We are planning to trade in our Class-C motorhome for a travel trailer. While my 1500 technically has the capability of handling a 10k trailer, I do not want to be running near the limit for thousands of miles so I will be going to a 3/4 ton. I was just going to go with a new Ram because I've been so happy with my last 2. But the TT salesman mentioned something about Ford having a PowerBoost on their F150s and maybe adding to their F250s. This in conjunction with the fact that we are looking at Airstream and they don't have on-board generators, and the PowerBoost becomes either a 2.2 or 7.4kw generator. Turns out that option is not available on the F250 yet, and maybe never.
Anyways, it got me looking at Ford (and GM) to compare. What I found is that for a mid-upper range model (Laramie vs Platinum), for the same money you get a lot more in the Ford.
Most important to me are the engine* (7.3L, 430hp/485lb-ft) and a 2kw Pro Power outlet. Plus lots of minor things, such as a built-in scale, power tailgate (with a "tailgate down" camera), power running boards (appear to be not available on the Laramie even in a package), head-up display, wireless carplay, and the list goes on. Also, towing capacity is 1800# higher and payload is up 750# over Ram.
I drove an XLT the other day to get a feel for the truck and powertrain itself and was suitably impressed. Waiting to get to a Platinum - there aren't many around here in the sticks.
Am I missing something(s)?
*Same as we have in our motorhome and it is impressive.
First, the Superduty + Propower:
Back in 2020 when Propower and Gen14 F150's were announced, many of us realized how this is a game changer for off-grid camping. The 2kW Propower (gas engines) isn't really enough for true off-grid and the engine runs 100% duty cycle. The 2.4kW and 7.2kW are based on the Hybrid engine, which mates a 1.5kWh battery (more on this in a sec) to the 3.5L Ecoboost. That battery is NOT just a charge pool for the Propower, it is fully integrated into the drive train and will apply electric assist on-demand (typically will use stored battery energy to stay out of boost for better fuel efficiency). Then the payload hit info started trickling in from the specs. They give you a 300# GVWR boost when getting the hybrid, but the 7.2kWh Propower adds 600# curb weight (550# for the battery, 50# for the inverter and cabling). This is a net 300# payload loss.
Many folks said you could just get a portable 300# genny for the same net result. So let's talk about that. Even the best inverter-generator I would argue cannot compete with the 7.2kW Propower on noise and convenience. The 1.5kWh battery, since it is part of the drive train and must survive the life of the truck, is tightly managed to never drop below 42% SOC or go above 70% SOC. Keeping it in that band will make it last hundreds of thousands of cycles. If the battery was ONLY for the Propower, they probably could have allowed a 20-90% band of use. That being said, here is how the generator works: You get absolute 100% silent use of up to 7.2kW until the battery reaches 42%. Then it will kick on the gas engine. You have 2 choices here: 0.9kRPM idle or 1.5kRPM idle to charge faster. So you can balance sound vs how long it takes. I always used "Eco Idle" which does 1.5kRPM and only takes 1-2 minutes to reach 60% where the engine kicks off again. The time in between engine cycles is roughly several minutes (at high loads) to 45m to an hour at light loads (just to sometimes keep it warm even if it hasn't reached 42%). So keep that in mind if you are dry camping with neighbors, they will wonder why someone is starting their truck during quiet hours, but if you are isolated no one will notice if you leave it on all night. Lastly, people have run their entire homes off Propower for multiple days, while only using 1 or 2 gallons of gas.
With all this, yes it was hugely desirable and since only available in half-ton, you have to limit to smaller travel trailers. Since the OP mentioned a higher trim is desired, that could put you anywhere from 1300-1500# payload for a 4x4, or 1500-1700# for a 4x2. It is very easy to see why the dream truck would be a Superduty + Propower, which still does not exist 3 years after the half ton got it. I personally don't think they will every do a hybrid superduty (I don't think it mates well with a Godzilla, let alone a Diesel), which leaves adding a dedicated battery and inverter just for Propower, and at that point I don't believe it will ever be cost effective vs a portable genny and no one will option it. PLUS you take a gas tank size hit in order to have the battery.
This is why if the OP is evaluating Ram offerings vs a hypothetical Superduty+Propower, I would not move to Ford because I don't think it will exist.
Now for upper trim features and comforts:
I am going to mention things that are DIFFERENT between my 2 trucks, not the things in common.
Ford pros: 1) Front driver/passenger massage seats. 2) BlueCruise hands free. 3) Full Pano sun/moon roof, not just over front seats. 4) Power down AND up tailgate. 5) Android Auto FULL screen (not just the nerfed half screen on the Ram). Note that OP uses Carplay which is full screen on both trucks. 6) Integrated tailgate step and work surface. 7) Many others that are more "gimmicks" than daily benefits, such as "work surface", hitch scale, park assist, fold flat front seats.
Ram pros: 1) Console storage (the column shifter frees up more room). 2) Digital rear view mirror. 3) Ramboxes. 4) Air suspension. 5) Digital instrument cluster is more configurable than Ford's. 6) THEY MAKE AN HD TRUCK THAT FITS IN MY GARAGE (this is a whole separate topic, but Ford/GMC/Chevy minimum length is too long, which Ram has a 238" length). 7) Rear floor bins.
Bullet #6 is what gave me no choice, so I'm switching to Ram and will find a new set of likes/dislikes, but will love the truck overall. That being said, I also love my Ford! This owner has not had any issues with anything mechanical in my last 2 10-speed Ford Ecoboosts, so
I am only speaking from an issue-free ownership perspective.
Lastly, comfort of seats was mentioned as Ram advantage. I don't know this one yet. My King Ranch is easily the most comfortable driver seat I've ever used, and the massage (actually configurable rolling pressures, not a gimmicky "buzz") is great for long drives. I test drove a Ram Limited and had no issues with the comfort either, but if it can beat my King Ranch that would be great as the bar is set VERY high!
Hope this was of some use to the OP, and I didn't mean to open up arguments with this assessment. OP can PM me if this post invites too much noise.
If you could, I guarantee you'd see more failures on those too.
