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Old 03-06-2018, 01:21 PM   #1
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1/2 ton engines to avoid? Engines to pick?

I will be in the 1/2 ton market, I hope in a several months. I am waiting for the 2019 Chevy and Ram before making my decision.

What do you guys think are engines to avoid. I will throw out what I think is the weak Chevy 5.3 litre and even the Ram 6.4 litre engine which I read on FTL (Fast Lane Trucks) is kinda weak also.

I will be towing a 6,000lb trailer so in the end I just might decide on a 3/4 ton truck but with the new 1/2 ton trucks I want to look at them 1st.
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Old 03-06-2018, 01:35 PM   #2
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If that 6000 is gross and under a 26' trailer then a half should be great as long as you don't want to carry a large genny, tools, firewood and floor jacks under a canopy plus a family of four. >........Just the trailer, family and firewood will be great though. The new half tons offer so much more as long as you load them reasonably that it sure is attractive.

As for motors, Chevy seems a little behind at the moment and none of the small diesels do much for me. The Ecoboost has been a solid performer but not sure what displacement they will offer now.
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Old 03-06-2018, 01:55 PM   #3
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Fords ecoboost family get lots of nods for power. But, it comes at a price. While great empty MPG, towing MPG is nothing to write home about,
GMs family 5.3L has been a proven work horse over its long run. The newer 6.? offering is probably a better choice.
Ram has a couple 1500 motor choices. Most get good towing reviews.
Of course the biggest issue with any 1500 variant is load carrying capacity and generally horrid rear end ratios. Get the right gear ratio and any of them can pull decent loads. None of them will get good towing MPG.
I personally see no real reason to get a 1500 series from anyone. They lack way too much for my tastes. And, especially with Ford you can get a decently equipped 2500 for about the same money.
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Old 03-06-2018, 02:58 PM   #4
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I have a 2017 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and 392 gears. It is tow rated over 10k lbs. I get about 15 mpg average. I haven’t had a chance to tow yet. The hemi is a proven engine. More than enough to tow 6k lbs.
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Old 03-06-2018, 03:16 PM   #5
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Today all of the big three make very reliable trucks overall. I really don’t think you have to avoid any of them. I have all three and I miss the 2012 Ram Long Horn I had before buying a GMC. Both were/are 3/4 ton and tow virtually the same but the Ram creature comforts and fit and finish were far better than my SLT GMC. The new 2019 Long Horn looks amazing. More leather and real wood finishes.

Best of luck with whatever choice you make.
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Old 03-06-2018, 03:24 PM   #6
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The engines mentioned above only weigh 350 to 450 lbs. No where near a half a ton...
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Old 03-06-2018, 03:33 PM   #7
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Engines that I like in order:

1. Ford 3.5 eco-boost
2. Ford 5.0 litre coyote engine
3. Ram 5.7 litre hemi
4. Chevy 6.2 litre
5. Ford 2.7 litre eco-boost
6. Chevy 6.0 litre if offered in the 1500

I am hoping the 2019 Chevy 5.3 litre engine has been improved.

My wet trailer weight will be 6,200lbs. I will be towing 10% highway and 90% back roads in flat Florida.
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Old 03-06-2018, 04:10 PM   #8
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I'll buck the trend and say F250 6.2. The 6.2 is a heavy duty motor and the new F250 shares the same interior as the F150.
@6000 lbs wet you don't need an F250 but the price will be very close. It used to be that the F150 was a lot cheaper than the F250 but that gap has shrunk considerably lately.
If you're towing more than 50% of the time then you won't take a hit in mpg.
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Old 03-06-2018, 05:56 PM   #9
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Only problem I have with the F250 6.2 is mileage when empty. 16 on a good day at 62, 15 is more often what I get.
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Old 03-06-2018, 05:58 PM   #10
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A lot better than the 11.4 I average with my 6.0 in my GMC.
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Old 03-06-2018, 06:48 PM   #11
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We must read different publications. I read RV websites/boaters websites/construction forums/farm and ranch forums/etc and read what folks that actually own the vehicle has to say about them.

The 6.4 hemi isn't offered in a 1500 truck . Those that do have them in 2500 size trucks praise them for their low down grunt when towing/hauling 12k+ trailers.

The new gen 5.3 GM EcoTec3 (Generation V Small Block) engine has 355 hp and 383 torque and is hands down a better towing engine than the older '00 era 5.3 engines.
The wifes 2016 1500 chevy 6L80e 5.3 4wd crew cab 3.42 gears has no problems pulling a 7540 lb trailer..anywhere. Its amazing how much more low down grunt this engine has over her previous '06 5.3 same cab/bed 4wd truck.

Dump the fast lane publication and drive them all then make a informed decision which one best suits your needs.... I like the white ones best. Happy huntin'
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Old 03-06-2018, 07:51 PM   #12
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Is the Chevy 5.3 litre engine a 4 valve/cylinder over head cam like the Ford 5.0 Coyote engine?

I had a 2011 F-150 with the 5.0 litre engine and thought that truck was great. Loads of power. Matches the Ram 5.7 hemi in power or pretty close.
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Old 03-06-2018, 09:24 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuffr2 View Post
Is the Chevy 5.3 litre engine a 4 valve/cylinder over head cam like the Ford 5.0 Coyote engine?

I had a 2011 F-150 with the 5.0 litre engine and thought that truck was great. Loads of power. Matches the Ram 5.7 hemi in power or pretty close.
GM's EcoTec 3 engine family aren't 4V/Cylinder. They do have variable valve timing that can provide great torque without compromising top end horsepower. The Ecotec 3 6.2l is best in class power for a half ton.
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Old 03-06-2018, 11:26 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by JIMNLIN View Post
We must read different publications. I read RV websites/boaters websites/construction forums/farm and ranch forums/etc and read what folks that actually own the vehicle has to say about them.

The 6.4 hemi isn't offered in a 1500 truck . Those that do have them in 2500 size trucks praise them for their low down grunt when towing/hauling 12k+ trailers.

The new gen 5.3 GM EcoTec3 (Generation V Small Block) engine has 355 hp and 383 torque and is hands down a better towing engine than the older '00 era 5.3 engines.
The wifes 2016 1500 chevy 6L80e 5.3 4wd crew cab 3.42 gears has no problems pulling a 7540 lb trailer..anywhere. Its amazing how much more low down grunt this engine has over her previous '06 5.3 same cab/bed 4wd truck.

Dump the fast lane publication and drive them all then make a informed decision which one best suits your needs.... I like the white ones best. Happy huntin'
You are correct Jim. I have the new motor and 3.42 gears, I towed a Mini Plus 7200lbs from Seattle over the Cascades to Idaho. Of course the engine was wound up going over the passes but I kept respectable speed, everything stayed cool and stopping was not a problem.

I was close to gcvwr and as the testers claim it can handle what it's rated for. Of course when I posted on here I got a lot of friendly ribbing how they should put this in their dually.

I have a CDL and maybe someone without great towing skills might not be as comfortable.towing as I am. ( I'm trying to be nice here) [emoji12]

Should note that a Hensley hitch is nice if your gonna tow at your limits.
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