Ford or...?

I guess I think differently than the OP.
I look at the avg American and the decisions they make about just about anything and find that what ever the crowd picks is usually not the best choice for me.
My advice is to think for yourself, do research and buy what fits your needs - not just what somebody else buys.

Dog Trainer wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

wanderingbob wrote:
Ford ? Do they make a "hefty truck "?

the only one that does.

c'mon now terryallen your not towing that TT in your sig with that F150. Surley you know it is way too heavy for that truck:W
I won't say what I tow with cause the police would come and take me away.

Well you know I do.:B I can only afford one truck. So I had to chose the best. :) And besides. that TT only weighed 4811lbs yellow sticker weight. And loaded to camp less than 6000lbs. No trouble at all for the mighty 150.

the TT is built with AZDEL. 50% lighter, and 50% better insulated than regular fiberglass, and wood siding. Also won't rot. Tows great. No sway, no strain. A person could probably even tow it with a GM, or Ram. :B
I tell my camping buddies that, and it really lights em up. Course they do me too. Keep saying they go up faster than me. They have 2500s, and one a diesel. I just tell them. I hang back just incase y'all need help up the hill. Fact is. I can go up faster. But why? I hold it back to 3000 RPM. I'm happy there.

MargaretB wrote:
I'm a NY apartment kid, so we didn't have cars when I was growing up. I have no marque preferences.

My post was generated by noticing how many people have F-150s. I haven't done a statistical analysis, but I'd guess that at least half, if not more, do. So I wondered what it is about that particular truck.

And... half a ton is 1000# in the US. So a truck with a half-ton payload isn't worth much as a TV, is it?

1,000 lbs would be correct as "half" ton.. The problem is there are so many possible configurations of a "half" ton truck that the actual payload varies.. a lot!

1/2 ton now days is more like a "model number" and a lot less about payload. I remember back years ago when a half ton truck when loaded with driver and two passengers only left you with less than 200 lbs of available payload that you could haul in the back..

Some 1/2 ton trucks can be still the same way however you can order an optional payload package along with all the require additional packages and you can get a payload close to a current 3/4 to truck. Just keep in mind all those additional packages to boost your payload can often get you up into the cost of a nicely equipped 3/4 ton!

Ford makes the best selling Half-Ton truck. This is not really in dispute. Best Selling doesn't mean... Best...

Everything is about compromises and the different brands tend to make different compromises to attract customers. I tend to lean Ford simply because I have had good service from them and they tend to be cheaper on the used market.

You must understand that the 'half ton' or 1500 or 150 series trucks are the MOST diverse vehicles made today. there are so many ways to outfit them and so many different capabilities and options that you can order into them.

With a half ton you could have two sitting next to each other with the same colors and comfort options and look identical...however one can be capable of towing an 8,000 lb trailer and the other one hardly capable of towing a 4,000 lb trailer.

Options and equipment are everything on a half ton.

The comment earlier about Ford only making the HD half is incorrect. Chevrolet also has an NHT- trailering option that increases capability in both payload and tow rating.

So, here are some general rules for towing with a half ton

1) Get the top of the line most powerful motor you can afford.
*GM- will be the 5.3 and the 6.2 V8 preferrably
*Ford- Will be the 5.0 V8 and the 3.5 EcoBoost V6
*Ram- Will be the 3.5 EcoDiesel or the Hemi 5.7 V8
2) Get the lowest axle ratio you can find in each brand. Remember that a lower gear is actually numerically higher. 3.07 rear axle is higher than 3.73 for instance

3) Ensure that the truck has the trailering package, and if available, the Heavy Duty trailering package.

4) If ordering new.. order Tow Mirrors if a factory option...

5) Get the truck with the most available payload. These will typically be 2wd trucks and mid level trim's.

6) Remember to air up your tires on your half ton to full psi listed on the sidewall of the tire before you tow.

Finally,

Educate yourself and read everything you possibly can about weight distribution, payload, trailering, brake controls and if you run across a phrase or something that confuses you ask questions.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

ScottG wrote:

My advice is to think for yourself, do research and buy what fits your needs - not just what somebody else buys.

I agree, and my question is part of that research. Asking people why they do or buy what they do or buy is more valuable than reading manufacturer's reports. Especially when the people I"m asking are experienced and knowledgeable.

I had a Nissan Titan, it was nothing but problems and Nissan wasn't very helpful at all.

I'm not a GM fan because of issues like Nissan, so never looked. Plus their 5.3L was a bit under powered and seen many coworkers upgrade after pulling a heavier TT with their 5.3L Silverado.

Looked at Rams but their payload was even worse than my 2008 Sport Trac 4WD payload. So technically they couldn't even tow as heavy as my Sport Trac without going over GVWR.

Looked at Ford and it had a good payload and good motor with low end torque. Then went to the 5.0L that put most to shame with it's low end torque, high end power, and good payload.

For me, if I went with Dodge, I'd need a 2500 5.4L to tow without going over GVWR. For me, if I went with Chevy, it would be a roll of the dice and I'd have to go with the 6.2L which is only on really heavy upper trim levels that reduce payload. Newer 2014 models have addressed the payload and lack of power for the 5.3L but it's still a GM with a roll of the dice.

Not a fan of Toyota as they seem to have a lot of the under built chassis issues I seen with my Titan as bed bouncing left to right over rough roads, along with low payload. Besides they seem very overpriced for what they are. If I was going to spend that type of cash, it would be on a 3/4 ton truck.

Wouldn't ever consider another Titan. Junk "in my opinion" and have worse gas milage than most 3/4 ton gassers.

Today if I had to replace my truck, it would be a 2500 Ram 6.4L or a Silverado 5.3L or 6.2L(as long as payload is adequate).

I wouldn't buy another F150 because for 2015 the F15Os have an aluminum body on a steel frame which scream dissimilar metal corrosion along with aluminum corrosion. I won't be the guinea pig on that truck. I may consider a F250/F350 though.

Ford has had the best selling truck for many years. I believe Ford's marketing strategy has been more successful. Anecdotally, Chevy/GMC has a reputation, and I'm not saying it's deserved, for having interiors that look cheap. Dodge has a good reputation for strong motors but bodies that don't hold up. Again, I'm not saying it's a deserved reputation. And, although I currently own a Ford, I'm looking to upgrade and I'm seriously considering Chevy/GMC or Dodge 2500hd or 3500hd models since their diesel motors (by reputation) are better than the Ford 6.0 in the years I'm looking, 2004 to 2007.

MargaretB wrote:

ScottG wrote:

My advice is to think for yourself, do research and buy what fits your needs - not just what somebody else buys.

I agree, and my question is part of that research. Asking people why they do or buy what they do or buy is more valuable than reading manufacturer's reports. Especially when the people I"m asking are experienced and knowledgeable.

While doing your research, you'll probably find all three make a decent towing vehicle. You'll also find, all three make various versions that may or may not handle what you want to tow.

Prime example is F150:

Depending on wheel base, drivetrain, cab configuration, etc, there are F150's with as little as 750 lbs of payload and 5000 lb tow capacity. This version is pretty much maxed out with a driver, one passenger, and a load of groceries. There are also F150's with payloads all the way up to 3100 lbs and 11,000 lbs tow capacity. Ford is not alone in building trucks this way.


Depending on what it is you want to tow, you'll need to research each truck, not just the general truck series. A blanket statement of "a half ton should pull it fine" is not true with any brand.

As far as "Why pick Ford?", that could be pricing, available options, brand loyalty, even political.

One of my brothers drives an F150, only because of the amount of taxpayer bailout money used by the other two. Nothing to do with its towing capabilities.

The other brother, drives an F250 because he has a truck camper and he has never driven anything but Fords.

Myself, I have owned a Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, 3500 series Chevrolet van, and now an F250. At the time I bought the F250, Ford was the only one with integrated brake control. I did look at 2500 series Ram. I was not pleased with my heavy duty Chevy van, thus, I did not consider a GM product.

I don't konw what the next one will be.

For me it was fairly simple. Look at the older model pickups you see driving down the road, in extremely good shape. You'll see 10 Fords to 2 Chevy's and 2 Dodge's.
Simple math, who do you think makes the longest lasting truck?
Doesn't get much simpler.

MargaretB wrote:
I'm a NY apartment kid, so we didn't have cars when I was growing up. I have no marque preferences.

My post was generated by noticing how many people have F-150s. I haven't done a statistical analysis, but I'd guess that at least half, if not more, do. So I wondered what it is about that particular truck.

And... half a ton is 1000# in the US. So a truck with a half-ton payload isn't worth much as a TV, is it?

With that comment, I would suggest you go to the manufacturers' web-sites and learn something about F-150s and 1500s pickup trucks. However, I now believe you posted solely to "stir the pot", as in trolling. Oh well, kids............