Gents/Ladies,I am somewhat new to all of this. Growing up, we pulled a travel trailer for vacations, hunting trips, and fishing trips. All of my experience stems from what my dad taught me, but I have never owned a travel trailer or fifth wheel. I have decided that in the not so distant future I will be purchasing a tow vehicle and a fifth wheel. This of course brings me to my question:I live and work in the oil fields of west Texas. My tow vehicle will be my daily driver, and with that will be driven down caliche (rocky, rough) lease roads 15%, city 50%, highway 35%. What 3/4 ton diesel would you recommend purchasing? My major concern is the damage that can be done to the front ends on these crappy lease roads.Thank you

First, welcome to the Forum.Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model. You will have many more options for a trailer and especially for a 5th wheel if you go '1 ton.'Good luck with your choice.

Welcome to the Forum!If you're buying new, you can go wrong with any of the Big 3, they're all great trucks; buy what you like.In my case, I went with the Ram 2500 with the Cummins engine because I could get it for 10 Grand less than a comparable Ford or Chevy. Plus the 2500 Ram is the only one with the coil spring rear suspension so it will give you the best ride in everyday driving.The bad roads won't bother any of the Big 3 trucks, that's what the 2500 and bigger are designed for.

downtheroad wrote:Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model. Good luck with your choice.I would echo this - at least consider it. The difference in cost between most 3/4 tons and 1 tons can be relatively minimal. If someone is driving it daily on city roads and to and from the office, I can see why they might lean towards the 3/4 ton (we might, in fact, when it comes time to replace our 2500 'Burb). With your usage, however, the more rigid features of a 1 ton will only help.

downtheroad wrote:First, welcome to the Forum.Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model. You will have many more options for a trailer and especially for a 5th wheel if you go '1 ton.'Good luck with your choice.X2^^. The issue with fifth wheels is not "pulling" the trailer but rather the capacity to carry the pin weight (usually about 23% of the loaded trailer weight... forget empty weights and published pin weights!) on the rear axle. You cannot go wrong with a 1-ton truck of any of the three brands. Having grown up in New Mexico and lived in West Texas, I understand the roads. I don't think you'll have a problem with the front ends - but you might consider 4WD for the caliche. Rob

downtheroad wrote:First, welcome to the Forum.Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model. You will have many more options for a trailer and especially for a 5th wheel if you go '1 ton.'Good luck with your choice.That’s a good point, I’m assuming there is trade off in ride quality. Do you think the extra options overcome the trade off?

Help deciding on a tow vehicle | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

donn0128
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2018
It all depends on how much trailer you want. 2500 series will be good for up to around 12,000 pounds GVWR trailer. There are a lot of variables of course. Gas, diesel, single cab, crew cab all come into play.
Generally speaking a 3500 series is a much better choice for towing anything. Especially in the oil fields how much stuff are you going to be loading into the truck? If you put much in the truck the tow ratings go down dramatically.
Modern 3500s ride about as good as a 5 year old 2500. Manufacturers are always tweaking that stuff.
Rook57
Explorer
Sep 26, 2018
downtheroad wrote:
First, welcome to the Forum.
Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model.

You will have many more options for a trailer and especially for a 5th wheel if you go '1 ton.'

Good luck with your choice.

That’s a good point, I’m assuming there is trade off in ride quality. Do you think the extra options overcome the trade off?
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2018
downtheroad wrote:
First, welcome to the Forum.
Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model.

You will have many more options for a trailer and especially for a 5th wheel if you go '1 ton.'

Good luck with your choice.

X2^^. The issue with fifth wheels is not "pulling" the trailer but rather the capacity to carry the pin weight (usually about 23% of the loaded trailer weight... forget empty weights and published pin weights!) on the rear axle. You cannot go wrong with a 1-ton truck of any of the three brands. Having grown up in New Mexico and lived in West Texas, I understand the roads. I don't think you'll have a problem with the front ends - but you might consider 4WD for the caliche.

Rob
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Sep 26, 2018
downtheroad wrote:
Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model.
Good luck with your choice.

I would echo this - at least consider it. The difference in cost between most 3/4 tons and 1 tons can be relatively minimal. If someone is driving it daily on city roads and to and from the office, I can see why they might lean towards the 3/4 ton (we might, in fact, when it comes time to replace our 2500 'Burb). With your usage, however, the more rigid features of a 1 ton will only help.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 26, 2018
Welcome to the Forum!

If you're buying new, you can go wrong with any of the Big 3, they're all great trucks; buy what you like.

In my case, I went with the Ram 2500 with the Cummins engine because I could get it for 10 Grand less than a comparable Ford or Chevy.

Plus the 2500 Ram is the only one with the coil spring rear suspension so it will give you the best ride in everyday driving.

The bad roads won't bother any of the Big 3 trucks, that's what the 2500 and bigger are designed for.
downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 26, 2018
First, welcome to the Forum.
Strong recommendation that you skip the 250/2500 series and go straight to a 350/3500. You pick the manufacturer. They are all good, especially if you buy new or late model.

You will have many more options for a trailer and especially for a 5th wheel if you go '1 ton.'

Good luck with your choice.

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Help deciding on a tow vehicle

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