Choosing a Pick-Up

[TruthWalleyes]

In the next 3-4 weeks I would like to purchase a truck, most likely new or slightly used. I do not know much about trucks or transmissions and am seeking your advice on finding the right truck and right gear ratio for me.

First off, I want a single cab. 8' Box. 4wd.

This truck will be 90% of the time hooked up to a boat or ice house. Hunting and Fishing.

My current boat is only 16' but i want the ability to haul bigger boats in the 20' range with ease.

I'm not tied to any brand. Thanks for the help.

[Scott K]

Truth, all the trucks today are nice, and have came a long way in the past 5 years or so. I recommend you just go out and drive each one, and buy the one that you like the best. All you are going to get from most people here are biased brand loyalty comments.

On that I will tell you my biased opinion, I have driven the EcoBoost Ford truck the most, and I am still impressed with it, and it would be my favorite if I were buying now. Next would be a new Chevy truck, but personally I would wait for there v6 EcoBoost sister engine to hit the market. I will honestly tell you I dont know much about the new Dodge half ton trucks, but I have a friend that bought a new one in December, and he hasnt called to complain about it yet. As for the other brands, I know nothing about them.

[TruthWalleyes]

There Are many types of tranissions out there and im really just looking fot advice on choosing the tranny for the continuous load hauling. i also dont trust many salesmen much further than i can throw them, especially for advise beyond cosmetics lol.

also,

im 6 and a half feet tall, so if there are roomier brands than others id like to hear it.

[Scott K]

In your size, a Super cab would give you more then enough room in any cab. A regular cab will limit you.

[JONOV]

It really depends where you have your height from (legs vs torso or both.) Having at least the mid-length cab (everyone calls it something different, but the one that has the little back seat) will give you more room to scoot the seat back/recline it/probably lower it as well. Having sold cars and trucks in the past, I can tell you that what works for one tall person might not work for another. Seating position, leg room, thigh support, all play into what is comfortable for an individual, and the verdict becomes highly subjective based on individual build, and also occasionally age. The only way to figure it out is to go sit in them. I would look for a transmission that has a dedicated tow/haul mode.

[TruthWalleyes]

So what kind of engine size am i looking for? I would think nothing less than a 5.7L but again, i don't know too much and i suppose the rear end ratio makes a big difference there as well.

As i go through Chevy, GMC, RAM, Ford's websites i'm absolutely lost as to which powertrain options would best fit my needs. Any thoughts as to:

Rear Axel Ratio

4 Speed, 6 Speed, 8, etc..

V6 vs V8

Diesel Vs Gasoline

I would think a towing package is absolutely necessary with transmission cooler.

Once i get these specs figured out, then it's just a matter of trying out the various trucks to see which one I can fit into.

[DooWap]

How big of a boat and ice house do you plan on towing? I think any half-ton these days can tow virtually any of our toys with exception of some really big glass boats and travel trailers. The standard V8, whether it be GM's 5.3 or Ford's 5.0, will put out plenty of power to do what you need more than likely. GM has the Allison transmissions in their trucks and those are solid. They also have an engine braking function when in tow/haul mode that will help save your brakes going down hill. I'm a little leery of the 8 speeds that Dodge has as I think it's going to result in a lot of shifting while towing which isn't a good thing in my mind.

[TruthWalleyes]

Max load a 20' Ice house and a 20' Glass boat.

[Alagnak]

Max load a 20' Ice house and a 20' Glass boat.

\

Glass boat? You are moving north huh? ;-)

[DooWap]

I think you could get away with the standard gasoline V8 towing either of those. The tow ratings on the half tons these days are around 10000 lbs and either of those rigs will be between 4-5000 lbs probably. I don't think you'll be beating anyone off the line with the boat hooked to the back but you should be able to tow it anywhere.

I don't think diesel engines are worth it unless you're towing big loads daily. With the price of fuel, maintenance and the engine upcharge, you'd probably have to put on 200K miles of towing before you broke even.

[TruthWalleyes]

Glass boat? You are moving north huh? ;-)

That's the plan. Time to buy a dependable truck and not have to buy another truck when i upgrade boats and purchase a wheelhouse sometime down the road. I'd like to be able to put 200k on this truck before replacing.

[TravP]

Love my 2013 F150 with Ecoboost. Amazing torgue numbers and it impresses me everyday. I had a 2012 Tundra with the Rock Warrior Package before this. The Tundra was great too but no matter how I drove, 12.5mpg's is all I got. Traded it with 14,000 miles on it for the ecoboost. The ecoboost has more towing power where it counts, then any of the other current half-tons. Torque peaks at around 2500 rpms. I bought mine with the 355 rear end and it's plenty for a 20 ft glass boat. Good luck with your purchase.

[bak2MN]

Trav, what do you get for mileage with the eco boost??

[TravP]

I've got 5800 miles on it right now. I get a city/highway mix of 16-17. I can get 20+ highway if not going into a strong headwind which reduces mileage quit a bit. Towing mpg's not that great though, I've seen anywhere from 10.8 to 15 depending on load and speed.

[TruthWalleyes]

a major drop in mpg when towing tells me that your working that ecoboost hard... makes me wonder if it is meant to tow or to joy ride. i want a truck meant to tow. would the ecoboost have problems if all it ever did was tow? again, my truck will have a boat in tow nearly all the time. ive got a car for work commute

[Maxwell]

Please define 20' glass boat? Bass boat, or lake superior/LOTW style boat?

The new Fords are dam powerful and so are the Dodge trucks (haven't pulled with a chevy). Dodge gets the worst mileage, but has tons of power. I pull a 26' 10' beam boat with a diesel, and the truck doesn't even know its back there. I purchased the truck used with 130k miles on, and haven't had any issues (Dodge Diesel). The chevy trucks when not loaded, ride the best IMO.

I had zero issues pulling a 20' icehouse with the new ford 5.0, had enough power to get upto speed and maintain speed.

My truck only moves when I need a truck. It will either be, loaded with rocks, dirt, manure, tree, plywood, boat or sleds.

[B-man715]

Any half ton is going to have a big drop in mileage while towing. They are geared for mileage.

If you want a capable truck that is used only for towing, go with a 3/4 or one ton.

Sure they burn more fuel, but they get the job done.....and then some.

The gas/diesel debate is becoming harder to choose from (emissions are really limiting a diesel motor's capabilities and mpg compared to where it was a few years ago).

It sounds like you are in the same shoes as I am.

Toys to pull, and a second vehicle for work.

Unless you you get a lot of time off, you're truck isn't going to have a lot of miles put on.I only put on 6000 miles or so a year. Almost every mile of it has a boat or fishouse behind it.

When pulling a decent load, a 1/2 ton may only have a couple mpg advantage over a 3/4 ton. If you are like me (6000 miles driven over a year) it only equates to a couple hundred dollar advantage.

If you were using the truck for 70% commuting, 30% towing for 12,000 miles a year, the clear winner ($ in the tank wise) would be the half ton.

For cab size, right now I have a 3/4 ton Chevy crew w/ short box. My next truck is going to be a crew/long box (kinda like a school bus ) You can never have too much room.

I owned standard cabs for years, and will never buy one again. The big crew cab gives you so much more room, not necessarily just for people. Think of it has climate controlled, secure, dry storage

I use it to keep my beer and dogs cool in the summer, and keep them from freezing in the winter

[TravP]

a major drop in mpg when towing tells me that your working that ecoboost hard... makes me wonder if it is meant to tow or to joy ride. i want a truck meant to tow. would the ecoboost have problems if all it ever did was tow? again, my truck will have a boat in tow nearly all the time. ive got a car for work commute

The eco is not be worked hard, actually hardly working at all. The truck tows better then any half ton I've owned, including the Tundra. The thing hardly downshifts on hills. Like I said, the torque peaks at a low rpm, very similar to a diesel. Go drive one and see what you think.

[ottertailguy]

The Toyota Tundra are great towing machines. The 5.7L V8 comes with a 4.30 rear end and IMO tow better than any other 1/2 ton on the market. If Toyota's aren't for you than so be it.

[Scott K]

I would put money on it, that if you went to drive them all, and you had an open mind, you would be coming home with the EcoBoost. They are rated for twice what you have plans on pulling. I know a guy that traded 3 Chevy 1 tons, for EcoBoosts, and pulls a skid loader, and a load a sod with them non stop. He loves them much better then the Chevy 1 tons.

[Pistol Pete]

i have a F-150 with a ecoboost, a 2011 with almost 50,000 miles on it. It has a 3.55 rear end and the tow package. I have a 18' glass boat, a 14' fish house and have pulled a 28' camper. That engine pulls all the above better than both my last 2 trucks which were a chevy with a 5.3 and a Ford F-150 with a 5.4. Not only does it pull them better it gets about 3 mpg better than either the 5.3 chev or 5.4 ford. If I were to buy a truck today it would have the ecoboost in it. Mine is also a crew cab, automatic, 6.5' box.

[TruthWalleyes]

Thank you guys for all the input. It's really good to hear that the loads i'm planning on pulling are not excessive for any of the trucks mentioned above. I'll be sure to put my but into several trucks and see what works out. Also nice to hear good things about the ecoboost. A little extra gas milage would be great in the long run. I do like the sound of max torque at 2,500 rpms.

I sold my old boat puller this weekend after changing out a u-joint. Well, i'll have it for 2-3 weeks before i replace it with a truck. Then my buddy can have that piece of junk (98 bravada) for $200 One heck of a deal. Even put the boat in the water yesterday.

If anyone has something else to add, feel free to continue the discussion. I think i've got what i need to start shopping.

[Scott K]

To me comfort is key. You have to figure your butt will be planted in that seat for how many hours, there is nothing that makes long hauls in a vehicle seem longer, then an uncomfortable seat. But when you have a truck that is comfy, you are smiling the entire trip.

All models today have came along way from 5 years ago. Seriously go drive several different models, and even different lines of the same models, with different options. You may hate the first Chevy(or whatever model) you sit in, but then jump in to a different one with a different option group, and it may be your favorite. In todays world, comfort is key, and everyone has a different idea of what is perfect for them. There are some great options out there right now, I wish I was in the market for a new truck right now, but I need to get at least 1 kid through college before I create another payment.

[TR21HP]

Don't be too concerned about the low gear ratio either. My 2011 FX4 with the ecoboost has 3.73 gears and I get just as good gas mileage and most times better than the 3.55 plus the extra takeoff coupled with the turbo and 6 spd. transmission make for a fun drive.

[TravP]

Don't be too concerned about the low gear ratio either. My 2011 FX4 with the ecoboost has 3.73 gears and I get just as good gas mileage and most times better than the 3.55 plus the extra takeoff coupled with the turbo and 6 spd. transmission make for a fun drive.

How do you get better mileage with 373 gears vs 355's?