Good day folks.I will be retiring next year and my wife and I are planning on traveling full time for a year or 2. For various reasons we have decided to go with a 5th wheel trailer. This trailer will be 30 to 35 long. We have not yet decided on a trailer. Our plan is to get the tow vehicle then once we have that it will determine what we can in the way of our trailer. The truck we will purchase new. The trailer can be a couple of years old.The brands that we are considering are:1) Chevrolet2) GMC3) Ford.Not interested in other brands.The truck will be one of the following configurations. 1)1 ton Single Rear Wheel, Long Bed, Crew Cab, Mid Level Trim, 2 Wheel Drive, Gas engine.2)1 ton Single Rear Wheel, Long Bed, Crew Cab, Mid Level Trim, 2 Wheel Drive, Diesel engine.3)1 ton Single Rear Wheel, Long Bed, Crew Cab, Mid Level Trim, 4 Wheel Drive, Gas engine.4)1 ton Single Rear Wheel, Long Bed, Crew Cab, Mid Level Trim, 4 Wheel Drive, Diesel engine.So let the comments and selections begin. If you have experience with these trucks also post your average mileage for the combination that you have.Cost is not a consideration at this point as we will be paying cash for the truck and trailer. We managed to get out retirement savings well planned for this eventuality.

WOW your ignoring argubally the best interior and motor for what?Gas motor for why?Mid level trim? Thats strictly a personal preference.Forget a gas motor, diesel will return you far better fuel economy both towing and non towing. Generally speaking 4X4 will reduce your tow capacity.Generally speaking a new 1 ton SRW will allow you to easily tow most fivers up to around 13,000 pounds.I think you might be missing an important point though. What happens in 6 months when you actually discover that 30 foot fiver is just too small, or its missing stuff you really want? Yup! Time to go looking for more or bigger. Of course that could also mean a different truck. IMHO if this is your plan to full time, dont limit yourselves so much. Buy the truck you like best, but make it a dually. You really need to go drive all three, (GM and Chevrolet are one) before you make your decision

If I were you I'd go option 4. Four wheel drive is great when you need it and reselling the truck will be easier. Diesel is a great option for the torque. I'm a GM guy and love our 2008 D/A. Mileage wise we average 9 -10 MPG towing.Best of luck in retirement.

Definitely diesel, 4x4 will take you more places, dually for the long term.

I was a die-hard GMC man until I did some comparison shopping. Got more pulling weight, bells and whistles on my '17 Ram Laramie 3500 diesel 4x4 than a similar GMC Sierra 3500 diesel 4x4 for about 4k less.Just sayin'...

If you tow in the mountains you will like the diesel. 4x4 is good if you ever go off road or encounter icy or wet/muddy conditions. Beyond that it is all a matter of which one you like best, not what every one else thinks you should get.

Tow vehicle | Good Sam Community

4x4ord
Explorer III
Dec 24, 2017
GMC and Chevy are the same truck. Ram makes an excellent truck as well. My choice was Ford. I definitely would go 4x4 and diesel. Are you sure you want to buy the truck before picking out your trailer. If you end up buying a higher end 5ver such as a Lux or Mobile Suite you may want a dually to handle the pin weight. Most of the cheaper 5vers can be hauled with a 1ton SRW.
Jim2007
Explorer
Dec 24, 2017
Hi.Diesel for the mountains and the hills. I like 4X4, because I live in co. And it is great on snow and ice. Resale in co. In much much betterfor 4x4,compare to 2 wheel in co.jim2007
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2017
“Our plan is to get the tow vehicle then once...”

Bad plan. Buy or select the TT or 5er first then match a TV to it....plus the next reasonable bigger.
BB_TX
Nomad
Dec 23, 2017
If you tow in the mountains you will like the diesel. 4x4 is good if you ever go off road or encounter icy or wet/muddy conditions. Beyond that it is all a matter of which one you like best, not what every one else thinks you should get.
Rock_Wells
Explorer
Dec 23, 2017
I was a die-hard GMC man until I did some comparison shopping. Got more pulling weight, bells and whistles on my '17 Ram Laramie 3500 diesel 4x4 than a similar GMC Sierra 3500 diesel 4x4 for about 4k less.
Just sayin'...
Harley_Doc
Explorer
Dec 23, 2017
Definitely diesel, 4x4 will take you more places, dually for the long term.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Dec 23, 2017
If I were you I'd go option 4. Four wheel drive is great when you need it and reselling the truck will be easier. Diesel is a great option for the torque. I'm a GM guy and love our 2008 D/A. Mileage wise we average 9 -10 MPG towing.

Best of luck in retirement.
donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2017
WOW your ignoring argubally the best interior and motor for what?
Gas motor for why?
Mid level trim? Thats strictly a personal preference.
Forget a gas motor, diesel will return you far better fuel economy both towing and non towing. Generally speaking 4X4 will reduce your tow capacity.
Generally speaking a new 1 ton SRW will allow you to easily tow most fivers up to around 13,000 pounds.
I think you might be missing an important point though. What happens in 6 months when you actually discover that 30 foot fiver is just too small, or its missing stuff you really want? Yup! Time to go looking for more or bigger. Of course that could also mean a different truck. IMHO if this is your plan to full time, dont limit yourselves so much. Buy the truck you like best, but make it a dually. You really need to go drive all three, (GM and Chevrolet are one) before you make your decision

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