2019 5.7 Hemi vs. 2018 3.5 Ecoboost

[SDSeville]

So I have been hemming and hawing about getting rid of my 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 for a couple years (as several of you may have read here). I figured I would just keep it and fix it up to tow a little better -- 4.11 gears, spectre cold air intake, and Diablo Predator II tune. It turned out great -- very noticeable increase in power and throttle response. The only problem is that my 17 year old likes the new mods too and asked if he could have it instead of the ranger I had bought him last year. I am happy to give it to him to keep it in the family.

Anyway, I will be buying a new truck this weekend. I can't afford $90k for the diesel 4X4 I want so I am going with a gasser. I have narrowed it down to a 2018 crew cab F150 XLT 4X4 3.5 Ecoboost and a 2019 Ram crew cab Bighorn 2WD 5.7 hemi (both about the same price). My boat (the one I trailer) only weighs about 4,000 lbs wet with the trailer, but I do some long trips through the desert in 120+ temps and I will also be getting a travel trailer that weighs about 7,000 lbs.

What do you all recommend? Thanks!

 

[NYBo]

If any of the ramps you use require 4WD or you live in snow country, the choice is easy. If not, the new Rams are getting very good reviews.

 

[MTboatguy]

The hemi is always a great choice, but get the 4x4 and you won't be sorry, I have not really used a non 4x4 vehicle in just about 20 years now and I will never regret the small amount of money I have spent to get the 4 wheel drive option, especially towing travel trailers and boats, they really do make a lot of difference.

 

[tpenfield]

4 x 4 would be the way to go. Is the 3.5 rated for a lot better fuel economy than the 5.7?

 

[jimmbo]

Get the Hemi(I'm no Chrysler fan), but a small engine using a turbo full time while towing is not going to be easy on the gas, nor live a long life.

 

[Leardriver]

A 2WD truck will depreciate to nothing pretty fast, as will any Chrysler product except for a Jeep Wrangler.
A 4WD F250 Super Duty Powerstroke XLT can be had for $48K, and will still be worth $35K in 7 years, and will tow anything you want and get great fuel economy.

 

[tpenfield]

Have you checked the towing capacities of each truck? I think the 3.5 Ecoboost ( turbo ) is on the lower end of the F-150 towing ratings. The 2WD Ram is probably similar.

i wouldn’t be afraid of towing with the Ecoboost, as long as you stay within the rating.

 

[SDSeville]

Have you checked the towing capacities of each truck? I think the 3.5 Ecoboost ( turbo ) is on the lower end of the F-150 towing ratings. The 2WD Ram is probably similar.

i wouldn’t be afraid of towing with the Ecoboost, as long as you stay within the rating.

The dealer says this truck is rated for 13,200 lbs. because it has the "max tow package" which I am guessing is just lower gearing and suspension.

 

[SDSeville]

Been thinking about Jimmbo's comment. What are everyone's thoughts on the longevity of the ecoboost?

 

[BRICH1260]

I`d go with the eco boost and 4x4. I`ve never had good experiences with Chrysler products in the past. They`re lots of eco`s on the road and the people that I know that have them love them.

 

[82rude]

Know a few people that tow larger travel trailers with the 3.5 eco and their totally happy and a couple are high milers also ,so their reliable.Seeing as how your towing light at 4000 have you thought about the 5 litre ford?Plenty of non-turbo power.My best friend has a 2013 5 litre 4x4 and loves it .

 

[alldodge]

The dealer says this truck is rated for 13,200 lbs. because it has the "max tow package" which I am guessing is just lower gearing and suspension.

I don't see either of those trucks being able to pull 13K off the show room. Most require to get the full tow capabilities will require load distribution hitches and that's another $1000

Side story but is about the V8 hemi 2WD pulling a boat up the hill from the ramp. This is a steep climb and close to the top it's 30 sum degrees.

Older 29 foot twin Bayliner cruiser, guy says the boat listed as 8K dry
Tri axle trailer maybe 2K
Gear and fuel on boat maybe 2k

So maybe the boat weighted more then 8 K but in any case the rig made it to almost the top when the truck could pull no more. Asked if I could get them to the top and he could take it from there. Got my 2500 and some chains, pulled them all up the hill. Told the guy its your boat but you don't have enough truck. He took my offer to park his boat and got someone else to pull the boat to Louisville

 

[SDSeville]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Just spoke with the Dodge dealer and they said they would give me 4 wheel drive for just about the same price. Now it's more apples to apples.

 

[alldodge]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Just spoke with the Dodge dealer and they said they would give me 4 wheel drive for just about the same price. Now it's more apples to apples.

Yes, and with 4x4 you get Low range and a lot more pulling power if ya need it

 

[jimmbo]

The ecoboost, like all DI engines gets carbon deposit build up on the intake valves. Which will cause eratic operation and set CEL. Normally these can be cleaned chemically, but doing that on the Turbocharged Ecoboost usually results in a destroyed turbo. Ford solution was to replace the cylinder head(s). That's fine while the engine is under warranty, but at some point it will become an owner expense. The alternate is to pull the heads and scrape the carbon off the valves, that too is not cheap. These problems were well documented, and I think there is still a class action suit against Ford still ongoing

 

[tpenfield]

The dealer says this truck is rated for 13,200 lbs. because it has the "max tow package" which I am guessing is just lower gearing and suspension.

I'd double-check the dealer's comment with the actual stats from Ford (look online) . I have a hard time believing an Ecoboost 3.5 could do 13,200 pounds.

I take that back . . . I looked it up . . . Ford brochure 13,200 lbs for the 3.5 ecoboost.

 

[MTboatguy]

I'd double-check the dealer's comment with the actual stats from Ford (look online) . I have a hard time believing an Ecoboost 3.5 could do 13,200 pounds.

I take that back . . . I looked it up . . . Ford brochure 13,200 lbs for the 3.5 ecoboost.

With the way they are playing with the gears now a days, I am not surprised that they are rating it that high, of course that is on flat level ground with little or no extra load in the trailer, they started playing this game back in about 2006 when I was helping my buddy out at his RV shop and in my opinion they have just got worse over the years. When people would come in and tell us what the tow rating was on their new truck, we would automatically downgrade by 25% and get into a reasonable load with the correct assessories to haul that load.

A ecoboost with full rated load on it, would really be working very hard out here in the west in the Rocky mountains, hell my warmed over 5.3 can strain a bit in the Chevy when I am towing at almost full load. Towing at altitude is hard on trucks and my average tow is over 4500 feet, it can strain it.

 

[jimmbo]

I think they are including the weight of the truck, passengers, and cargo in the truck box in that number

 

[55Crestliner]

I happen to have a bit of experience with both. I have a Dodge Magnum with Hemi, and a 2013 F150 with ecoboost.
Both trucks are going to tow your 4000 with ease, but I have to agree with what others mentioned - I personally would be a bit squeamish about hauling a heavy trailer on long hilly trips with a twin turbo small displacement engine. Yes, the engine can do the job just fine, but for how long?

You might ask why I have an ecoboost then. Well, my boats are very light in comparison, and a huge majority of my driving is empty around town (as is 99% of truck owners)

The eco has a lot of power, and more importantly, a lot of torque for such a small engine and a 1/2 ton truck.
But even my small trailer (700# - 1000#?) is felt in the acceleration.
The Hemi is truly a far better hauler for what I pull, but to be fair, the vehicle is a lot less weight than my truck.

Someone mentioned that Dodge has a bad rep, and there are lots of 3.5's on the road. Same can be said the other way around, or about any two brands you want to choose.

What it would come down to for me, if I was choosing, would be based on how many miles a year you plan to tow your trailer. And what one do you like the look and feel of more? Overall, you probably will be happy with just about anything similar of any brand.

As a side note, I bought the F150 because it had the most back seat room. I'm tall, and so are my kids. The Dodge has less headroom, especially back seat. It was a no-brainer.

 

[tpenfield]

375 HP out of a 3.5 L engine (210 Cu In. +/- ) . . . that is a crazy amount of power. If I ever get a truck, that would be on my short list. Could even tow my 330 SS :thumb: