Ford/chevy truck

[Brad H.]

Hi... is anyone currently driving a 2015 2.7 or 3.5 Eco boost Ford Truck or a 4.3 or 5.3 Chevy Truck and most important occasionally hauling a enclosed car hauler and corvette with them? Seem's that ford smaller engines have more horse and torque. will all of these work fine for a couple times a year hauling? I would like to hear all four scenarios so I may be able to choose which truck to get. I am most interested how your 2.7or 3.5 ecos work. I think they get a little better mpg. Do they have more power than the chev? Don't want a bigger gas guzzler. Thanks, Brad.

[Reggie M.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

Brad...don't overlook the need for brakes, cooling and suspension. I have used a 1/2 ton truck (Ford or Chevy) very successfully with an open aluminum trailer and a Corvette. When I pull an enclosed trailer with a Corvette I have had to step up to a minimum 3/4 ton vehicle.

[Patrick S.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

I have a 2015 GMC Sierra with a 6.2 L (420 HP / 460 ft.lbs) and I got 24 mpg on a recent trip to FL. I am towing to Charlotte tomorrow and I will see how I do for millage (enclosed trailer with Vette). Around town the millage can be has been close to 20 thanks to the 8 to 4 setup for fuel management. Wicked truck!!!

[Jim L.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

When I pull an enclosed trailer with a Corvette I have had to step up to a minimum 3/4 ton vehicle.

I agree completely with this. Sure, you might "get away" with pulling an enclosed trailer with a lesser vehicle, but it's just not a good idea.

I "got away" with towing my car on an open trailer with a V6 Blazer for a few years..... until I killed the transmission.

Now I tow an enclosed trailer using a 3/4 ton Dodge with a Cummins Diesel and it's night and day different from towing with that little Blazer.

Do yourself a favor.... if you are going to tow, get a tow vehicle which is designed for the task. You won't regret it.

Jim

[Duke W.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

The problem with turbocharged engines is that the turbos usually fail long before the engine or tranmission need to be overhauled, especially if it sees a lot of high load such as towing, so if you plan on keeping it a long time...

IMO the naturally aspirated Chevy small block is a better choice for the long run, even if it uses a little more fuel, the present value of which is likely much less than the present value of replacing turbos before you hit the 100K mile mark. Maybe the industry is doing a better job with turbos, nowadays, but in my experience they just don't last, and it will take time before we know if the Ford turbos last longer than typical in the past.

And as recommended, always get the maximum tow package option offered.

Gearing is really important, especially if you have to deal with long grades. Any engine operates most efficiently at or a little below the torque peak, so that's where you want to keep it on a long upgrade, and assuming fuel enrichment is activated by a WOT switch, keep the throttle just under WOT so the switch is not closed.

Turbos typically have very flat torque curves, even flatter than modern NA engines which have pretty flat curves, so consider the torque peak to be the point where it begins to drop off, which is typically in the 3500-4000 RPM range.

[Larry E.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

Hi... is anyone currently driving a 2015 2.7 or 3.5 Eco boost Ford Truck or a 4.3 or 5.3 Chevy Truck and most important occasionally hauling a enclosed car hauler and corvette with them? Seem's that ford smaller engines have more horse and torque. will all of these work fine for a couple times a year hauling? I would like to hear all four scenarios so I may be able to choose which truck to get. I am most interested how your 2.7or 3.5 ecos work. I think they get alittle better mpg. Do they have more power than the chev? Don't want a bigger gas guzzler. Thanks, Brad.

Brad: I tow a enclosed 18' United trailer (MT Wt@2800#) with Corvette or Camaro inside. My 5.3 V8 2014 shortbed Silverado pulls it like a dream. Don't even know it's behind me till I look. (Almost all flat land;Illinois) Engine is rated at 355 HP; can't believe those small Fords have
that much horse. Larry

[Paul S.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

6.2 chevy/ gmc works fine for hauling a corvette

[Richard M.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

Brad, you don't regret the smoothness and torque of the Chevy V8, plus the better 100,000 mi. powertrain warranty.

[Brad H.]

Re: Ford/chevy truck

Thank you all for your input. Brad.