I'm thinking about replacing my truck because it can't tow what we need. We are new to RVing and our Plan A as to find find a used TT thst we liked and that we could safely tow with my truck. Well the search isn't going well and we're going to plan B. Buying new tow vehicle that can pull a decent sized TT.So I keep reading/hearing that the today's half ton trucks are much more robust that they were 10 years ago, claiming today's half tons are like yesterday's 3/4 ton. Is that true?Below is a link to one of those articles.https://rvlifemag.com/towing-half-ton-three-quarter-ton/Odds are we are going to get a TT that weighs (GVT)beweet 5500 to 7500 lbs so I'm wondering if what size truck to get and we'd like to hear your opinions. Lastly if we decide upon a 5th wheel we'd definitely get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.What do most TT owners use to tow with?

While mfgs today have really upped towing limits, there are things 1500s dont have. Among then are better brakes, stronger frames. More motor, better transmissions, better tires and wheels. For a 7500 pounds your probably well within limits of most 1500s as long as you load the truck lightly. Instead of looking short term, look long range and buy a truck to handle your next trailer. No one truck is perfect for everyone, so make a wise decision based on your goals.

donn0128 wrote:While mfgs today have really upped towing limits, there are things 1500s dont have. Among then are better brakes, stronger frames. More motor, better transmissions, better tires and wheels. For a 7500 pounds your probably well within limits of most 1500s as long as you load the truck lightly. Instead of looking short term, look long range and buy a truck to handle your next trailer. No one truck is perfect for everyone, so make a wise decision based on your goals.Don't forget full floating rear diff/axles

The 2500 will give you more options

Ron3rd wrote:The 2500 will give you more optionsTrue but a half ton is probably plenty just so long as it has the towing package and does not have one of those mini-engines. Check the tow capacity of the truck you are interested in on the manufacturer's website.

Yes, most modern 1/2T's will easily tow a 7500 lb. TT. My previous 1/2T was rated for 12K towing but for all the reasons mentioned I upgraded to a 3/4T a couple years ago.If considering a 5th wheel I would get a 1T dually. A 3/4 or 1T single rear wheel will tow a 5er but IMO a dually will have better stability.

1/2 ton or 3/4 ton for towing a TT | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

deltabravo
Nomad
Oct 09, 2018
goducks10 wrote:
Imagines are nowhere near in the same league as an AF. Yes they both may have some issues and thats common across the board. The structure on the AF is heads above the Imagine.
AF and Imagines use pretty much the sam insulation builds. Why doesn't AF tout 30-40 R values? Probably cause it would be lying IMO
Imagines use MDF and OSB wood. AF has zero MDF or OSB.
Very low CCC on the Imagines. Not so with AF's.
There's a reason the AF costs $10-15,000 more new.

DITTO.

ORV (Outdoors RV) is another good choice. They are a sister company to Northwood. Also built in LaGrande, OR.

I loved my AF truck camper, and the Nash I have.
Previously I had a DF (Desert Fox) toy hauler. (also built by Northwood)
deltabravo
Nomad
Oct 09, 2018
Buy a 3/4 ton and you won't regret it. It doesn't limit your options if you decide in a few years that you want a bigger RV.

I went with a 3500HD dually since it will do everything the future holds.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Oct 09, 2018
op wrote:
We liked the Granddesign Imagine 2500RL and 2600RB trailers...we are now reconsidering them now that we've agreed to replace the truck. I'm focusing my search on 3/4 and 1 tons....not cheap!!

The OP is now looking for a 3/4 ton truck. Now he doesn't have to work at finding the right 1/2 ton with the higher GVWR and RAWR options.

Gazz 1/2 ton vs gazz 3/4 ton not that much difference in price. Both are high however packages depend on the dealer lots in a big city vs small rural towns around here anyways.
APT
Explorer
Oct 08, 2018
Not every half ton will tow a 7k loaded TT. You still want the heavy duty towing packages, more powerful engines and shorter axle gears. Payload has not gone up from half tons 15 years ago as much as power/transmission gearing.
goducks10
Explorer
Oct 08, 2018
Imagines are nowhere near in the same league as an AF. Yes they both may have some issues and thats common across the board. The structure on the AF is heads above the Imagine.
AF and Imagines use pretty much the sam insulation builds. Why doesn't AF tout 30-40 R values? Probably cause it would be lying IMO
Imagines use MDF and OSB wood. AF has zero MDF or OSB.
Very low CCC on the Imagines. Not so with AF's.
There's a reason the AF costs $10-15,000 more new.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2018
A HD 3/4 ton vs a 1 ton SRW are pretty much identical including price wise. Even a 1 ton dually is about the same price. The difference between them is in payload. A 3/4 ton is rated to carry groceries a 1 ton SRW can handle most 5th wheels and a dually is rated for very heavy fifth wheels and equipment trailers. Personally I wouldn't buy a 3/4 ton for anything. For the size trailer you are thinking I'd buy a 1/2 ton unless I wanted something for future use, in which case I'd buy a 1 ton SRW diesel. My personal preference would be a low mileage used 1 ton SRW diesel over a new 1/2 ton.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 08, 2018
How many times are you going to ask the same question a different way before you decide on a truck?
BeerBrewer
Explorer
Oct 08, 2018
Artum Snowbird .....The AF 25Y Looks nice a nice RV with a good floor plan. Have you looked at Granddesign Imagine RVs? They are well insulated with R7 in the walls, R30 in the floor and R40 in the roof.

You are correct I am interested in a well insulated trailer. We have relatives in northern Maine and in AZ and NV that we plan to visit, so we could see hot and cold temps. That said, odds are we won't camp too much in very cold weather, but we'd like to stay cool in the hot weather, so insulation will help with that.

We liked the Granddesign Imagine 2500RL and 2600RB trailers...we are now reconsidering them now that we've agreed to replace the truck. I'm focusing my search on 3/4 and 1 tons....not cheap!!
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2018
I would add one more thing to consider, will the truck be primarily for towing or will it be a daily driver used occasionally for towing. If daily driver, perhaps a 1500 optioned correctly would be ok, otherwise, get a 2500/3500 that will handle the towing fine.
ib516
Explorer II
Oct 08, 2018
My answer is that it depends on what kind of RVer you are. Are you a weekend warrior that sticks to a 3-4 hr drive from where you live with the odd long trip? Get the 1/2 ton of your choice and make sure it is equipped to tow (trans cooler, tow package, proper rear axle ratio). If you are considering getting a bigger RV in a few years, planning on going full time or taking cross country trips, etc. then get the 3/4 ton of your choice.

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1/2 ton or 3/4 ton for towing a TT

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