DESIGNdummy

Looking at getting a new to me truck to replace my 2003 Silverado. For those of you that have driven one or more of these, I would like to hear your comparison thoughts. I will not be towing anything over 7k and all trucks will be crew cab, not sure what else would sway a decision for me. 2011 or newer Ford F150 with either 3.5 ecoboost or 5.0 or 2011 or newer Silverado/Sierra with the 5.3. Is the new 5.3 in the GM much different that the previous that came in the 2012ish trucks?
Thank You
Garrett

Mseuro

I can tell you as a dealer that DO NOT get the eco boost Ford. You DO NOT get better MPG, You DO NOT get better resale value, you DO GET a lower towing rating. I am a big fan of the Ram 1500 4x4 2013 and up.

Dd24skater

Hace a friend with a Ecoboost, it's been to the dealer more times than I can count for a vibration at highway sppeds they cant get rid of

genob

2012 2500 hd 6.0 tows my 33 fountain perfect love the truck had a 5.3 in my last 1500 2008 both great motors

Gimme Fuel

Go drive the new 2016 Silverados. You will be blown away. My 2015 Silverado 1500 does EVERY SINGLE THING better than my 2003 Avalanche 2500 with 4.10 gears and 8.1L motor. The new silverado with the DI 5.3 and 6 speed trans out-pulls, out-accelerates, out-brakes, and is far more stable than my old 2500 was. The new 1500 are better than the early 2000 3/4 ton in my opinion. I couldn't believe how much GM stepped things up. I threw a hypertech tuner in it and that even made a big improvement. Little thing moves out really well. I get better mileage than all of our 2.7 and 3.5 ecoboosts at work do and still a V8.

I leased my 2015 for far cheaper than I could have bought a used truck for. Although now I have bought a bigger boat, I will be stepping up to a 2500 when my lease is up.

drumerjb

My 2002 3/4 ton 6 liter gas gmc p up is no comparison to my 2011 3/4 ton diesel p up. Full cabs. Completely different truck,tows & handles,& stops much better. The 2011 is a major step up from the older body styles.
I also just bought a 2016 1 ton van with a 6 liter 6 speed. Again I can already see that this new set up is going to pull 10000 #s no problem compared to the 2000 1 ton gmc vans with a 350 4 speed auto trans w 373 & 411 gears.. Both new vehicles have better braking systems that stop heavy loads much better. The 2016 van 6 speeds have 344 or 342 rear ends. I pull 11000-15000 #s on a daily basis.

DRAG

I tow with a 3500 duramax, but also got a couple new 1500s for company trucks with the 5.3 and they are not what they used to be. The latest 5.3 with direct injection and variable cam timing is MUCH meaner than older gen 6.0s and super smooth and the trans behaves just like my Allison when towing. We have towed machinery on flatbeds at 10,000 lbs from Indy to Carolina, Texas, Minnesota....it pulls like a dream if you balance the load nice and don't put too much on the tongue. I think its the nicest 1/2 ton truck by a longshot, but I am biased being an owner that hasn't had any issues with a fleet of several trucks.

The F-150 is a great car for daily driving. Amenities are plentiful. You might take a test drive of the new Dodge with the diesel. I heard its very nice to tow with.

Jay Gadsby

My tow vehicle is a Ram 2500 with the 6.7. Tows like a dream. Towed my 28 Nordic Heat with ease. On steep "hills" never even a need for a downshift at highway speeds. In comparison,my wife's car is a Suburban with the 5.3l.... has to downshift at highway speeds on the same incline...no towing load. IMHO, a diesel is the only option for towing. But I am nobody good luck with anything you get!

MonkeySea2

I too have a friend who had nothing but trouble with the Ford Ecoboost. In the shop more than on the road. I am a Chevy man and the new trucks tow very well. I have a Duramax which is my love!

Pure Energy

I have a 2011 Ecoboost with over 90,000 miles and not 1 hiccup,.....ever!! I tow a 30' Superboat. Pulls as good as my '08 Duramax did. Has 330 HP, and 420 TQ at 2400 RPM. Was getting 14 mpg average highway and around town. I put a tuner to it at 80,000 miles and gained 80 HP, and 2 mpg. Not too bad for $350. Good luck getting those gains with a N/A V8....Currently entertaining getting another Ecoboost.