1/2 ton towing
Just purchased a 2020 Ram 1500 5.7 with the etourqe along with a 3.92 rear. Specs on the truck says it has a 1681lb payload and can tow up to 11500 lbs. Looking into purchasing a 2021 Grand Design 32...
Forum Discussion
SV Todd wrote:
That may be true but most part times RV'ers are only pulling a trailer 10 or 20% of the time they drive their truck. Who wants to drive a 3/4 or 1 ton truck with it's terrible unladen fuel mileage 80-90% of the time they own their truck?
Yes if your primary purpose of the truck is towing the trailer a 3/4 or 1 ton would be ideal, but for those whose TV is their primary vehicle the other 80-90% of the time, pushing the limits of a 1/2 ton for relatively short trips is perfectly fine.
I drive and own not only ONE 3/4 ton, I have THREE 3/4 ton trucks and they ARE used for "daily drivers"..
I don't call getting 15mpg-16mpg as "terrible unladen mileage" either for a 6.2 gas engine and in a 6000 lb empty truck.
Even 1/2 tons get only a couple of MPG better empty than a 3/4 ton which in reality makes the fuel mileage argument pretty much a moot point. And when loaded (towing) the 1/2 tons do not get any better mileage and sometimes even worse mileage.
I recall back in the 1970's, 80's and even into the early 90s when pickup trucks barely got 8mpg-9mpg empty and automobiles averaged 12 mpg-16 mpg..
I have no intention of ever going back to a 1/2 ton, the one I had was always in the shop, always needing front end parts, brakes and shocks.. Dumped it at 140K miles and have not looked back.
So far have had very good success with 3/4 tons, drove one of them up to 240,000 miles before I sold it, only in a shop once and would have kept it longer but the body was rusting out after 18 yrs..
Modern day 3/4 and 1 tons actually ride very well, while not as soft and spongy as a 1/2 ton they are firm and take command of your loads without the need to add aftermarket suspension upgrades and gadgets.
You "half ton" folks need to open your mind and eyes, much better platforms for light or heavy loads are out there once you get past the old stigma of the "buck board rides" of yester year.
Go, take a 3/4 for a test drive with open minds, you will find it feels firm and planted on the road compared to the mushy 1/2 tons.
