Hi, I am a big fan of the show. Love your dedication to the community. Keep it up!!
The price is not an issue. I am deciding between the Ram 1500, Chevy 1500 and the Ford F-150. You don't like Chevy but what about its 3.0 L Duramax engine. Honestly, prefer a diesel don't know which truck to buy.
Adding @USAFdozerpilot to the discussion
Fast, Cheap, Reliable: “Pick any 2 of the 3, but you can’t have all 3” — a wise mechanic once told me (when talking about sports cars). I feel the same about trucks except it’s Towing/Fuel Economy, Cheap, Reliability: “Pick any 2 of the 3, but you can’t have all 3”
You didn’t mention towing capacity. That being said, if buying brand new and wanting to keep for as long as possible with minimal issues go with the Toyota Tundra. Otherwise, I recommend going used and getting a 2015-2017 Ford F-150 with the 2nd Gen Coyote 5.0L and 6-speed AT (both true and tried). You can also go with the previous generation 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 1st Gen 5.0L. But avoid the Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500, also avoid any F-150s with the V8 (3rd Gen) which came out for 2018 model year to the present (and in 2021 they also introduced cylinder deactivation), as well as any with the Ecoboost engines or 10-speed AT.
Haha @daywalker you hit the nail right on the head. 1st paragraph is spot on and we Americans need to understand this we can’t have it all when it comes to trucks. Something will always be sacrificed.
Unfortunately, you can’t have all of the reliability, fuel economy and towing capacity together.
Get a Tundra. If you have to choose between your suggestions, get the V8 F150 for longevity.
The only reason you buy a truck is towing capacity and reliability. You don't buy it necessarily for fuel economy. So I advise getting the Tundra before the new Tundras come out with the hybrid powertrain.
If it's gonna be a half ton, forget the Ram and the Chevy. Get the Ford but only with a V8.
Towing and fuel economy don’t make sense. If you want true fuel economy don’t buy a truck.
My top 2 half ton trucks
2013-17 F150 w/ 5.0 V8
2013-2015 Toyota Tundra 5.7 V8
And that’s it for me really, Fords ecoboosts are improving but certainly not great yet. The newer 5.0s are all screwed up so stay away from those. 10 speed tranny……. Eh not there yet.
Tundra speaks for itself, literally hasn’t changed really at all. The 5.7 is a strong motor. Not huge on those 8 speed trannies but they aren’t the worst.
if you want to actually tow consistently move up to 3/4 ton gas or diesel cause the 1/2 ton truck market is weak right now.
if it’s just a pavement princess that you can show off your boat or side by side every now and than I’d chase the Ford just cause the Tundra is more expensive BUT if budget isn’t an issue get the Tundra.
