Ready to get new Silverado - but stuck between a 6.2L and an Ecoboost

[Forkster]

My 2006 GMC Sierra 5.3L NBS NHT has over 243,000km on the dial and the engine is getting tired. My boss had the truck first and he used it to tow a 25' fifth wheel (my boss - not the brightest lite in the broadway strip), I purchased the truck with 217,000km on the odo with plans to tow my 26' travel trailer which weighs in at around 5000lbs.

 

Either way, after driving this past summer with it getting 9mpg towing - the truck could barely make it up most hills without dropping down to 25mph in 2nd gear (I think not having the 6-speed tranny would help). If I was driving with a strong head-wind, the truck spent all of it's time maxing out at 80kph in second gear almost overheating.

 

I'm thinking about getting a 2012 Silverado Crew Cab SB LTZ 6.2L with the MAX Towing package. But I'm also looking at a Ford F-150 FX4 Crew Cab with the 3.5V6 Ecoboost. I've driven both - the Ford sounds like I'm driving a sedan - the quietest truck I've every driven but its also CRAZY fast and can tow my trailer without sweating but it kills the fuel economy. The Silverado sounds well...with that 6.2 it sounds a lot better and drives a lot smoother than the Ford.

 

I also find the fit and finish in the Chev better than the Ford - but the Ford has a better layout and that 3" LCD is awesome in the cluster. The FX4 interior is a clash - its well laid out and a lot more functional but the Chev seems to be more 'truck' quality and durability - not as well designed but the quality seems better. But to complicate things - I'm a big guy - my wife is also a giant at 5'10" - my two boys are going to be monsters as well. The back seat in the Chev is short for backheight and the leg room is not the best. With the Silverado seat all the way back, I could barely fit into the back of the truck. The Ford Crew cab has almost 6" on the Chev - my knees were almost a half-foot away from the back of the drivers seat when I sat in the back.

 

Fuel economy is a HUGE concern for me, especially for towing. I know with the F-150 the fuel economy will suck donkey-buttz but the truck won't have any issues pulling my trailer. I also know the Chev 6.2L will drive like its not towing anything but the fuel economy will go down but not as much as the Ford.

 

What I'm looking for is opinions - I love Chevy trucks but I need to make a decision that fits my family, and addresses my concern with fuel economy.

 

If you have a 6.2L, please share your experiences with your truck - would love to hear from you. (And yes, I've read the 6.2L stickey... )

[BlackZ71Silverado]

No question, the 6.2L is the much better truck. That EcoBoost will kill your wallet towing that trailor. Their owners complain of terrible, almost unbelievable gas mileage while towing....Should not be a hard decision for you to make.

[foghorn23]

The eco-boost seems like a lot of bang for the buck. Gas mileage is a plus over the 6.2 when not pulling or loaded. BUT, and this is a big but, the potential for big dollar maintenance with twin turbos seems ify to me. I know all about Ford's long term testing of the eco-boost, but I don't think I would want to be the guinea pig on this one. The 6.2 is a design that's been around for a while. If I were buying for towing now with the choices you listed I think I'd go with the 6.2. If the eco-boost proves itself 4-5 years down the line, then the story might be different. Good luck deciding.

[MaineRider]

Haven't the new fords been having trouble with tranny's?

 

I just recently picked up a 6.2 and she's been putting a on my face with the power over the 1100 miles I got on her

[NoMoreGM4Me]

Get the F150 with the 5.0L. It will give you the best FE overall (towing and unloaded) and it will pull 5K lbs with ease. If you HAVE to have more, get the 6.2L in the F150.

[Stevens03]

No replacement for Displacement 6.2L coupled with the 3.73 and 6-speed trans is hard to beat for a 1500 pickup. I towed a car once about 150 miles and didn't even know it was there.

[NoMoreGM4Me]

No question, the 6.2L is the much better truck. That EcoBoost will kill your wallet towing that trailor. Their owners complain of terrible, almost unbelievable gas mileage while towing....Should not be a hard decision for you to make.

 

 

What a completely biased, BS post. No the EB won't get much, if any, better FE while towing than the 6.2L, but it will get much better while not towing.

[11Silvy]

Forget the 6.2 Ford, IF you were to get a Ford, the 5.0 is the better engine between ecoboost. Alot of Ford folks are complaining already about burnt up turbos and crappy gas mileage when towing. V6 turbos are rather new in fullsized trucks so it's still unproven technology. Both trucks are nice, Im a Chevy guy so it's obvious which one I like better.

 

BTW, I own a 6.2 and it's the best truck I have ever owned. Hands down, it can bring smiles to you everyday in everyway. If you get caught up in all the differences between the two brands, it will drive you crazy.

[Stevens03]

No question, the 6.2L is the much better truck. That EcoBoost will kill your wallet towing that trailor. Their owners complain of terrible, almost unbelievable gas mileage while towing....Should not be a hard decision for you to make.

 

 

What a completely biased, BS post. No the EB won't get much, if any, better FE while towing than the 6.2L, but it will get much better while not towing.

 

 

No it's not, spend some time on the Ford site and see for yourself Instead of spending all your free time bashing chevy's, why don't you do some research before making such slapass comments. From what I've seen, if you liked the ford, the 5.0 would be the top choice. Not the eco-boost.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Ford is having 6 speed tranny "shutter" trouble that they can't seem to fix along with many other things. The transmission shutter problem started mostly with the 09 trucks and the 2011's are no better, same problem. They STILL have the spark plug issue that they have had for years and can't seem to fix, breaks off in the head, that's an issue you don't want to have. The EcoBoost is also on the list of Ford trucks that are having tranny trouble. Almost to many Ford issues to list.. The GM trucks are a proven all around more reliable truck. BUT it's your money and your choice, don't want GM afm issues either?

[NoMoreGM4Me]

No it's not, spend some time on the Ford site and see for yourself Instead of spending all your free time bashing chevy's, why don't you do some research before making such slapass comments. From what I've seen, if you liked the ford, the 5.0 would be the top choice. Not the eco-boost.

 

 

And you know how much research I have done how?

 

Yes, I would choose the 5.0L over the EB, but not for any other reason than I am a bit old school and prefer NA V8's in trucks.

 

Ford is having 6 speed tranny "shutter" trouble that they can't seem to fix along with many other things. The transmission shutter problem started mostly with the 09 trucks and the 2011's are no better, same problem. They STILL have the spark plug issue that they have had for years and can't seem to fix, breaks off in the head, that's an issue you don't want to have. The EcoBoost is also on the list of Ford trucks that are having tranny trouble. Almost to many Ford issues to list.. The GM trucks are a proven all around more reliable truck. BUT it's your money and your choice, don't want GM afm issues either?

 

 

More utter BS....all of it.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Don't let this thread go off topic like the last one that got closed, it's already headed that way with the troll...

 

OP, Drive both trucks, do some research and get what will work best for YOU.

[Stevens03]

.

[NoMoreGM4Me]

Don't let this thread go off topic like the last one that got closed, it's already headed that way with the troll...

 

OP, Drive both trucks, do some research and get what will work best for YOU.

 

 

The troll agrees.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Since it seems like we now have to back up replies with facts, here is some interesting reading for the OP..These are just a few topics from some forums i visit, it's not bs at all..........OP read for yourself, don't take my word for it.

 

 

2011 F150 5.0L Transmission Shudder - Ford F150 Forum - Community

2010 F-150 Transmission Problems, WORRIED! - Ford Truck ...

 

2011 F150 Transmission Problems - Blue Oval Forums

2011 f150 PCM problems - Ford F150 Forum

Ford-F150: Spark Plug Nightmare

Consumer complaints about Ford Engines - Spark Plug Defect

2011 f150 trans problems - F150online Forums

F150 Ecoboost Problems - Ford EcoBoost Forum

2011 Ecoboost transmission problems!! - Ford F150 Forum

 

And some more good reading : http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/page_12997/ford_spark_plug_blow_out_problems_how_to_repair.html

 

Ford spark plugs blowing out is a common problem with Triton engines in Ford F150 pick up trucks, Mustangs, Crown Victorias, Vans, Expeditions and motor homes made before 2004. A video showing spark repair inserts being installed can be viewed on the Calvan specialty tool description page, read on for more information. Ford 4.6, 5.4 and 6.8 modular engines are prone to spark plugs being blown out of the cylinders due to the aluminum threads failing. When the threads are about to come loose there is often a slight ticking noise, like a small "exhaust manifold leak" would sound. When the spark plug threads fail, it can eject the spark plug and break the ignition coil on the "coil over spark plug" design. Although rare, it is possible an engine compartment fire can start due to the raw fuel escaping the engine cylinder and the broken coil dangling, providing the spark. The cause of failure of the spark plug threads can be debated; poor design, over-torqueing, under-tightening can allow the spark plug to vibrate and wear threads while held in by the coil, until the the threads deteriorate and fail. Ford does not recommend repairing the threads, only replacing the cylinder head. The expense involved unless the vehicle is still under an aftermarket warranty can run into the thousands of dollars.