I appreciate all the expertise from the contributors to this forum. The amount of misinformation we've received from dealers/salespeople is discouraging, so it's great to have a forum like this with people who actually tow!We are planning on stepping up to a Forest River Salem 30QBSS:Dry weight = 6575GVWR = 9780Hitch weight = 980This also means we will need to step up in TV class.We stopped at a Ford dealer to look at F150/250s and were told the Expedition could pull that TT weight with no problem, but right off the bat the max tongue weight for the Expedition (with WD) is only 920# which seems to eliminate it right away.We have two kids and would prefer to pull this with a full-size SUV but a ~'05 Suburban 8.1 is probably not an option for us, so I'm starting to focus on a slightly older 3/4 ton truck to use as a dedicated TV.I would appreciate any input anybody would like to provide. I've learned a lot looking throughout this forum but every situation is a little different so just wanted to post mine. Thank you ahead of time.

You pretty much answered your own question. That tongue weight will grow as you load the trailer and also the back end of the TV. I would definitely go with a 3/4 PU truck. The next consideration would be diesel or gas, both of which would be viable. If you will be doing a lot of high mountain terrain, I would go with a diesel.

There are no 2007+ SUVs I would tow that TT with given the dry TW. If there were another TT at 7k dry and under 800 pounds TW, I'd have no problems using my 2011 Suburban 2500.If you are committed to that TT, then 3/4 ton pickup as dedicated TV is a reasonable solution. So is a later model 1-ton van, but they do not come equipped with very much equipment compared to pickup and SUV offerings.If you like GM, then I recommend a 2007.5+ 6.0L/6-spd. It's powertrain is pretty much the same used in 2015 models. It's reasonably efficient, powerful, and dead reliable. For Ford, V10 or 6.2L starting in 2011. Skip the 5.4L.

You have gained knowledge and parlayed it into wisdom. A 3/4 ton truck is the ticket for you and there are plenty of used trucks that will do that nicely.

Yes, go with the 3/4 T for that TT and size of your family. That hitch wt. is dry wt. and the actual will be more like 1200-1300 lbs, and possibly a bit higher still. The payload in the truck can be upwards of 1K lbs by the time it's loaded with the family, pets, groceries, camping gear, bikes and other stuff. Even if you can find a truck that will handle the weight, the 3/4T trucks still have a stronger frame and bigger brakes AFAIK.We have an F250 that is a dedicated TV. Our 29' TT is lighter at around 7K lbs loaded for camping. Totally love the 3/4 ton truck (a replacement for our old F150). Headed off camping yesterday with some friends. We swapped trucks for a few miles and I got to drive their 1/2T Chev towing a similar sized TT. We both strongly agreed that the 3/4T truck is definitely noticeably "beefier" and a better towing machine. Personally I didn't like the feel of the 1/2T even though it is well within weight specs. Also, they have friction sway control and ours is a Reese DC. IMO, the DC feels and performs better.If you get an extended or crew cab, the extra wheelbase will make for better handling and sway control. I you can find 2WD in a 3/4T I would get that unless you really need 4WD. The 4WD is higher off the ground (5" or so) and reduces the payload rating.

Not arguing a 3/4 ton would be better but if you want to save some money, that trailer would be a good match for the F150 ecoboost. Just find one with a decent payload and preferably E rated tires.After owning an 5.4l expedition and towing a smaller trailer, no way I would choose that option.

3/4 Ton as Dedicated TV? | Good Sam Community

myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
Samsonsworld wrote:
15% and a one ton for a 6k lb trailer? I have officially heard it all. Heck, I'd just find a Peterbilt.

Actually OP said a 9780 lb. GVWR trailer, which could potentially make the TW up around 1500 lbs if at 15%. I agree with using 15% for TW, then you are covered. That high is not uncommon - ours is just under 15% with one battery and empty FW tank which is well ahead of the axles and can go above 15%. I agree with Huntingdog -for literally almost the same $$ you can get into a 1T and have more payload available. Could be a good thing down the road if ever contemplating a larger TT or going to a FW.
krobbe
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
My Bullet 295BHS started out life as 5248# dry and 800# hitch weight as measured with a Sureline scale.
Today it is 7300# loaded up with 1100# hitch with only 10gals water in the tank, 2 batteries and 2 30# propane tanks.
The hitch is at 15% loaded weight. My 3/4 Burb holds it up and pulls it fine.
Buy more than what you think you need and no worries when the weight goes higher than expected.
tatest
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
An E-350 with the 6.8 V-10 could handle that. Particularly the un-extended van, you will have nearly 3000 pounds difference between empty weight and the GVWR. If you do not need seating for 12, you can take out the rear seat, making it a couple hundred pounds lighter. I did that for my van, It took four people to handle the seat, as it is not an easy in and out through the rear door.

You can get about the same capacity with an Express 3500, 6.0 V8 (and the fourth row seat comes out easier). Find one with the Duramax and it boosts tow capacity but reduces carrying capacity.

Generally, you will find that these vans, especially ex-fleet, are not as luxuriously equipped as people expect in SUVs and family-use pickups these days. That's probably why they sell a year old for less than half of what is being asked for a high-trim 3/4 ton pickup.
Samsonsworld
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
You don't need a one ton for a 9k lb trailer and 15% is on the high end. You're assuming he'll max it out and it's hard to add 3k worth of crap. It's just not necessary.
RJCorazza
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
I shoot for 12% tongue weight also, and adjusted the loaded items to keep it there. My trailer is 7000 lbs empty (shipping), 8400 lbs loaded, and 9500 lbs GVWR. Tongue weight is around 1050 lbs.
There are F150's that will properly handle those numbers, but having towed with 1/2 and 3/4 tons I prefer the latter.
IMHO YMMV
Samsonsworld
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
I went from an f250 to an f150 and I don't miss my 6.sl0w pulling a 9k lb trailer.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
Samsonsworld wrote:
You don't need a one ton for a 9k lb trailer and 15% is on the high end. You're assuming he'll max it out and it's hard to add 3k worth of crap. It's just not necessary.

A lot of people here would say that I don't "need" my dually... But it sure is nice to be able to bring anything I want without worrying about the weight...
Two Arctic Cat 650s, two generators, 45 gallons of gas for the toys, about 120 gallons of extra water, 4 extra propane tanks, etc, etc.... Of course all of this "stuff" "just isn't necessary" and it all doesn't come on every trip. But is sure is fun to be able do what I want, when I want..

And in the OPs case, the difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton is hardly anything as far as money goes... And the freedom to be able to do more of what ever you want is priceless....Not to mention that he says it is to be a dedicated tow vehicle.. So he might as well step it up a notch.
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
Huntindog wrote:
Samsonsworld wrote:
You don't need a one ton for a 9k lb trailer and 15% is on the high end. You're assuming he'll max it out and it's hard to add 3k worth of crap. It's just not necessary.

A lot of people here would say that I don't "need" my dually... But it sure is nice to be able to bring anything I want without worrying about the weight...
Two Arctic Cat 650s, two generators, 45 gallons of gas for the toys, about 120 gallons of extra water, 4 extra propane tanks, etc, etc.... Of course all of this "stuff" "just isn't necessary" and it all doesn't come on every trip. But is sure is fun to be able do what I want, when I want..

And in the OPs case, the difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton is hardly anything as far as money goes... And the freedom to be able to do more of what ever you want is priceless....Not to mention that he says it is to be a dedicated tow vehicle.. So he might as well step it up a notch.

Went from a 99 Tahoe with airbags and lots of mods to a 2000 F350 dually 7.3 diesel. I will NEVER tow my 7000 lb TT with the Tahoe again now. The stability of the dually allows me to tow with confidence, one hand on the wheel in the mountain curves, passing big rigs, and to really stir things up for you never over 65 crowd.......it handles great at 90 mph.
RoyBell
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
Samsonsworld wrote:
You don't need a one ton for a 9k lb trailer and 15% is on the high end. You're assuming he'll max it out and it's hard to add 3k worth of crap. It's just not necessary.

A lot of people here would say that I don't "need" my dually... But it sure is nice to be able to bring anything I want without worrying about the weight...
Two Arctic Cat 650s, two generators, 45 gallons of gas for the toys, about 120 gallons of extra water, 4 extra propane tanks, etc, etc.... Of course all of this "stuff" "just isn't necessary" and it all doesn't come on every trip. But is sure is fun to be able do what I want, when I want..

And in the OPs case, the difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton is hardly anything as far as money goes... And the freedom to be able to do more of what ever you want is priceless....Not to mention that he says it is to be a dedicated tow vehicle.. So he might as well step it up a notch.

Went from a 99 Tahoe with airbags and lots of mods to a 2000 F350 dually 7.3 diesel. I will NEVER tow my 7000 lb TT with the Tahoe again now. The stability of the dually allows me to tow with confidence, one hand on the wheel in the mountain curves, passing big rigs, and to really stir things up for you never over 65 crowd.......it handles great at 90 mph.

You tow your TT at 90mph? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Just because your TV is oversized for the trailer doesn't mean you need to be johnny rocket with it.
Samsonsworld
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
Samsonsworld wrote:
You don't need a one ton for a 9k lb trailer and 15% is on the high end. You're assuming he'll max it out and it's hard to add 3k worth of crap. It's just not necessary.

A lot of people here would say that I don't "need" my dually... But it sure is nice to be able to bring anything I want without worrying about the weight...
Two Arctic Cat 650s, two generators, 45 gallons of gas for the toys, about 120 gallons of extra water, 4 extra propane tanks, etc, etc.... Of course all of this "stuff" "just isn't necessary" and it all doesn't come on every trip. But is sure is fun to be able do what I want, when I want..

And in the OPs case, the difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton is hardly anything as far as money goes... And the freedom to be able to do more of what ever you want is priceless....Not to mention that he says it is to be a dedicated tow vehicle.. So he might as well step it up a notch.

Went from a 99 Tahoe with airbags and lots of mods to a 2000 F350 dually 7.3 diesel. I will NEVER tow my 7000 lb TT with the Tahoe again now. The stability of the dually allows me to tow with confidence, one hand on the wheel in the mountain curves, passing big rigs, and to really stir things up for you never over 65 crowd.......it handles great at 90 mph.

The chevy 5.3l is a gutless pos. I've no doubt you appreciate the difference. And towing at 90 is not smart...putting it nicely.