Advice on Limited Slip Differential

Firsttimer2912 wrote:
We are first time buyers of a truck and trailer. We're looking at a Jayco mid-sized model - 7500 lbs.- and will be vacation and long weekend users. We do want to go to the mountains at some point so we're trying to plan ahead.

I'm getting advice from all over the place and need help deciding on the right truck to pull this. Dealers are telling me that a 1/2 ton will be fine. My experienced brother in law is telling me that I need a limited slip differential, which is only available on a 3/4 ton truck.

We've driven both and the 3/4 ton just seems like too much truck for our needs.

I need some advice from experienced RVers please.
Thank you for the help.

Is that 7,500 lb weight the dry weight or the GVWR. If it's the GVWR, then a heavy 1/2 ton will do it. If the 7,500 lb is the dry weight empty, then you really would be well advised to get the 250/2500, since the weight ready to camp would probably be about 9,000 lbs.

If you get the 1/2 ton because the 7,500 is GVWR, read the capacity labels inside the drivers door jamb. It will say something like "the weight of all passengers and cargo should not exceed XXX lbs". The XXX lbs is the payload capacity for all passengers, cargo in the truck, weight of the hitch, and the hitch weight of the loaded TT. Make sure it is high enough to meet your needs. Also, pay close attention to the axle ratio on the truck. It determines how much you can pull and how well it can pull. The higher numbers are better (3.73 or 4.10). Look at the "Trailer Life" towing guide and see what axle you need for your weight. Good luck.

Ozlander wrote:

lakeside013104 wrote:
We have a steep drive at the lake and an F-350 with limited slip diff (LSD). Getting up the drive during winter with icy conditions is not fun, but with LSD, I often times need only flip the switch for LSD and not bother to use 4WD. Works for us.

Lakeside

Never seen a limited slip with a switch.

He probably has a locking rear like mine. Pull the switch and you have a solid axle.

lakeside013104 wrote:
We have a steep drive at the lake and an F-350 with limited slip diff (LSD). Getting up the drive during winter with icy conditions is not fun, but with LSD, I often times need only flip the switch for LSD and not bother to use 4WD. Works for us.

Lakeside

Never seen a limited slip with a switch.

We have a steep drive at the lake and an F-350 with limited slip diff (LSD). Getting up the drive during winter with icy conditions is not fun, but with LSD, I often times need only flip the switch for LSD and not bother to use 4WD. Works for us.

Lakeside

3/4 ton will handle that trailer EASILY. 1/2 ton will do it, but you'll be at the upper end of its ability. To me, it really depends on how many miles you expect tow. If you're just doing long weekends 30 miles away, 1/2 ton will be fine - just go slow. If you want to do a cross country trek, definitely go 3/4 ton.

And throw the trucks 'tow rating' out the window. Almost useless IMO. Look at the payload capacity - that's the true measure of a truck's towing limitation.

I've had 1/2 tons, including a 2012 F150 Ecoboost, and bought a 2013 F250 diesel last year. The best analogy I can give is that when towing, the F150 at 55 mph is what the f250 feels like at 65 mph.

I've been driving trucks for more than 10 years and really only needed limited slip once, in deep sand on a beach. I'd get limited slip if you can but I wouldn't plan my whole purchase around it.

The Big Slip (Limited slip differentials) do nothing for you on clear dry roads. They do come in handy if you are trying to drive on slippery roads (Icey/snow covered) or if you are stuck in the mud as they insure that at lest SOME power is delivered to both wheels.

But in normal RV type driving they are of no advantage at all. They simply limit how much one wheel can spin before the other side engages.

For non-towing, a light application of the brakes may do as much for you.

We are first time buyers of a truck and trailer. We're looking at a Jayco mid-sized model - 7500 lbs.- and will be vacation and long weekend users. We do want to go to the mountains at some point so we're trying to plan ahead.

I'm getting advice from all over the place and need help deciding on the right truck to pull this. Dealers are telling me that a 1/2 ton will be fine. My experienced brother in law is telling me that I need a limited slip differential, which is only available on a 3/4 ton truck.

We've driven both and the 3/4 ton just seems like too much truck for our needs.

I need some advice from experienced RVers please.

Thank you for the help.

I definately would get the limited slip and would go with a 250/2500 for that trailer. It is not just the trailer and it's tongue weight but also all the stuff and people you carry in the truck. It will be an expensive lesson to get too little truck and have to suffer depreciation and purchase more truck after a few trips.

You can get lsd in a half ton. Many half tons will be over maxed with a tt of that size. Shop carrfully

I believe that "limited slip" is more of a marketing ploy than a useful tool. I had a limited slip on a F250 from '98-2011. It performed no better than a regular rear end. I now have the limited slip and 4X4. I have yet to need the 4X4 and I see no difference in the rear end.
I suggest that you look at the towing and weight specs of the truck and trailer.

Firsttimer2912 wrote:
We are first time buyers of a truck and trailer. We're looking at a Jayco mid-sized model - 7500 lbs.- and will be vacation and long weekend users. We do want to go to the mountains at some point so we're trying to plan ahead.

I'm getting advice from all over the place and need help deciding on the right truck to pull this. Dealers are telling me that a 1/2 ton will be fine. My experienced brother in law is telling me that I need a limited slip differential, which is only available on a 3/4 ton truck.

We've driven both and the 3/4 ton just seems like too much truck for our needs.

I need some advice from experienced RVers please.

Thank you for the help.

I don't know what brands you are considering, but most offer limited-slip or locking differentials.

If you are getting a two wheel drive, the limited-slip can be a big help in slippery camgrounds. Remember that you are not only moving the truck but also an additional 7500 lb trailer with just that one tire.