Newer full sized pickup truck experiences?

[Wib]

I dont know if this helps at all, but I can share my recent experience with Ford. I had a 2013 f150 in the 5.0 liter V8. Bought it basically new with 10k. This January the check engine light came on at 89k miles. I keep my shit nice and never miss maintenance, synthetic oil, etc.. Took it to Ford and they said dead cylinder, 20 percent compression. New engine installed was $11k. Dealer said "good luck bro".

I couldn't get to the Toyota dealer fast enough. Got a Tacoma and couldn't be happier.

The warranty on a Ford is 3/36 B-B and 5/60 powertrain. Exactly the same as Toyo. The Toyo dealer would tell you exactly the same thing in the same situation, except the price would be noticeably higher. Toyo dealerships have shops as big as Ford dealers, and there's a reason for that. You can extend that warranty if you're concerned about it. If you don't no dealer or company is going to pay your bill.

 

[Strider1967]

Hmmm, I have a 2012 F150 5.0 Lariat and have had nothing but good luck with it. It has 86K and is getting better gas mileage now than when it was a 50k. Sorry you had issues with yours, but all I have heard and experienced are good things about the 5.0 and eco-boost engines.

 

[Idaho_Potato]

The warranty on a Ford is 3/36 B-B and 5/60 powertrain. Exactly the same as Toyo. The Toyo dealer would tell you exactly the same thing in the same situation, except the price would be noticeably higher. Toyo dealerships have shops as big as Ford dealers, and there's a reason for that. You can extend that warranty if you're concerned about it. If you don't no dealer or company is going to pay your bill.

I was aware it wasn't under warranty and didn't expect them to do anything about it. I made the comment because I found it distasteful that a Ford service tech would say "good luck bro" to a customer after telling him his pickup is worth scrap value. His exact words.

 

[Wib]

I was aware it wasn't under warranty and didn't expect them to do anything about it. I made the comment because I found it distasteful that a Ford service tech would say "good luck bro" to a customer after telling him his pickup is worth scrap value. His exact words.

Yes, I totally agree about that and should have been brought to the attention of the owner. I don't think he was being sarcastic, techs rarely get to talk to customers (nor should) because that is not their element. Now if the Service Manager or a Writer said that it would have been even worse, that is their element.

 

[manitou1]

The new Tundras are scheduled for this fall if you can wait. 450 hp, 500 ft lbs of torque and 30 mpg are the said numbers on this new beast.
Otherwise, I would lean toward the Ram/hemi. I traded my 2015 Ram (high mileage) last June for a Silverado 1500. Regret it. I miss my Ram for many reasons. More rugged, better ride, more intuitive electronics, etc.

Yes, the new 1/2 ton Tundra.
Will have the twin turbo v-6 they use in the Lexus. A beast of an engine.

 

[JeffRaines]

Thanks for all the input so far guys.

Concerning the Tundra, like I originally mentioned I’m not against them at all, it’s just that there’s about 5 of them in my price range locally(within 100 miles) and they’re all at the top of it. Add in the low fuel mileage(which if I’m being honest isn’t a huge ding because no v8 is great lol) and it puts them way down the list.

Ive bought new the past few trucks I’ve had, and while I’ve been fortunate enough to not take a bath on either of them, the initial price especially now is ridiculous. A lot of guys must either be making a ton of money or are stretching those loans for 8-9 years... none of my business either way, but I’d like to not have a truck note for the next 9 years.

After reading the RAM thread it’s got me interested big time in those. I’ll add those to the test drive list. There’s a couple of rebels in my price range locally.

 

[Justinjs]

OP, how big is the trailer.and how often do you plan on hauling?

 

[JeffRaines]

OP, how big is the trailer.and how often do you plan on hauling?

It’s a 26’ camper, I want to say it’s around 7k. Only a couple times a year.
My daughter is also interested in horses(to the point of taking lessons, and I myself may be going down the same path) so horses could very well be in our future. I don’t think smaller horse trailers weight that much but I haven’t checked either.

Upgrading, while it is kinda about towing, is more about interior room.

 

[Justinjs]

It’s a 26’ camper, I want to say it’s around 7k. Only a couple times a year.
My daughter is also interested in horses(to the point of taking lessons, and I myself may be going down the same path) so horses could very well be in our future. I don’t think smaller horse trailers weight that much but I haven’t checked either.

Upgrading, while it is kinda about towing, is more about interior room.

F150 has one of the, if not the, largest rear seat. I'm 6'3" and can sit in the rear very comfortably. Also, 2.7 is reliable and gets decent mpg. The 5.0 also has a solid reputation. Ram rides nice, rear seems to be a touch smaller. Any full size is going to tow 7k, you'd have to try to find one that wouldn't.
They ALL have their own quirks and issues.

I'm in a f150 w/3.5 ecoboost at 129k... So they aren't all that bad.

 

[Haggin]

It’s a 26’ camper, I want to say it’s around 7k. Only a couple times a year.
My daughter is also interested in horses(to the point of taking lessons, and I myself may be going down the same path) so horses could very well be in our future. I don’t think smaller horse trailers weight that much but I haven’t checked either.

Upgrading, while it is kinda about towing, is more about interior room.

We have a small 2H bumper pull, slant load with a small tack room, weighs in around 3k. Sundowner so its all aluminum. a steel trailer will go up from there. figure another 1000 to 1100 per horse, and all the stuff that ends up in the tack room, and feed in the bed of the truck, and your well over 5k.

I'm in the same boat as you, only well down the horse path and daughter shows 2-3x per month March to Sept and we have a 7.3k (dry) camper that pushes 8k when loaded with all our crap for a week. While our 1/2 ton was Ok for both, puling the camper was no fun on windy days, or when trucks are passing you at 75-80mph.

We upgraded to a 3/4 ton and the experience is significantly better. Partially due to getting a gooseneck stock trailer for a small cattle business, and partly because I hated feeling stressed out hauling 6-8hrs and getting pushed around al the time. The 1/2 ton did it, but I'm sure we used up a few of its nine lives, and there is some comfort in knowing you're in a more capable vehicle towing your daughters hopes and dreams down the interstate.

To me, newer 1/2 tons are basically tall cars - comfortable ride, creature comforts, and a big trunk (I acknowledge some 3/4 tons are getting there too, theyre all suburban status symbols now).

The 3/4 ton does it all so much better and at same or better mileage, especially when towing. Yes, we got a diesel, but gas would have been fine. and we're thinking about adding a new for 7.3 gasser now so both wife and i have trucks (diesel is "hers") since we're both working from home now.

Diesel is duramax, 18ish mpg around town, not much change when pulling the horse trailer (its a short little bastard), 14ish mpg when hauling the camper or the gooseneck with 4 finished steers in it. I tow at 65mph, so that matters too. Ride is comparable to our previous F150 with the 5.0 and FX4 package.

Edited to add: We tow, a lot, probably have a trailer on every weekend for 10 months a year and sometimes 2 additional days that week, depends on the season.

 

[CHWine]

I found my used RAM on Auto trader.com. It is a 2019 with 29k miles. Carfax said it was a rental in OK. I will never buy a new car again.

 

[JeffRaines]

I found my used RAM on Auto trader.com. It is a 2019 with 29k miles. Carfax said it was a rental in OK. I will never buy a new car again.

I’ve been fortunate to not take a bath on the last two trucks I’ve bought new. With that said, I would rather buy something a couple years old with low miles in this case.

I know traditionally you could get better financing buying new, but I’ve seen where used car rates are 2.5% or so on 60-72 month loans right now. If loans stay this way it kinda removes the need to buy new to save in interest. This rate usually goes up if the vehicle is more than a couple years old though.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Yes, the new 1/2 ton Tundra.
Will have the twin turbo v-6 they use in the Lexus. A beast of an engine.

Interesting will that increase tow capacity/payload?

 

[fmyth]

The new Tundras are scheduled for this fall if you can wait. 450 hp, 500 ft lbs of torque and 30 mpg are the said numbers on this new beast.
Otherwise, I would lean toward the Ram/hemi. I traded my 2015 Ram (high mileage) last June for a Silverado 1500. Regret it. I miss my Ram for many reasons. More rugged, better ride, more intuitive electronics, etc.

If Toyota can make a 4x4 crew cab Tundra with 450hp/500tq that gets 30 mpg I'll be at the dealership with an open checkbook.

 

[prm]

I'm at a 140k miles on a 2015 F150 with the 3.5 EB engine. I tow a horse trailer on occasion and it does great. Definitely go with SuperCrew vice SuperCab. The reverse doors would be a pain with kids. I've had only two very minor fixes each of which only took me a couple minutes to correct. No, it's not a 2017, or newer, but the F150 is more of an evolution since that time. That would be a plus to me. They seem to have refined what was already a solid truck. This is the first vehicle I've wanted to keep indefinitely, and as a chronic buyer that says a lot.
It's possibly the most competitive market in the auto industry and receives the best from each of the companies as a result. The consumer wins. Pick the style and color you like, with an engine that works for your intended purpose and you'll probably be happy.

 

[TheGDog]

Do you need a truck? Just asking if the bed is something you will actually use. I have had a Tahoe for 15 years and will never buy a truck. Always had one before and thought I needed it. I have a utility trailer if I need to haul something that won’t fit in the back, but that never really happens. Mine seats 9 and I have had that many in there more than Incan count. Also nice not worrying about someone just taking something out of the bed when parked. I can sleep in it and do t worry about my gear getting wet. It has been amazing and also has been to just about every state in the Union, except for the North East. Just something to think about.

Ya know I have to say he's got a point here. I've always gotten pickup because I've been heavy into motos/MTB. But last few years vision has tanked and now lower back is gonna require work so realistically may not need the bed. Although I will say Mama has gotten use out of the bed when she re-did the backyard with her project. Hauling decomposed granite and rolls of synthetic grass, palette of huge 2'x2' stepping stones was interesting how much it made the vehicle sink down! (hehe)

So if you have another truck to haul dirty stuff... I dunno... the SUV idea might be the hot ticket for hunting. Just make sure to get one of those blood bins for the back area.

 

[kevin11mee]

I have an F150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost and it's a great truck. I guess it all depends what you want and what you want to spend (like a rifle). For me, having the same motor Ford uses for the Baja 500 is assurance enough for reliability of the 3.5 Ecoboost. The interior of the Ford's tends to be a bit plain(unless you spend quite a bit), so if you like lots of big screens and fancy interiors, I'd look at Dodge or Chevy. To me, the Tundra was a fantastic truck 10-15 years ago but it's been passed up by Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. The cab on the F150 is quite roomy but the bed is 5.5 feet and can fill up quick.

 

[Flyjunky]

Good comments so far.

It doesn't matter what truck you talk about there will be good and bad experiences with every single brand, even Toyota.

I've been a Tundra fan for my last two trucks but I think I'm done with them. My 2009 Tundra had the dreaded cam tower leak, $5700 repair. People tried to get a class action suit against Toyota because it was a known problem and they didn't do anything to address it. After that truck bought a new one and have been fairly happy with it but still have problems here and there. I do all my own oil changes religiously and have been fortunate enough to fix all the minor stuff myself. The low mpg's is starting to get real old on longer trips where I seem to never be able to pass up a gas station. When hunting in remote country that becomes pita.

Both my Tundras were the double cab as I wanted a bigger bed then what the crewmax has. If you hunt more than day trips the small bed of the crewmax fills up fast, especially if you have bigger coolers filled with elk, multiple deer, etc. If Toyota would only make the crew with a 6.5' bed and 35 gallon tank, that would be help. Also, as far as power goes the Tundra is ok but remember that the torque and power on the Tundra is at much higher rpm's, not much torque on the lower end.

I'm about ready to get a new truck and think I'm headed Ram this time. My brother in law used to drive Rams but went Tundra for his next truck. He had it for a year and went back to the Ram. I'd love to be able to find a used power wagon but those are tough to find.

In the end, buy the truck that checks all the boxes for YOU because they all have problems.

 

[Throwin Darts]

F150 here and with putting kids in the backseat there is no way I’d get a Chevy/GMC. Their backseat is cramped. Ford’s is huge.

I have 110k on my ecoboost with no problems.

 

[TheGDog]

Side note: if you go F-150, ya might want to go up to a year where they switch over to a stereo unit which makes use of an in-dash screen on the unit itself. The 2014 I have, the stereo ties in with a small dot-matrix blue-led display up top and I dunno... could *possibly* present some challenges if I ever opt to upgrade it.

To that regard I'd just say make sure you get one that can play MP3's off a thumbdrive! Makes it easy to have folders that are kid-friendly, then you just opt to loop around within that folder on playback when they are in the car.

And early-on put on two-layers of sound deadender inside the doors. Will quiet the ride and greatly improve sound quality inside since the metal of the doors won't be gobbling up the soundwave energy.

Oh my prior ride (Explorer SportTrac) had a 1200 Watts RMS system, so I put 2-layers of Damplifier Pro all around the cab. It wasn't hard-to-breathe loud, but it was certain-songs-can-blur-your-vision loud. Sounded so horrible upon initial equipment upgrade installation with the rattling inside the cab. After the layers? Aw Heck Yeah! (Plus I eventually had to fix a spot-weld on the window track that broke, but that was it. Cheapie Harbor Freight inverter stick welder and bada-bing back up and running. Had that SportTrac for 17yrs!)