Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

[SeaKaye12]

Hi,<br /><br />I'm in the market for a new truck. I want an extended cab, V8, and the standard creature comforts.<br /><br />My towing requirement is for a 16' Runabout...and I'd like to be set if the future holds say; a 22' boat.<br /><br />Are any of you in a position where you get to drive a variety of vehicles in a towing environment? I'd like your opinions. <br /><br />I suppose that in the long run, all of the above are fine...but I'd like to get some feedback to help me feel comfortable with the purchase.<br /><br />Thanks for reading, Chuck

 

[tommays]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

i have used a lot of trucks and have stuck with GM because i have the best service in my area from the chevy dealer<br /><br /><br />of course if i moved i might do better with a ford or other brand because of the service<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[JB]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

Comparison tests and Consumers Reports all put the Tundra at the top, provided the Honda is not in the mix. Unfortunately, I find the Honda exceedingly ugly and wonder about tow rating.<br /><br />SIL has a Tundra Limited extended cab 4X4 V8 with which he tows a 3000lb boat package and a 2 horse trailer (not at the same time). He is very happy with it. He previously used Ford and GM trucks. I have driven it and found it superior in ride and handling to the other trucks I have driven and owned (except my MLs). About 80K and no problems.<br /><br />Feature for feature you can probably get a good Fordolet truck for less bux and find more dealerships to service it.<br /><br />My preference for quality over price would probably lead me to the Tundra. Second choice would be the F150.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

I seriously considering a Honda Ridgeline for towing my 2000lbs 18ft. Glastron. The 5000lbs tow rating would be plenty, but for the $$$ they want, I can get a nice Ford SuperCrew...so I'll probably end up with the Ford.

 

[KM2]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

I would never drive a toyota. So I say a F150. The 2005's are very, very nice. I think it would make the better tow vehicle too.

 

[ratracer]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

GM/Ford have a more durable body design, but that would shake itself out more if you were interested in plowing rather than towing as long as you followed the manufacturer guidelines/recommendations insofar as towing capacity, equipment configuration, etc. <br /><br />I never recommend Ford, because my experience (twice over) has been that if you have problems with warranty work by a dealer they will not stand behind their product. In both cases I obtained full relief through the courts. <br /><br />The one time I had a serious problem with GM (dealer admitted to a screwup with caused the engine to seize) they stood behind the dealership and made it right. YMMV.

 

[fondafj]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

Chuck,<br /> I'm not impressed with the Dodge 1500 lineup due to the light duty running gear. Actually, all the new 1/2 ton offerings look kinda like cars underneath. <br />I currently tow with a 3500 DRW 4X4 diesel Dodge and am very happy.<br /> That said - your local dealer will be the most important component. Although my truck has some warrantee work, I was very happy with the dealers response and the work performed. Not so with my wifes Honda Ridgeline. Her truck had one problem and the dealer fell flat on their face leaving us VERY dissapointed. The Honda is a really nice truck, but it may not be up to your 22' boat plans. <br /> So, drive all of them, talk to a BUNCH of people locally about the local dealer service, then ask you wife (or SO) which one she wants and buy that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[travism]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

100 different people will have 100 different experiences with the same manufacturer. It really is just a personal preference thing as far as what you are looking for and individual dealership experience. I purchased a new truck in 2004 and test drove all the full size choices. <br /><br />Myself, I bought a Nissan Titan because I liked the engine/transmission performance the best for towing, and I liked that I'd have something different than all the other truck owners on the block. To each their own, but this is one choice that has not been mentioned yet.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

I have always driven Chevy trucks. Mostly becuase GM is horrible at marketing and selling their products, so smart people can buy them quite a bit cheaper than the others if you learn their games. But given your list above, cost being no object, I'd buy the Toyota. However Travism raises a good alternative...the Titan. I'd pick that one over the Toyota right now.

 

[chugger]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

I've towed with both a Ford F150 and a Chevy K1500 and haven't noticed any difference between them in how well they tow. The thing with the Chevy though is it gives a more comfortable ride and in it's first year of use has been more reliable. It's also a little better on gas (19mpg) than the Ford was (15mpg) despite having a 5.3L engine as compared to the F150's 4.9L.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

Originally posted by KM2:<br /> I would never drive a toyota. ............

Why not? <br /><br />I traded a Toyota Tacoma for a Toyota Tundra when I bought a bigger boat. Neither one has given me one bit of trouble. And the "car" is a Toyota Corolla, the second one. The original was totaled in a wreck. Same thing, not a bit of trouble.<br /><br />And to the original poster; My 2003 V8 Tundra with factory tow package tows my 7,000 lb boat just fine.

 

[jaxsun]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

well i've had the pleasure of fixing every make mentioned(except the titan & ridgeline)after its been in a collision...the conclusion i come up with is that every one except the gm was designed by a team of rhesus monkies...also dodges fall apart after a couple of years,toyotas are like riding in a rollor coaster cart,fords are fuel gluttons that drive like tractors...go with the gm or the honda

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

F-150 over anything. Look at the frame. Fully boxed. Nobody else has it. A BIG deal if you bolt a hitch to it.<br /><br />I have personally tortured a couple 04+ 150's. They're bulletproof.

 

[ZodFutMk2]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

A while back I too went looking for a new truck. Test drove, rented, begged, borrowed and cajoled everyone and anyone for the opportunity to thrash their truck.<br /><br />They all have good points and bad points.<br /><br />In the end it came down to three simple points: 1) Caliber of the dealership; 2) The most bang for the buck; and 3) Whatever my wife said.<br /><br />I'm still driving the Honda Civic, wife said NO!<br /><br />BUT, I was leaning towards the four door Tundra, based on performance, capability and reliability. It isn't the cheapest of the group, but it's not the most expensive either. <br /><br />If you do consider the Tundra, go for the performance suspension, the ride and handling is vastly improved.

 

[jaxsun]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

dodge has a fully boxed frame and the tundra may also have it...its really not a big deal...all it does is add extra weight to burn more gas and when you do bend it theres hardly a chance to straighten it so thats all the more chance of losing your ride...gm's has hydroformed frame rails up front which is really the only place you need the extra strength...dont be suckered in by commercials...like the ones that advertise fords bed bolts....they hang the whole truck by one but when you try to remove one the head strips out or its so rusted that the folding nut around the frame breaks and you have to get under the truck with a torch to remove a bolt...somthing that could have been so simple...just and example of one of fords "better" ideas

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

If you decide on Ford, you might find this interesting:<br /><br /> FTE Purchase Program<br /><br />ask for:<br />FTE Sponsor<br />Jeff Clark, Van Bortel Ford <br />585-924-9525<br /><br />I got my new E350 from Jeff and couldn't be happier! It took us 13,000 miles to Alaska and back with nary a glitch. <br /><br />

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

dodge has a fully boxed frame and the tundra may also have it...its really not a big deal...all it does is add extra weight to burn more gas

The Tundra DOES NOT have a fully boxed frame, nor does Dodge.<br /><br />Box flex has been an issue with Toyota. Breaking welds, etc. Dodge was OK.<br /><br />I've seen stripped frames tested from all the biggies. The Ford frame was the clear winner.<br /><br />If you want MPG, buy a compact, If you want a truck-for life-buy a Ford.<br /><br />BTW, My '05' F-150 4X4 Lariat, Super Crew nets an honest 16 on the highway. And it will tow 9K plus. I've towed 8K with it.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

I'm also ready for a new truck...for 4 years I've had a 2001 F150 Supercrew. It's truly been a great vehicle but I'm getting disapointed. The only heavy work I do with it is pull a 3000# boat twice per year, 100 miles each time and a small utility trailer (1000#) a few times per year...and the front end isn't standing up at all. I use this truck like a passenger car and ball joints have failed, tie rod-ends are failing and the front end steering components are fast wearing. This vehicle has less than 90K miles on it and is supposed to be FORD TOUGH. My Honda and Nissan products go 150K no problem! This time around I think I'll try Honda or Nissan for a truck.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

They all build a good truck - but don't spend your money until you look at the Nissans. <br /><br />I won't get into the argument about which is best, or which offers better dealer service - that's a matter of personal experience for each of us and it's more about which dealer, not which manufacturer.<br /><br />With that said, I've had most before and have always found the Nissans to offer Toyota-like quality at or below the price of the others. Now that Nissan is offering full size trucks there's no reason anyone buying a truck shouldn't at least consider them.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Opinions: Tundra, Silverado, F150, Dodge 1500

Box flex has been an issue with Toyota. Breaking welds, etc.

OK, post a link to some facts.