Ford or...?

Eco-Boost?

Uh oh.. Shouldn't take long for this thread to sour..

Pretty darn hot button for many folks so expect a lot of shouting..

Pretty much whats best is based on ones personal opinion which is often formed by family or personal experience (IE if you grew up with your parents owning GMs then you typically buy GMs and vice versa with any other manufacture).

Some folks go with price points, style, colors, trim level or bragging rights..

Yeah, I grew up in a Ford "family" so I look first at Ford then others, in my case Fords tend to have the styling I like, ride I like and the price I like (I get "X" plan pricing which is nice).

Each manufacturer has a trim level "name" and a model "name"..

In the days of the past a F150 meant it had a half ton of "payload", now days 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and such sort of blur the lines for payload so it is often hard to tell what payload you will have..

You really have to read the PAYLOAD info carefully now days to ensure you will have enough to haul a large heavy trailer. Not ALL models of trucks have the same payload, you can have a F150 with a payload of just 1,000 lbs and one beside it with 2,000 lbs depending on cab style and options..

Your passengers, fuel and any gear you put into the truck takes away from your payload.. What is left is how much tongue weight your truck can haul (tongue weight of the trailer becomes "payload" or "cargo" of the vehicle and needs to be accounted for. You will typically run out of available payload before you hit the max towing rating.

F150s or any of the 1/2 ton vehicles tend to be the lowest cost and therefore more popular than 3/4 ton and higher which cost more (some states charge higher registration fees for higher payload vehicles).

The difference between XLT and Lariat is nothing more than the trim package. Lariat package is a higher cost trim and comes with more bells and whistles but either trim will be able to haul pretty much the same loads.

As far as one manufacturer being superior I find that they are about the same, they all can and do break down at some point in time.

Ford ? Do they make a "hefty truck "?

MargaretB wrote:
Eco-Boost?

Eco-Boost is Fords name for a turbo charged V6 engine, it nets a lot more HP and torque (gets things going fast) than a non turbo charged engine of the same size.

You will pay a premium price up front for this optional engine and it does add some rather expensive turbos which could translate into expensive repairs if one fails.

The selling point to the Eco boost is more power with better gas mileage, however the mileage thing is only when EMPTY.

You will not see any improvement when towing.. Typical towing mileage will be 9mpg - 11 mpg depending on speed, terrain and load weight (which is what I get hauling a 26ft 6000 lb TT with my 3/4 ton)..

Eco boost unloaded mileage can be as high as 22 mpg but to do that your going to have to drive pretty light on the gas pedal.. Engaging turbo boost drops the mileage..

MargeretB..

It's only just beginning!:W

wanderingbob wrote:
Ford ? Do they make a "hefty truck "?

the only one that does.

I think Ford was early to come out with an integrated trailer brake. I have that and absolutely love it. So much smoother than previous braking with standalone trailer brake.

Terryallan wrote:

wanderingbob wrote:
Ford ? Do they make a "hefty truck "?

the only one that does.

c'mon now terryallen your not towing that TT in your sig with that F150. Surley you know it is way too heavy for that truck:W
I won't say what I tow with cause the police would come and take me away.

MargaretB wrote:
I notice that a very large number of the people who post here tow with some sort of Ford product. I'm wondering if they are that much better than Dodge Rams or other hefty vehicles. What is it about Fords, especially the F150, that makes it so appealing? And is there a real difference between a Lariat and an XLT or whatever those letters are?

Understanding that I know nothing about automotive mechanics or technology, what do you look for in a TV that so many seem to find in a Ford product?

The difference between a Lariat, and a XLT , or any Ford model. Is options. The Lariat comes with more good stuff in it than a XLT. Like heated Leather memory seats, adjustable pedals, more do dads on the dash, navigation and the like. There are many variations of the 150. From a Heritage plain Jane work truck, to the King Ranch, and Platinum with stuff you will never use.

At the same time. all those add ons tend to cut down on payload, and towing capacity.

As for why more folks buy Fords. All I can say is personal preference. The other makers offer some comparable models.

However, Fords tend to look better, have much better ergonomics. Meaning that the gages, and switches are right where they need to be. They also off more variety, or more models with more options. While some of the others just offer 2, or 3 choices of rear gear. Ford offers 4 engines, and this year even more. In short. there is a Ford truck configured for every need. From not hauling, or towing much. To towing, and hauling a whole lot.

I'm a NY apartment kid, so we didn't have cars when I was growing up. I have no marque preferences.

My post was generated by noticing how many people have F-150s. I haven't done a statistical analysis, but I'd guess that at least half, if not more, do. So I wondered what it is about that particular truck.

And... half a ton is 1000# in the US. So a truck with a half-ton payload isn't worth much as a TV, is it?