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Old 08-18-2022, 03:55 PM   #1
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Pulling 2021 5.0

If you have a newer 5.0, can you share what you use to pull it and if you feel you have plenty of towing capacity? We currently haul with a 2018 Tundra TRD 4x4 and feel we have excessive capacity. We would love to down size our truck to a 2022 Nissan Frontier (Pro4X?) with a tow package or something of similar size. But we want to feel confident we will have enough truck. Any advice?
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Old 08-18-2022, 05:04 PM   #2
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Far better to have too much capacity rather than towing at or near your capacity. Wear and tear on both the tow and driver is high when close to capacity.
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Old 08-18-2022, 05:11 PM   #3
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I'm sure Alf will chime in here but there's likely a good reason he towed first his 5.0 single axle, then his 5.0TA with a Frontier until he moved up to a Ram Diesel.

I tow with an F150 and would not go smaller, in fact have ordered another F150 with the 2.7EB, our sole vehicle which gets pretty good mileage when not towing.
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Old 08-18-2022, 06:31 PM   #4
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We tow with a GMC Canyon crew cab long bed diesel. It’s a mid size truck, but it doesn’t really seem much smaller than the full size trucks were a few years ago. We get around 19mpg towing our 5.0
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Old 08-18-2022, 07:46 PM   #5
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2014 5.0 TA with new Tow

We are towing a 2014 5.0 TA with a 2022 Sierra. 5.3L
The trailer weighs about 4400 pounds wet.
We get 16.4 MPG (imperial gallons). We tow at about 110 kmh.

The Sierra has a 10 speed automatic and is very smooth.

We looked at a 2022 Tundra but didn't like the seats, nor the massive in dash (and above dash for that matter) monitor.
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Old 08-18-2022, 08:54 PM   #6
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Wheelbase, bed length, and payload are three main among many factors I look at for towing an Escape 5.0.

I note that the 2022 Nissan Frontier is available with
  • 126" or 139.8" wheelbase (cab / bed dependent)
  • 58.3" (~<5ft) or 73.3" (~>6ft) bed length
  • Payloads on the order of ~1200~1500# (trim and configuration dependent)
  • The engine / transmission are the same for all Frontier configurations
I also note that the Pro-4X is available only with the shorter wheelbase and shorter bed, both those weigh against it for me; the payload is listed as 1260# for that model, 'workable' but not generous for the 5.0 IMO (what hitch and other 'stuff' will you carry in/on the truck?).

I'm sure that any of the Frontiers could work to pull a 5.0 Escape, but I'm not so sure I'd choose a Frontier as a new vehicle to buy with that task in mind; I'm certain I would not choose the Pro-4X with that task in mind.

"Downsizing" can be nice but the Pro-4x (or something of similar size) crosses lower-limit thresholds which I believe will sacrifice driver comfort, handling comfort, and the overall 'relaxed towing experience' which is always my goal when spending not insignificant $ with the 5.0-towing task in mind. For lack of a better term I don't think that size vehicle is a particularly good 'balance' with the 5.0.

Just one opinion for your consideration, YMMV, Happy Shopping!
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Old 08-18-2022, 09:29 PM   #7
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I agree with Centex, and would add that the trucks that are catered to people looking for off-road drivability don’t make the best tow vehicles. Long travel suspensions don’t handle loads as well as something with a more moderate amount of clearance/suspension.
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Old 08-18-2022, 09:42 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LaneMalark View Post
If you have a newer 5.0, can you share what you use to pull it and if you feel you have plenty of towing capacity? We currently haul with a 2018 Tundra TRD 4x4 and feel we have excessive capacity. We would love to down size our truck to a 2022 Nissan Frontier (Pro4X?) with a tow package or something of similar size. But we want to feel confident we will have enough truck. Any advice?
That’s a new one.

Peer pressure from those who hate on larger trucks?
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Old 08-18-2022, 09:59 PM   #9
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I have both an F-150 and a Frontier. The Frontier will pull the 5.0TA, but it feels more comfortable with the F-150.

CenTex covers most of the initial issues well. Long wheel base Frontiers are very hard to find on on the used market.

Also, the Frontier has a tiny fuel tank. Even towing a Scamp it has to make annoyingly frequent stops for fuel.

If you are looking to downsize I would lean more toward the diesel Chevy/GMC.
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Old 08-19-2022, 04:36 AM   #10
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I would be really careful about downsizing. The more truck the safer. My 4Runner struggled to pull the 17B at higher elevations and I would never downsize from a full size.

A buddy at work had a 2018 Duramax to tow his 4wheelers around but didn't like the more costly service and dealing with the DEF fluid. His was hard to fill. He bought a 2021 Silverado 6.6L gas. He towed an enclosed trailer he had just bought with his toys and it didn't go well. He said it was $1 a km to tow it. Guess what. He has since bought another Duramax Diesel.

If I wanted to downsize my truck, I would go back to a 17B.
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Old 08-19-2022, 06:03 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emers382 View Post
I'm sure Alf will chime in here but there's likely a good reason he towed first his 5.0 single axle, then his 5.0TA with a Frontier until he moved up to a Ram Diesel.

I tow with an F150 and would not go smaller, in fact have ordered another F150 with the 2.7EB, our sole vehicle which gets pretty good mileage when not towing.
Hi: emers382... Ding dong Alf calling!!! The short coming of the Fronty was the 5 speed trans., when I traded it after 172,000km. I had yet to change the sparkers or the trans. fluid but it rode like a truck compared to the Ram. Alf
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Old 08-19-2022, 07:37 AM   #12
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There are also some towing 5.0’s with the 2019+ Rangers. I tow my 19 with one. It has no trouble with the 19, and does as well as my C2500 as long as it’s a trailer with brakes under 7500lbs. My Ranger payload is 1823lbs.
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Old 08-19-2022, 08:34 AM   #13
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Thank you for the input

This is all very helpful. Never considered the truck bed length. And we understand that off road vehicles may not be best suited to pulling a 5.0. We don’t need that much off road capability ( as the Pro4X). We will reconsider our options and look at the diesel Chevy and GMC. Thanks again.
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Old 08-19-2022, 09:26 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LaneMalark View Post
If you have a newer 5.0, can you share what you use to pull it and if you feel you have plenty of towing capacity? We currently haul with a 2018 Tundra TRD 4x4 and feel we have excessive capacity. We would love to down size our truck to a 2022 Nissan Frontier (Pro4X?) with a tow package or something of similar size. But we want to feel confident we will have enough truck. Any advice?
Get a full size(Tundra, F 150, Ram). Maybe a mid size(Ranger, Colorado) I hesitate here as I think you are at the top of what the engine can do and will be pushing it hard all the time and trucks do not hold up to that long term, the diesel is probably a good solution here. You want at least 1300 lbs of payload (We travel light) although 1400 or higher is even better. Our 2012 4 x 4 Tundra Double cab with the 4.6 liter engine does a great job. The 5.7 is probably a bit bigger than you need. If you are going new I would wait till 2023 when the new Toyota Tundra has a year under its belt and buy one of those. The Tundra has had the best reliability ratings out there on the old model and probably will on the new ones. The Ram has been doing much better of late and the Ecoboost F 150s are pretty darn good too. I look at long term reliability ratings and cost to own in Consumer Reports....don't pay attention to the short term Owner satisfaction ratings(read "I love my new Truck"! At $50000 plus...you better!)
You do pay the price when not hauling your trailer in fuel costs but when towing or hauling the ability to get up and go when you need to and even more important the ability to STOP when you want to, along with the comfort and ease of towing(not to mention safety margin) keep me in a full size truck.
My experience with a Nissan Frontier was not a good one...lots of problems and more maintenance items than other trucks I have owned. Maybe it was built on a Friday afternoon!
I keep looking at the various diesels out there but with the premium price of diesel fuel here in the US, DEF costs, higher cost of the diesel engine at purchase, etc....the math doesn't show any savings long term. The V 6 twin turbo engines have proven themselves and can get pretty good mileage if you go easy on the right pedal!
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Old 08-19-2022, 10:09 AM   #15
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We tow with 2021 F150- max tow, Powerboost, 6.5' bed. Very happy with the combination and no desire to downsize.
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Old 08-19-2022, 11:50 AM   #16
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Interestingly, I was always faced with 12 mpg towing with my Ram 1500 semi. This recent trip we purchased a fg cap over the truck bed, increased our carrying capacity under a protected cover. In addition our fuel mpg increased at least 1-2 mpg, even while towing. Seems aerodynamics impacts fuel efficiency.
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Old 08-19-2022, 01:24 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Interestingly, I was always faced with 12 mpg towing with my Ram 1500 semi. This recent trip we purchased a fg cap over the truck bed, increased our carrying capacity under a protected cover. In addition our fuel mpg increased at least 1-2 mpg, even while towing. Seems aerodynamics impacts fuel efficiency.
Hi: cpaharley2008... I always think of it as "Arrow dynamics"!!! Alf
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Old 08-24-2022, 10:13 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LaneMalark View Post
This is all very helpful. Never considered the truck bed length. And we understand that off road vehicles may not be best suited to pulling a 5.0. We don’t need that much off road capability ( as the Pro4X). We will reconsider our options and look at the diesel Chevy and GMC. Thanks again.
FYI, GM stopped making the diesel Canyons and Colorados in June of this year. It might be possible to find a used one, but a new one, probably not. Also, the 2023 versions of each might be worth a look, as they reportedly have as high tow capacity as the diesel, with more payload. They are powered by a turbo charged gas engine. I don’t expect they’ll offer the same fuel economy, however.
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Old 08-24-2022, 10:23 AM   #19
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2021 5.0, already put 14,000 miles on it in less than a year. Our tug is a 2021 RAM 1500 diesel, and we are extremely happy with its tuggin’!

From an upstate NY home: one trip to Massachusetts, one to DC, two to North Carolina, and a big un over Alabama, Texas coast out to Marfa, NM, Northern California, then back over Utah, NM, and home. Didn’t miss a beat that RAM.
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Old 08-24-2022, 06:31 PM   #20
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I pull my 2016 5.0 TA with an 2006 Tundra with a 4.7 V8 engine. It works just fine at any elevation or incline. I wouldn't recommend going smaller on the tourque or horse power. Good luck with your decision...
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