Hey All! We have a construction company so we have a variety of vehicles-all Chevy 2500 Diesels-various years ranging from 2009-2014. We also have a Dodge Ram 3500. They are all extended cab trucks. We are able to use any of these to tow our trailer if we want. My husband's personal vehicle is a 2005 Chevy 2500 Diesel, it is getting up there in mileage and we are wanting to upgrade to a crew cab to better fit our growing family (4yo, 1yo and a 70 lb golden). I would like to just get a half ton pickup though. We are looking at a Open Range Light LT221RQB. Do you think we could tow this with a late model half ton? SPECS: UVW-6535 lbsHitch- 870lbsCArgo: 3135 lbsGVWR: 9670 lbsI really don't think we would ever load this with 3135 lbs of cargo though-that's a lot of stuff and this is a smaller sized trailer. However, I know in the bed of our truck we would want to have our bikes in there so that would add to the payload. I did look up a 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Short bed and with the right axle ratio and tow package it says tow rating is 11,800lbs. Thoughts? Tanya

If you have access to heavy duty trucks to tow your trailer, why not get a very comfortable light weight daily driver for your husband and use a work truck when using the trailer. That would be the simplest and cheapest route.To answer your question, you will find a much better towing experience with that trailer with a truck that has a lot of power. Your example truck would be adequate but not optimum. You will get surprisingly close to that 3135 of cargo. Often, RV manufacturers don't add "options" to the base weight. Some of the "options" include air conditioner, TV antenna, and even extra kitchen cabinets. Also, you will add battery(s), clothes, kitchen supplies, and probably fill the fresh water tank. Always match your tow vehicle to the trailer's GVWR not its "dry" or unloaded weight.

You can tow a trailer with almost anything; the kicker is towing it safely and being able to stop it! Although it would be nice to have a half ton truck for better gas mileage and ride, the smarter thing to do is get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck (diesel) to have a safer and smoother towing experience. You will not be disappointed. Pulling a trailer with a half ton is stressful and every time a big rig zooms next to you, you will be white knuckling the steering wheel. I've been there and we arrived home so tired and stressed, the trip was a killer. After getting our 5th wheel and one ton diesel, the drive is soooo much easier on us, it is actually enjoyable to be able to just drive and see the countryside! And I love driving the truck while not towing. Good luck

If you're going to load it up close to the gross weight, particularly over longer distances, I wouldn't downsize the truck. Heavy duty trucks only cost marginally more and they're a lot more capable, and there's minimal trade-off in terms of comfort as a daily driver. Advertised max tow ratings on half tons are nothing but marketing hype.

Moon8211 wrote:Hey All! We have a construction company so we have a variety of vehicles-all Chevy 2500 Diesels-various years ranging from 2009-2014. We also have a Dodge Ram 3500. They are all extended cab trucks. We are able to use any of these to tow our trailer if we want. My husband's personal vehicle is a 2005 Chevy 2500 Diesel, it is getting up there in mileage and we are wanting to upgrade to a crew cab to better fit our growing family (4yo, 1yo and a 70 lb golden). I would like to just get a half ton pickup though. We are looking at a Open Range Light LT221RQB. Do you think we could tow this with a late model half ton? SPECS: UVW-6535 lbsThis is the 'stripper' model used to derive the other ratings. Veryfew folks ever buy/own a stripper model...nor are they often offered.As the dealer will add 'stuff' to it before the sale. Things like battery, propane tanks, fill those propane tanks, sparetire, etc, etcI've wondered if the stripper/dry includes the AC/Furnace/etc appliances...Hitch- 870lbsNormally, this brochure listed tongue weight is based on the stripper.Only good thing is that it tells the basic percentage tongue of theACTUAL weightBest is to have the tongue weight around 12%-15% of the ACTUAL trailerweight. I recommend keeping it as high as you can for better towing...butthat will most likely push most half tons to their GAWR limitsCArgo: 3135 lbsBased on that stripper and will be less, pound for pound, after youload up cargo and the stuff the dealer installedGVWR: 9670 lbsBest to load up ready to camp, but since you do not have it yet, recommend using the GVWR for calculations. Many will recommend not doing so, but this is the safest. As it willhave more safety margin for your setupI really don't think we would ever load this with 3135 lbs of cargo though-that's a lot of stuff and this is a smaller sized trailer. However, I know in the bed of our truck we would want to have our bikes in there so that would add to the payload. I did look up a 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Short bed and with the right axle ratio and tow package it says tow rating is 11,800lbs. The 11,800 MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) form the TV OEM is likewisederived from the 'stripper' (AKA curb) vehicle.The actual will be less pound for pound of your optional equipmenton the TV. Like AC, power windows/seats/locks, etc, etcAnd the stuff you load in/on it Thoughts? TanyaNotice that your husband's company has higher class trucks from yourlisting. Few companies will have lower class pickups for 'work' andis due to the fact that half tons are mainly for light duty and'ride quality'Of which, decide if 'ride quality' is more important than 'towingperformance'Many here on these freebie forums do NOT believe in the ratings systemfrom the OEMs...or they don't understand how the ratings system worksMany newbies will only own half tons and see their signatures monthsor years later and they have upgraded to higher class TV's...This 'risk management decision' is also known as 'gambling' that youhave enough truck when Mr Murphy crosses your pathEither you have the right sized and setup correctly spot on...therewill be no time to go back to the store for bigger/better nor timeto re-setupThere is only one person responsible for the setup and that is the driver. We advisors have no skin in the game and I'm posting not justfor the OP, but for the lurkers out there

Maybe the truck can make it go and make it stop, but you have to consider if you will LIKE driving the rig, or will you feel exhausted and frustrated after a couple hours on the road.There are a lot of marginal rigs that are perfectly safe, but they are no fun to drive. Mushy handling, sluggish acceleration... It wears on you after a while.From what I've read, heard, and experienced the threshold of tolerable with a 1500-class pickup truck is about 7500lbs.

Changing Out Trucks | Good Sam Community

Moon8211
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
Thanks this gives us something to think about.
alboy
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
For some that dont get out much ,gm offers the 6.2/8 speed ,420 HP/460 ft lbs,likely leave many older diesels behind going up a long grade with 10000 lbs.IF the 1/2 ton you look at can stay within all ratings,payload etc ,i wouldnt hesitate to tow with one.
keymastr
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Plenty of threads lately about people wanting to know what modifications such as air bags or helper springs to add to their half ton trucks towing near the max weight. Go with a 2500.
The_Texan
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Moon8211 wrote:
Thanks for all the input! I was hoping for a little ammunition to get a 1500 but I don't think I have it. I had a feeling this was the response I would get-looks like my hubby is going to get the truck he wants :) We would like to get a used vehicle but was having a hard time finding a used 2500 without a ton of miles or it was relatively new and not much savings off a new truck.

We can use our work trucks but would like to be able to use our own personal vehicle instead.

As you can see, the people hiding behind their computers here on RV.Net don't believe anything under a 1T dually is suitable for towing, which is PURE hogwash with today's ½T trucks. Many of us here have and use ½T to tow within manufacture specs and very safely. My ½T routinely tows 8K and on many occasions 10K, all within specs and very comfortably. So, to answer your question, YES it is doable, and SAFE if done correctly. Ford & GM both have ½T trucks that fit your needs.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Anyone used to driving a 2500 diesel is not going to be happy towing that kind of weight with a 1500 gas truck. The diesel will "spoil" you with the power and then nothing measures up. What's a lot of miles? My '05 Chevy diesel has 213,000 on it. We just took it to Colorado and back this year with no problems. I hope to see well over 300,000 out of it.
I don't know if this new truck would also be a business expense but there are different rules for depreciating trucks based on the GVWR. I think if they're over 7,500 it's financial more favorable to the business on depreciation.
Really there's no good reason to buy a little 1500 truck for towing duty. I had one and never will again.
braindead0
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
I think 1/2 ton trucks work well as TV's for smaller TT's and smaller families. It's just the 2 of us, our 16' TT is plenty big enough for us and our 1/2 RAM tows it with ease.

You've got 2 growing kids, and a dog.. And all of the 'accessories' and space needs that go along with that. I'd think a 2500 would fit your needs better than a 1500.
Moon8211
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
Thanks for all the input! I was hoping for a little ammunition to get a 1500 but I don't think I have it. I had a feeling this was the response I would get-looks like my hubby is going to get the truck he wants :) We would like to get a used vehicle but was having a hard time finding a used 2500 without a ton of miles or it was relatively new and not much savings off a new truck.

We can use our work trucks but would like to be able to use our own personal vehicle instead.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Aug 08, 2016
Maybe the truck can make it go and make it stop, but you have to consider if you will LIKE driving the rig, or will you feel exhausted and frustrated after a couple hours on the road.

There are a lot of marginal rigs that are perfectly safe, but they are no fun to drive. Mushy handling, sluggish acceleration... It wears on you after a while.

From what I've read, heard, and experienced the threshold of tolerable with a 1500-class pickup truck is about 7500lbs.
BenK
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
Moon8211 wrote:
Hey All!

We have a construction company so we have a variety of vehicles-all Chevy 2500 Diesels-various years ranging from 2009-2014. We also have a Dodge Ram 3500. They are all extended cab trucks. We are able to use any of these to tow our trailer if we want. My husband's personal vehicle is a 2005 Chevy 2500 Diesel, it is getting up there in mileage and we are wanting to upgrade to a crew cab to better fit our growing family (4yo, 1yo and a 70 lb golden). I would like to just get a half ton pickup though. We are looking at a Open Range Light LT221RQB. Do you think we could tow this with a late model half ton?

SPECS:
UVW-6535 lbs

This is the 'stripper' model used to derive the other ratings. Very
few folks ever buy/own a stripper model...nor are they often offered.

As the dealer will add 'stuff' to it before the sale.

Things like battery, propane tanks, fill those propane tanks, spare
tire, etc, etc

I've wondered if the stripper/dry includes the AC/Furnace/etc appliances...

Hitch- 870lbs

Normally, this brochure listed tongue weight is based on the stripper.

Only good thing is that it tells the basic percentage tongue of the
ACTUAL weight

Best is to have the tongue weight around 12%-15% of the ACTUAL trailer
weight. I recommend keeping it as high as you can for better towing...but
that will most likely push most half tons to their GAWR limits

CArgo: 3135 lbs

Based on that stripper and will be less, pound for pound, after you
load up cargo and the stuff the dealer installed

GVWR: 9670 lbs

Best to load up ready to camp, but since you do not have it yet,
recommend using the GVWR for calculations.

Many will recommend not doing so, but this is the safest. As it will
have more safety margin for your setup

I really don't think we would ever load this with 3135 lbs of cargo though-that's a lot of stuff and this is a smaller sized trailer. However, I know in the bed of our truck we would want to have our bikes in there so that would add to the payload. I did look up a 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Short bed and with the right axle ratio and tow package it says tow rating is 11,800lbs.

The 11,800 MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) form the TV OEM is likewise
derived from the 'stripper' (AKA curb) vehicle.

The actual will be less pound for pound of your optional equipment
on the TV. Like AC, power windows/seats/locks, etc, etc

And the stuff you load in/on it

Thoughts?

Tanya

Notice that your husband's company has higher class trucks from your
listing. Few companies will have lower class pickups for 'work' and
is due to the fact that half tons are mainly for light duty and
'ride quality'

Of which, decide if 'ride quality' is more important than 'towing
performance'

Many here on these freebie forums do NOT believe in the ratings system
from the OEMs...or they don't understand how the ratings system works

Many newbies will only own half tons and see their signatures months
or years later and they have upgraded to higher class TV's...

This 'risk management decision' is also known as 'gambling' that you
have enough truck when Mr Murphy crosses your path

Either you have the right sized and setup correctly spot on...there
will be no time to go back to the store for bigger/better nor time
to re-setup

There is only one person responsible for the setup and that is the
driver. We advisors have no skin in the game and I'm posting not just
for the OP, but for the lurkers out there
IdaD
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
If you're going to load it up close to the gross weight, particularly over longer distances, I wouldn't downsize the truck. Heavy duty trucks only cost marginally more and they're a lot more capable, and there's minimal trade-off in terms of comfort as a daily driver. Advertised max tow ratings on half tons are nothing but marketing hype.

Forum Discussion

Changing Out Trucks

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

??? on changing trucks

Oil changes en-route with camper on truck?

OIL CHANGE

Oil Change

Changing Tires