Tundra and F150 questions

love2rvcamp wrote:
Getting closer to getting a new TV to replace the 2001 F150 Supercrew. We have narrowed it down to a 2011 or 2012 F150 V8 5.0 or same years Toyota Tundra. 4 door version on both.

I know from reading some posts the Tundra payload is lower than Ford. Went looked today, looked at a Tundra that showed payload 1385 lbs. The Ford dealerships were closed for the 4th so couln't look at the inner door sticker.

When looking at the door sticker what should we pay attention to Payload, GVWR??? Anything else?

Our camper is a 2008 Rockwood 8313SS (GVWR 7784)

We want to make sure we get the most truck we can.

Thanks

Actually 1385 lbs isn't to bad. Most of your Ecoboost FX4s/Lariats are going to be that or lower. 5.0L has 150 lbs more payload with the 4WD Crew Cab 145" wheelbase configuration: 5.0L GVWR is 7350 lbs Ecoboost GVWR is 7200 lbs. Ecoboost "MAX TOW" is 7650 lbs.

You need to find your actually camper weight as it was weighed at the factory. It should be on one of the stickers. People normally add about 1500 lbs on larger campers with water, food, clothes, gear and stuff. Then you need to figure on about 13% tongue weight as an 'average'. It would be best to get an actual weight to your camper before you buy a new truck. Your hitch weight might be right on the edge of needing a F250 just for hitch weight rating alone.

kknowlton wrote:
Not sure how the F150 stacks up, but we're pulling a similar TT with a Tundra. The truck does quite well with it - have been up & over mountain passes, etc. If the Tundra weighs significantly less than the F150, you might be happier with the latter in windy conditions. However, the Tundra has plenty of engine for this trailer. As someone else described it once, "more engine than truck," and I tend to agree. LOVE the 6-speed tranny & engine "braking". As to mpg, our truck gets about 8-9 mpg towing, on average; 15 mpg around town, 19 or so on the road when not towing.

I've towed a few times with my truck in the signature and it pulls my Jayco (in sig as well) effortlessly. I get an average of 10.5 mpg pulling in very windy conditions. Expressway going 75 mph I get 21 mpg if I keep a steady speed. Around 19.5 mpg on the expressway around 80 mph with more aggressive driving. With mixed driving, I get around around 18 mpg to 19 mpg.

EcoBullet wrote:
You are wise to pay attention to the yellow payload sticker. The Toyota you looked at only leaves about 600 pounds for people and other cargo after you subtract tongue weight of your trailer.

Don't rule out the EcoBoost if you can find one. I'm one happy camper with mine. Pulls great, rides great, and mileage is great too. Towing at 60 mph, just a little over 10 mpg. Same speed on the highway with no trailer - 21-22 mpg. 72-74 mph drops it to about 18.5 mpg.

I haven't done the numbers but you simply can not subtract the actual tongue weight from the payload to get your remaining weight. The weight going to the trucks suspension from your tongue weight will be reduced with the weight distribution hitch. Usually 80% of the tongue weight goes to the trucks suspension while 20% goes to the campers suspension. That's an average and could change though according to hitch adjustment, trailer loading and trailer design though.

love2rvcamp wrote:

Have concerns about the longevity of a 6 cylinder turbo lasting a long time towing a 8000lb camper. My 2001 V8 towed it but was pretty much at the max and wth the EcoBoost I am losing 2 cylinders. I keep trucks for 10+ years and I don't have confidence that the V6 turbo will last. Wife shows me posts of people towing with the EcoBoost but I just don't know about it for the long run.

You're concerns are valid as this is the only turbo "GAS" engine marketed to tow heavy trailers and it has problems. The condensation issue in the intercooler that leads to water in the cylinders, that causes missing, stumbling, limp mode or even catalytic converter failure has been a problem. There's a federal investigation on it right now and there's been many people with problem Ecoboosts on F150forum, just do a search.

That's why I chose the 5.0L. I would had loved to get the max tow package but Ford is withholding it from the 5.0L for the "upgrade" engine.

BTW, you can now get a 6.2L in an XLT for 2013 but it's almost as expensive as a similarly equipped F250. It requires the Max Tow package and many other options. Add in the HD package and the F250 is the same price wise. They both would get lower mpg though.

BTW, If Ford trucks weren't available, I'd either get a RAM or Toyota. Toyota seems to have more payload than Ram and a better transmission, and made in INDIANA, so it would likely be a stronger choice. But it isn't as solid as Ford and why I didn't consider it at all. I had a Japanese Titan and seen how lighter build does affect the integrity of the truck and would always go for the more robust build.