Jebby14 wrote:
hey all. looking for opinions
new 2016 F150 (left on the lot) with XLT pack (some toys) and the 5.0 but has 331 gears and 7000 gvwr package
or 2017 ram no toys but standard gears.
opinions on gears (my tow rig wont top over 5000lb) looking for milage without feeling like a dog
longevity (I know the hemi has been out longer but the 5.0 seems well liked) I keep vehicles a long time and want to keep her running
the aluminum body of the ford (I live in the rust belt
any other little quirks
Your 5k rig, is that loaded, ready to camp weight or a dry weight?
If that's your loaded weight, I'm sure you'll be ok, but as others suggested, check that yellow drivers door jamb sticker and see what your max payload figure is. Then deduct the weight of all passengers, cargo, hitch and tongue weights from that figure and see where your at.
Pulling wise I'm sure you'd be fine. 1/2 ton trucks run out of payload before you hit that tow rating figure.
I'd personally go with the 5.0 if it was me. Before i bought my prior 15 Silverado, i test drove a 14 F150 with the 5.0 and 3.73s and it felt very stout. If your only going to be towing 5k msx loaded weight, the 3.31s will probably be ok. I'd want a steeper gear though. Just as I wish my new dodge had the 4.10s. But as in your case, the 3.73s in my truck are just fine for what I'm doing with it.
Ps, i agree with the OEM trailer tow mirror suggestion. It's one of the reasons I traded out of my 2015 Silverado. Chevy dealer wanted $1200 to put them on that truck and the Longview slip on ones were horrible. I just couldn't see putting that much money into that truck, $900 to upgrade to load range E tired and still have a 1/2 ton truck. I didn't have much right side visibility and the left wasn't great either. If you can get a truck that has them on right away, i would. If you camp a lot, just the convienance of not taking them on and off all the time is worth it.
If you haven't already decided. I'd give the ram a hard look. I really like my dodge and I'm a Ford man. I could have bought an extended cab long bed F250, 2016 model year, but went with the 17 ram. Just liked it better all around and you very more options for less money than the Ford. The ford is very nice though, no doubt about it. All trucks from the big 3 are these days. You can't go wrong with any of them.
2017 Dodge Ram 2500 HD, 4x4, CCSB, 6.4L HEMI, Snow Chief, tow package.,1989 Skyline Layton model 75-2251.