5.0TA 1/2 Ton tow vehicle dilemma

[Birken]

I recently sold my Escape 21 and ordered the 5.0TA. I will take delivery in January 2016. In the meantime, I am trying to decide on a new truck to pull my new trailer.
I currently have a 06 Silverado (4.8LV8), but want to upgrade. I initially was very interested in the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. It gets great reviews and good performance. I am having some reservations now after researching some of the stats. The max payload of the Ram Crew Cab short box is only 1340lbs which does not leave much left after considering the pin weight of the 5.0 is minimum 600lbs and up to 900lbs depending on the trailers loaded weight. The other issues I have is that the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel is not rated for a 5th wheel trailer. I am not sure it there is an approved 5th wheel hitch.
As well, the premium for the Ram is substantial. Also, you must reload the DEF exhaust conditioner at some cost and the oil used is much more expensive. So not sure it is worth it just for increased fuel economy. My other options would be the Silverado 5.3L, Ford Ecoboost, or possibly the Ram Hemi, most of which are approved for 5th wheel and have higher max. carrying capacity.
Any words of wisdom out there for me?

[SpokanEscape]

Like you we sold our 21 and have a 5.0 on order for Sept 2016. We have settled on purchasing a Ford F-150 3.5 Ecoboost with a 5 1/2 foot bed. The payload capacity was the deciding factor.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by SpokanEscape

Like you we sold our 21 and have a 5.0 on order for Sept 2016. We have settled on purchasing a Ford F-150 3.5 Ecoboost with a 5 1/2 foot bed. The payload capacity was the deciding factor.

Interestingly enough, I am going from the 3.5 EcoBoost to a 2.7 EcoBoost to get better fuel mileage and to get a 35 gallon tank rather than the 26 which was all I could get in 2012. The 3.5 in my opinion is more power than needed with the 5.0TA, not that the power isn't good to have. I just would like to improve the 13.6 to 13.9 I get towing and increase the range.

[cpaharley2008]

There have been previous owners of the newer 5.0 TA with the Ram diesel with good results. I believe the Andersen makes a light weight hitch set up.

[gharper]

I have been kicking around the idea of getting a truck to either carry an aluminium boat with our 19 Escape on a rack or possibly going with a 5.0TA. I found the Tundra and RAM have similar payload capacities for a extended cab, whereas, Ford and Chev have about another 800 lbs or so more payload.

[kvermeulen]

I have the 2015 silverado and get 16 to 18 mpg cdn towing.
ken

[Jim Bennett]

Haven't tested my 2015 F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost yet towing a fifth wheel, but it certainly has the capacity to do so. My Lariat with 20" tires, and a few optional packages still has a payload of 1646. I got the 3.5L for a fewreasons. There was one on the lot that had near all the features I wanted, and at a clearance price that was great, plus I negotiated another $6,500 CAD off too. If I ordered a 2016 with way less options, it would have cost me a heck of a lot more. Another reason for the 3.5L, is I really wanted the 6.5' box, and it is not available in the 2.7L. After checking out the fuel economy of both engines, the 3.5L suffered less than 1 mpg difference.

[Chris R]

I was also going to order the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel, lots of power, but then I found the real the payload capacity. Not enough extra for me. Ended up ordering from the factory, Ram 1500 Hemi, Quad cab, 2WD, 6.5 bed, towing package. Adding a 5th wheel hitch was easy, lots of offerings. It tows well, better milage than my Frontier ever got even with it towing a lighter trailer.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Interestingly enough, I am going from the 3.5 EcoBoost to a 2.7 EcoBoost to get better fuel mileage and to get a 35 gallon tank rather than the 26 which was all I could get in 2012. The 3.5 in my opinion is more power than needed with the 5.0TA, not that the power isn't good to have. I just would like to improve the 13.6 to 13.9 I get towing and increase the range.

You'll love it Carl. The high capacity tank is actually 36 gallons. When not towing that gives us about a 900 mile range on the highway. Unreal.

[gbaglo]

Of course, filling the tank increases the weight and reduces mileage..

[cpaharley2008]

I need to stop about every 250 miles anyway for both mine and the dog's needs, plus I find those interesting tidbits, like jalapeno cheese taquitos....

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I need to stop about every 250 miles anyway for both mine and the dog's needs, plus I find those interesting tidbits, like jalapeno cheese taquitos....

Well yeah, we stop too. It's just that we get to stop at more interesting places than a gas station.

I remember on our trip from BC back to Texas a while back, the wife and I were having dinner and she remarked that it had been over a week since we got gas, and that I'd better check it. I let her know we still had 275 miles to empty.

[Bobnjudy]

I bought one of GMC Pressroom - United States - Canyon in SLT for the upcoming 5th wheel. It's often overlooked.

[ATHiker]

I think manufacturers are starting to offer some interesting pickup options. Ford with the two Ecoboost engines; Ram with the Ecodiesel, the big 3 increasing the tranny speeds; the GM twins (soon to be available with a diesel); and the Nissan Titan XD.

[rbryan4]

Very true Tom. Pickups have always been popular in North America, but now we have more choices than ever. When Ford reintroduces the Ranger (a big if) that will add yet another.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by Bobnjudy

I bought one of GMC Pressroom - United States - Canyon in SLT for the upcoming 5th wheel. It's often overlooked.

The 2016 diesel Canyon has "Smart diesel exhaust brake system that enhances vehicle control and reduces brake wear on steep grades" ... Thats compelling news to me.

2016 Canyon: Small Pickup Truck - GMC

[Iowa Dave]

"Honest officer, I never flipped the Jake brake. Must be automatic on these new Freightliners.
Dave

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

The 2016 diesel Canyon has "Smart diesel exhaust brake system that enhances vehicle control and reduces brake wear on steep grades" ... Thats compelling news to me.

2016 Canyon: Small Pickup Truck - GMC

Any vehicle which claims to be suitable for towing should have this sort of automatic control - in my Sienna, Toyota calls it "Grade Logic". I like the way GM has linked engine braking to the cruise control, and taken advantage of the ability to vary the degree of engine braking with a throttle-type system:

When the exhaust brake is engaged in cruise mode, exhaust cruise grade braking helps the cruise control system maintain vehicle speed when travelling downhill, keeping the driver from having to apply the brakes, thereby exiting cruise control.

In non-cruise mode, the transmission and the exhaust brake deliver the correct amount of braking to assist in vehicle control, regardless of vehicle load. It is a smart system that varies the amount of brakes needed for the vehicle, load and grade.

Diesels inherently have minimal engine braking (due to the lack of a throttle), so they need something added - in this case it is a throttle valve in the exhaust. It's good to hear that GM has included the exhaust brake, since it is not in all light diesel vehicles. The Canyon/Colorado diesel has a variable-geometry turbocharger; the variable vanes can be used to increase the braking effect of the turbocharger, so adding the separate exhaust brake as well is going beyond the minimum required.

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

"Honest officer, I never flipped the Jake brake. Must be automatic on these new Freightliners.

I'm sure it's not actually a traditional Jake brake - which is a Jacobs compression release brake - and that's good for noise!

Big truck engines are generally six-cylinders, and the compression brake control has three levels - two, four, or all six cylinders in braking mode. No switch to flip in this setup.

[sleepy]

Originally Posted by Bobnjudy

I bought one of GMC Pressroom - United States - Canyon in SLT for the upcoming 5th wheel. It's often overlooked.

Looking forward to hearing of your results driving this new truck.
Is it a gas or diesel motor?
Does this truck come with a tow package?

when do you get your new 5th wheel?

thanks

[ATHiker]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Very true Tom. Pickups have always been popular in North America, but now we have more choices than ever. When Ford reintroduces the Ranger (a big if) that will add yet another.

I would love to see the Ranger with the 2.7 Ecoboost.