1/2 or 3/4 Ton? - Trying to decide.
Ready for a newer truck... Jayco 25' travel trailer: WEIGHTS Unloaded Vehicle Weight: 5220# Dry Hitch Weight: 545# Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 7000# Cargo Carrying Capacity: 1780# A 250...
Forum Discussion
I would never deliberately buy a 1/2 ton truck to tow a trailer of any size. A 1/2 ton will pull 7k pounds with no problem, however. There is a substantial safety margin gained by having a full floating rear axle.
Just out of curiosity, since you were talking about Chevrolet, I just went to their website and built the same truck in a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. Both 4 door, 4wd, with a 6.5' box, LT models. I didn't add any options to either one except the max trailering package to the 1/2 ton, which gets you the rear (so called) locking differential. The trailering package gets 3.73 gears. I configured it with the 5.3L engine. I built a 3/4 ton with the same cab and packages. Since it's an HD, the "max trailering" stuff didn't need to be added. The difference in price was $2,265. The 3/4 ton truck has 4.10 gears because they are the only option in a gasoline engine. In the 1/2 ton, you can get 3.08, 3.42, or 3.73. Obviously for towing, you'd want the 3.73; 3.42 isn't going to be enough even with the stock tires.
The 1/2 ton truck comes with C load range tires even in the highest GVWR package. Honestly, that speaks for itself. The 3/4 ton comes with E rated tires regardless of whether you go with 17, 18, or 20" wheels, all of which are options for you. It would cost you about half of the difference in price between the two models to replace the factory C load range tires on the 1/2 ton truck with proper E load range tires for towing. Interestingly, no matter what size you choose, you get P-metric tires on the 1/2 ton truck.
The difference in fuel mileage between these two trucks is bound to be minimal. The difference in peace of mind in having larger brakes, a stronger transmission, higher GVWR, and E rated tires, is absolutely worth the $2,265 to me every time I hitch up. The choice is yours; either will do the job. Both trucks will pull your trailer fast enough to get you in trouble and faster than you can stop it. I would pull your trailer with either one, provided that proper tires were installed on the 1/2 ton truck. But I probably would choose the 3/4 ton truck for the many reasons discussed above. Is it overkill? I don't think so at all.
Just out of curiosity, since you were talking about Chevrolet, I just went to their website and built the same truck in a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. Both 4 door, 4wd, with a 6.5' box, LT models. I didn't add any options to either one except the max trailering package to the 1/2 ton, which gets you the rear (so called) locking differential. The trailering package gets 3.73 gears. I configured it with the 5.3L engine. I built a 3/4 ton with the same cab and packages. Since it's an HD, the "max trailering" stuff didn't need to be added. The difference in price was $2,265. The 3/4 ton truck has 4.10 gears because they are the only option in a gasoline engine. In the 1/2 ton, you can get 3.08, 3.42, or 3.73. Obviously for towing, you'd want the 3.73; 3.42 isn't going to be enough even with the stock tires.
The 1/2 ton truck comes with C load range tires even in the highest GVWR package. Honestly, that speaks for itself. The 3/4 ton comes with E rated tires regardless of whether you go with 17, 18, or 20" wheels, all of which are options for you. It would cost you about half of the difference in price between the two models to replace the factory C load range tires on the 1/2 ton truck with proper E load range tires for towing. Interestingly, no matter what size you choose, you get P-metric tires on the 1/2 ton truck.
The difference in fuel mileage between these two trucks is bound to be minimal. The difference in peace of mind in having larger brakes, a stronger transmission, higher GVWR, and E rated tires, is absolutely worth the $2,265 to me every time I hitch up. The choice is yours; either will do the job. Both trucks will pull your trailer fast enough to get you in trouble and faster than you can stop it. I would pull your trailer with either one, provided that proper tires were installed on the 1/2 ton truck. But I probably would choose the 3/4 ton truck for the many reasons discussed above. Is it overkill? I don't think so at all.
