I'm looking for a replacement tow vehicle and I'm going to a gasser, 1/2 ton if at all possible. I might even lease in case I have a change of heart after a couple of years.
I know the diesel pulls better, I've had several diesels to date; 91 Dodge, 92 Dodge, 99 Dodge, 05 GMC, 00 Excursion, so I'm well aware of the advantages. However, I need a good truck for around town, something the wife/daughter can drive if need be, rides nice, and fits in my garage.
So, without making this a gas vs diesel debate, I'm looking at the 2012 F-150 crew(EB or 5.0) and the Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Hemi, in 4x4. Either will include their own max tow packages and deepest gears offered, so towing capacity is not a concern at this time.
Question is, the Ram only has a payload of 1250 lbs, where the Ford has about 1800 lbs. Two of my local RV shops say the payload doesn't really matter when using a WD hitch, and 75-80% of their TT sales are to 1/2 ton owners. Of course the dealer says what you want to hear until you get it off the lot.
I actually like the Ram better, just personal preferences, syling, mirrors, interior, ride, etc. However, my 07 Jayco 27BH is 4850 dry, with a hitch weight of 630 lbs. We've added a 2nd bottle, 2nd battery, and plenty of junk in every nook and cranny of the TT. We'll either haul a little bit of firewood and sometimes a Yamaha generator in the truck bed, with the kids bikes, etc., as well. I'd estimate I could be 6500/950 lbs +/- loaded, dunno, never weighed it with that in mind. We're a 4 person family, so 600 lbs combined for occupants is about right for us. I have do an Equalizer WD hitch.
The Ford sounds like the way to go on paper, but, I like the Ram 1500 better. So then I think maybe I should go to the Ram 2500, which has less power than the 1500 though, rougher ride, but has the payload, bigger box, bigger brakes, etc., etc., etc.
Is anyone towing their TT with the new Ram 1500 (coil springs)?
How about the new Fords, does the rear drop to the ground without a WD hitch?
It will do the job you want, and have plenty of power. The big advantage to the 2500 Hemi over the 1500 is the new 6 speed auto the 2500 comes with. It has very little in common with the 5 speed used in the 1500.
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY
Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, rail press & Trans Temp PICS Collision Reconstructionist, CDR (automotive "black box") download technician/analyst
I towed my Mallard 18CK (~5K lbs loaded) with a 2008 5.7L long box, double cab Tundra. It did just fine with acceleration, holding speed on hills and keeping things in line during a few emergency braking situations. Really a nice truck.
Friends I know with the gasser Ram 2500's regret it later...
If you ORDER it correctly the F150 Super Crew cab will have a 2,300 lb. payload not 1800. This MAY be possible only with the Ecoboost (not certain) but the Ecoboost is their top towing engine, not the 5.0. I've been towing my trialer with my Ecoboost now for the last year and it's fantastic in every way. Not sure if my trailer would be a mid size or not (GVWR or 8,000) but I do tow with another 1500 lb. in the truck bed bringing the travel weight up to 9,500 lb. and MOST of my towing is in the western mountains.
As for whether the rear "drops to the ground without a WD" I have no idea. Like any OTHER truck, the receiver is rated for only 500 or so pounds of load bearing tongue weight (same for the ram 1500 and 2500) but 500 lb. would barely move it. Probably the second biggest advantage with the Ford (behind much higher payload and much larger towing capacity) is the economy when NOT towing. Pretty hard to beet between 17.5 MPG around town.
Good luck with your decision / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
bioman wrote: ......Friends I know with the gasser Ram 2500's regret it later...
Why is that??
Guess they have too many other friends with CTD-powered rigs - hard to compare diesel to gas when talking towing
Honestly, I don't know why anyone offers the 3/4-ton gasser. Today's 1/2-tons are better equipped than the older model 1-tons and have significantly better unloaded characteristics. IMHO if you need a HD truck, then get the diesel power plant to move it. Gassers pulling 10K+ lbs are sad. If you don't need the HD, save yourself some $$$ and enjoy the comforts of the gas-fed 1/2-ton.
My 2008 5.7L Tundra was a great rig and pulled my 5K lbs Mallard 18CK just fine up to about 65. It would pull hills and hold speed but you'd have to be happy sitting near redline to do it. Fuel economy for me was 8-10 mpg towing, 18ish empty and it was incredibly comfortable. My Cummins has gotten an all time low of 10.5 towing at waaaaay to fast. Routinely gets 11-12 at 65 mph. Unloaded I usually sit around 20 if I can keep my foot out of it and use the cruise. But empty it rides like a HD truck.
Again, just my opinion. No such thing as a perfect pickup, just a right for you rig.
I have never seen a half ton rig towing a TT sitting on the side of the road with broken frames, blown out tires etc, due to payload issues.
I have seen a few RV accidents. One was a chap towing an older mid sized TT with a mid 90's Chevy Tahoe without a wd hitch or sway control. The trailer was on its side and the back of the Tahoe was suspended in the air. I suspect an overloaded hitch and a severe sway issue.
Another was a TT that was destroyed when a car drove through it. No fault of the TT driver.
Those two stick out in my mind.
I have seen several motorhomes broke down with steam boiling out, but I have never seen a catastrophic mechanical failure related to payload on the side of the road. Most were maintenance issues.
The only issue with a half ton payload failure was related to a Toyota 1st gen tundra with overloads or airbags and a 2500 lb truck bed camper. After off offloading, the Tundras frame literally broke in half.
I think the reality is that most newer travel trailers are indeed towed by half ton trucks. Not saying its right, I also see an increasing number of half tons towing fivers. Just last week I saw a Hemi Ram 1500 towing a Montana fiver and a small utility trailer with with a golf cart. Again I am not saying its right just that it is happening every day. The guy with the Montana was putting along Bout 55-60.
I kind of chuckled to myself and thought "that guy is not an RV.net member. " Ha ha ha
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, , 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch with Reese Dual-Cam sway control
Wills250psd wrote: If you get the HD payload package on the F150 it has a payload around 3000lbs and I would get the ecoboost for sure. JMO
Only on the reg cab. If you get the Scab 8' bed it drops to 23-2500, and it an also can be bought in the SuperCrew 6.5 bed and comes with a 2300 or so payload rating. There was a guy posting a pic of his new F150 HD 4x4 EB SuperCrew, either XLT or Lariat, can't remember for sure but his payload was around 2300lbs. Still quite a bit for a 1/2 ton.
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