So have a 2011 Ford F150 with the ecoboost V-6 engine that is supposed to tow 11,500 LBS. It does but wont pull at elevation and high temps without overheating. Ford has no fix for this problem as of yet and has been working on this for the past year. So im in the market for a newer truck. I will only be using the truck to tow my 22' toy hauler. the hauler weighs 5200 dry and probably 9000lbs at the most if its fully loaded. My ford is all over the road when its windy. My buddy towed my camper with his Dodge 3500 and I couldnt even tell it was back there. Im open to all suggestion about a new truck. Diesel or gas? Dodge 1500 or 2500, Ford 250 gas or diesel? Chevy 2500 gas or diesel?

Can't go wrong with a good diesel. I like the Dodge but drive them all first. Buy a truck knowing you will buy a bigger trailer on down the road. For what you have now a three quarter ton diesel will easily do the job.

Test drive each of the diesel 2500/250 trucks and see which one you like the most. Any of them will be fine for that trailer.

I really like my Chevy 2500HD diesel towing our 26' hauler. Diesel is the way to go for when you are towing.

I know this will be a loaded question but what about the MPG's for the diesel? It will be our second vehicle but I will be driving it mostly in the city.

As a daily driver the diesel will get close to the same mileage as a similar sized gas motor (in other words don't compare the 5.3l gas and the 6.7l diesel). For my truck at roughly 7,500 pounds it actually gets better mileage than the gas version but that varies based on tranmission. And it's much better when towing, I average 3-4 mpg better than a gas motor. It's not just a rating, look at the curb weight of a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton, the higher the rating the more they weigh. That's the major reason your trailer pushes a 1/2 ton around when towing.My truck is my daily driver, about 18k miles a year and I would buy the diesel again.Good luck in the research and decision.

What truck to tow my tow hauler? | Good Sam Community

58 Replies

offtohavasu
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Ric Flair wrote:
My 1 ton diesel doolie gets better MPG than my Cadillac used to get.

Having said that, it's was a CTS V and not your Granny's run of the mill grocery getter either.

Mmmmm...CTS V (in Homer's voice).
Ric_Flair
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
My 1 ton diesel doolie gets better MPG than my Cadillac used to get.

Having said that, it's was a CTS V and not your Granny's run of the mill grocery getter either.
CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
fergie1111 wrote:
So have a 2011 Ford F150 with the ecoboost V-6 engine that is supposed to tow 11,500 LBS. It does but wont pull at elevation and high temps without overheating. Ford has no fix for this problem as of yet and has been working on this for the past year. So im in the market for a newer truck. I will only be using the truck to tow my 22' toy hauler. the hauler weighs 5200 dry and probably 9000lbs at the most if its fully loaded. My ford is all over the road when its windy. My buddy towed my camper with his Dodge 3500 and I couldnt even tell it was back there. Im open to all suggestion about a new truck. Diesel or gas? Dodge 1500 or 2500, Ford 250 gas or diesel? Chevy 2500 gas or diesel?

Knowing I was going to buy a large (43') fifth wheel, I bought an F-450 to pull it with. I bought the truck a year before the 5er. I love the new 6.7L powerstroke. I have heard great things about both Dodge and Chevy. As stated in other posts, you cannot go wrong with a diesel for towing. Odds are, you will end up buying a bigger eventually and you will need a truck to pull it. IMHO, buy as much truck as you can afford (250/2500 minimum). That way, when its time for that new RV, size will not be an issue. Good Luck!
BigDogF250
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
As a daily driver the diesel will get close to the same mileage as a similar sized gas motor (in other words don't compare the 5.3l gas and the 6.7l diesel). For my truck at roughly 7,500 pounds it actually gets better mileage than the gas version but that varies based on tranmission. And it's much better when towing, I average 3-4 mpg better than a gas motor. It's not just a rating, look at the curb weight of a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton, the higher the rating the more they weigh. That's the major reason your trailer pushes a 1/2 ton around when towing.

My truck is my daily driver, about 18k miles a year and I would buy the diesel again.

Good luck in the research and decision.
fergie1111
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
I know this will be a loaded question but what about the MPG's for the diesel? It will be our second vehicle but I will be driving it mostly in the city.
Eyetattoo
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
I really like my Chevy 2500HD diesel towing our 26' hauler. Diesel is the way to go for when you are towing.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jul 03, 2013
Test drive each of the diesel 2500/250 trucks and see which one you like the most. Any of them will be fine for that trailer.
Boxer_Lovers
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Can't go wrong with a good diesel. I like the Dodge but drive them all first. Buy a truck knowing you will buy a bigger trailer on down the road.

For what you have now a three quarter ton diesel will easily do the job.

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What truck to tow my tow hauler?

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