Forum Discussion

otterslide's avatar
otterslide
Explorer
Sep 28, 2019

Ideas for a truck to pull 6500lb trailer?

I never had a trailer or a truck. I'm looking to buy a trailer that is about 6500lbs, but I need to buy a truck first.

So many options and capacities and reliability issues, I have no idea what I should be looking at any more.
Looks like a F150 with 2.7 engine would work, but not sure if something like a 2015 model would be reliable. I don't want to spend more than about 20k(USD) for the truck.
Ram 1500 Ecoboost also seems to have it's own issues especially maintenance and exhaust emission component problems that I often hear about from my neighbor who drives a truck for a living and says all truckers are hit by the new exhaust system rules.

So I'd rather not go diesel it seems.

Then there's the Toyota Tundra that seems to have the best reliability, but it's terrible on gas, and has some expensive parts if it ever does break down.

So, I wonder, what are people towing trailers daily finding the best for a 6500lbs trailer? And is there anything specific I have to look for when I buy it? Like tow package, gear ratio, etc?


Any ideas would be appreciated!
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Sep 28, 2019
    While Mitch limits his truck’s towing to 7000 pounds my limit for the 2015 Tahoe and now the 2019 Silverado 1500 is slightly less...6000...for comfortable driving.
  • wing_zealot's avatar
    wing_zealot
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2019
    Many 1500 / F150 trucks can work for that size trailer. You just need to understand that concepts of trailer weghts, tongue weight, etc., and how that relates to payload ratings of trucks and other vehicle ratings. Check this site out for the facts so you have the information you need to make your own educated decision. Clicky
  • guidry's avatar
    guidry
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2019
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    Just go ahead an get a 2500 / f250 diesel and you won't have to worry about weights, and can still tow a heavier trailer WHEN the need arises,,,and it will.


    This. Because many (not all, but many) RV'rs end up months or a year later coming back to the forum asking about upgrading a truck because now they want a 5th wheel or a truck camper. Getting a bigger truck first allows you to tow the current TT easily and safely without worry. New diesel trucks are very easy to maintain, just like gas trucks. DEF is like filling windshield fluid; very easy to do. The power and towing capacity of diesel, and especially the exhaust brake systems, are overwhelmingly beneficial.

    But, a lot of people can not afford the additional costs of diesel (3500 is minimal cost difference to 2500 but definitely worth it). I was given this advice and got a 3500 even though I didn't need it at the time. After getting a 5th wheel I additionally bought a truck camper so I could camp and tow my boat. I have a choice I didn't think about when I first bought my truck.

    Good luck whatever you decide.
  • Jebby14's avatar
    Jebby14
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2019
    is the 6500 your gvwr or the listed dry weight. big difference. also payload of the truck will be your limiting factor here more than towing capacity.

    look at the payload on the door frame

    my f150 is 1985 lbs a lot of half tons will be less.

    payload - weight of people in the truck - weight of hitch (usually around 100 lbs) - anything in the truck/truck bed = remaining payload

    take this number and divide by 0.15 this will give you the MAXIMUM GVWR you should be looking at trailers with.

    I'm a ford guy and I love my f150 with the 5L but my trailer is a lot lighter than what you are looking at. my truck could do it but that big id be looking at a 3/4 ton. gas or diesel whatever floats your boat.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2019
    Just go ahead an get a 2500 / f250 diesel and you won't have to worry about weights, and can still tow a heavier trailer WHEN the need arises,,,and it will.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2019
    otterslide wrote:
    I never had a trailer or a truck. I'm looking to buy a trailer that is about 6500lbs, but I need to buy a truck first.

    So many options and capacities and reliability issues, I have no idea what I should be looking at any more.
    Looks like a F150 with 2.7 engine would work, but not sure if something like a 2015 model would be reliable. I don't want to spend more than about 20k(USD) for the truck.
    Ram 1500 Ecoboost also seems to have it's own issues

    So, I wonder, what are people towing trailers daily finding the best for a 6500lbs trailer? And is there anything specific I have to look for when I buy it? Like tow package, gear ratio, etc?


    First, i think you meant "Ram 1500 ECODIESEL", not Ecoboost, since the Ecoboost is from Ford.
    Second, pulling a 6500lbs TT with the 2.7 Ecoboost, will be near its limits.

    i pull a 27' TT about the same weight loaded, with a 3.5 Ecoboost with the Max Tow package and 3.73 rear end. it's a perfect combo and i love the truck.
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    Sep 28, 2019
    Just make sure that "#6500" TT is it's loaded weight and not it's "dry weight"...

    I tow a #7000 GVWR TT with a 13 F150 3.5 Ecoboost and it has plenty of power, but you do have to monitor the temps on it when pulling the grades..

    Coolant temps rise pretty quick when you are working those turbos!

    This is as much as I'd go with my truck.

    $20K budget will mean you are looking at newer "work truck" level trucks or older trucks around 2013 or so if you want a little more luxury...

    Any truck you get, you want the basic "tow package" at the minimum. This would include the hitch receiver, 7 pin connector, built in brake controller, etc..

    I just got the new TT and have 2 trips on it, and learned a lot after it's first pull and I've been doing this RV thing since 2002 and towing trailers in general since I was 16 years old.

    Here is the truck and new trailer. It's a 2019 Rockwood 2511s and weighs every bit of that #7000 GVWR after I loaded it up!

    Good luck!

    Mitch

  • badsix's avatar
    badsix
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2019
    we have a 27' T/T that weighs right around 6500# ready to camp water and all. I tow it with a 2010 GMC crew cab 1500 with a 5.3 gas engine. the combination couldn't be better it tows perfect and it has plenty of power. we get about 11-12 mph, some times a little higher or a little lower depending on the terrain. we use the truck as a second driver when not towing. the reason for the 1500 and not a 2500 was ride quality. the 1500 rides so smooth and comfortable and drives great we use it more on trips than our new car.
    Jay D.

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