F-150 and Creek Side 21RD Titanium

[Zymurgest]

Thanks again for all the help, tips, and hints! After doing some spreadsheets, I think we'll go with a RAM 2500HD with the 6 cyl. diesel and 8 spd tranny (3.73 rear end ratio). They seem to be the best choice between price, features, ride, fit, and finish. Also their tow and payload capacity is very similar, and the air ride suspension is a definite plus. Anything else that I may have forgotten to mention? Always in need of getting vicarious problems first, then make my own unique mistakes ;^) Cheers!

[brulaz]

They're nice trucks. But the routine maintenance costs relative to my old F150 are high.

Also I don't think RAM has an 8 spd tranny with the Cummins diesel yet. Maybe with their gas V8?

[Cumminsfan]

Ram still uses two 6sp tranny's. The 68RFE and the HD Aisin.
8 sp is only in the gas.

[Highway 4x4]

With the 6.4 Ram gas I would advise the 4.10 diff gears. Might hurt MPG a little but will tow better. The 6.7 Cummins is a bear to service and if you have it done it's $$$. My next truck if there is one will be gas.

[HRL]

July 2 we are picking (rented RAM 2500) up our 2021 21RBS.
I have a refundable deposit on 2021 Hybrid F-150 "PowerBoost" with Max Tow.

Is this a good "match".
I'm new to iRV2 Outdoors RV forum & would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by HRL

July 2 we are picking (rented RAM 2500) up our 2021 21RBS.
I have a refundable deposit on 2021 Hybrid F-150 "PowerBoost" with Max Tow.

Is this a good "match".
I'm new to iRV2 Outdoors RV forum & would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

It will do it, but honestly no, I don't think it's a good match. I also have a 21RBS and was wanting to buy a new F150 EB but after doing some research and talking to many people with the same or similar setups, I determined that the 21 RBS is at the limit of what should be towed with any half ton truck. My tongue weight is over 1,000 lbs and if you want to put anything semi-substantial in the truck bed, you will run out of payload.

Even most of the people that had the F150 and said it was "fine", either said that they should have gone with a 3/4 ton or will when it becomes time for a new truck.

If you ask around long enough, some people will tell you it will be OK but beware of confirmation bias where 9 people tell you one thing but one person tells you what you want to hear so you take that advice and ignore the rest.

Good luck. ....oh and BTW, congrats on the new trailer; we are loving ours.

2 cents,

Dave

[Telemarc]

We had a F150 Eco full Tow package and tried to tow our 280 RKSB at 10,000 gross and it was OK but not great so we switched to a F350 with max tow package and was like night and day. Now we have a 20 BD With a 10,000 lb gross and are glad we have the F-350 and would still probably switch trucks if I had the F-150 ecoB.

[HRL]

This discussion was really helpful. If folks are happy pulling 2020 21RD (Max Trailer Weight 8250), then I feel comfortable I can pull a 2020 21RBS (same 8250) with F-150 with Max Tow Package & WDH. I was a bit surprised that even a 21RWS (Max Trailer Weight 9995) could be pulled with a '16 F-150 and get average 10 MPG at 55 - 60 MPG.

Yes our 2021 Hybrid "PowerBoost" F-150 will have less Payload, but it's just my wife & I, with 2 medium size dogs in 2nd row. Sure will be nice to have 7.2 KW electrical in bed (30 amp 240v & 20 amp 120v) when at the hot beaches.

[troutmandj]

I tow with a 2007 GMC 1500, 2019 21 RBS. When we bought the trailer we had the truck and decided it would "do." It has been a champ for 3 years, but tranny always heated up in the Alaska mountains, and we also had it up there in subzero temps. It did proud, it will get a post-humous medal and burial with honors. Just had my blown transmission rebuilt last week, and i knew my rear differential needed rebuilding soon. 2 days ago the engine went while towing after a long climb (may be a fixable problem, but the last time i heard sounds like that was when I seized my F150 engine in 1990 - son changed oil for me but forgot to put new oil in...but that's another story). I also load a generator in the back of the truck for extreme winter camping. i think my GMC is probably a dead stick.
problem of course besides the basics of pushing load limits is that the truck is a 2007, with 155k miles. It was in great shape when we bought it used, and if fixable will have some resale value to help with our next purchase which will be a 250/2500 series.
btw, if i knew we would get interested in rv camping when we bought the truck, i would not have bought a 1500.

[Vintage465]

Since it sounds like full timing is in your future, I'd really recommend going with the Diesel. Any of the big 4 would be fine. I don't think there is a bad choice now-a-days. I pull a 2015 20fq with Denali Duramax 3.73 rear axle. I have loaded 1200 pound tongue weight. My pickup goes up hills and down hills as easy as flat ground. I have yet to ever need more than 2500 rpm's to climb any hill or mountain pass. Down hills and or a mountain pass you just tap the brake and the exhaust brake effortlessly manages you down the hill with no additional braking necessary. And yes, Diesels cost more to purchase and there is a lot more oil to change and you must stay up on the fuel filter, but there is absolutely no comparison to towing with Gas Rig Vs. a Diesel.

[Vintage465]

Originally Posted by Zymurgest

Thanks again for all the help, tips, and hints! After doing some spreadsheets, I think we'll go with a RAM 2500HD with the 6 cyl. diesel and 8 spd tranny (3.73 rear end ratio). They seem to be the best choice between price, features, ride, fit, and finish. Also their tow and payload capacity is very similar, and the air ride suspension is a definite plus. Anything else that I may have forgotten to mention? Always in need of getting vicarious problems first, then make my own unique mistakes ;^) Cheers!

You won't be sorry.