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thewoodcalf · 08-25-2015, 02:01 PM

We are in the process of looking for a tow vehicle for just purchased 23 foot Flying Cloud. We haven't taken delivery of the AS yet. The books says the trailer will max out at 6000 lbs. The two truck we have most interest in are the F150 3.5L EcoBoost or the Ram1500 with the diesel. Our priorities are power to pull the trailer, good fuel efficiency and reliability. I'd enjoy reading everyone's idea/opinions about which of these two vehicles or another one that we haven't discovered yet is the way to go.

kscherzi · 08-25-2015, 02:07 PM

Both are probably just fine. I believe the Dodge 1500 diesel has the best diesel mileage and the Ford with the 2.7 liter ecoboost is tops of the gas trucks. You said you are looking at the 3.5 ecoboost but according to specs, and your relatively light trailer, the 2.7 may be a better economical fit.

silverlabs · 08-25-2015, 02:09 PM

I can only offer my opinion and experience with the F150 EcoBoost. Have a 2011 F150 Platinum as well as a 2015 F150 Platinum. Both fully loaded and 4x4's with Max Tow packages. I put about 130,000 miles on the 2011 and have 22,500 on the 2015. No issues on either at all.

As far as power, it has plenty and will pull anywhere you want to go. We pulled our 25FC to Canada and through mountain grades of all magnitudes with no issues. On our 2015 we are pulling a 28FC and again, no issues with power and handles all grades well. On our surest trip to Northern Michigan, we have gone 2,450 miles so far and are averaging 10.6 pulling the Airstream in all sorts of conditions. We have hit some strong winds and rain along the way so may actually get a little better. Driving at 65. We have been very pleased with our two F150's.

KJRitchie · 08-25-2015, 03:23 PM

The F150 should have more payload than the Ram Ecodiesel. If you are getting the 23D it will have a higher tongue weight vs the 23fb. The 23fb has the lightest published tongue weight except for the 16' and 22' Bambi. Best to look at the yellow tire and load sticker on the vehicle for available payload capacity then add your weight, your passengers weight and any additional items carried; camping accessories, camper/tonneau top, hitch weight, tongue weight and subtract from the payload on that sticker.

The Ecodiesel should get better mileage towing and unloaded but the Ecoboosts will probably have the power advantage towing up grades.

If you desire a 6 foot bed then you have to look at an F150 Supercab or the Supercrew with 157" wb. You'll get the most payload on a Supercab but I don't like the suicide doors. The Ram Crew Cab has about a 6' 4" bed and the passenger seat area is spacious enough and not quite as long as a F150 Supercrew 157" wb.

If you decide to go with the 2015 F150 get one with the extended range tank. The standard tank is 23g even with 4x4, vs 35 gallons on the extended tank. You'll need the bigger tank for better range while towing.

Kelvin

Mrjkq · 08-25-2015, 03:49 PM

I guess a rebuttal to the two previous posts is in order. Ford makes great trucks, I know as I've owned a few in past years. My 2015 Ecodiesel is a beast for a half ton truck. It even surprised me as I've not only had Ford Powerstrokes but a Duramax GMC as well. The RAM pulls my 25 ft effortless & averaged 16 MPG towing on I-75 in Fl. Unhooked I've never gone below 20.5 MPG driving both city & highway, on highways I generally average 27MPH going 70 MPH.
My truck is the Laramie Unlimited with air bag suspension & all the bells & doodads, 13,000 mi & never back to the dealer except for scheduled maintenance. IMO, the absolute best, most powerful, economic half ton on the market.

Lance M · 08-25-2015, 03:54 PM

You can read about my EcoDiesel towing experiences here.

It is a great truck. I love it. I get 14 MPG towing very easily.

Tuco · 08-25-2015, 04:29 PM

Fuel Millage for both:

Ford - Ford F-150 Mileage | Fuelly

Ram - Ram 1500 Mileage | Fuelly

Mrjkq · 08-25-2015, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuco

Fuel Millage for both:

Ford - Ford F-150 Mileage | Fuelly

Ram - Ram 1500 Mileage | Fuelly

That about says it all on fuel economy!

dhoover1027 · 08-25-2015, 05:10 PM

I have a 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and I tow a 2007 safari 25FB.
On most 1500 trucks you will have to put light truck tires on them. The P tires are for SUV's and don't have the weight rating to handle the needs of my Airstream. So I put light truck tires on it. The P tires do not have a tough sidewall, hence the better ride for your test drive and I have read of blow outs after testing the sidewall on a curb. I bought our Safari in Boise ID and towed it to Sun City West in June. The first 750 miles I got 18mpg and the last Grade challenged 275 miles brought it down to 16.7 for the 1,000 mIles. I get as much as 23mpg around town. I have the lower 3.55 gears, but it towes like a champ.
Last weekend we went north on route 17 which is quite a climb and for the weekend a total of 335 miles it returned 16.1mph.
You will not be unhappy with the Ram diesel. You might be unhappy with the ford fuel mileage and reliability. I can't see towing 7,500 lbs with a 2.7liter turbo motor.
BTW my Ram Bighorn was $33K.

**DKB_SATX** · 08-25-2015, 05:37 PM

As long as you select the individual unit thoughtfully, I don't know that you'd go wrong with either truck in this choice. It's a pretty classic "gas vs. diesel" choice, and comes down to personal preference both in the fuel choice and the aethetics. At this point the 3.5 EB has been around longer, but the RAM body and non-powertrain components are more tested so that's a wash.

Right now Ford is making deals on what's on the lot, since their 16s are coming out soon. Unless something has changed from the last time I snooped on inventories (months ago) there are fewer deals to be had on the Ecodiesel simply because it's lower volume and high demand. If you're a buyer like I am, who keeps a vehicle around a while (my car is 11, my truck is 9) it's probably more important to get just what you want than to get what's the cheapest deal today. If you buy a new one every 2-3 years, do it on the dollars and this month the spreadsheet might point to Ford.

rodsterinfl · 08-25-2015, 05:55 PM

I bought a '15 F150 last month. I looked at the ecodiesel and regular Ram, Tundra, Silverado and F150. Your needs are a bit different than mine. I have to use mine as a daily driver and not just a tow vehicle and I had to pull a 25' with a listed 860# tongue which is actually 990# weighed. I was at the upper limits of the 2.7 liter ecoboost. I was not able to go with the ecodiesel- it was a Laramie and it had a 1400# payload.

Since you are at a lower tongue weight and tow need, I would strongly consider that 2.7 with a HD payload package and max tow. I got a great deal on a 3.5 liter. If you want a hot rod get that one. It is a beast with hefty torque. If you are not in a hurry, order a '16 and then you will get the new radio system and the option of that pro trailer backing system. Otherwise, save even more and get a '15. It would give you good power and it gets good mpg. Just remember to look at the sticker on the door of the truck to double check the payload rating before you buy.

Here is a video comparing the 2.7 to the 3.5 ecoboosts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5CDxmwIa_M

another one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22gKIEKeM6g

Mrjkq · 08-25-2015, 06:13 PM

Weighting in again. I did purchase an extended warranty adding 1 year & 14,000 miles to factory 3 yr/36k warranty. It was offered for around $900 at the time of buy so in my mind great security.
Cannot bad mouth Ford, but I love this Ecodiesel!

kscherzi · 08-25-2015, 10:02 PM

As owner of the same Ford tow vehicle since I bought it since 2003 I am not qualified to talk about anything recent. That said, I'm probably going to get something new in a year or so. Probably gas. This is because gasoline is always sold everywhere. Diesel is common, just not sold everywhere at all locations. When I'm low on fuel I see a station and just have to focus on best driveway approach, and not if it also sells diesel or which isle has diesel or not. Simplicity.

Jaxon · 08-26-2015, 10:45 AM

I would recommend the Ford F150. Company has a better rep and with the recent recalls/buyback for Dodge, not sure financially how that will affect the company as a whole.

Just can’t go wrong with the F150, IMHO.

lucca53 · 08-26-2015, 02:00 PM

Hi I have been towing for a long time and have had different Airstreams of different weights what I did was to buy bigger if the 23 is your last trailer that you will ever own than ok go for the better mpg,but all trucks use fuel when you tow thats it no matter how good when not towing.I bought a ford F350 i carry everything i need plus a spare kitchen sink and put my foot to her mpg always in the 12s so if you tow your going to burn fuel so just have fun and I would go bigger you will be happy.ps the Dodge diesel is a small engine used in Italy in small vans and cars its not the small cummings its for high mpg not towing Happy trails

lucca53 · 08-26-2015, 02:26 PM

Hi someone said that they bought their new Dodge diesel big horn for 33k would like to know what dealer that was i mean thats a great price in California they are more like 50k with 4by4 and leather not much more,
thanks

c177tx · 08-26-2015, 03:35 PM

I have a 15 Ecodiesel Limited 4x4 3.92 gears, i avatage 25mpg around town and country, my best has been 27.7 loaded with funiture on a trip to Fort Worth thru the Texas Hill country with 75 mph speed limits. My last trip to the coast pulling my 19' Bambi was 17 going south into the wind and 18 going with the wind headed north. the truck has power to spare pulling the Bambi as it is only 4500 loaded. A good friend just purchased the 3.7l Ford Ecoboost and has been disappointed with his fuel milage. Some people will say that diesel prices are higher than gas, the ecoboost reguires premium gas when pulling a trailer.

**DKB_SATX** · 08-26-2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c177tx

I have a 15 Ecodiesel Limited 4x4 3.92 gears, i avatage 25mpg around town and country, my best has been 27.7 loaded with funiture on a trip to Fort Worth thru the Texas Hill country with 75 mph speed limits. My last trip to the coast pulling my 19' Bambi was 17 going south into the wind and 18 going with the wind headed north. the truck has power to spare pulling the Bambi as it is only 4500 loaded. A good friend just purchased the 3.7l Ford Ecoboost and has been disappointed with his fuel milage. Some people will say that diesel prices are higher than gas, the ecoboost reguires premium gas when pulling a trailer.

Perhaps if your friend bought the 3.5L Ecoboost that's actually available for sale it wouldn't be so bad. The EB does not REQUIRE premium while towing, but will produce more power under load with premium than it will with regular.

The Ecoboost doesn't return little-diesel mileage, but it's competitive with the modern big-diesel mileage when towing, and better when not towing. It's not going to touch the MPG of the Ecodiesel, but MPG is not the whole picture of most vehicles. If you're towing 50% of the time or more, or do a LOT of miles in a year the Ecodiesel probably pays off pretty easily. If not, it comes down to preference. As I mentioned earlier, with current incentives a '15 F150 off the lot is likely to be significantly cheaper up front than an Ecodiesel. Big savings and no interest will buy a lot of unleaded.

pappy19 · 08-26-2015, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrjkq

That about says it all on fuel economy!

What is doesn't say is the extra cost to own a diesel engine; more maintenance costs and if you live in the north country, a much different winter expense than a gas rig. The towing ability in the mountains is way ahead on the F-150 over the Eco-diesel Ram, not even close. I'd givce the Ram Eco-diesel a couple of years to see if it chokes before I'd put out the extra money for one.

switz · 08-26-2015, 04:09 PM

The issue with towing any Airstream is the real payload available in a proposed tow vehicle when the tow vehicle is loaded for camping with passengers and before attaching the trailer. Since the Airstream literature tongue weight is historically understated, one needs to do much pencil and paper work to be sure that all the payload of both tow vehicle and trailer fits with the design design specs.

The literature tongue weight of our 25FB was 833 pounds, but the reality after the Hensley hitch was installed along with the dealer installed street and rear awnings and a 155 watt solar panel was 1,150 pounds. This was basically empty on the dealers lot.