LarryJM wrote:
While there might be some of that there are enough anecdotal evidence of folks having gone from a 1/2T to a 3/4 and up say the difference between towing the same trailer is night and day to strongly support the larger is better idea. IMO instinctively, towing something that weighs like 1 & 1/2 as much as what you are towing it with just sounds largely fool hearty to me. Unfortunately, now days technology such as the EcoBoost and numerically crazy transmissions has made power for the most part a non issue. However, the tail wagging the dog problem can only be truly solved with a bigger dog. Even the ultra premium hitches such as the HA or PP can only go so far in solving that dilemma.
IMHO a lot of those posts are "Ive towed with my 2000 1/2 ton using the Harbor Freight hitch and it was a disaster". I since upgraded to a 2010 3/4 Diesel and it's night and day. You don't say? 10 years of improvements, and maybe even a better hitch. If you properly equip the vehicle and use the proper equipment you should have no issues towing near the max, no matter what the vehicle.
Look at the specs between say a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton. Last I looked the F250 was about 1500 lbs heavier than my F150, about the same wheelbase, about as wide, etc. You certainly can get a shorter wheelbase in an F250 (reg cab short bed) than an F150 (Supercrew). Check the Diesel box and you may end up with less payload than a 1/2 ton!
The Ecoboost has the power of the V10 in the Class A's and C's. Yes, the turbos make it that way. The same is true for every Turbo Diesel on the road today.
If you equip a 1/2 ton properly there is no reason it can't tow well. Our dealer was part of the equation. Once we picked the trailer and verified we could tow, he immediately sold us the Equalizer 12k lb hitch. Now this is for a Max Tow F150 towing an Open Range LT272RLS (8k dry, 35' hitch to tail). It tows wonderfully. Yes, sometimes we get blown around. But looking ahead at the 18 wheeler they are getting blown around too! Maybe if we were out West it would be different but for here in the NE this combo works fine.
For me I want more TV than necessary for that "THE WORST DAY" and not for that 95% of the time scenario because you might only get one chance with no "do overs" when Mr. Murphy wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and is extra "CRANKY". My life and those of my loved ones are just too important to go to the roulette wheel with their lives. I've towed quite a bit out west and experienced more than once what those sudden wind shears out of no where on bridges across mtn gorges and the "high desserts/plains cross winds" can do to a normally comfortable towing experience and have never regretted not being over TV capable equipped.
I agree we all need to do what makes us and our families feel safe. Just don't have a false sense of security with that "big rig". Plenty of YouTube videos of 3/4 and 1 tons in the ditch while towing. I've seen the aftermath of one with my own two eyes. It happens to all tow vehicles.
