Horsepower is horsepower?
If that theory is true (in real circumstances), then a 385hp 6.7L Cummins diesel shouldn't spank a 381hp Toyota Tundra when both are tested 0-60 towing a 5740# boat. But it did. Must be the adva...
Forum Discussion
Here's an actual fact. CR found that the Cummins got, 13mpg, Duramax 14mpg, (11mpg towing) and the Powerstroke 16mpg, (12mpg towing), for reference, the F150 got 10mpg towing, 15mpg normally.
Their conclusion was the 3/4 ton trucks were big, handled much more poorly than a 1/2 ton, and were prohibitively expensive compared to 1/2 tons. They had little preference to either 3, Ford got good mileage but handled poorely, GM had better handling, but mileage was not as good. Dodge was DEF free, but that doesn't make up the mileage loss.
CR - "But if your towing needs are near the weight limit of a half-ton, what do you get by upsizing? To find out, we towed a 7,400-pound trailer (the maximum our tested Ram 1500 can tow) with both sets of trucks. The diesels were quicker than the half-tons to 60 mph (though Tundra was quickest of all). Diesels also achieved 1 to 2 mpg better fuel economy than the half-tons when towing. Also, when towing that weight, the heavy-duty trucks don't have to work as hard to maintain speed on our hilly towing test loop.
The heavy-duty trucks' heft and stiffer suspensions reduced bounce and sway from the trailer, especially for the F-250. Some equipment on the heavy-duty trucks, such as oversized mirrors, also makes towing easier. The Silverado 2500 and F-250 have built-in electric trailer-brake controllers. The Ram 2500's "Jake brake" uses exhaust pressure for supplemental braking when descending hills.
Despite the benefits of heavy-duty trucks, we found that half-tons can adequately tow their maximum trailer weight. Given their better livability, they make sense for most buyers. But if you frequently tow a trailer near a half-ton's limits, the benefits of a heavy-duty truck start to compensate for the sacrifices and expense."
Their conclusion was the 3/4 ton trucks were big, handled much more poorly than a 1/2 ton, and were prohibitively expensive compared to 1/2 tons. They had little preference to either 3, Ford got good mileage but handled poorely, GM had better handling, but mileage was not as good. Dodge was DEF free, but that doesn't make up the mileage loss.
CR - "But if your towing needs are near the weight limit of a half-ton, what do you get by upsizing? To find out, we towed a 7,400-pound trailer (the maximum our tested Ram 1500 can tow) with both sets of trucks. The diesels were quicker than the half-tons to 60 mph (though Tundra was quickest of all). Diesels also achieved 1 to 2 mpg better fuel economy than the half-tons when towing. Also, when towing that weight, the heavy-duty trucks don't have to work as hard to maintain speed on our hilly towing test loop.
The heavy-duty trucks' heft and stiffer suspensions reduced bounce and sway from the trailer, especially for the F-250. Some equipment on the heavy-duty trucks, such as oversized mirrors, also makes towing easier. The Silverado 2500 and F-250 have built-in electric trailer-brake controllers. The Ram 2500's "Jake brake" uses exhaust pressure for supplemental braking when descending hills.
Despite the benefits of heavy-duty trucks, we found that half-tons can adequately tow their maximum trailer weight. Given their better livability, they make sense for most buyers. But if you frequently tow a trailer near a half-ton's limits, the benefits of a heavy-duty truck start to compensate for the sacrifices and expense."
