Lets talk about trucks.

[IgiTang]

I test drove a Dodge Ram 3.0L Eco Diesel Longhorn Edition a couple of months ago and it was absolutely beautiful! I have never been a fan of Dodge until driving that Truck. If you ever get the chance, I strongly recommend it.

[roadblock]

Originally Posted by gasman

I have a 2013 F150 Lariat HD.

I can vouch for the F150 ecoboost mileage that was reported earlier in the thread. I routinely get about 15-16L/100km city driving and right around 24L/100km towing a 26ft trailer.

While the "tow ratings" are really high on half tons, you are almost always limited by the payload capacity of your truck. the rating might say it is north of 10,000 pounds, but unless your trailer floats behind you the real limit will be a lot closer to 6-7000 pounds. due to the rating of your rear axle. Generally speaking as you move up in trim level, you move down in payload.

I am sold on Ford Trucks, Out of the three F150's I have owned I have never had any issues with any of them.

I have the 2014 GMC Sierra crew cab all terrain and get 12.5L/ 100km routinely in the city. 5.3L v8 ecotec better than fords v6 ecoboost. Plus the room in the back on the crew cab is just as big if not more than the fords now. All Terrain edition is sick too

[gasman]

Originally Posted by roadblock

I have the 2014 GMC Sierra crew cab all terrain and get 12.5L/ 100km routinely in the city. 5.3L v8 ecotec better than fords v6 ecoboost. Plus the room in the back on the crew cab is just as big if not more than the fords now. All Terrain edition is sick too

Have you towed with the truck? I really like the exterio styling of the new GMC's, but I have always found the cabs somewhat uncomfortable. The biggest complaint I have heard from Chev/GMC owners is that the suspension is way too soft, which makes for a really nice ride when you are putting around the city, but really annoying when you are hauling any load or pulling a trailer.

[Top Shelf]

I am biased of course, but I like the current generation of Ram trucks. They improved the interior drastically over the previous gen, I believe the current model also has a 9-speed transmission and the new Eco Diesel engine is finally available.

I also think appearance wise, the Ram is the best looking out of all the trucks. I know that might not be the most important thing, but remember you have to look at that thing on your driveway for the next however many years.



Also, any truck looks 10 times better once its lifted, or at the very least leveled. Lots of nice looking F-150's, Silverados, Sierras, and even Tundras and Titans look nice lifted.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

Also, any truck looks 10 times better once its lifted, or at the very least leveled.

No, just no. Sorry but "levelled trucks" are my biggest pet peeve when it comes to vehicle modifications. Why do trucks come with a rake? To carry a load. Why do you buy a truck? To carry a load. Just say No to levelling kits!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by kevman

No, just no. Sorry but "levelled trucks" are my biggest pet peeve when it comes to vehicle modifications. Why do trucks come with a rake? To carry a load. Why do you buy a truck? To carry a load. Just say No to levelling kits!

As a truck owning virgin can you please explain:

Rake and levelling

[Top Shelf]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

As a truck owning virgin can you please explain:

Rake and levelling

If you look at most trucks that come from the factory, the front of the truck points down and the rear of the truck is higher. That is rake. Its so that when you put a load in the truck, for example when pulling a trailer, the load pushes the rear of the truck down so that it is level.

Levelling kits basically put a block or spacer in the front of the truck so that it looks "level" without a load

[Top Shelf]

Here is a good before and after. Bottom is factory rake, top has a 2.5 inch lift in the front and 1.5 inch lift in the back

[WCan_Kid]

And if you're really worried about keeping it level under load, add airbags.

[Table 5]

I prefer the bottom picture.

[undercoverbrother]

I must say I prefer the bottom picture as well.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

Levelling kits basically put a block or spacer in the front of the truck so that it looks "level" without a load

And then you add a load and it looks like you're driving a first gen 4runner from the 80's. It also means you'll get wandering steering and a light road feel when under load. Pretty much a levelling kit will ensure your truck drives like it's overloaded any time you have something in the bed.

[burn_this_city]

You can only compare wheel gap in those pics. Top picture looks much better than the cat in heat on the bottom.

Originally Posted by kevman

And then you add a load and it looks like you're driving a first gen 4runner from the 80's. It also means you'll get wandering steering and a light road feel when under load. Pretty much a levelling kit will ensure your truck drives like it's overloaded any time you have something in the bed.

The leaf springs have more to do with that than a leveling kit.

[kevman]

The saggy rear end Toyota's was just an example of how silly it looks. A 500lbs/inch leaf spring is just that - the spring flexes 1" for every 500lbs of load. That's why your truck with a 1,000lbs payload has 2" of rake so that it sits level under load. All that lifting your front end does is ensure that your suspension geometry is out of whack when the rear end starts sitting lower.

Even passenger sedans and wagons have a slight rake for load handling and better road manners (including aerodynamics and fuel economy).

I could actually go one step further and say that once you're in a full size truck you're not buying a 4x4 for offroad use and you can ditch the lift (front and rear) all together but that never goes over well...

[burn_this_city]

Even the top pic has a higher rear than front. Most lifts still keep some of that bias, usually an inch higher in the back than front.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by kevman

I could actually go one step further and say that once you're in a full size truck you're not buying a 4x4 for offroad use and you can ditch the lift (front and rear) all together but that never goes over well...

careful... those be fightin' words!!

[REDVAN]

I had an 09 Ram 1500, and I would get another Ram in a heartbeat. Really loved driving that truck around.

Ford's are way to gimmicky for my tastes. Chev and GMC make a great looking truck, but I couldn't find a used one with the options that I wanted.

Tundra was also awesome, but the price was crazy for essentially a Ram knock-off. Nissan was like a baby brother version of the rest and I didn't like them.

[Nufy]

I have had an 04, 07 and currently a 2011 Ram 1500 Pickup Truck.

All were great and only required regular maintenance during the lease period.

The 2011 I bought outright and has been the same so far...

[MG153]

Originally Posted by roadblock

I have the 2014 GMC Sierra crew cab all terrain and get 12.5L/ 100km routinely in the city. 5.3L v8 ecotec better than fords v6 ecoboost. Plus the room in the back on the crew cab is just as big if not more than the fords now. All Terrain edition is sick too

seconded!!!

had a '12 and had to give er up for a new '14 All Terrain Crew, I love it, much better mileage then my '12 consistently get 12.5-13 city as long as you dont have a lead foot. It has a super smooth and quiet ride with a larger cab then previous models. My gf's Tuscon seems loud by comparison considering its a 4 banger. New interior styling with large touch screen displays and voice activation First big highway trip next week, im excited to see how she does loaded up with camping gear etc...

[guzzy]

Originally Posted by kevman

No, just no. Sorry but "levelled trucks" are my biggest pet peeve when it comes to vehicle modifications. Why do trucks come with a rake? To carry a load. Why do you buy a truck? To carry a load. Just say No to levelling kits!

Lets be honest about this, Kevman. How many people in Alberta have ever pulled a trailer with their truck?