Ideal vehicle for a newbie?
Ok, I already realize now I made my first big RV mistake. Without understanding the towing capacity considerations I purchased a travel trailer that is just under 3000lbs (dry), for a 2003 Ford Escape...
Forum Discussion
You could get away with a Tacoma, Frontier or the new Colorado/Canyon. They all have 6000lb+ tow ratings. Your 3000lb trailer loaded should have a low enough tongue weight for those trucks.
IMO if you're looking for a tow vehicle and size is not a big issue then a 1/2 ton would be ideal.
I'll give you a personal experience example. We had a 22', 4050lb loaded TT and initially towed it with an 06 Frontier V6 2wd extra cab. It handled fine but it was down on power for the area we camp. Hills and mtns of Oregon. We sold it and bought an 08 F150 5.4 2wd 3.73 gears SuperCab. Night and day difference. MPG went up from 8.5 to 10.5. The truck had plenty of power and even though I hate to say it, it felt like it wasn't even back there. Plus with the larger (26gal) as opposed to the smaller (21gal) and the added mpg increase gave us a longer travel time between fill ups. Almost 100 miles more increase.
You don't need a big power house truck either. Any of the newer ones with a V6 is plenty for that size TT.
IMO if you're looking for a tow vehicle and size is not a big issue then a 1/2 ton would be ideal.
I'll give you a personal experience example. We had a 22', 4050lb loaded TT and initially towed it with an 06 Frontier V6 2wd extra cab. It handled fine but it was down on power for the area we camp. Hills and mtns of Oregon. We sold it and bought an 08 F150 5.4 2wd 3.73 gears SuperCab. Night and day difference. MPG went up from 8.5 to 10.5. The truck had plenty of power and even though I hate to say it, it felt like it wasn't even back there. Plus with the larger (26gal) as opposed to the smaller (21gal) and the added mpg increase gave us a longer travel time between fill ups. Almost 100 miles more increase.
You don't need a big power house truck either. Any of the newer ones with a V6 is plenty for that size TT.
