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jbloch's avatar
jbloch
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015

3/4 Ton as Dedicated TV?

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 = 6575
GVWR = 9780
Hitch weight = 980

This 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.