Looking at new trucks

evanrem wrote:
Thanks everyone for the responses.
After doing a little more digging I made a mistake on the Chevy Payload. It is actually closer to 3000 lbs. (I was looking at the wrong engine). I stopped at the Ford dealer and they could not find the EcoBoost with the max payload package anywhere within a 1500 mi of my location (I guess they are hard to find). We looked at the Super Duty and the family were not fans of the interior and look of the truck so it looks like it might be the Chevy 2500 HD. The hardest part of this whole process is dropping 45K on a truck, wow they are $$$$.
Thanks again

My 2500 Chevy was a little over 40K in 09. I bought it 4 years later for half that. 4.10 gears, 3k payload. It is an LT model, probably plain for some, fancy enough for me. It is comfortable, rides well with 285 series tires and very dependable. My wife and kids enjoy the room and feeling of safety. Tows trailers with rock, tractors, skid steers, vehicles and yes, our RV. I won't knock any other models, just tell you about the positive experience with the one we own. Hope that helps.

I found most Ford dealers knew next to nothing about Max Payload or Max Tow packages. Doesn't sound like much has changed in 3 years. Keep in mind, most people buy trucks for the look or to use as a car with bigger trunk.

If you ever have the chance to compare a Heavy Payload and a Max Tow side by side, there's very little difference. With the Heavy Payload, you get 7-lug rims and one more leaf on rear springs that will take load at about 1.25" compression from zero-load level.

Heavy payload does add bigger trans cooler and the 9.75" rear end, but all EB's have the 9.75 already. Max tow get the trans cooler anyway.

I doubt seriously that with an 8,000-lb trailer and WD hitch you'll exceed the payload capacity of the truck. Unless of course you plan to do something like put a golf cart in the bed or something else that's 700+lbs.

More capable solution would be Max Tow with air bags if needed. We have a few of the Heavy Payload 150's at work. They ride rough enough when empty that you can't put a half-full drink in the cup holders.

Thanks everyone for the responses.
After doing a little more digging I made a mistake on the Chevy Payload. It is actually closer to 3000 lbs. (I was looking at the wrong engine). I stopped at the Ford dealer and they could not find the EcoBoost with the max payload package anywhere within a 1500 mi of my location (I guess they are hard to find). We looked at the Super Duty and the family were not fans of the interior and look of the truck so it looks like it might be the Chevy 2500 HD. The hardest part of this whole process is dropping 45K on a truck, wow they are $$$$.
Thanks again

If I was looking I would wait to see the Nissan xd and tundra diesel. I might get one of them in a few. Years.

I have a 2012 F150 EB Max Tow Supercrew. I pull a roughly 7,500lb 32' travel trailer with it.

I am extremely happy with it. Would've bought a F250, but I wanted got be able to keep it in my garage. Glad now I don't buy the F250, since it would've been overkill.

I'm now looking at 34-36' toy hauler TT's in the 9,000-10,000b range, and plan to pull them with the same truck. That should tell you how I feel on the truck's capabilities.

As far as finding one, email Ford corporate truck sales(their "contact us" link is on the web site. Tell them you're wanting to buy a F150 Max Tow, but none of your local dealers are really helping out. Include your cell number. I got a call within 2 hours from a very nice lady who gave me the contact info for 2 dealerships who had the exact truck I wanted. Was flying from New Orleans to Nashville 2 days later. The dealership sent a sales rep to pick me up from the airport. Was home a little before midnight. Funny part, I get all the Ford service coupons and such in the mail as if my local dealer is the one in Nashville.

Get the 36-gallon tank. Don't even consider buying any truck for towing with a 26-gallon tank.

If you decide you want more power, look at the 5-star tuning programs and a SCT Livewire programmer. Not out for 2015's just yet, but on my 2012 I run 87 or 89 octane performance/tow tunes. No real change in MPG, but lots more power in the under-3000RPM range.

I only test drove Chevy's or Ford's and ended up with two really competent Chevy 1500's over the years. Never liked the Dodge Ram look or finish. Then I actually sat in one and drove it and now I own one. Buy what you need and want but I suggest you try all three first. Trucks of today are not those of yesteryear. Keep an open mind.

We have the new Chevrolet Colorado 2015 midsize we ordered it November 3 2014 and took delivery in January of 2015.

This month where on a trip for 15 days and a 1100 only filled up every 4 ½ hours around 410 miles pulling a 2013 Kodiak 241RBSL RV with a weight of 5700 lbs. and 22 for the truck length and 26 for the RV length we did on average of 65-68 MPH and 58-63 though Jellico Tennessee and Kentucky to Roswell Georgia in the Chattanooga Tennessee area.

We had not one issue or problem steady and the seats one issue on a long trip we the best we have ever had just had to stretch a little

FWIW I upgraded to a F350 diesel long bed crew cab 4x4. I drive it everyday - better mileage than my friends ecoboosts! And a full load eco boost gets costly - wasn't much more for the 350 when I considered the capability upgrade. I tow a 30' TT @ 7000-8000 lbs. I had a 2010 Ram CTD but the injectors failed right at warranty so I traded the truck in. Ive also had a Ram 1/2 ton - it was ok but towing a 19' HTT maxed it out. I like having lots of payload as my bed is full of******when we go camping!

Now might be a great time to go shop for an F150 if you're only looking for a half ton. Ford is throwing a whole lot of discounts on them in some regions.

Ford dangles $10K discounts on aluminum F-150

Ford Putting Nearly $11,000 on Hoods of Some F-150s

One of the worst v8s I ever owned was a 97 2v 5.4l. I averaged about 7 mpg less than the ecoboost in town and 3-4 hwy. No comparison in economy or power.