towards a crew cab Chevy or GMC with the 6.2 if you can find one that they don't have over priced. My 09 would tow the XLV with ease, the 2013 Suburban not so much.

[sivs1]

Yeah probably 11 or newer with 6 or 8 speed tranny. But I'm gonna keep driving them all. I know nothing is gonna compare to my hopped up cummins, but I miss having a smooth ride and heat in winter.



That SA is a heavy boat. I'm assuming yours is the 8 speed? 3.21 or 3.92 rear end?



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Yes 8 speed with the 3.92. Does great.

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[icemanftr]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160528/740a0769eee92f1efee6f275cab0f02e.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160528/897aaa42faa0aa3575ab5b25b6b6fb97.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160528/0a0b68f4a370555e8148a2220f382bf8.jpg

Bye bye to my cummins. 2014 Express with a bunch of factory options added. Had tow package, 6spd auto, 36k miles and comes with lifetime powertrain warranty! Couldn't pass it up as it is just to damn sexy. Completely stock including factory lift (did vin list). One owner bought locally and fits me perfectly. Now to test it towing tmrw!

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it really helped. So hard these days as each manufacture has so much to offer its overwhelming. Luckily it pays to know people....


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[deerfield]

Nice lookin' truck! Congratulations on the new ride / tow vehicle. Might want to get a cover for that truck bed and a set of running boards.

[icemanftr]

Nice lookin' truck! Congratulations on the new ride / tow vehicle. Might want to get a cover for that truck bed and a set of running boards.

Running boards for sure. No cover in the near future. But I did score a spray in bed liner. 👍👍


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[Wax]

Looks similar to my 14 blackout edition, nice! congrats, I love mine.

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[rdlangston13]

Digging the blacked out look. Looks pretty good.

[icemanftr]

Looks similar to my 14 blackout edition, nice! congrats, I love mine.

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Yeah I just couldn't get enough of the murdered out version. Lol Definitely fits me.


Digging the blacked out look. Looks pretty good.

Thanks man!


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[moombadaze]

nice ride.

have a 2011 1500 myself. towed the LSV's great, love the smooth ride. Personally don't think you "need" a diesel for the LSV but then again ive never towed with one. Always take it out of overdrive when towing, it will shift more than a diesel would but it needs to stay in a higher rpm to keep the hp up .

[icemanftr]

Pulled her 40 miles today from dealer fix to my house and truck was effortless. Diesel is definitely overkill for 6k load. 🍭


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