everyday truck ideas needed
Hi, soon my Prius will go to our son.... I am considering a pick up truck, but it will be my daily vehicle, running kids around etc. We'd also use it to throw our bicycles in, and maybe in the future...
Forum Discussion
jukes wrote:
This is our 2007 Jay Feather LGT Floorplan 30 U
WEIGHTS
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 5875
Hitch Weight (lbs) 850
Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs) 7350
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 1475
Would these 3 trucks below be okay..........
Not unless you like to live life on the edge.
That hitch weight is empty. Full, you should be up around 800-900lb...add in 100lb for the truck hitch.
Those trucks with 4x4 and the biggest cab to fit the kids will have a payload of around 1500lb...that means you have around 500lb after you hitch up the trailer. That 500lb has to cover:
- Any bolt on stuff like running boards, truck caps, etc...
- The weight of people...say 4 of you at 150lb average is 600lb.
- Any cargo in the truck bed. Say 100lb of firewood, 4 bikes at 30lb each, a full cooler.
Start adding up and you are likely way over the payload of the truck.
At a minimum, you need a 1/2ton and it needs to be one of the 1/2ton trucks with a high payload rating (some 1/2 ton models have payloads down around 1500). Really, if you want to load up the truck with a bunch of stuff in the bed while towing, I would be looking at 3/4 ton trucks as you are at the upper limit of the high capacity 1/2 ton trucks already.
Keep in mind big cabs that hold plenty of people weigh more and eat up payload. These little trucks are just not suitable. The tow rating is based on a stripped out truck with just a driver pulling a flatbed trailer. In real life, it's hard to hit the tow rating without being over on a different rating.
If the hubby has a full size van, does it have sufficient seating for the family? A full size body on frame van has good potential as a tow vehicle.
