Towing With F150 or Ram 1500 - Which One?

[PKI]

No experience with either, so just a comment. Folks like the Ford and the Ram is a viable alternative. I like that Ram started talking about variable drive height. Seems like kind of a given for a tow vehicle, but lowered trucks just get no respect. My suggestion would be to decide if you want diesel or gas as a fuel first. If you choose the gas, then consider the turning radius issue one more time before you make the final choice. Travel safe. Pat

[BW1]

I will once again look over the specs of Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab with the Hemi. Most of the time this is a driving vehicle... towing total 6 weeks moving around and stationary.

Might price out less than the F150... and no engine problems ��

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by BW1

I think I have a better understanding of everything to do with payload etc., I do think either truck would do the job. I really 'like the features of the F150 in a Lariat with all the back up cameras etc. But that EcoBoost condensation problem is making me hesitant. Dodge 1500 Laramie is really sweet, but back up camera is limited compared to what Ford's can do.

Does anyone know if Ford has actually fixed the 3.5L EcoBoost problem for current 2016 model?, or are they handing it over to the dealers to take care of it when something happens.

Breaking down on side of the road with trailer, family and dogs no fun...been there ��

I think the condensation issue has largely been resolved.

[tjdonahoe]

Ram by a long shot.....

[Flht2k]

2014 1500 3.92 gears with 2015 flying cloud no problem let's race

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, both trucks will pull your trailer. If want the best fuel mileage buy the Ram. If you want the necessary payload buy a Ford.

[switz]

When I was playing with the Ford "build your own truck" website for the F150 a few years back, I discovered that getting all the whiz-bang glitz ate up 500 pounds of payload which made the load capacity too low for our existing 25FB rig. The bare bones, long wheel base, and two wheel drive had the greatest payload.

We went with a 2012 Big Horn trim Ram 2500HD Cummins 4x4 short bed as it had the load capacity for the 2013 25FB that later morphed into the 2014 31' Classic.

I suggest that one not acquire a "just fits" payload tow vehicle on their first trailer as historically there is a bad case of "two foot longeritis" that sets in for many folks within the first two years or so.

Going from a 25FB (7,300 pound GVW) to a 27FB (7,600 pound GVW) is only a 300 pound increase in the GVW of the trailers and an existing tow vehicle could probably work. But jumping from a 25FB to a 31' FC or International (8,800 pound GVW) is a 1,500 pound increase in GVW and there would be a 2,700 pounds increase for a Classic with a 10,000 pound GVW.

Note that while the GVW increases might not be too significant, the factory published tongue weights have been historically really understated and some smaller models have a higher tongue weight than the 31' Classics.

Lots of significant decision making based upon some solid research is required before the first check is ever written.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Flht2k

2014 1500 3.92 gears with 2015 flying cloud no problem let's race

2013 classic with old 2007 dodge 6.7 and 6 speed auto , with 100000 miles, bring it on, maybe up La Cresta grade....

[m.hony]

I'll race ya!
May drink lots of gas doing it though!


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[m.hony]

2013 Classic 30-
381 hp, 401 ft. lbs. torque, 6 speed, and 4:30 rear end gears-


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[dkottum]

While you guys are racing I think we'll head down the road today at 30 mpg with the "little" Ecodiesel, maybe a little more.

We did the research on payload, experimented with the driving and braking effects of full loads with and without the Airstream (and w.d. hitch) with our previous Ram 1500, and noted our axle limits of 3900 lbs each and tire limits of 2500 lbs each.

Based on extensive experience with our previous Ram 1500 Hemi, we reached the conclusion the new Ram 1500 Ecodiesel would be a very well matched combination for our 25' Flying Cloud, a quality w.d. hitch setup, with all the carrying capacity we'll ever need.

[m.hony]

The eco diesel is an excellent idea.
But I can buy lots of gas for my paid for gas hog with $44,000.
Economically speaking it makes more sense to drive a paid for vehicle than to buy a new one to save gas.


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[dkottum]

m.hony, you're right, one cannot make much economic sense of trading for better fuel economy. But there are lots of other reasons for trading, and in some cases they are both paid for up front. Or in the case of some new vehicles, they are offering 0% interest rates where it is better to keep your cash in the bank drawing interest and let them pay for it at no interest. That's how we did it.

[m.hony]

I have a zero % loan on my wife's 2014 Toyota Avalon.
Tundra is paid for.
One note at a time-
When a vehicle actually quits-


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[roadwarriors]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

Brownstone is actually the best, but then you might need to get a GMC/Chevy.

We are interested in purchasing a 27 or 30 ft flying cloud and are looking at the Silverado 1500. Is your tow vehicle the same? Not sure if this will do the job. We live in Stuart. Thanks.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by dkottum

While you guys are racing I think we'll head down the road today at 30 mpg with the "little" Ecodiesel, maybe a little more.

We did the research on payload, experimented with the driving and braking effects of full loads with and without the Airstream (and w.d. hitch) with our previous Ram 1500, and noted our axle limits of 3900 lbs each and tire limits of 2500 lbs each.

Based on extensive experience with our previous Ram 1500 Hemi, we reached the conclusion the new Ram 1500 Ecodiesel would be a very well matched combination for our 25' Flying Cloud, a quality w.d. hitch setup, with all the carrying capacity we'll ever need.

Just curious what the published payload is for your new Ram? Also what options did you get?

Thanks!

[interstateflyer]

I recently upgraded to a 2016 RAM 2500 Laramie 4x4 from a 2013 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman 2WD. I really like the 1500. I sold it because 1) the cargo capacity was much lower than I wanted, 2) it had a "temporary" spare tire, 3) not 4x4 and 4) I wasn't that impressed by the EMC based engine braking in tow-haul mode.

Make sure you check the door sticker of the truck that you want to buy. The actual cargo capacity will be lower by a few hundred pounds than the "brochure-online" specs.

I loved the 20" wheels and tires. However, the mismatched spare on a 17" stamped steel wheel didn't seem the way to go as a tow vehicle. They do this to keep the truck weight down.

We thought we'd be asphalt Airstreamers. As it turned out we turned down many opportunities to camp on non-asphalt roads that might have been impacted by weather or loose surfaces.

The brakes also tended to be challenged by long 7 degree plus downgrades, even with the ecm based engine brake.

The hemi was plenty of power towing the 23D and I know people who tow 25s and 27 with hemi based RAMs.

I do know a guy that has been very challenged handling-wise with his 2015 1500 eco-diesel towing a 2015 27 footer. He has a camper shell and since full time is at his cargo capacity max. He is in the market for a 2500.

[Siegmann]

My 2016 Ram 1500 came with a full-size permanent spare. Maybe all those folks with a 2013 complained enough....

The 5.7 hemi has pulled my 30' ((7,600 lbs loaded) over the highest/steepest passes in Colorado without breaking a sweat. And the 8-speed tranny is sweet.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by Siegmann

My 2016 Ram 1500 came with a full-size permanent spare. Maybe all those folks with a 2013 complained enough....

The 5.7 hemi has pulled my 30' ((7,600 lbs loaded) over the highest/steepest passes in Colorado without breaking a sweat. And the 8-speed tranny is sweet.

My wife has an Audi SQ5 with that transmission and it is sweet!
Bruce

[Mrjkq]

Hey guys, they're all good trucks and a lot of good points here, but you gas guys need to understand us diesel heads are willing to pay the premium price just for the sound & great mileage.