Forum Discussion

evanrem's avatar
evanrem
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2015

Looking at new trucks

Looking at getting a new truck (4 door pickup style short bed) and looking at the Ford and the Chevy brands.

The 2500 HD Chevy has a payload of 2493 lbs and a tow capacity of 13,000 lbs

The F150 3.5 Eco has a payload of 2650 lbs and a tow capacity of 11,500 lbs

The F250 Super Duty has a payload of 3000 lbs and a tow capacity of 12,500 lbs

Im thinking the most payload I will need will be around 2400 lbs and the heaviest trailer I would pull would be around 8000 lbs.

I was leaning towards the f250 but that's a big truck. The f150 Eco would be next choice but I like the looks of the Chevy best.
Im thinking the f150 Eco is going to be a better daily driver and better overall mileage when not towing. I'm surprised that the Eco boost is in the mix with the 2500,s.
Guess I'm just looking for some general input or thoughts you might have.
  • RSD559's avatar
    RSD559
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    Sit the family in each and see what they feel like. You'll be spending a lot of time in the cab together, if you use the trailer properly. I've always been a Chevy man, but when we blew up our old 1/2 ton van, we checked out the Chevy and the Ford (Dodge didn't have a crew cab at that time, so don't get snippy), the Ford was much more comfortable for large me and my large family. So check the interiors out as well.
  • Kahuna2's avatar
    Kahuna2
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    Great discussion everyone. My wife and I will be looking at upgrading our trailer in a few years, and we will need a bigger truck in the process. I can't remember the last time we bought a vehicle from any of the big three, but will now have to consider one. As, our next trailer would be at least 6,000-lbs. We love our current Toyota Tacoma and a 3,000 lbs travel trailer set-up. But, we are planning to travel to see our Grand kids in a few years. So, a bigger trailer that sleeps at least six would be ideal.

    Thanks!
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    Where did you get those payloads from? The range of payload for all 3 brands of 3/4 ton crew cab pickups is under 2000 to over 3000 pounds.

    Check the dimensions of every crew cab 6.5' bed pickup,half ton and 1-ton are all very close in every dimension. I don't understand how the heavy duty trucks are considered big. Their styling may make them appear big, but they are all very close in dimensions.

    In order to get 2400 pounds of payload in an F-150 crew cab, you'll probably have to customer order it with the HD payload package. They are very rare to find on dealer lots.

    Consider tongue weight limitations as well. The 3/4 tons are 1400+ pounds where the F-150 is 1000-1250.
  • Samsonsworld's avatar
    Samsonsworld
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    The Ram 1500 wouldn't even be on my radar. BUT those Ram 2500's do ride nice and the interiors can be luxurious. They are nice trucks. Never thought I'd say that after owning a subpar 2002.

    2400 lbs is a LOT of weight. I'm assuming you have a bed toy or 5th wheel? Not sure I wouldn't be looking at a 3/4 or one ton...and I love my ecoboost.
  • DakotaDad's avatar
    DakotaDad
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    My Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi has a payload over 3000lbs and a tow rating of about 12.5k.

    I'm a big fan of Rams, but I don't think there's any package to get a Ram 1500 even close to 2400 pounds of payload.

    That F150 with that much payload might be tough to find. Sounds like there's a serious shortage of frames for the heavy payload models. Orders cancelled, etc.

    Have you driven the Ford and Chevy 2500 trucks? My Ram 2500 is taller than my previous half tons, but doesn't really drive "bigger" than they did once you're on the road. It does feel more solid, though when towing. Can't imagine the Chevy or Ford 2500s would be much different in that respect.
  • evanrem's avatar
    evanrem
    Explorer II
    Jul 15, 2015
    The Ram 2500 has a payload of 2320 lbs and 11,060 lbs tow. It had the lowest payload of the bunch so I just opted out of it.
  • pappcam's avatar
    pappcam
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    donn0128 wrote:
    Wow! You have conviently ignored one of the strongest contenders in the Ram. The bigger V8 in the 1500 has some really strong towing numbers.
    One other mistake in your post is your looking at hypothetical numbers put out by the mfgs. Real workd payload is the result of the vehicle loaded ready to travel subtracted from the GVWR as listed on the drivers door post. Since Fords are historically heavier to begin with they usually list higher GVWR numbers so at the end of the day they all have nearly identical cargo capacity.
    While a 1500 series might be OK today, what if you decide to upgrade next year? Are you going to have to upgrade trucks too? Gets really expensive to upgrade both. Why not get a 2500 today and if or when you want a larger heavier trailer your ready with a suitable truck.


    Maybe he doesn't like the Ram? When I was truck shopping 4 years ago I only looked at and test drove Chev/GMC and Ford because I've never liked the Dodge/Ram styling or body shape.

    To each their own.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jul 15, 2015
    Wow! You have conviently ignored one of the strongest contenders in the Ram. The bigger V8 in the 1500 has some really strong towing numbers.
    One other mistake in your post is your looking at hypothetical numbers put out by the mfgs. Real workd payload is the result of the vehicle loaded ready to travel subtracted from the GVWR as listed on the drivers door post. Since Fords are historically heavier to begin with they usually list higher GVWR numbers so at the end of the day they all have nearly identical cargo capacity.
    While a 1500 series might be OK today, what if you decide to upgrade next year? Are you going to have to upgrade trucks too? Gets really expensive to upgrade both. Why not get a 2500 today and if or when you want a larger heavier trailer your ready with a suitable truck.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2015
    I personally would not make my selection solely based on the way you feel it looks. that is of course I am assuming it is sort of a standard look, and not butt ugly.
    bumpy

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