I’m looking for advice as to which vehicle might be best for my situation. Trailer is 28’ bumper pull ~6,500 lbs fully loaded. Current vehicle is a 2017 Tahoe which is pulling it but it is pushing the limits on payload. I currently drive around 30,000 to 35,000 miles per year. My office is 26 miles each way so while I do make some short trips of just a few miles, there is always a longer trip in the same day. I only tow about 3,000 miles a year so I am trying to decide if a diesel or gasser makes more sense due to my daily driver needs. My oldest son turns 16 next January so I’m thinking of getting a 3/4 ton truck and passing down the Tahoe. We have 3 boys (15, 12, 9) so I am thinking we can just keep passing the Tahoe down to each when they turn 16. I would like the vehicle to be able to support a slightly larger trailer as who knows what the future holds but not at the expense of my daily driver experience.

A HD truck will of course work, but do not buy a 3/4 ton. The price difference between that and a one ton is minor, they handle the same, and you get more capacity for the future

I agree with above, unless you decide to go with a Ram. The ride difference between a 2500 and 3500 SRW is pretty significant with the 2500 being much more comfortable, but it will cost you some payload only going with the 2500.

Or you can just register the truck in the same class as 1 ton and not have to worry about paylaod differences sinc ether OE payload sticker don't mean squat between these two truck classes.

I don't know your kids, but I will say there is a near zero chance the Tahoe will survive to have the 9 yr old ever drive it. ;)A gas 2500 has enough payload for whatever you would want to haul behind it or in it. (short of a large truck camper) If diesel, I agree with get the 3500. Lot's to think about in that choice, especially with the new gas engines coming out.

Most any 1/2 ton pickup would easily tow your 6,500# TT or the “slightly larger” trailer of the future. There are even 1/2 ton diesel options if you want to go that route.

Can’t decide which vehicle would be best for my situation

33 Replies

bartlettj
Explorer
Mar 27, 2019
I was in a very similar situation to you a year ago, and I replaced my Tahoe with a lightly used GMC 2500HD diesel crew cab. I couldn't be happier... I'm getting better fuel economy on my commute and towing with the diesel, it's nicer to drive, and with 2 kids and 2 dogs having all the space in the bed is great. Plus, I can now fly up mountains without sounding like a rod is going to come through the hood, and there's nothing like having an integral brake controller and an exhaust brake to make stopping smooth and controlled.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Mar 26, 2019
Family of 5 expedition EL with the eco-boost. And a pro-pride hitch.

Ego-boost... ha!
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Mar 26, 2019
^ All in fun! I’m with ya.
If I was him, yeah I’d pick my favorite flavor of HD diesel and let er eat! If I wanted car like comfort and only good, not great trailer towing, I’d get a baby diesel 1/2 ton.
If I had a company gas card, I’d get a 6.2 Chebbie or an Egoboost.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Mar 26, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
Guessing if the guy is driving a new luxury SUV that he's willing to give to his kid with a green drivers license when it's still worth $30-40k then he doesn't want an old farm truck for a tow rig and chit box commuter car, but....just guessing.

Your probably correct, I was just giving another option that hadn’t been listed yet.
Curly2001
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2019
Hands down I would purchase a 3/4 truck. Been there, done that with what you have and there is no comparison with the larger truck. Bite the bullet and get the 6.0 gasser Chevy with 4:10 gears and be done with it. Ford or Ram are other good choices but make sure you have the 4:10 rear to pull with the larger brakes to stop it.
Curly
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Mar 26, 2019
Guessing if the guy is driving a new luxury SUV that he's willing to give to his kid with a green drivers license when it's still worth $30-40k then he doesn't want an old farm truck for a tow rig and chit box commuter car, but....just guessing.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Mar 26, 2019
Another idea, buy an older tow vehicle, say a 2007 Chevy 2500 crew with the 6.0, or something similar. Then buy a used Honda Civic for a daily driver. Sell the Tahoe and get your son a salvage title Kia (with airbags). You would be out a lot less than buying a new truck of any kind. If you want something bigger down the road, sell the truck for very little loss and get something bigger.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 25, 2019
normal_dave wrote:

Yep, ib516 has "been there, done that", (not sure about the t-shirt).

For a family on a budget, consider a Ram 2500 Tradesman package with a few basic add-ons. I think it is brings the "mostest for the leastest". Now you'll have to verify the reduced payload of the Power Wagon package, but you can get a Ram 2500 Tradesman 6.4L Hemi, and add the Power Wagon package, I think it's a pretty neat setup for the money. Power Trailer tow mirrors, power windows, locks, trailer brake control, backup camera, etc. (Note, this is not the full fledged Power Wagon model, just the package).
Example: (This is one of two at Eddy's in Wichita, KS)
Ram 2500 Tradesman w/Power Wagon

Of course if the payload reduction of the Power Wagon package becomes an issue, just get the Tradesman equipped the way you want and enjoy about a 3K payload.

You really want him to tow with LT285/70R17D tires on that package???? 17" tires have become the unwanted step child.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 25, 2019
SoonerWing03 wrote:
I’m looking for advice as to which vehicle might be best for my situation.

Trailer is 28’ bumper pull ~6,500 lbs fully loaded.
Current vehicle is a 2017 Tahoe which is pulling it but it is pushing the limits on payload.

I currently drive around 30,000 to 35,000 miles per year. My office is 26 miles each way so while I do make some short trips of just a few miles, there is always a longer trip in the same day. I only tow about 3,000 miles a year so I am trying to decide if a diesel or gasser makes more sense due to my daily driver needs.

My oldest son turns 16 next January so I’m thinking of getting a 3/4 ton truck and passing down the Tahoe. We have 3 boys (15, 12, 9) so I am thinking we can just keep passing the Tahoe down to each when they turn 16.

I would like the vehicle to be able to support a slightly larger trailer as who knows what the future holds but not at the expense of my daily driver experience.

That last line puts a lot of what if's into the equation.
Depending on the price difference between gas and diesel at the pump in your area, a SRW one ton diesel with 3.42 gears might be a good fit. Good fuel mileage on the highway 26 mile one way commute, very good on a diesel.
a lot depends on how much bigger you want to go with the RV, you might be cautious as you don't have a great towing experience. If you get more than enough TV, your plans may for the next RV might be much large than you think.

No you don't need a one ton diesel now, but this will future proof your next RV. Just my thoughts.
normal_dave
Explorer
Mar 25, 2019
ib516 wrote:
SoonerWing03 wrote:
Well the Tahoe is the only TV I have ever pulled this trailer with so it is all I know. I have read posts referring to their towing experience as “rock solid” and I wouldn’t describe mine as such. I guess what I was really hoping for was a consensus of people saying something like “your situation sounds just about perfect for X”. Thank you for your opinions and I hope they keep coming. Every little but of information helps.

Well, if you ask me, I'd say you're a prime candidate for a Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi and an 8 speed auto.

You get a HD chassis, about 3k payload, all the room and comfort you could imagine, plenty of towing power, and a rock solid towing experience. You also save about 10k vs going with the diesel. Yes it will get slightly lower mpg than the diesel would towing or empty.

Yep, ib516 has "been there, done that", (not sure about the t-shirt).

For a family on a budget, consider a Ram 2500 Tradesman package with a few basic add-ons. I think it is brings the "mostest for the leastest". Now you'll have to verify the reduced payload of the Power Wagon package, but you can get a Ram 2500 Tradesman 6.4L Hemi, and add the Power Wagon package, I think it's a pretty neat setup for the money. Power Trailer tow mirrors, power windows, locks, trailer brake control, backup camera, etc. (Note, this is not the full fledged Power Wagon model, just the package).
Example: (This is one of two at Eddy's in Wichita, KS)
Ram 2500 Tradesman w/Power Wagon

Of course if the payload reduction of the Power Wagon package becomes an issue, just get the Tradesman equipped the way you want and enjoy about a 3K payload.