I had always loved my Ford trucks. Before the truck I have now I had only owned 2 other Chevy's, one was a Tow truck and the other an 84 C2500 with a 305. So I couldnt compare either of them to today technology.
The turbo V6 is intriguing. But not sure how comfortable I would feel with a V6 under the hood,.. even if it was rated twice the stats. I dont know,.. maybes its an ego thing.
I like Ford trucks dont get me wrong. But after owning my current truck (04 Silverado) since Feb 07, it had 43k miles when I bought it. I'm at almost 114k on the odometer now. And other then an electrical issue with the gauge cluster. I have no mechanical issues to report. Its been a good truck. I currently average 16 - 18 mpg during normal everyday driving. I used to get a little better before the E10 switch but thats another debate.
As for towing,.. if your just pulling a car trailer the current 5.4 (Ford) and 5.3 (GM) both offer more than enough HP and torq. I imagine the new 5.0 will have some good specs,.. but I dont see where the 5.0 will have the torq band for towing. Yeah its rate 380 torq. But it comes in at over 4000 RPM. The turbo V6 has a more usable torq curv for towing with its peak coming in at 2500 RPM.
The 5.3 in my truck is rated 305hp/335torq. For towing its been great. I still average 12 - 14 mpg pulling a loaded car trailer. And that is what sold me on Chevy trucks. No I'm not going to be pulling a big goose neck trailer or 3 car hauler. Its only a 1/2 ton truck after all. But with the Z60 brakes and suspension and the tow package it makes towing a car trailer as effortless and stable as any 3/4 ton truck out there (Minus the tongue weight of course).
I would wait and see what owners have to say about the trucks first. I personally will never buy a new vehicle ever again. The markup and then the depreciation after you drive off the lot kills it for me. I wait a year or 2 for some good deals. But I would wait and see what kind of reviews real world owners give of the new engines and real world fuel economy statistics by the owners. Not govt testers. Not sure if you guys are paying attention,.. but we're almost to $3 gal again. It would be nothing for gas prices to hit $4 gal 1 year from now. We've done it before. I would keep that in mind with any kind of truck purchase.
I dont see the 5.0 being a good motor for towing. The 6.2 would seem better in my mind. But I imagine the fuel economy goes out the window just like it does when you go from a 5.3 to a 6.0 Chevy. Yeah,.. the HP and torq is there. But sheesh.
The turbo V6 seems to have really nice numbers. Doesnt look like it needs to scream RPM's to make enough HP and Torq for towing either. That would be a deterrent for me if the torq peak didnt come on until 5000 RPM. What would be the point? But with it coming in at 2500,.. well thats a no brainer right there. And this is coming from a guy who HATES any none V8 motors.
Hurst