TV upgrade in a few months- experienced opinions

[kguess]

I'm looking for opinions, want to upgrade TV in a a few months when I retire so if I want to go back to the Rockies I won't have issues with towing . My present TV is a 2003, Ford Lariat 4.6l ,3.55, tow package, WD hitch/ sway bar,67,000 on the clock and I love the truck except towing my keystone 19' hideout ( 4100 lbs. dry) is an issue somewhat. Have made 3 short trips ( less than 200 miles round trip, on flat land) and planning a longer trip down the gulf side of Florida as I speak. But I want to go back to Yellowstone , Montana , Utah , Colorado where my heart is since the 70's! Don't think the 150 will make it easy and I don't want the stress at my age. So, without overkill, what TV would u suggest? After researching this, and my situation- maybe 7-10 trips a year when retired, truck will be my everyday vehicle , think diesel is overkill since my camper is small and will not get a bigger camper .Eco boost seems like the logical way to go but I want to hear from experienced campers to see what u think. I like Ford but know that the market is competive . Thanks for your input ..... Kenny

[Ken / Claudia]

There is no over kill in getting a 3/4 or 1 ton. Just costs more and IF you do get a bigger trailer acouple years from now that truck will cost more than. Some say no way on a 3/4-1ton because they ride to hard. Maybe some do but, I have a injuried back, it is hard to sit up just to get out of bed some mornings. I drive the listed 1 ton, a explorer, a ranger, a E150 van. The van is the hardest on my back. When I drove a F250 on gravel/dirt roads all day my back was just as sore as doing that same work in a F150 or 1500 chev. Asking about trucks is good but, test driving is better, go test drive abunch.

[audio1der]

Not sure about your brand loyalty, but have you considered the '14+ RAM 2500? It has rear coils instead of leafs. They ride nearly like a car when empty but tow like a real truck. Something to consider. Wish we would have waited.

[Whitewolf]

When I ordered our new Ram TV, I took a 2500 and 3500 for a ride. Yes the 3500 is stiffer, but I did like it better when I hit a bump. Can't really explain why. I asked the salesman what the difference in $ was between the two before I started adding options. He said $750. That cinched it. I went with the 3500.

I can pull anything I want.

[Razor303]

With that small of a camper I'd consider the Ram 1500 with the Eco-Diesel, get the 3.92 gears and towing package and you should be set.... Of course, there is NOTHING wrong with OVERKILL, I'm getting a Ram 3500 Mega Dually (who wouldn't want to say Mega Dually all the time ) in a couple of months... tow anything....

[EcoboostKev]

If its gonna be an everyday driver then i suggest the Ecoboost. More than enough power to get the job done. I absolutely love mine. It's my everyday driver and we also take about 7-10 trips a year towing our 7500-8000lb Outback. The truck is a perfect fit and it tows our trailer great. I just suggest you get the max tow pkg with the higher GVWR, payload, and nice telescoping mirrors.

[GaryWT]

Your issue is you have a 4.6. If you had the 5.4 you would not have an issue with your size trailer. If you are sure you are keeping the smaller size trailer then an ecoboost will be good. Enjoy.

[x96mnn]

I am think any 1500 truck with the right gears and tow package. I drove a 1014 ram hemi with 3.92 rear and that thing hauled great. The Eco boost is a great towing rig and the ram 1500 diesel is new but would be a great balance. Everyone who is saying a 2500 or 3500 is not wrong as well if it is in the budget.

I am going through a new truck purchase right now and got some great advice here. As well I googled trailer life 2014 tow guide and downloaded it. The pallet list every possible combination of truck and SUV, cab, gear ratio, engine, box length, you name it, it will tell you what the tow rate is. Does not tell you payload though but can get you thinking.

[Hoojs12840]

I loved my Nissan Titan. It was a tow beast. If we didn't get. Big 5thwheel I would have bought another one.


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[chris199]

For that size camper I'd go back to a Toyota Tundra! Go with the larger V8.

No doubt in my mind .....

[bucketman]

I tow a 27 ft,,7000#TT with an eco 3:55 ratio. I have 10000 # Equal-izer hitch. Mine pulls very well. Never had a white knuckle moment and has plenty of power. To me, a 3/4 is way overkill for a trailer that size. I think a 3:31 would work in most instances, might be working a little in the mountains. I think the tow rating for the 3:31 gearing is close to 7000# My neighbor pulls a 4500# boat with a 3:31 eco without any issues.

[bsmith0404]

Pretty much any of the big gassers should pull just fine through the mountains. When I lived in Wyoming I had a 6.0 GMC, it towed the boat and ATV trailer fine through the hills, but wasn't so great with a 12K lb 5er and boat combo so I upgraded to the diesel . I don't have any experience with the ecoboost, so I can't provide any advice on that.

If it was me, since you don't have any brand loyalty, spend a day test driving all of them, you might be surprised with what you find.

[filmtex]

I'm with Chris199. Our 2014 Tundra 5.7 is fantastic. We had a 2012 with the 4.6 but are glad we upgraded to the larger engine. Only lost 1mpg without TT but gained it when towing.