Community Forums

tuffr2 · 05-20-2022, 06:38 AM

Bogus statement.

Even my F-450 diesel knew it was towing a 6,500lb trailer. MPG was 13 mpg down from 16 mpg driving solo. Try towing the speed limit.

move on · 05-20-2022, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JetDoc

My 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 is equipped with the 3.0 liter EcoDiesel engine. It also has the factory towing package, 3.55 gears and factory air ride suspension. Up until last month, we towed a 32 foot travel trailer with a GVWR of 7600 lbs. We used an EAZ Lift weight distributing hitch with sway control.

I understand that this combination is near the factory rated limits for towing with my truck and I always dump holding tanks and drain the fresh water before heading out on the road.

The truck handles the weight of the trailer like it wasn't there. I set the transmission to tow/haul mode and the cruise control to 65 MPH. We have towed Interstate 90 between Spokane, WA and Rapids City, SD, up and over mountain passes several times with no problems.

Good to hear. I believe a 3.0 liter diesel is the ideal engine for a half ton. I once towed a 7600 lb trailer with a 3.0 liter diesel SUV and it was more than adequate. Plus I got 16.5 mpg towing.

CamperLifer · 05-21-2022, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

Good to hear. I believe a 3.0 liter diesel is the ideal engine for a half ton. I once towed a 7600 lb trailer with a 3.0 liter diesel SUV and it was more than adequate. Plus I got 16.5 mpg towing.

The 3.5 Ecoboost gas V6 has more HP and more TQ than any of the 3 3.0 diesels. So that makes the 3.5 Ecoboost the ideal engine for a halfton.

mto502 · 05-21-2022, 04:35 AM

The Eco Diesel gets amazing mileage though, although I read one comment a few years ago stating they're about as much fun as going to an insurance convention. lol I guess they don't have much get up and go?

I agree, the truck pretty much always knows when there's a trailer behind it. I knew when I had 4-5000 lbs behind my F150, but I'm wondering how it will feel behind the new F350 DRW. Maybe I'll truly be able to make the claim that the truck doesn't even know it's there?

move on · 05-21-2022, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamperLifer

The 3.5 Ecoboost gas V6 has more HP and more TQ than any of the 3 3.0 diesels. So that makes the 3.5 Ecoboost the ideal engine for a halfton.

The gas mileage of the Ecoboost drops off rapidly when you put a load on it. It may be OK around town but it's not a good tow engine.

Cumminsfan · 05-21-2022, 07:57 AM

Talk about a mileage drop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXi55b3f7LU&t=55s

deserteagle5 · 05-21-2022, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

The gas mileage of the Ecoboost drops off rapidly when you put a load on it. It may be OK around town but it's not a good tow engine.

You are absolutely correct as far as mileage drop. I've had my 3.5 Ecoboost for 6 years now; my overall average mileage stands at 20.7 mpg for those 6 years. Towing a trailer at highway speeds drops that down to 13-14 mpg. But if you are OK with that mileage drop I can assure you the truck will tow well - there is no lack of power, no hunting through the gears, with the trailer behind it. That engine is amazing. So if you are towing all the time a diesel would be a better choice. For occasional towing the 3.5 Ecoboost is just fine.

GIjoe · 05-21-2022, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JetDoc

Don't knock it until you have tried it!

I've towed our 6K TT for well over 14K miles with our properly equipped RAM 1500 in every condition imaginable without a problem. Having said that, I do use common sense when conditions dictate standing down!

move on · 05-21-2022, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deserteagle5

You are absolutely correct as far as mileage drop. I've had my 3.5 Ecoboost for 6 years now; my overall average mileage stands at 20.7 mpg for those 6 years. Towing a trailer at highway speeds drops that down to 13-14 mpg. But if you are OK with that mileage drop I can assure you the truck will tow well - there is no lack of power, no hunting through the gears, with the trailer behind it. That engine is amazing. So if you are towing all the time a diesel would be a better choice. For occasional towing the 3.5 Ecoboost is just fine.

Right. It all depends on how much you tow. I once calculated that towing with a 3.0 liter diesel SUV the breakeven point on the $3000 diesel option was about 30,000 miles.

CamperLifer · 05-21-2022, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

The gas mileage of the Ecoboost drops off rapidly when you put a load on it. It may be OK around town but it's not a good tow engine.

Of course the MPG drops when towing. No brainer. Does not make it only good for driving around town. It is actually made for towing and doing work which is why Ford gives it that low rpm 500+ lb ft tq.

runamuck · 05-26-2022, 06:09 PM

the ram forums are full of folks that seem to be happy with the towing capability of the 3.0L dsl. towing a trailer similar to my 28' 6000# travel trailer many report 14 or so mpg and good results towing in the high altitudes. my ram 5.7 only gets 8.5 -10 towing even tho it is very comfortable doing it. the fuel savings and better pulling in the mountains make it a pretty attractive option.

Tachdriver · 05-26-2022, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamperLifer

Of course the MPG drops when towing. No brainer. Does not make it only good for driving around town. It is actually made for towing and doing work which is why Ford gives it that low rpm 500+ lb ft tq.

I noticed that there are people who quickly dismiss a product that do not have experience with it.

As I mentioned before my F150 EB pulled better than my chevy 5.7L.

I'm not sure how the other person came to the conclusion that they don't make good tow vehicles unless they are baiting for a response.

tuffr2 · 05-27-2022, 07:30 AM

Ford IMHO has the best truck engines. I test drove a 2022 F-150 3.5 Eco-Boost and was really impressed. It was a very solid truck. It is interesting that Toyota now uses a 3.5 litre turbo engine in their 2022 Tundra. Ram will also start using turbo engines. Ford did this 11 years ago!!!

If GM had new, more powerful engines they might have the best truck but I feel their engines are old. That 5.3 really needs updated.

Even Fords 5.0 coyote engine is as powerful as the Ram 5.7.

Dave Pelletier · 05-27-2022, 09:54 AM

Turbo engines definitely have their advantages; better empty mileage, lots of power, ability to easily modify for more power, less susceptible to power loss due to elevation.....but they are also more expensive, more complicated and, in the long term, more prone to expensive repairs (I currently have seven turbocharged vehicles).

As far as the F150 goes, it's a great truck as long as it's used appropriately.....one issue is that because the engine is pretty stout, many people overestimate it's towing abilities.....there's more to a safe and stable tow than power. Also the powerplant isn't designed for sustained maximum output (like towing heavy up a long grade) compared to an engine like the SuperDuty's 7.3 gas engine.....big difference in maintaining temps, etc. and in the long term, I'd suspect a fair difference in longevity. https://tfltruck.com/2021/06/video-f...sed-to-happen/

2 cents,
Dave