Looking for new tow vehicle
Question for everyone. I have a 33ft sunset creek travel trailer that I pull with my 2013 f150. The camper`s dry weight is 6700 pounds but with 4 kids we most likely come in around 8200 with everythi...
Forum Discussion
A late model 1500 class pickup will outperform in all respects a 20 year old 2500 class pickup. More engine power, more transmission speeds, better engine and transmission cooling, better brakes, and often stronger frames. Pre-2016 Ford 2500/3500 trucks were notorious for the frame breaking in half right behind the cab.
With Chevy the only real difference between the 2500 and the 3500 trucks is that with the latter there is the option for DRW and there are fewer cab and bed options. Not so with the Ford and Ram trucks.
A key problem is that the 1500 trucks and SUVs ship from the factory with tall gears so as to get better EPA fuel economy ratings and so are ill equipped for towing a heavy trailer. To get a low gear ratio for all but the Toyota Tundra trucks one needs to special order the truck from the factory. And with Chevy it is even worse as their is no provision for a larger fuel tank and it is not legal to replace the factory gas tank with a larger one (OK for diesel trucks).
Stopping distances with a 7,000 lb trailer load is very different with an SUV as compared to a 1500 pickup or a 2500 pickup and when one has to quickly slow the vehicle and trailer when some yahoo pulls out in front of you. I sold my 2500 Tahoe after realizing that even with a 3500 lb trailer load I was 100% dependent on the trailer brakes operating perfectly.
What is also ignored and seldom tested for is how long (time and distance) does it take to go from 25 mph up to 65 mph to be able to safely merge with freeway traffic with a heavy trailer in tow. This is no fun even with lots of horsepower available but decidedly dangerous if it takes 30 seconds to get up to 65 mph.
With Chevy the only real difference between the 2500 and the 3500 trucks is that with the latter there is the option for DRW and there are fewer cab and bed options. Not so with the Ford and Ram trucks.
A key problem is that the 1500 trucks and SUVs ship from the factory with tall gears so as to get better EPA fuel economy ratings and so are ill equipped for towing a heavy trailer. To get a low gear ratio for all but the Toyota Tundra trucks one needs to special order the truck from the factory. And with Chevy it is even worse as their is no provision for a larger fuel tank and it is not legal to replace the factory gas tank with a larger one (OK for diesel trucks).
Stopping distances with a 7,000 lb trailer load is very different with an SUV as compared to a 1500 pickup or a 2500 pickup and when one has to quickly slow the vehicle and trailer when some yahoo pulls out in front of you. I sold my 2500 Tahoe after realizing that even with a 3500 lb trailer load I was 100% dependent on the trailer brakes operating perfectly.
What is also ignored and seldom tested for is how long (time and distance) does it take to go from 25 mph up to 65 mph to be able to safely merge with freeway traffic with a heavy trailer in tow. This is no fun even with lots of horsepower available but decidedly dangerous if it takes 30 seconds to get up to 65 mph.
