Need new 1/2 ton, which one ?
 

Looking at replacing our aging F-150 supercrew lariat with something 2008-2011. looking for a crew cab only, will be towing 2005 Sunsation 288. I assume all the 08 and newer 1/2 tons are up to the job. Spent a lot of money owning and operating our Ford and haven't been thrilled with it as far as cost to own. There are 10 Rams to every Silverado and 15 Rams for every F-150 in the used classifieds, are the Rams that bad ? Not a huge Chevrolet fan but think the silverado is probably the best of the bunch. Looking to spend UNDER 25K, the under the BETTER. As an example, I have found a 2010 Ram crew cab, with 16K, hemi, big horn, for 22,500. What would you pick and why, all opinions are welcome good and bad. Thanks Chris.

Options are:

2009-2010 Ram 1500 5.7 hemi

2008-2010 Silverado 1500 4.8 or 5.3

2008-2010 F-150 5.4

2008-2010 Toyota Tundra 5.7

i had an 07 Ram with the 5.7 and loved the truck. i wanted to save some money so i traded it for an 02 Chevy 2500HD with the 6.0 - big mistake. the ram towed just as nice, got better mileage, a lot more power, than the 3/4 ton. the only area where the chevy was better is stopping.

5.7L Tundra. Here's why:
Extremely reliable
10K+ lbs towing capacity
6 speed auto
10.5" rearend
huge brakes
They hold their value extremely well.
Optional factory supercharger bumps horsepower from 385hp to 500+hp while still being covered under warranty.

I'm not sure what part of ny your in but if I have anything that intrest you just pm me.
http://www.dellacars.com

All trucks will have a high and low point. Drive em all and then get the most bang for your buck.

Had an 07 Sierra Crewcab with the 5.3 that I absolutely loved! Towed great, 21mpg on the highway. Parents have an 07 Ram with a Hemi that is a blast to drive, but has never seen better than 15mpg and doesn't tow half as well!

Been a GM man since '79 and have owned at least a dozen GM 1/2 tons. Last year, I looked at all three (Silverado, F-150, Ram) and ended up ordering a 2010 F-150 FX-4 crew cab with the 5.4L and 3.73 locker. No regrets other than I might want to trade for an EcoBoost truck once they have proven themselves.

Thanks Guys, Dont know if I got a lemon or not, but my 01 Ford has cost a fortune to own, and it's rusting very badly in and around the doors under the door jams, whole truck is a rusty mess, brakes always sucked, manifold stud problems, Put about 5K into repairs so far and don't want to risk it since i'm at the max towing capacity with the 288.

Here's another question, I burn pellets in the winter for heat and have always just had HD or Lowes load the entire ton into the bed of the truck, been doing this for 15 years with 3 different trucks without a problem, will the new style rear suspension in the 09, is the ram be able to handle this ? Most people agree the new suspension on the Ram is a dream to drive, but lowered the towing, hauling capacity.

I also had very bad luck with 2 toyota trucks I had in the past with rusting.

I'm leaning towards the Ram, or Silverado, is the 4.8L in the Silverado up the the task, doesn't seem to be many 5.3L for sale, mostly 4.8's? There is a huge selection of low mileage 09 and 10 Rams in my price range, whereas if I go with a Toyota or Ford they are usually older and have much higher mileage. I'm concerend about reliability, cost to own an corrosion resistance. Please keep the comments/suggestions coming. Thanks Chris

Ditto....eco boost is great....mileage has been ok, better than the 5.4 with way more power..but I like the 5.0..

I have never owned the 4.8, but I dont think I would with a boat your size.

My dad's late model Ram needs brake pads at 37k miles. He's got the 20s and does mostly around town but he's not really aggressive on the brakes.

Since you're towing, you've got to pay attention to option codes for axle ratios. I don't know about the others, but Chevy/GMC have started sneaking 3.23s in their half tons.

Sorry if I'm prying a little, but do you need the newer model years for easier financing? If not, an earlier model Silverado/Sierra would take all you can throw at it and more without the high buy-in. I'm a fan of paying cash for scratch and dent specials.

If you go with the chevy, buy the 5.3 - the 5.3 is a great motor, proven and reliable.

I think there is only 20 HP difference between 5.3 and 4.8. And they are
both more than my current Ford. Have driven in my budddys new silverado, with the new fully boxed frame, the thing feels like a much heavier duty truck than our Ford ever was. I'm wanting something 08 or newer, not for financing, but for mileage wear and tear and corrosion.

After running around in a friends new F150 ecoboost I'd hold out for that and save a few bones up to make it work.

Pull like crazy in the heat and in the brutal combination of heat + altitude and gets great mileage to boot.

Uncle Dave

My daily driver is a Lincoln MKT with the 3.5 Ecoboost. All I can say is WOW!!! It has a $hit ton of power and decent MPG.

My previous vehicle was a 2009 Chrysler Aspen with the 5.7 Hemi (RAM 1500). 54,000 trouble free miles and lots of pulling power.

I have a 2010 Ram 1/2 4x4 with the Hemi. Get about 14mpg in town(I can also get 9mpg depending on weight to right foot)and 19mph on the highway. Make sure you get the 3.92 gears if your going to tow. Posi is standard with 3.92's but it is an option with 3.55. I looked at both Furd and Chebby and thought that Dodge was a better buy.
Jay

Can't believe Im saying this but the Tundra is hard to beat in every category. Go drive each one and then make your decision

I have compared every catagory. The 5.7 tundra is very nice.

Until the Ecoboost f150 came out I would have picked a tundra.

In the category of mileage the ecoboost rules & it has a higher tow rating 11,300.

I seriously doubt when towing in hot temps at high altitudes any normally aspirated V8 will deliver the power and torque a turbocharged V6 will.

UD

Respect the point, but in my opinion, NO ones 1/2 ton pick up belongs towing that much weight. I'm in the car business in service for both brands, Ford and Chevy.:eek:

I have a 2010 F-150 Supercrew and tow a 25' Baja Outlaw, tows great and no problems at all. I did drive the Tundra and the GMC, i wanted more luxury and comfort and the F-150 has it all and the towing is amazing.

Agreed!

5 tons is a lot to tow w/ a 1/2, too much. The engine may pull it, but it's the stopping and control of heavy loads like that would put me in a 3/4 ton.

To tow that boat regularly buy a used gasser 3/4 ton. Will get terrible mileage but the money you save over diesel will pay for the difference.

I say a 08 2500 w/ the 6.0 gasser would be the way to go.

I run the 09 Hemi with the 3:92 gears and love it.I get 20-21MPG on the HWY and about 15 city. 21K miles on it so far.
Pulls the boat great and has plenty of room in the rear seat with the crew cab.
My 2002 Ram went 170k miles before I traded it and only did brakes twice and total maint cost other than brakes,tires and oil was 563.00 for a radiator(my fault) and an IAC.

OP why don't you want a diesel? I pulled 5000lbs with a Ram 3500 srw and got 16-17mpg hwy.

AT this point i'm considering an 09 + Silverado w/ 5.3, The Tundra's in my price range are a couple years older, a couple thousand more and higher mileage. The 5.3 is hard to find in the silverado, 90% have the 4.8L.

The Hemi Ram would be nice and fun to drive, but most people tell me to steer clear of Chrysler products my wifes Jeep was a prime example...

I need to drive the Tundra, silverado and the Ram, see which one I like the best and go from there to find the right one in my price range.

I got a 2010 5.7 ext. cab Tundra pulls my 280ss formula great(10500lbs). Fun truck to drive when empty, great ride. I spent years messing around with Fords and Chevys watching them fall apart no matter how well I took care of them. This is my second Toyta tundra . First was 2003 which I pulled a 1999 Baja with(6000Lbs). This trucks do what they say they do. Gas milage included.

My dads 2010 Ram has been flawless! AMAZING truck. You will love all of it! Interior is amazing, ride, power, looks, function etc!

Air bags on the back will fix any payload problem worst case.

RAM!!!

I've got a 2008 Silverado with the 5.3L engine and 3.73 rear.. Tows my 25' AT great. I want to upgrade to diesel 2500HD eventually, but no rush since my current is doing a great job.

Again I ask...why don't you want a diesel pulling a 29' boat?

i pull my 280 with a tired old 2000 f150, its starting to get a little rust but not to bad.

I just redid the entire front suspension, and added air bags in rear. Its an entirely different truck now. Pulls like the velocity isn't even there. Best of all ITS BEEN PAID FOR, FOR OVER 5 YEARS!!! I put a whopping 4K miles on it last year.

Good luck with what ever you choose.

My 2001 F-150 was getting so rusty it was coming trough the doors, jams, engine, front suspension, I'm at the max of that truck at just over 7K, without a tow vehicle in tip top shape I was starting to feel it was dangerous. Sure I was giddy it was paid for and wasn't looking for a new book of the month club. i'm not against a diesel but finding one in my price range and year range of 08 or newer without 200K and a crew cab is just about impossible.

all the above trucks are nice, i'm on my 3rd ram, and every one has been that much better, 2000, great truck, 2005, hemi is awesome and basically trouble free, and now i have a 2011 1500 w 3.92 hemi and we basically don't even know the nordic is back there, granite the payload is less with the coil suspension, but that 390hp is no joke and the interior, styling, handling, braking, in my opinion is the best out there, hands down RAM, don't get scared off by the past, ram trucks are nothing like they used to be

If you were able to step up with more cash, the 11' F-150 with the 5.0 is plain awesome. Just the way it drives feels better and more solid then the GM/Dodges. And the 5.0 with the 6 speed auto is a perfect combo, it's geared so well.

I went to ford diesels and like it but overall Im not in Love with ford and think Im going back to GM. Ford has cheap archaic interiors and nicky nack chit is always breaking. I would trust the hemi engine but not the rest of a truck on a dodge. Probably go chevy. But you need to get the 5.3 you will be sorry if you didnt. With the 5.3 it will tow that boat fine.

Huh??? We have all 3 in the fam, don't know what your talking about but the Ford SD and 1/2 tons have the best interior fit/finish/materials in it's their class right down to the leather quality. Archaic, uhhh if anyone it would be GM winning that award when they used the same interior layout for like 10+ years and can still get a new version of that same archaic interior in classic model trucks.

Least Dodge finally stepped up with a nice interior compared to the junk before.

You asked for a comparison by category of the field vs. the Tundra. (Tundra 5.7 is the #2 1/2 ton truck imho)

Weather or not you believe a 1/2 truck should be towing over X amount was not the point of the post. (I tend to agree with your position but the question was about the specs)

IF you are shopping half tons more overhead vs less is a big deal. Ideally you only load a half ton up to 80% of its capacity.

With this "limit" in mind that gives the ecoboost a true 9000 LB. cap and the Tundra 4x4 5.7 crewmax 7200. (9000 rated) This is a significant gap.

At altitude and in hot temps where I tow in So Cal- the ecoboost retains its power regardless, and everything else in the half ton class rolls over- big time.

I do the Davis dam run out of lake Mojave at 110-115 degrees that ascends for about 10 miles at 6% several times per year. Turbos make all the difference in the world under these conditions.

11200 is the rating Ford has given the 4x4 ecoboost and its the class leader here, in mileage, and probably the class leader in interior room as well.

As soon as my buddy arrived with the ecoboost we hooked it up to all of our stuff back to back- toyhaulers, flatbeds, boats and box trailers - and it delivered the goods big time.

I do not own one so Im not cheerleading, but after driving one with my toyhauler to glamis and back Im sold.

Uncle Dave

Gm doesnt make the classic model anymore they stopped that in 2007. I had an 07 1500 new body Style GM and that interior was light years ahead of the 2007 Ford SD that I bought. I now have 2008 SD and the interior is much better But wouldnt say it its nicer than GM's current set up,. unless your talking King ranch or something and that point you are not talking apples and apples. And another ding on ford is rust. Im already seeing rust spots and my friends 09 F450 is rusting around the windows already. I like the ford I just think its not the best overall quality. Ill be honest I think Dodge has the best looking package out right now, but if you dont get the Hemi your SOL and Dodge has to bad of a history for me to think about them yet. Dont forget if you combine the sierra and Silverado they beat the F150 sales every year.

Next truck for me is going to be a Sierra 2500HD Denali, going to dump this ford when I can

Just returned home from a trip to moab utah, I took my 2003 duramax pulled a 33ft tandem axle trailer with 2 rock rigs on it scaled @ 23400lbs avg 11mpg, met a buddy in nebraska and he had his new ecoboost f150 1 rock rig alumlite trailer gvw 10600 he avg 7.7 mpg, needless to say we had a lot of fun at his expense. Any way the short version the f150 is for sale if you are interrested it is a crew cab 4x4 , He ordered a 2011 gmc with a 6.2

Tonight I drove an 08 tundra crew and an 2011 hemi crew Ram, The tundra stopped better and felt more like a truck, the ram rode nicer, power felt about equal. What is totally screwy is Dodge's tow ratings, hemi with to hitch 5K, hemi with tow package 8,900, they are all over the place regarding their tow ratings, enough to give you a head ache. with 380 plus hp on the two trucks I think it has come down to either of those 2, the silverado with 315 hp and the 5.4 ford I think are underpowered.

I have had 4 silverado's since model year 2000, all with the 5.3 never had any issues with any, except my 04 ate rear brakes for some reason. Just got this '11 to tow the AT in january and it by far my favorite.....although the 20" rims make for a stiffer ride, but worth it.

On my third 2000 or newer chevy truck, first two were 5.3s that had close to 200,000 on them when traded, never any real problems at all..idler pulley for the AC lasts about 85000 is all I ever had to change. My 03 SS I have now averaged ten mpg down to the Islamorada and back this weekend and the 6.0 will pull like there is no tomorrow..75 plus on 41 all the way. Thought about upgrading when I bought the Velocity to a 2500 and duramax but I just love the old girl to much to step into a payment. Even thought it is the classic body style the truck still gets compliments all the time...Have driven friends fords and dodges and they just dont do it for me.

I was a Chevy/GM guy for 30 years until I got my 1st SuperCrew F-150 in '02...180K miles later with NO PROBLEMS I traded for a '07 SuperCrew KR 4 x 4 with the 9200# tow package. I drive 20K miles a year and tow my 255 Formula Liberator ...8000# on the trailer with a full fuel,water and gear load. I have the 5.4 with 3:73 limited slip. I get 16 MPG over all City/Hwy and 12 whe I tow the boat.

I thought my next truck would be a F-250/350 diesel or the GM Duramax/Allison...until I drove the Eco Boost F-150.

This is the biggest paradigm shift in the light truck business in 25 years...365 HP/420 ft. lbs tq....23 MPG...can't touch it.

The fastest stock gasoline pickup I have driven (not including a Ford Lightning SC) was the Toyota Tundra with the big V8...until I drove the Eco Boost. A neighbor is a sales rep at a local Ford dealer here. We took a new demo Eco Boost 2 wd and ran a 1/4 and 1/2 mile drag race adainst a 2010 Toyota Tundra optional big V8. The Ford jumped out 2 full lenths and grew to 4 lengths in a 1/4...6 lengths at the 1/2.
I would not have believed this if I had not seen it.:evilb:

I want to tow test one but all of the test I have read puts the Eco Boost ahead of all of the 1/2 tons on the market plus it beats them all...including the 5.4 Ford by 8 MPG in the gas mileage test.

Test drive one of these before you buy...you owe it to yourself.