EcoBoost or 5.3 GM?

BMVillines · 06-09-2016, 08:09 AM

Pulling my 30RK with an 08' GMC 1500 with a 5.3 (315 HP?). For local trips it tows fine (less than 4 hrs). Up grades I can pull 45mph in 2nd gear, but if I get stuck behind a big rig doing 30 then I am screwed. I loose all my momentum and truck gets hot trying to build it back up. The other thing that gets me is in 08' they still had a 4 speed. Even doing 62 on a flat road, my truck will not pull my trailer in 4th gear without the tranny getting hot or shifting between 3rd & 4th constantly. I want to start taking some out of state trips, but fuel economy and noise is killing me.

Looking at either an EcoBoost or a new GM. Just curious what your experiences are with either?

*disclaimer- price of diesel trucks in Commiefornia is a joke. Since addition of DPF/Urea and Smog, the price of used diesel pickups has skyrocketed. Can't afford a new one. A used d-max in decent shape is hard to find and about $35k+. That's 10 years old with over 100K miles. Might as well buy a 2 year old F-150 Lariat or 1500 LTZ/SLT for that kind of money.

Pro BSer · 06-09-2016, 08:32 AM

I for one cannot say anything good or bad about the GM product. However as a former owner of a 2013 F-150 EcoBoost I must say I was more than pleased with its performance.
I used it for three years towing a light weight fiver 34', 7200 lbs dry weight (I never scaled it loaded). I had it over the many of the Colorado passes including Raton Pass, the highest interstate pass in the nation. It never missed a lick. Most of the time I drove at an easy pace of 60-65 MPH depending on conditions such as wind using cruise control in drive.
I was extremely pleased with the truck.
My fiver upgraded and gained considerable weight

which is why I now have a Ram diesel. If ford had made a 3/4 ton with an EcoBoost I would have bought it!

**mark5w** · 06-09-2016, 01:52 PM

I've been pulling my Cruiser with my Eco boost for almost 4 seasons. Never had a problem. Lot's of torque. If you compare the 2 trucks it's not even close. In addition, I have the heavy duty towing AND payload option. My bed can hold almost 2400 lbs. That's important. Any other question, pm me and I'll do my best to answer.

CFun · 06-10-2016, 06:59 AM

Of the two, the Eco-boost is definitely the better setup.

You said no diesel, but if you are purchasing a new truck and not used, you may want to look into the Nissan with the Cummins diesel. I was able to get mine for nearly $10K less than a comparably equiped F-150 Eco-boost. The DEF isn't that bad, I am adding 2 1/2 gallons about every 1200 miles. Can buy the DEF for $15.

superduty glampers · 06-10-2016, 07:37 AM

You my want to look into a gas Super Duty, I paid less for mine then a buddy of mine did for an Eco-boost F-150.

ewbldavis · 06-10-2016, 10:20 AM

x2 on the gas 2500. If you don't want a ton of bells & whistles, you can order one for less than most 1500's. I've considered it for when my lease is up.

superduty glampers · 06-10-2016, 10:28 AM

Another thing is, I have more payload then a lot of diesel 350's. I ordered mine with a 4.30 rear axle to get the most tow rating.

Dayle1 · 06-10-2016, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro BSer

I had it over the many of the Colorado passes including Raton Pass, the highest interstate pass in the nation.

I have never considered Raton Pass to be much of a challenge and certainly not the highest interstate pass, so here is what I found.

1. Colorado- Eisenhower Tunnel (I-70) 11,292 ft.
2. Colorado- Vail Pass (I-70) 10,662 ft.
3. Wyoming- Sherman Hill Summit (I-80) 8,640 ft.
4. Utah- Salina Summit (I-70) 7,923 ft.
5. New Mexico- Raton Pass (I-25) 7,830 ft.
6. California- Donner Summit (I-80) 7,239 ft.
7. Arizona- Hermann Pass (I-17) @7,000 ft.
8. Nevada- Pequop Summit (I-80) 6,967 ft.
9. Idaho/Montana- Monida Pass (I-15) 6,823 ft.

**Lloyd** · 06-10-2016, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMVillines

Pulling my 30RK with an 08' GMC 1500 with a 5.3 (315 HP?). For local trips it tows fine (less than 4 hrs). Up grades I can pull 45mph in 2nd gear, but if I get stuck behind a big rig doing 30 then I am screwed. I loose all my momentum and truck gets hot trying to build it back up. The other thing that gets me is in 08' they still had a 4 speed. Even doing 62 on a flat road, my truck will not pull my trailer in 4th gear without the tranny getting hot or shifting between 3rd & 4th constantly. I want to start taking some out of state trips, but fuel economy and noise is killing me.

Looking at either an EcoBoost or a new GM. Just curious what your experiences are with either?

*disclaimer- price of diesel trucks in Commiefornia is a joke. Since addition of DPF/Urea and Smog, the price of used diesel pickups has skyrocketed. Can't afford a new one. A used d-max in decent shape is hard to find and about $35k+. That's 10 years old with over 100K miles. Might as well buy a 2 year old F-150 Lariat or 1500 LTZ/SLT for that kind of money.

A couple years back we took a trip to South Fork CO.
We pulled over la veta pass. They claim the elevation is 9,426.
I had the cruise set about 58 mph and that is what we were doing when we hit the top.
What you decide for a future trailer should govern what your needs for a new truck will be.
For the size of our rig, I'm totally satisfied with my truck.
Good luck in the hunt. That's half the fun.

Pro BSer · 06-11-2016, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayle1

I have never considered Raton Pass to be much of a challenge and certainly not the highest interstate pass, so here is what I found.

1. Colorado- Eisenhower Tunnel (I-70) 11,292 ft.
2. Colorado- Vail Pass (I-70) 10,662 ft.
3. Wyoming- Sherman Hill Summit (I-80) 8,640 ft.
4. Utah- Salina Summit (I-70) 7,923 ft.
5. New Mexico- Raton Pass (I-25) 7,830 ft.
6. California- Donner Summit (I-80) 7,239 ft.
7. Arizona- Hermann Pass (I-17) @7,000 ft.
8. Nevada- Pequop Summit (I-80) 6,967 ft.
9. Idaho/Montana- Monida Pass (I-15) 6,823 ft.

I stand corrected, not the highest but the steepest.

**Lloyd** · 06-11-2016, 09:59 AM

Nope. Not the steepest either.

Raton
I-25
7,834’
6%

Slumgullion
SH 149
11,361’
9.4% N; 7.9% S

johnboytoo · 06-12-2016, 01:19 PM

There you guys go with FACTS !!!!

So disappointing in a good argument

Don't you know you're supposed to use feelings and opinions ?!?

r2millers · 06-12-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayle1

I have never considered Raton Pass to be much of a challenge and certainly not the highest interstate pass, so here is what I found.

1. Colorado- Eisenhower Tunnel (I-70) 11,292 ft.
2. Colorado- Vail Pass (I-70) 10,662 ft.
3. Wyoming- Sherman Hill Summit (I-80) 8,640 ft.
4. Utah- Salina Summit (I-70) 7,923 ft.
5. New Mexico- Raton Pass (I-25) 7,830 ft.
6. California- Donner Summit (I-80) 7,239 ft.
7. Arizona- Hermann Pass (I-17) @7,000 ft.
8. Nevada- Pequop Summit (I-80) 6,967 ft.
9. Idaho/Montana- Monida Pass (I-15) 6,823 ft.

How about the Beartooth northeast of Yellowstone. That's a crazy pass.

**Lloyd** · 06-12-2016, 02:54 PM

It's a beautiful, breath taking area.

But I think we are getting off topic from what Ben started this thread as.

Approaching Beartooth Pass from the west along the Beartooth Highway
Elevation 10,947 ft (3,337 m) Traversed by U.S. Route 212 Location Montana / Wyoming, United States Range Beartooth Mountains Coordinates

44°58.1′N 109°27.9′

travelin texans · 06-12-2016, 05:58 PM

The only draw back to the Eco Boost is it comes in the F O R D, that would be a deal breaker for me...

**mark5w** · 06-12-2016, 06:04 PM

But you have a GMC, seem like you'd buy anything.

travelin texans · 06-12-2016, 10:29 PM

Yep, as long as it isn't built by Ford!!!

**Lloyd** · 06-13-2016, 07:44 AM

Lets keep the truck wars posts on the truck wars thread.

http://www.crossroadsowners.com/foru...tml#post113909

Some of us have already trashed this thread enough.

twaynedaniel · 06-15-2016, 06:14 PM

Get the F250 with big gas v8. The heavier suspension will make all the difference in the world.

BMVillines · 06-16-2016, 08:33 AM

After an exhaustive search, I brought home the new (to me) truck. I would have loved to buy a brand new truck, but that's a little out of reach for me at this point. I could not find a nice 2014-2015 chevy/gmc that I could afford. 2014 is when GM went to the 355 horse engine. Also, could not find any gas 3/4 ton trucks. As heavy of an AG region I live in, those trucks don't come up used too often. When they do, they are beat.

I used my brothers 2013 3/4 ton chevy with a 6.0, my buddy's 2014 chevy with helper bags, and a buddy's 2013 ecoboost with bags to test pull my trailer. I don't know a single person with a 3/4 ton gas ford.

Long story short, I bought a 2013 f-150 ecoboost. It was in my price range and had the options I wanted. I already ordered helper bags from Summit Racing. I think the chevy is a little nicer truck, but the ford should do just fine. We have a small fleet of f-150 ecoboost pickups at work and they have 150K+ miles with no problems.

Thanks for all your posts'

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