Funny convo with 2 truck owners friends.
02-06-2016, 04:52 PM
#21
Senior Member
I'd say I overbought for sure. I waited to get a 3.5 Eco instead of taking any of the 5.0's or 2.7's on the lot with every other option I wanted, simply because I wanted the power and the ability to add 100hp and ft/lbs of torque with just a tune. I rarely ever tow, and only ever haul 500 pounds max. I had to have 4x4 as well, even though I can count on one hand the amount of times I needed it in my last F150. But oh well. Like others have said, if it's their money, they can get whatever they want
02-06-2016, 05:01 PM
#22
Senior Member
As for towing...I have a 13 F150 EB and my dad has a 2500HD Chevy with 6L. My EB will out pull his 6L from a dead stop and runs at lower rpm. The advantage of the 2500HD is that it is rock solid pulling a 20ft cargo trailer. The F150 just isn't as solid feeling towing. I added a Helwig rear swaybar and that was a definite improvement. I'd be uncomfortable towing near the rated limits of any 1/2 ton truck, especially in hilly country.
As for 4wd, it only takes getting stuck once to wish you'd spent the extra for 4wd. I don't use it often but when I do, it's because I need it.
As for 4wd, it only takes getting stuck once to wish you'd spent the extra for 4wd. I don't use it often but when I do, it's because I need it.
Last edited by Wannafbody; 02-06-2016 at 05:03 PM.
02-07-2016, 10:36 AM
#23
2018 XLT FX4
More money than brains...
02-07-2016, 12:19 PM
#24
Senior Member
I over bought because I plan on keeping this truck for 10+ years, and I don't want to have to trade up or spend a lot modifying to suit my needs.
Previous truck was a 2006 Tacoma double cab, 5ft bed, tow package (6500lbs). I didn't have a trailer at the time, no plans to get one right away, but I thought I might do it. I ended up making 3 100 mile trips with a U-Haul auto transport swapping cars around for a buddy within 6 months of buying it. The 5ft bed was so short that ALL the building materials I bought hung off the back even with the tailgate down. Then we switched to wood pellets and it took 2 vehicles to bring home a full pallet when we bought a ton at a time (still no trailer). Now I have a trailer and a compact tractor so I haul 3,000 +/- lbs several times a year. The tacoma struggled with that weight sometimes, despite the 6500lb rating. So a truck with 11,300 lb rating just means more of a margin for me. I've also been able to fit a full ton in the bed without messing with the trailer. So I've grown into some of the higher specs.
I live in NY so snow and mud call for 4wd. The F150's traction control is almost better than the Tacoma in 4WD on snow covered roads thus far, but like someone else said it's an option to extract yourself from a bad situation. And I've used it several times just to avoid getting stuck.
Previous truck was a 2006 Tacoma double cab, 5ft bed, tow package (6500lbs). I didn't have a trailer at the time, no plans to get one right away, but I thought I might do it. I ended up making 3 100 mile trips with a U-Haul auto transport swapping cars around for a buddy within 6 months of buying it. The 5ft bed was so short that ALL the building materials I bought hung off the back even with the tailgate down. Then we switched to wood pellets and it took 2 vehicles to bring home a full pallet when we bought a ton at a time (still no trailer). Now I have a trailer and a compact tractor so I haul 3,000 +/- lbs several times a year. The tacoma struggled with that weight sometimes, despite the 6500lb rating. So a truck with 11,300 lb rating just means more of a margin for me. I've also been able to fit a full ton in the bed without messing with the trailer. So I've grown into some of the higher specs.
I live in NY so snow and mud call for 4wd. The F150's traction control is almost better than the Tacoma in 4WD on snow covered roads thus far, but like someone else said it's an option to extract yourself from a bad situation. And I've used it several times just to avoid getting stuck.
02-07-2016, 12:35 PM
#25
Senior Member
I use to drive diesels when diesel was cheap and the trucks got decent fuel mileage, now with diesel more expensive than gas and the auto makers in a torque war the fuel mileage is not any better than a gas truck except while towing and I don't tow near enough to ever come ahead on that .. I had a 05 dodge diesel and a 2008 Chevy diesel and traded for my 2011 ecoboost back in 2010 and I have never looked back .. The ecoboost drivetrain easily handles what I occasionally tow and does it with ease .. I think the new half tons are amazing in what they offer and what they can do you just have to build the right truck for what uou plan on doing
02-07-2016, 02:26 PM
#26
I've been through whole "big jacked up loud truck" thing. I've decided in my older age I prefer a quieter, smoother riding truck. I don't tow anything that weighs much over 3K-4K lbs ever, & are unloaded 90% of the time. I needed the room of a crew cab, & needed the bed space for putting whatever in, 4x4 is a must if buying a truck IMO. The 2.7 fit my needs exactly. All my buddies still drive their 1500, 2500, 3500 trucks with big tires & loud exhaust getting 12mpg....lol. Not my cup of tea anymore. I find it even more amusing when their wives or girlfriends comment on how smooth & quiet my truck is compared to their mans trucks when they ride with me somewhere.....
02-08-2016, 10:29 AM
#27
Blunt
Thread Starter
Awesome reads, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks like this lol
I've only towed a few times, and the biggest load was storing a bunch of furniture out at my inlaw's farm using my Xterra. About 4500lbs tandem axle cargo trailer, 7 hour trip each way. The max tow was 5k lbs. Towed just fine even with a lift kit. We will be going to pick it all up again now that we've moved into a bigger house, but that weight is WELL within the F-150's limits and I don't see myself ever having to tow more...
As for 4x4, I definitely needed it, and I use it often in the snow, especially in the backroads. But, I knew I would need it because I used 4x4 with my Xterra often as well so that was a no brainer
I've only towed a few times, and the biggest load was storing a bunch of furniture out at my inlaw's farm using my Xterra. About 4500lbs tandem axle cargo trailer, 7 hour trip each way. The max tow was 5k lbs. Towed just fine even with a lift kit. We will be going to pick it all up again now that we've moved into a bigger house, but that weight is WELL within the F-150's limits and I don't see myself ever having to tow more...
As for 4x4, I definitely needed it, and I use it often in the snow, especially in the backroads. But, I knew I would need it because I used 4x4 with my Xterra often as well so that was a no brainer
02-08-2016, 10:47 AM
#28
Originally Posted by News in
A buddy of mine bought a Duramax new several years ago. We were both fresh out of college. Neither of us owned much of anything that would ever need towing. He used it to commute. I asked him why he bought it and he told me it could pull anything. I said, "right, but what are you gonna tow?" "Anything I want," was his answer lol. He just went through a big *** diesel truck phase, I guess. Heck, I'd love a 3/4 ton diesel. But I've got no use for it and can't justify the expense. But if you're loaded or don't mind payments, buy what you want.
