Truck question.

[Thalasso]

Re: Truck question.

Your doing better then any one else. Even though i doubt it. Is your driving all down hill?

2013 Toyota Tundra MPG - Gas Mileage Data | Edmunds.com
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15MPG
EPA Combined city/hwy
13city18highway


2013 Toyota Tundra 4WD 8 cyl, 5.7 L, Automatic (S6), Regular Gasoline
Compare2013 Toyota Tundra 4WD


Gas Mileage of 2013 Toyota Tundra - Fuel Economy
Gas Mileage of 2013 Toyota Tundra
View MPG Estimates Shared By Vehicle Owners
13 City
15 Combined
17Highway



?Fuel economy: Gasoline 13 MPG city, 17 MPG highway, 14 MPG combined and 370 mi. range
Read more: New 2013 Toyota Tundra Performance Specs - 2013 Toyota Tundra Performance Specifications - Motor Trend Magazine

 

[Slide]

Re: Truck question.

There's part of your problem. They redid the Tow Ratings a couple years back so that all the manufacturers, theoretically of course, are now on the same playing field. My '07 Toyota Tundra was rated at 10,500 towing with the tow package and 5.7L V8. That same truck in a '13 model year is now rated to 9500. So that 9000 lb boat is now incredibly close to the Tundra's rating. I wouldn't do it unless I was on flat land and only a mile or two away from a ramp - personal preference.

I wouldn't trust the new F150's with the V6 turbos pulling that kind of weight until there is real world data that with Ford's implementation that they can withstand towing that kind of load. I, again personal preference, like displacement of a V8 - there's no substitute.

For your load, I'd step up to a 2500 or 3500 if its indeed 9000lbs. You'll stop and start better with a heavier duty truck.

Then again, since SWMBO wants a Tundra, you could parley this into a 2 vehicle purchase...Tundra for her and a 2500 for you!

Performance-wise, if you are pushing the max load in a half ton, Ford's Ecoboost is the best option. That motor produces more peak torque than any other offering, and also hits peak torque at 2k RPM and holds it through the entire powerband. A comparable V8 does not produce peak torque until you get very high in the revs.

EB has been on the market for 4 years and there are no more horror stories than any other engine line. I am very happy with mine and regularly hauled a 7k-lb boat for several seasons. I would not hesitate to put 9k behind it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Truck question.

So far at 100K miles on my Dodge the only repair I've had is a pair of $100 transmission lines. Most new trucks don't have many repairs these days. At 100K its still a baby.

That is the fun of stats... You are an outlier, every stat has them. At the other end of the spectrum, there is some dodge guy who has replaced 2 transmissions and 3 engines at your mileage, and a whole bunch of people in the middle of the bell curve. The important part isn't to look at the individual, but the entire group, and figure out the median.

You mention most new trucks.... I've known 3 different individuals that have had relatively new jeep liberties. They have spent more on repair costs combined than what I spent to buy my last vehicle!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Truck question.

That is the fun of stats... You are an outlier, every stat has them. At the other end of the spectrum, there is some dodge guy who has replaced 2 transmissions and 3 engines at your mileage, and a whole bunch of people in the middle of the bell curve. The important part isn't to look at the individual, but the entire group, and figure out the median.

Well, I can tell you from the Dodge forum that I haven't heard of a single trans or full engine failure in a 4th Gen Ram. The only common complaint is the rear axles that went out before the recall for the bad pinion nut.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Truck question.

Performance-wise, if you are pushing the max load in a half ton, Ford's Ecoboost is the best option. That motor produces more peak torque than any other offering, and also hits peak torque at 2k RPM and holds it through the entire powerband. A comparable V8 does not produce peak torque until you get very high in the revs.

I have friends that are over 100k miles on an ecoboost truck already, with over half of it pulling some fairly heavy loads. They are very, very happy with them! The closest thing to a diesel that you can buy in a half ton truck, today at least. Durability has been shown to be excellent.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Truck question.

Well, I can tell you from the Dodge forum that I haven't heard of a single trans or full engine failure in a 4th Gen Ram. The only common complaint is the rear axles that went out before the recall for the bad pinion nut.

I have a 2004 Ram with the 545RFE (hemi trans) and it is on its way out. I figured I am going to drive it till it gives up. But, even with this problem I would buy another in a second.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Truck question.

lets admit it. With any newer truck your risk for issues are very small in the first 100K. Yes there are always some issues but its not like in the 80's and 90's where everyone was making questionable vehicles. I remember Dodge had a good reputation for rust and bad transmissions, GMs were just cheap junk and Fords were the truck to have. Over the years this maker has done better than that maker. Reputations live for a long time. Look at Toyota, they have had lots and lots of recalls and quality issues in the past 5 years but because they have given people 30 years of good cars it will take a lot to destroy that reputation.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Truck question.

I have friends that are over 100k miles on an ecoboost truck already, with over half of it pulling some fairly heavy loads. They are very, very happy with them! The closest thing to a diesel that you can buy in a half ton truck, today at least. Durability has been shown to be excellent.

I couldnt imagine the repair bill if and when something goes wrong with the eco-boost. I know most indepedent shops wont touch them. So most anything has to be done at the stealership.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Truck question.

I have a 2004 Ram with the 545RFE (hemi trans) and it is on its way out. I figured I am going to drive it till it gives up. But, even with this problem I would buy another in a second.

3rd gens had a lot of transmission issues, the 6 speed used in the 2009 and up until they switched to the 8 speed has been pretty solid. Jury still out on the 8 speed since that is a relatively new setup.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Truck question.

For what it's worth, my 2008 F-150 Screw w/5.4L has been flawless (knock on wood) for 107K miles. Eats about 1/2-1qt of oil every 7,500 miles, but that's perfectly acceptable to me. I average 15mpg city, 19 highway with 3.55LS gears with E10 fuel, add 1mpg to each stat with zero-ethanol fuel. Personally, I'm not impressed with Toyota for the price. They aren't bad, but they aren't worth the highest price out of the other vehicle makers. I like the new Dodge's, but I'd still have a heck of a time convincing myself to buy one after seeing the crap products they've put out since just about forever prior to 2008 or so . . . rust, paint, trans, etc. I see Ford as the top tier truck in my book, with GM second and Dodge/Toyota tied for third, Nissan dragging at the end (we'll see what the new Titan looks like).

As was mentioned, the EcoBoost V6 in the F-150's has been holding it's own for the past few years with very few issues. It's just difficult to want to switch to a V6 when we have grown up on "no replacement for displacement", despite the numbers proving otherwise in some cases. If I were going for a new truck, the 2014 F-150 still looks like a winner at the moment with the new body style coming out. If they had an EB 5.0L or a mid-4.0L diesel option, I'd probably upgrade.

 

[zealer]

Re: Truck question.

Here's my take on a tow vehicle. If it the truck is rated to tow x amount, and the hitch/ball is rated for x amount, then I would feel absolutely fine at the maximum. Long as you're within the rating and max weight, after all, that is what the manufacturers rated it at. I would trust their data and testing. With that in mind, if a new 1/2 ton can tow 10k when properly equipped and it is properly equipped, I'd get the 1/2 ton.

Point #2: sounds like you're looking at buying a new vehicle. I wouldn't worry about reliability or common problems - it's a brand new truck. Worst case, you have warranty work done. There is always someone who has been running their truck for 20 years without oil and it still running strong. Conversely, there is always the guy who's engine sent a rod through the hood, wheels fell off and seat dropped through the floor the moment he signed the purchase contract. Sweating the small stuff can turn what should be an exciting experience into a nightmare. I just bought a used truck, but if I chose to follow the internets advice, I'd have been better off not to buy one at all, cause they all have potentially serious problems!

My opinion, buy American. They are my preference. No performance reason though.

 

[jkust]

Re: Truck question.

I've owned so many GM's over the years because in three years they depreciate so much, a Toyota would be a nice change. If I have to see the inside of a Tahoe or Suburban again I swear.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Truck question.

Well its done. I got 18K off of a new 2013 F150 Ecoboost Lariat. I pulled the boat back and boy that truck can pull it never reved over 3K) and stopping is great. 1500 series trucks have evolved so much in the past few years. Around town, well we won't talk about that but on the highway I am averaging about 22 but I only have 80 miles on the thing so its too soon to tell.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Truck question.

Well its done. I got 18K off of a new 2013 F150 Ecoboost Lariat. I pulled the boat back and boy that truck can pull it never reved over 3K) and stopping is great. 1500 series trucks have evolved so much in the past few years. Around town, well we won't talk about that but on the highway I am averaging about 22 but I only have 80 miles on the thing so its too soon to tell.

Good stuff, sounds like you stole it!!! I've heard good things about the Ecoboost 3.5L from a buddy that has one in his company truck...he loves it!! I don't think you get a bad truck with any new 1/2 ton. Differences, yes, but overall pretty good quality compared to trucks 20-25 years ago!

Post some pics!!

~Brett

 

[QC]

Re: Truck question.

I have a 5.3 in my 99 truck. I may have to add 1 qt in the 7000 mile oil change interval. Apparently, these AFM vehicles are not doing as well. Not all have the problem. May depend on how well the rings get seated.

I had an '08 GMC. Didn't use any oil. Truck was good. I could feel the AFM, but I'm pretty into that kind of stuff so I listened carefully.

 

[QC]

Re: Truck question.

"no replacement for displacement"

Actually... There are two and one of them is a turbo. I am not sure why everyone gets excited about turbos on a gasser, same technology on all of the diesels you guys recommend and the gasser has MUCH simpler exhaust after treatment. Annnnd, the cool "feel" of a diesel comes primarily from the turbo.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Truck question.

Well its done. I got 18K off of a new 2013 F150 Ecoboost Lariat.

So is this going to become your daily driver or are you keeping the Chrysler too?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Truck question.

Actually... There are two and one of them is a turbo. I am not sure why everyone gets excited about turbos on a gasser, same technology on all of the diesels you guys recommend and the gasser has MUCH simpler exhaust after treatment. Annnnd, the cool "feel" of a diesel comes primarily from the turbo.

Well, in general I agree. However, diesel engines generally have more robust components that can accept the heat/pressure associated with forced induction. The issue with gasser turbos/superchargers is that many engine designs were made as NA (and thus lighter-weight, then turbos added on after the fact. Having turbos just means more components to fail (expensive components), but they usually hold their own when not abused.

Like I mentioned, it's a difficult thing to get American truck buyers to accept the turbo-V6 over the V8, but Ford seems to have been doing a good job so far. The 2015 F-150 being 700+lbs lighter will be another "time will tell" design change.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Truck question.

So is this going to become your daily driver or are you keeping the Chrysler too?

It will be my daily driver.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Truck question.

I am going to chime in on the side discussion that is going on here.

I think we are at a really interesting place with trucks. Most Americans want their cake and to eat it too, they want their trucks and will buy whoever has the better fuel economy add that to the increase in MPG mandated by the fed and you have what I think will be a winning formula for consumers.

Everyone is going to have a different aproach to this issue. GM=smarter software, Ford=Turbo charged V6, Dodge=small Diesel, Toyota=out to lunch.

In the end the consumers will win and get their 30MPG trucks that can tow 10,000Lbs. I don't think we are more then 5-7 years away from that.

As for turbocharging a V6? Ford says that 57% of F150 buyers elect for the eco-boost over the V8. Says something about the technology. The RV/Camper folks seam to like them. How will they last? Who knows, I don't keep cars long enough to care. There may be issues or there may not.