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Nowadays, half a tonne trucks carry so many aspects that it is increasingly difficult to compare these technology-laden vehicles.
The Ram 1500, Silverado and Ford F-150 2019 are equipped with integral and external technology that make them all capable and comfortable cruisers, able to withstand towing as easily as daily commutes. In this comparison test, we decided to focus on towing, covering all aspects of what the Big Three offer to people who regularly tow trailers.
We hooked up identical 7,000-lb trailers to the three American pickups to determine which technology is most useful, which is the best in towing, and ultimately for which we would spend our money?
Ford F-150 Lariat FX4 4 × 4 – As tested: $ 67,550 USD – $ 81,249 CAD
In our comparison test, the Ford F-150 is a Lariat 4 × 4 Lariat trim model, fit for the 3.0-liter Powerstroke diesel engine.
The F-150 has a comfortable ride on bumpy roads with 7K hitched to the rear, and remains beautifully planted through potholes and crucibles. Ride empty is also a comfortable van, leaving little stiffness typical to the occupants. Management is one of the weak points of the F-150, in our opinion, with a dead zone numb at the center, providing little feedback that inspires confidence in towing.
The F-150's new 3.0-liter Powerstroke diesel engine handles its business silently, almost too much for those who appreciate the intense diesel engine noise, although it's certainly nice not to have a note of resonant engine while driving on the highway. At 440 pound-feet, the figure on paper suggests more than what you feel in the real world, with the low-end torque not responding as hard as you would expect from an engine diesel. Overall, this has moved the charge with little drama, we would just like to enjoy a little more low-end grunt.
The F-150 offers a full range of viewing angles, including a 360-degree view of the truck, a wide rear view for better visibility of traffic, and a zoom in for easy hook-up. up, among others. The blind spot monitoring of this truck's trailer can be programmed to various lengths and Ford's professional trailer rescue assistance system is still the only one of its kind in the industry. .
Chevy Silverado LTZ 4 × 4 – According to the test: $ 63,240 USD – CAN $ 75,295
The Chevy Silverado 2019 offers a full line of newly developed towing technologies for the truck, as well as a proven V8 engine range. Our test truck was equipped with a 6.2-liter V8.
The suspension of the Silverado was the hardest of the three, transmitting the most roads to the occupants, but not in a casual way. On bumpy roads and potholes, the back of the Silverado remains the steepest, preferring to go out slightly and requiring more maneuverability than others to keep things in a straight line. Over a long period of towing with this platform, the workout can be tiring because one has the impression that he needs the greatest contribution of the three to follow the straight line trajectory . In terms of maneuverability, the Silverado offers one of the most communicative directions, with a solid center feel and good cornering weighting.
The 6.2-liter V8 produces 420 horsepower and a torque of 460 lb-ft with a thick exhaust note rich in low tones. The power of the big V8 is undeniably strong, pulling the strongest and fastest of the three competitors. The response of the throttle is immediate and the grunt low-handed pulls for a long time before leaving. The same 10-speed automatic transmission under the hood of the F-150 is also connected to the Silverado, where it allows you to access the full potential of this gasoline engine. The gear changes are fast and non-sequential, so that the transmission can go from the top speed to the maximum speed to the power band in one jump.
New in 2019, the Silverado offers a new towing app, accessible from the touch screen of the central stack, which is packed with useful features. A multitude of camera angles including angles with a lively 3D Silverado in the middle of the screen, providing a very good idea of your truck's position relative to the obstacles that surround it. An enlarged view of the hitch ball makes the job very difficult, while this camera will allow you to access it while the truck is moving for about eight seconds, time to check your connections through the camera. Other towing features include trailer tire pressure monitors, a camera that can be mounted on the back of the trailer, and even a login checklist with custom locations to allow you to get the most out of the trailer. Add simple reminders that will appear before towing. The Silverado technology is arguably the most useful in the group when it comes to towing.
2019 Ram 1500 Limited 4 × 4 – Based on the test: $ 64,205 USD – $ 85,264 CAD
Our Ram 1500 tester is a Limited Edition model with a perfect finish, equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8.
The Ram can be equipped with a helical spring suspension at the rear, which allows a fairly flexible ride, but our test unit was equipped with an air suspension, which really simplified the driving of the Ram. On rough roads, this truck seems to absorb things better, providing a calm and relaxed ride despite potholes and chops. Few inputs are needed to keep this truck straight and tight. The steering in the ram is also very good, offering a little less overall weight than the Silverado, although the sensation and the return to the center remain quite communicative.
Designed with the big 5.7-liter HEMI V8, the Ram is a sturdy truck pulling up to 410 lb-ft of torque and 395 horsepower. Designed with a 7,000-pound trailer, the HEMI moves the load with great authority, emitting a roar similar to the deep bass note of the Chevrolet. Power remains strong over the entire rev range and the 8-speed automatic transmission can have two fewer gears than the competition, but this unit is just as sleek and refined as the 10-speed competition.
The Ram 1500 Limited offers a 12-inch touch screen in the center console, which is an impressive technology. However, when the screen is used to display multiple cameras on the Ram, it does not actually offer a view larger than that of the competition. . Several camera angles are available with the cylinder, which will also allow you to view a single camera angle for a short period of time while the truck is moving, so you can see your load. In the information group, the cylinder offers more details on towing, such as the preset setting of the trailer brake controller for specific trailers and the blind spot monitoring for your trailer. Unlike the competition, on the ram, once you have made a left turn and a right turn, the truck automatically detects the length of your trailer and takes it into account. The air suspension is also very useful when towing, because it allows to change the height of the truck. The automatic upgrade takes place once the trailer is running. If you're having trouble hooking on a pitch problem, you can raise or lower the truck to make it easier.
So, what is the best new American truck? The truth is that it is hard to go wrong nowadays if you are looking to buy an American pickup truck. It's really a game of inches separating these platforms, and everyone excels in their own field.
If it were our money, we would take home the 2019 Ram 1500, thanks in large part to its unparalleled handling and handling, although the HEMI and its impressive interior do not hurt.
Watch the video embedded above to see all these features in action.
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