We want a new/newer tow capable half-ton that can also double as a daily driver for one of us. Rear-view camera, tow package, integrated trailer brake controller are on top of the must have list. Heated seats and tow mirrors are good, but can be retrofitted.Largest cab, smallest bedWe tow a 5000 lbs (loaded) trailer and will get an upgrade in the near future, probably 1000 lbs more.2014 F-150 FX4 supercrew 3.6 ecoboostI was initially hoping for a good deal on a '14 with the turbo engine. The model I looked at was well optioned up with 302A, leather and navigation. Interior is pretty utilitarian, but it works. Funny how a lot of them still come with a tiny 4 in screen. Drives nice though, I have always preferred turbo engines, and this one definitely delivered. Road noise was fairly muted. Checked the door label and payload was about 1150 lbs. I stopped looking at 2014 F150s at this point as most of the models left on lots around here are the same FX4s.2014 Ram 1500 Laramie crew 5ft bed V8Loved the two tone paint and found one locally that even had tow mirrors. Was advertised at 49k MSRP and 41k sales price. I thought it had a very classy interior, best of the big three. The 8in touch screen was super responsive and controls laid out logically. Steering wheel does not telescope. The backseat storage options are genius and I appreciate the subwoofer. Really liked the layout of the instrument cluster and there's another giant screen in there.Never liked the baroque front, but the side profile and rear looks good. Cruising on the freeway, there was noticeable engine noise at a fairly low frequency that seemed to resonate. I have had grippier brakes. Payload was 1250 lbs with a 7700 lbs tow rating.

2015 Silverado 1500 LTZ 5.3Walking around the truck, I thought the looks were OK. It's well proportioned but the square wheel wells stand out. The bed step is genius, much better than what Ford has as an option with their tiny ladder. The interior looks to be good quality, but I didn't like the squashed instrument cluster a lot. The screen is of the 8 in variety, but angled forward a bit. Everything felt like I was looking at it from above rather than from the front. The backup camera was fuzzy and low resolution. Total of 5 USB charging ports, 2 12V and 1 120V. They don't add to the design but they are definitely practical.Drives great though, I particularly appreciated the quick downshifts and power was readily available. This was the 6 speed, there's also an 8 speed made I think. Ride was very quiet.Payload was a stout 1650 lbs or so. MSRP around 49k but dealer immediately offered 41k.

2015 Ford F150 XLT supercrew 5.0 V8I really wanted an impression of the 2.7 turbo, but they had very few models on the lot. First impression was the design had gone a bit sideways. The lights are classy but the grille on the XLTs goes way way down. The interior of the XLT was pretty plasticy with a lot of high gloss surfaces. All the switches and dials were a little vague. Overall, I had expected a little more if they wanted to catch up with the competition, but it was a midrange model whereas the two previous types were entry level luxury versions. Drive was super quiet, even quieter than the Silverado. Could barely hear the engine when idle. I don't remember anything standing out during this test drive. Gunning the 5.0 on the on-ramp made it sound strained and subjectively didn't quite go as fast as I had thought. Dealer said $2300 worth of incentives coming in Feb. I think I want to find a Lariat/Ecoboost combo and test drive that.Didn't any price negotiating, wanted to find the right truck first. Looks like prices on the new Fords are going to be a bit higher and the ones on the lots are a bit more optioned up.

I think if you want the Max Payload and/or Max Tow options, you may have to order.

I would really consider ordering a LTZ NHT Silverado Z71 with the 6.2 V8. Over 400 hp and around 1800 ish lbs payload. Thanks!Jeremiah

We managed to find a new 2014 Ram 2500 SRW setting on a lot a mere 100 miles away with the options we wanted. MSRP $48k we paid $38k

1/2 ton buyer's log, day 1 | Good Sam Community

BenK
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
Not all info on the Internet is sound...some the very bad advice here will come
up on Internet searches

What happens on these types of forums is that 'some' folks learn to understand
who they best agree with in advice and/or not agree with to be taken with a
grain of salt...some times a very large grain of salt to blocking them :B
MargaretB
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
Thanks, Katoom400.

I know Google is my friend, and I use it a lot. But if we all used it for everything, there would be no need for a forum, would there?
katoom400
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
LarryJM wrote:
MargaretB wrote:
mich800 wrote:

I have found it easier to just ask for the x-plan price. The dealerships I deal with give a sheet that lists the invoice price along with the various pricing; x-plan, etc. Now whether this is "the" invoice price I have not confirmed.

I'm not familiar with the term x-plan. What does it mean?

Google is your friend:W

Larry

x-plan is friends and family discount, basically sets the sale price of the truck and limits the fee's the dealer can charge.
Atlee
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2015
At this point in the model year, I agree. If interested in a 2015, order the sucker, no matter what make truck you want. You get exactly what you want, and don't have to pay for stuff that may be of little interest to you.

3oaks wrote:
ChooChooMan74 wrote:
I think if you want the Max Payload and/or Max Tow options, you may have to order.
That's exactly what I was thinking while reading his posts. Since also looking at the 2015 models, why not order exactly what you want no matter what manufacturer you choose?
mb1776
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
ib516 wrote:
Skelshy wrote:

2014 F-150 FX4 supercrew 3.6 ecoboost

I was initially hoping for a good deal on a '14 with the turbo engine. The model I looked at was well optioned up with 302A, leather and navigation. Interior is pretty utilitarian, but it works. Funny how a lot of them still come with a tiny 4 in screen. Drives nice though, I have always preferred turbo engines, and this one definitely delivered. Road noise was fairly muted.

Checked the door label and payload was about 1150 lbs. I stopped looking at 2014 F150s at this point as most of the models left on lots around here are the same FX4s.

2014 Ram 1500 Laramie crew 5ft bed V8

Loved the two tone paint and found one locally that even had tow mirrors. Was advertised at 49k MSRP and 41k sales price. I thought it had a very classy interior, best of the big three. The 8in touch screen was super responsive and controls laid out logically. Steering wheel does not telescope. The backseat storage options are genius and I appreciate the subwoofer. Really liked the layout of the instrument cluster and there's another giant screen in there.

Never liked the baroque front, but the side profile and rear looks good. Cruising on the freeway, there was noticeable engine noise at a fairly low frequency that seemed to resonate. I have had grippier brakes.

Payload was 1250 lbs with a 7700 lbs tow rating.

The low frequency noise you heard was likely the 4 cyl mode engaged. That's what it sounds like in that mode.

That is what I was thinking…MDS kicking in and out. One of the things I least appreciate about my 2500. If I am driving in the city I usually use the +/- button on the gear selector to set at 5. This shuts off the MDS temporarily.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2015
MargaretB wrote:
mich800 wrote:

I have found it easier to just ask for the x-plan price. The dealerships I deal with give a sheet that lists the invoice price along with the various pricing; x-plan, etc. Now whether this is "the" invoice price I have not confirmed.

I'm not familiar with the term x-plan. What does it mean?

Google is your friend:W

Larry
MargaretB
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
mich800 wrote:

I have found it easier to just ask for the x-plan price. The dealerships I deal with give a sheet that lists the invoice price along with the various pricing; x-plan, etc. Now whether this is "the" invoice price I have not confirmed.

I'm not familiar with the term x-plan. What does it mean?
mooky_stinks
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
Skelshy wrote:
grumble... grumble... no Silverado 1500s LTZ with Max Trailer Tow in WA ... grumble...

Just order it buddy! I just ordered mine last week. 6-8 weeks
Skelshy
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
grumble... grumble... no Silverado 1500s LTZ with Max Trailer Tow in WA ... grumble...
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Feb 04, 2015
Skelshy wrote:
Need-A-Vacation wrote:

If you are open to a 2wd, what about a 2500 2wd? Would give you plenty of payload, and have read some great things about the Ram 6.4 Hemi on here. Mileage would probably be even better in a 2wd.

We currently have a fiberglass camper top. I am not sure if we are going to get another one or a tonneau cover. The camper top is super useful here in the pacific northwest. However, the visibility is really limited and I had to take it off on a few occasions. It's so heavy I can't really do that alone. I also have to climb in the bed and un-clamp the clamps. Anyways for now I am planning for the 130-ish lbs the camper top will take.

I am actively looking into buying a 2WD. 4WD is cost and weight I don't need. It's just dealers here don't stock 2WDs

I know what you mean about the cab high toppers being usefull! We went back and fortch trying to decide on a topper or tonneau cover when we bought the '13. Taking the dog to the in laws house "Up North" (Northern Mi) and when we go to my in laws cabin up in Ontario, Canada, we pack in rubber maid tubs. It's either across the lake by boat, or haul stuff in a cargo sled behind the snowmobile. Would have been a full bed if we had a tonneau cover, if not overflowing. And we only had a 10' clamshell sled trailer at the time.

As for the weight, Century told me a cab high short bed (5'8"ish) topper weighed about 200lbs. Probably very similar for all the brands. Luckily I have a 16' tandem axle utility trailer when I need to haul something larger, otherwise taking the topper off is a pain! But what about one of those pulley set ups if you have a garage?

Good luck!