Tow Vehicles and Hitches
Hey everyone, I have a few posts on full time RVing with my wife and now we are looking for our truck. I need some information though on weight distribution. The RV we're looking at is the Freed...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
You are looking for a crewcab, but plan on towing about 7,500 pounds, so it really does not make sense.
Do you realize that the pickup can only tow the maximum weight WHILE only the driver is on board? No coolers, no bikes, extra passengers, anything.
I would suggest a 3/4 ton truck, and that will carry 600 pounds of passengers, 1,200 pounds of hitch weight, the 200 pound WD hitch, and anything else you might want to carry, without reaching the GVWR and going over it. It will get slightly less MPG than a lighter weight pickup, but can carry all the weight that you need to.
But don't just take any pickup from the lot. Make sure that it has enough GVWR for your loads, and passengers, and whatever else will be in the truck. Don't spec the lowest rear axle ratio either, you will not significantly load up the 3/4 ton truck, and can work well with a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, or even a 3.54:1 ratio. 4.10:1 is not a 'requirement' for towing these days. Modern fuel injection can run at 2,000 RPM and still tow great- especially if you are running 91 octane gas.
Check the glovebox. See if it will have plenty of cargo rating - because you will have up to about 1,000 pounds of hitch weight, 200 pound hitch and the bars, ect. and whatever coolers, passengers and such as will be in the truck.. . .
Get a towing guide for Ford and GM and Dodge. Make sure that it will carry the load you plan to put on it.. . .
Good luck,
Fred.
You are looking for a crewcab, but plan on towing about 7,500 pounds, so it really does not make sense.
Do you realize that the pickup can only tow the maximum weight WHILE only the driver is on board? No coolers, no bikes, extra passengers, anything.
I would suggest a 3/4 ton truck, and that will carry 600 pounds of passengers, 1,200 pounds of hitch weight, the 200 pound WD hitch, and anything else you might want to carry, without reaching the GVWR and going over it. It will get slightly less MPG than a lighter weight pickup, but can carry all the weight that you need to.
But don't just take any pickup from the lot. Make sure that it has enough GVWR for your loads, and passengers, and whatever else will be in the truck. Don't spec the lowest rear axle ratio either, you will not significantly load up the 3/4 ton truck, and can work well with a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, or even a 3.54:1 ratio. 4.10:1 is not a 'requirement' for towing these days. Modern fuel injection can run at 2,000 RPM and still tow great- especially if you are running 91 octane gas.
Check the glovebox. See if it will have plenty of cargo rating - because you will have up to about 1,000 pounds of hitch weight, 200 pound hitch and the bars, ect. and whatever coolers, passengers and such as will be in the truck.. . .
Get a towing guide for Ford and GM and Dodge. Make sure that it will carry the load you plan to put on it.. . .
Good luck,
Fred.
