Not any more. Since the introduction of the '04 Ford has outsold Chevy AND GM combined.

 

To be honest, Dodge simply rates their trucks for their respective tow ratings without regard to other manufacturers tow ratings.

Ford does whatever it can to be number one with this truck. They published one rating until Nissan published their own rating, then Ford decided to up the 04'F150's rating another 300lbs or so to beat the Titan out. If Dodge or anyone else surpassed Ford's tow rating with their own, Ford would probably just bounce it up again to stay number one.

Anyone who tries towing 5 tons of unyeilding, wind resisting dead weight on a loaded trailer with a half ton truck needs their friggen head examined.

Ford does not do this with the Super Duty. The 250 5.4L has much less tow rating than the 04'F150 does, but there's no way the 150 would actually out tow any super duty, theres a huge difference between the two. The 04' F150 is a sham. I hope the 6.0L eventually turns out to be every bit as reliable as the 7.3 PSD was, but I could really care less about this ugly duckling rip off of a truck - and those prices are nothing short of an outright rip off.

 

I just read that on a website... sorry.

 

A Ford F-350 can be had with a maximum tow rating of 13900 lbs. A HD Dodge can be had with a rating of up to 16250 lbs. Guess the Dodge is a better tower.

sinister73 is right, the F-150 tow rating is a joke. You can't tell me thare is any way the 5.4 F-150 can safely tow more than a 5.4 Super Duty, yet Ford rated it higher simply to make themselves look like #1 in the 1/2 ton market. I remember when Ford raised the ratings on the F-150 after the Titan came out. Funny thing is, I don't know of any changes to the truck that dictated the higher tow ratings?

 

Yeah. I guess Ford lies to everyone, regardless of what that would mean legally.

 

I checked Edmunds and within a few minutes I was able to find a configuration that allowed max tow rating of 14,200 on the Ford.

Bottom line: I think we all know these ratings are somewhat of a joke. That's why I think it is funny that someone posted them as being in favor of Dodge and claiming that this made the Dodge superior.

 

Good old FordLariat doesn't know they are a joke. He thinks the F-150 is Gods gift to trailer pullers with its miraculous rating of 9900 lbs. According to him, the F-150 has the highest factory rating, therefore it is the best truck EVAR!

 

Tow ratings are relevant when it's 1,300 pounds difference, that's quite a difference.

 

It was only 900 lbs until Ford mysteriously raised them.

 

No, not the best truck ever, but the best half-ton offered right now. I mean, you could overlook the obvious advantages that the Ford has and call them all even, which is what you tend to enjoy doing, but that wouldn't be quite fair in the interest of debate. That is what we were debating, right?
You don't seem to understand that an auto manufacturer can't just lie about their tow rating. Get real, you bash Ford and when they do outperform something, you just say they're lying. WHy can't you just admit that they are doing something right when it comes to making trucks?

 

I believe it was 9,000 before Ford mysteriously raised it, and either way, it's still more than a Dodge.

 

i have also road in dodge and chevorlet and didnt impress me none. dont get me wrong i have been impressed by 70 model dodge and chevorlet trucks. but the new ones, put it this way i took my mazda protege that i fixed up for street racing more place than a chevorlet and dodge could go.

 

Trucks come from the factory with certain ratings and abilities. Most people are loyal to a single brand for some reason or another. This is what the AFTERMARKET is for. You love your truck, whatever the brand, then you customize it to suit you. That's what half the fun of owning a truck is-improving it. My truck came from the factory with 173hp. It now has much more than that. It happens to be a Ford, an old Ford. But I like it, and I think it's beautiful. Everyone has their own opinions, so it's kind of pointless to argue over it. Personally, I'd take the Ford. To each his own.

 

I wonder why you would think someone would need their head examined for towing something with a truck that is capable of towing it? The Ford can tow 9,900 pounds, get over it. Until you prove that they can't tow it, then prove to the world that Ford lies and they just made up their tow ratings, then I don't want to hear any more about it. That whole `they're just lying` thing is thin, it's a very feeble argument for someone who is backed into a corner and has nothing left to say. You think Dodge doesn't give out their highest possible tow ratings? Selling trucks is a business, buddy, and all the companies are going to try to be the best. You can't tell me that Ford lies and is the bad guy just trying to stay on top, and Dodge has a better truck, but just doesn't feel the need to let everybody know, being perfectly happy with not selling as many trucks as they could. That is just plain ignorant to expect anyone to buy that.

I do agree with one thing sinister73 said, though, "GM's IFS 4x4 system is fine as well, just as long as it's being purchased with the intention of using it the same as any 2wd truck would be used..."
Exactly, a Chevrolet makes a good 2wd truck. Even their 4x4s make good 2wd trucks.
You're right, if a truck isn't 4wd, then it doesn't really matter what front end you have.

How many people buy a Lightning for towing? Evidently, if you can make a truck that's not even recommended for towing (read SRT-10), then you may as well concentrate on what's best for the application that the truck is built for. IRS is a good thing for the Lightning.

Lastly, I have done way worse to my truck than you ever would dream, way worse than clearing 10 acres of pine, and until you know what it has been through, then don't tell me that it would need replacing. It's been through complete heck, and it's still going as strong as the day I bought it, maybe even stronger. I got a K&N for it, seemed to pep it up a bit.

 

I really wouldn't want to be behind the wheel of a maxed out F150. Those ratings are way over what can safely be towed/hauled with a half ton truck. They build SD's for a reason. To SAFELY handle those types of loads. The 150's brakes and diffs are not going to handle max payload like a SD's