Time for a new truck
I've been out of the RV world for 5 years now, but need a new vehicle and thinking of getting a trailer again so looking at trucks -- just a "half" ton though. Here are some impressions: - They ha...
Forum Discussion
Well, I think my perfect truck would be a Ford with the 3.5 Ecoboost, 6.5 ft bed, max trailer tow package, and trailer mirrors. And I finally found one, but I can't afford it, primarily because my current car has lost so much value. So looking at other options.
The main thing I don't like about the Ford is the wide turning circle but I can live with that. I also don't like that there are no air vents in the back seat unlike the Ram unless you get the bucket seats. I can understand that, and the bucket seats don't cost much and I would love them, but they are very hard to find. Just like the trailer mirrors. I'm really frustrated with how these vehicles are outfitted. Every truck except the base V6 models ought to have a rear view camera, brake controller, trailer mirrors, and tow package where applicable. And ideally the optional rear gears. It seems almost every truck is missing one of them. They put thousands of dollars of other options on them but forget basic equipment that only costs a few hundred.
I was looking at the Ram again (I like the option for on-demand 4wd) but the lack of payload capacity worries me. I have always been disappointed in the lack of specs provided by Dodge, and there are discrepancies and inconsistencies between the specs online and in the brochure, but it appears the specs in the brochure don't include the standard 150 lb driver weight and the ones online do. So here's the rounded net payload capacities, for the crew cab 5'7" bed without additional payload packages, and with my family and dog on board and allowing 600 lbs for trailer tongue weight (10% for a 6000 lb trailer, which assumes some of the hitch weight is transferred back to the trailer with the weight distribution hitch).
Brand Engine Payload
Ford 2.7T 275
Ford 3.5T 700
Ram 3.0D -175
Ram 5.7 70
Toyota 5.7 200
So the Ecodiesel is overweight and the Hemi barely has any capacity for the hitch and anything in the bed. Even the Toyota is pushing it; the Ford 2.7T has an optional payload package if needed.
So I drove a Ram 2500 last night, but even with the 6.4, 4.10 gears, and true 6-speed it just doesn't have the response of the 1500, so I don't know. I know it weighs a lot more. I never had a problem with the way my previous trucks drove, but maybe it's been so long I've forgotten. It's really too bad they don't put the 8-speed in it.
So we'll see, I'm looking at used options (trying to get one still under warranty) as well as the 5.0 and Chevy. The used Fords are previous generation ones of course, and still hard to find trailer mirrors on.
The main thing I don't like about the Ford is the wide turning circle but I can live with that. I also don't like that there are no air vents in the back seat unlike the Ram unless you get the bucket seats. I can understand that, and the bucket seats don't cost much and I would love them, but they are very hard to find. Just like the trailer mirrors. I'm really frustrated with how these vehicles are outfitted. Every truck except the base V6 models ought to have a rear view camera, brake controller, trailer mirrors, and tow package where applicable. And ideally the optional rear gears. It seems almost every truck is missing one of them. They put thousands of dollars of other options on them but forget basic equipment that only costs a few hundred.
I was looking at the Ram again (I like the option for on-demand 4wd) but the lack of payload capacity worries me. I have always been disappointed in the lack of specs provided by Dodge, and there are discrepancies and inconsistencies between the specs online and in the brochure, but it appears the specs in the brochure don't include the standard 150 lb driver weight and the ones online do. So here's the rounded net payload capacities, for the crew cab 5'7" bed without additional payload packages, and with my family and dog on board and allowing 600 lbs for trailer tongue weight (10% for a 6000 lb trailer, which assumes some of the hitch weight is transferred back to the trailer with the weight distribution hitch).
Brand Engine Payload
Ford 2.7T 275
Ford 3.5T 700
Ram 3.0D -175
Ram 5.7 70
Toyota 5.7 200
So the Ecodiesel is overweight and the Hemi barely has any capacity for the hitch and anything in the bed. Even the Toyota is pushing it; the Ford 2.7T has an optional payload package if needed.
So I drove a Ram 2500 last night, but even with the 6.4, 4.10 gears, and true 6-speed it just doesn't have the response of the 1500, so I don't know. I know it weighs a lot more. I never had a problem with the way my previous trucks drove, but maybe it's been so long I've forgotten. It's really too bad they don't put the 8-speed in it.
So we'll see, I'm looking at used options (trying to get one still under warranty) as well as the 5.0 and Chevy. The used Fords are previous generation ones of course, and still hard to find trailer mirrors on.
