Ford, Ram or Chevy for towing?

[Johnnie118]

Originally Posted by Beamer2022

I'm not looking for an argument about which brand is "best". I'm looking for information about how each tows and which would be better.

My situation. I have a TT with 7,000 lbs. GVWR. Tongue weight is 710 lbs. but that is the manufactures number and I believe mine is closer to 800 lbs. With two people and all the gear in the glove box, center console, under floor storage bins, truck bed, hitch weight, etc. I think we overloading our 1500 Ram Long Horn short bed. It has 1289 lbs. cargo according to the door sticker. Tow capacity is 10,160 lbs.

I know the coil springs on the Ram are not good. I could never get the WDH to level out the truck per the hitch install instructions.

I'm looking to upgrade to a 25 size truck. We've had 2 Durangos and the Ram and like the seating, layout, how it drives, etc. I'm not sure we want to get used to a whole different brand. BUT, If I can get better cargo capacity with sufficient towing, switch brands isn't a show stopper at all.

What are your opinions about the different brands and have you towed with the different brands. Plus and minuses?

TIA.

I really don't think it's that simple. An F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost and a 3.55 rear axle will tow a lot more than the new Ram 1500 Hurricane, regardless of powertrain Same with the a Silverado 1500 and the Duramax vs the Ram. Swap to the 2.7 Ecoboost in the F150 and everything changes and the RAM is beating the Ford.

The one thing I will say about the Ford 3.5 is that even though it does tow and haul better out of the three, in the 1500 range, that engine is either Eco... or Boost, if you are towing in hilly terrain. The Duramax in the GMs is more efficient but diesel engines have their own headaches like more expensive maintenance and since they weigh more they eat into the truck's payload.

You really need to figure out what power train you want first with the 1500s. If diesel you are stuck with GM. If you want gas you are looking at GM or Ford. Ram is pretty much right out. I really don't get their thoughts. You can either have bad towing and good payload or good towing and bad payload.

You will end up with similar dynamics in the 250/2500 range. Now Ram won't have the identity crisis the 1500 does but so many options on drive train and suspension. Heck some offer and upgraded suspension where you basically end up with a 1 ton in a 3/4 ton body.

[Londoned]

Just traded our Ram 1500 to a 2024 Ram 2500 with 6.4 Hemi 3 weeks ago to pull our tt 6000/7000#. Ram 1500 was starting to squat a little and wearing front brakes down. Taking 2 kayaks, 2 bikes, solo stove, cooler, chairs, and any passengers was pushing the cargo limits too high. The 2500 was noticeably better handling on our trip last week. I did not realize how much I was gripping the wheel and adjusting for a little sway, turbulence, and road conditions with the 1500. Arms and hands were not even tired after a 5 hour trip. Gas mileage difference—-about 5 miles less but burning regular vs mid grade in the 1500 equaled about the same costs. Plus a lotore room with crew cab vs quad cab on 1500.

[Lakeman1]

Chevrolet

[JDinFbg]

I tow a TT similar in GVWR and tongue weight specs to what the OP noted with a 2020 Chevy Silverado WT (work truck) with a 5.3L V8 and long bed. The rated conventional trailer towing capability is 10,100 lbs. GVWR and max tongue weight of 1,010 lbs. I have had no issue with this combination. My suspicion is that the work truck is sprung a little stiffer than your normal retail-market truck. I bought the truck 2 years before I bought the TT, but made sure it had the trailer towing package with built-in receiver hitch, electrical connectors, and brake controller, without any expectations at the time that I would ever buy a TT. No regrets. And, the 28 gal. fuel tank in the work truck certainly is a benefit when towing the TT.

[Whups]

I was freaked out on my first trip out towing my Rockwood 2513S, in my old(2015) Toyota Tundra, the gas mileage sucked! I was getting as low as 6 mpg, and upwards of 15 mpg on the long flat roads but on average was 8-10 mpg.
I was convinced that I needed a bigger truck, so I jumped on You Tube, and watched lots and lots of tow vehicle comparisons. Turned out, ANY truck used to tow, still only got roughly 8-10 mpg. After watching the videos, I was actually impressed my old Tundra pulled just as well as any brand new truck.
The biggest difference with the new trucks, are in all the electronics, but the engine sizes haven't changed all that much. Some of the tow packages built into the new trucks is the only that might get me to buy another truck, and of course it's going to be another Toyota Tundra. I also was surprised that gas engines are 'slightly' better at TOWING, and diesels were better at HAULING.
Who knew???

[deserteagle5]

Originally Posted by Whups

I was freaked out on my first trip out towing my Rockwood 2513S, in my old(2015) Toyota Tundra, the gas mileage sucked! I was getting as low as 6 mpg, and upwards of 15 mpg on the long flat roads but on average was 8-10 mpg.
I was convinced that I needed a bigger truck, so I jumped on You Tube, and watched lots and lots of tow vehicle comparisons. Turned out, ANY truck used to tow, still only got roughly 8-10 mpg. After watching the videos, I was actually impressed my old Tundra pulled just as well as any brand new truck.
The biggest difference with the new trucks, are in all the electronics, but the engine sizes haven't changed all that much. Some of the tow packages built into the new trucks is the only that might get me to buy another truck, and of course it's going to be another Toyota Tundra. I also was surprised that gas engines are 'slightly' better at TOWING, and diesels were better at HAULING.
Who knew???

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Toyota Tundra - probably the best half ton made. But do your research if you are talking about a new one...you can't get one with that dependable V8 engine anymore. Toyota took a page from Ford; only engine for the Tundra now is a twin-turbo V6. And that engine had turned out to be very problematic...multiple recalls.

And whoever said that gas engines are better for towing is blowing smoke. I own both and I can tell you there is no comparison when towing heavy. The diesel wins every time, towing or hauling. Torque is what gets you over than mountain...would you rather have 1000 lb-ft of torque at 1800 rpm or 500 lb-ft (the best most truck gas engines put out) at 5000 rpm?

How many 18 wheelers are out there pulling with a gas engine?

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by Whups

I was freaked out on my first trip out towing my Rockwood 2513S, in my old(2015) Toyota Tundra, the gas mileage sucked! I was getting as low as 6 mpg, and upwards of 15 mpg on the long flat roads but on average was 8-10 mpg.
I was convinced that I needed a bigger truck, so I jumped on You Tube, and watched lots and lots of tow vehicle comparisons. Turned out, ANY truck used to tow, still only got roughly 8-10 mpg. After watching the videos, I was actually impressed my old Tundra pulled just as well as any brand new truck.
The biggest difference with the new trucks, are in all the electronics, but the engine sizes haven't changed all that much. Some of the tow packages built into the new trucks is the only that might get me to buy another truck, and of course it's going to be another Toyota Tundra. I also was surprised that gas engines are 'slightly' better at TOWING, and diesels were better at HAULING.
Who knew???

Keep you current Tundra. The new ones are still going through teething pains.


https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a6...cement-recall/

[MAXEPR]

Originally Posted by JDinFbg

I tow a TT similar in GVWR and tongue weight specs to what the OP noted with a 2020 Chevy Silverado WT (work truck) with a 5.3L V8 and long bed. The rated conventional trailer towing capability is 10,100 lbs. GVWR and max tongue weight of 1,010 lbs. I have had no issue with this combination. My suspicion is that the work truck is sprung a little stiffer than your normal retail-market truck. I bought the truck 2 years before I bought the TT, but made sure it had the trailer towing package with built-in receiver hitch, electrical connectors, and brake controller, without any expectations at the time that I would ever buy a TT. No regrets. And, the 28 gal. fuel tank in the work truck certainly is a benefit when towing the TT.

I haven't seen a max tongue weight of 1010 pounds, but the OP is over that. And the big issue is he's at or over payload capacity (maybe rear axle limit too). After using actual weights and looking at the limits of real trucks and not sales literature, I'm pretty sure many people are seriously over the limits every day. And because they've been doing it a long time doesn't make it safe.

I'm more familiar with airplanes, and they can fly for years overloaded and out of CG limits.....until there's a problem.

[mokurt]

Just bought a '24 F250 XLT 7.3 longed.
This sure will be different than my old '01Dodge Ram 2500 5.9 !

[Flipper775]

What rear end does it have?

[saddlesore]

Which ever one is the easiest for that short height challenged Wife can get in and out of..
No matter what trlr You plan on pulling..
. Go for the 3/4 ton pickup,then the size of trailer won't matter.(unless you run with the big dawgs TT's & 5th wheelers, then the F-450/4500-F-550/5500 is in order..
It is much preferred to have too much truck than not quite enough truck..

[mokurt]

Originally Posted by Flipper775

What rear end does it have?

3:73

[corn18]

Skip the 250/2500 and just get a one ton. IMHO, the 3/4 ton class is useless. For $1k more, you get a lot more capability in a one ton. I test drove both back to back and didn't notice a difference in ride quality. But they all ride better than my current truck, so maybe I am not calibrated properly. And I will never buy a Ram because I cannot get this image out of my head:

[jonahex2099]

Originally Posted by corn18

Skip the 250/2500 and just get a one ton. IMHO, the 3/4 ton class is useless. For $1k more, you get a lot more capability in a one ton. I test drove both back to back and didn't notice a difference in ride quality. But they all ride better than my current truck, so maybe I am not calibrated properly. And I will never buy a Ram because I cannot get this image out of my head:

That's hysterical....

This is exactly why I went with a 1 ton (gas) over 3/4 ton (gas) Silverado....the cost difference was negligible. I wasn't going to pay a 10k premium for diesel when the 6.6L gas/10speed is more than I need for the camper I pull. I could even go bigger wrt the trailer if I wanted to but no need. And the truck is just plain comfortable, evne more so than the '15 Sierra 1500 I traded in...