Looking for a new tow vehicle

[norty1]

Sorry to hear of your losses. From the video and reports, it was tragic and you could have lost lots more. Thankful that your family and yourself are safe is the first thing that comes to mind.

I have a niece that is a U.S. Forest Svc. fire fighter out there and she has had a busy year in Ca.

[Ohiofinlander]

Sad situation with the fires. Glad you and family are ok! We tow with the f150 3.5 Eco, and love it.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Ohiofinlander

We tow with the f150 3.5 Eco, and love it.

I knew that you would.

[TDaniels10]

First off, I stand with everyone else in regards to your hardships. May the good Lord give you the strength to rise up.
As for a new tow vehicle, I have to say Chevy/GMC. We have a 2016 Colorado with 3.6L V6, 7000 lb towing capacity. We pull a 242 BHS @ 5505 lbs with “no problems”. We travel back roads & highways. I’ve also pulled it with a Silverado 1500 V8 & couldn’t tell the difference.
As a side note, every post I’ve noticed on this forum that discusses problems with tow vehicles has been about a Ford. Just sayin.
But whatever you decided, first thing to do is hook up your TT and get away & let the world go by for a few days.
Happy Trails!

[Bigdomino]

I have a 2017 GMC Sierra. It has the 6.2 liter V8 and an 8 speed trans. Has max tow package. I pull a 27DSRL Whitehawk. Truck pulls great. Tons of power. 10 1/2 mpg towing in the Vermont hills. The truck averages around 20 mpg not towing. I ordered the electric tow mirrors like on the 2500 and 3500 trucks.

The engine is amazing. 420 hp. Basically the same engine that use in a Corvette. I am sure there are differences. My truck does not sound a corvette. Darn!!!

Good luck.

[venoran]

Best of luck on the road to recovery from the fire, I know how painful it can be dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster (Hurricane Harvey for us).

I will add my opinion here with the others. I have a 2018 F150 3.5 ecoboost (2wd, crew cab, max tow package) and a White Hawk 26RK (~31ft), and it tows like it has endless power and torque...but as everyone says you can expect around 10-12mpg while towing at 60-70mph. When not towing I generally get around 21mpg commuting in mild traffic, I can get 25+mpg on the highway cruising unloaded if I pay attention. The 36-gal fuel tank upgrade with the tow package takes you a long way even when towing at 10mpg, and it lasts a really long time at 20+mpg. We or the dog generally need to stop every 2-3 hours anyway, and this is usually around the 1/2 tank mark for me.

The Super Crew cab has a huge amount of space inside, the back seat leg room is ridiculously large. The short 5.5ft bed that comes standard with the F150 Super Crew sucks for space (good for tight parking), but nobody stocks the longer 6.5ft bed option...if you can find one or order one I would get that!

I have two people I know from work that had 2015-2017 Dodge Ram 1500's with 4wd and Hemi engines. Both of them had bad steering problems that put the trucks in the dealer shop for warranty work, and one had transmission problems. Both of them have already sold their trucks over a year ago to get away from the problems.

I know several people with Chevy/GMC 1500's and they are happy with them. They are well appointed and handle well when towing as far as I can tell.

I know many people with 3/4 and 1-ton trucks of all makes, and they are happy with them.

And, the most important part of the entire equation...my wife likes the F150, so I guess that is what really matters.

[Kenelz]

I went looking in August for a new truck. I had a Dodge, and two Chevys before, I was trading in an '07 Duramax which was a dream to tow with.

I test drove all the big three, I'm not a fan boy of any brand, they were all impressive. I was surprised to feel the Ram was the leader of them all.

I went with the Ford 150, 5.0L V8, with 10 speed trans. A couple reasons: non rusting aluminum for body parts, and, probably the most foolish reason was I haven't had a Ford since the 70s.

I've been real happy with it, sure is a lot of new electronic connectivity stuff, no problems at all so far. Only thing I towed was the Jeep Wrangler from MI to FL, I got unbelievable milage.

You can't go wrong with any big 3, (thats all I'm familiar with).

Test drive, and kick the tires of the trucks your interested in, enjoy the search.

[jamaddox]

I have a 2017 F250 and love it

[2nOZ]

Originally Posted by jamaddox

I have a 2017 F250 and love it

X2

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by jamaddox

I have a 2017 F250 and love it

X3

[mkelly]

Sorry you lost your Toyota. You can not beat them. That said I have a Toyota Tundra and a 2015 Ram 2500 diesel. I got he Ram to haul my Eagle 330rsts. Tundra unfortunately can't do that kind of lifting....yet. They'll get there. pulling the eagle at 39ft long and almost 10k lbs is effortless thanks to the straight 6. those things are a beast and no one makes a better diesel than Cummings. Millions of semi trucks rum on them. I'd have to go Chevy/GMC after Ram and Ford last because of the problems they have with injectors and transmissions. Both go down on them regularly based off of friends and fellow workers that use them.
Just my 2 cents.

[Midnightmoon]

I've owned a lot of trucks over the years and I don't have much brand loyalty. There isn't one manufacturer that makes a perfect unit. And there are none that don't have some positive features depending on your likes and needs. They are big investments and I understand that people want to make the best decision. But always remember that the best one for you is the one that you personally like the best and fits your needs.

Here's what's currently in my driveway. 2007 Ram Cummins. 2018 Ford Ecoboost Max Tow. And my wife's 2010 Ram 1500. None are bad. None are perfect.

[ryounglewis]

First, our thoughts are with you and the community while you rebuild. We have an F150 with tow package. We live in the eastern mountains and it pulls like a dream. Good luck!

[jtrhodes99]

Lmdye There is beauty to Mother Nature and then there there is the beast. Glad you survived. I tow with a 2016 GMC 1500 4x4 with a Z71 package. My Jayflight 23MB has 12,000 miles on it. My GMC has 33,000 miles. I've towed in a 110* temp all day and 30 mph crosswinds with the swaybar cranked down. When not towing, my truck hauls farm gear, people gear, searches the forest service roads of the Sierra Nevada for good hunting and fishing spots. I tell everyone, "I trust my truck." Last time I drove an F150, the engine shut off at every stop light then started when the gas was pushed...super wierd. Good luck. Go drive em.

[RubyHauler]

Lmdye -- First question is how much weight are you pulling in the trailer fully loaded? I like to keep my pull vehicle about between 2 thirds to 3 quarters of the rated pull capacity of the vehicle. That way I know I'm not over taxing the truck on long uphill pulls and downhill braking.
As you can see I have a 2013 F150 with tow package and 3.55 rearend pulling about 6100 lbs loaded. Extremely pleased with the performace. Fuel economy varies from 8.4 to 10.6. If you don't get caught up in the sales hussle by dealers, I'd test drive the three..Ford, Chevy and Ram. Now is a great time to buy..end of year inventory clean out. If you are going to be pulling anything close to 10,000 lbs loaded, I'd go to diesel. Just my thoughts........ Happy shopping!!!

[reedga1990]

If you want to stay in the 1/2 ton class truck you may want to have a look at the Nissan Titan XD with the 5.0 Cummings turbo V8 diesel. This vehicle has great HP and Torque in a 1/2 truck, as well as the turbo for altitude compensation when traveling in mountainous areas.
Reedga

[spark of insanity]

I am jeep girl person by heart. A jeep grand cherokee will up to 7000 lbs. I wish I bought the grand instead of the cherokee. But it will tow up to 6000 lbs. I have a coachman sleeps 5. Had to sell my 3 person jayco due to the fact everyone went nuts when they saw what I brought home. Now everyone wanted to go camping. O well. So I now have a sleeps 5 bunk model. Going west with it in July. Good luck on the decision.