How much trailer can the new 1/2 ton trucks tow?

BeerBrewer wrote:



mlh....I still have not totally ruled out a 250/2500 even though I'd have to register it as a commercial vehicle. The fact that I couldn't use most of the freeways on Long Island makes it a hard sell. So if I can safely tow the trailer we want with a 1/2 ton truck I have to seriously consider it. What rear end was in the truck that you traded in?

BeerBrewer, the rear end was 3.92. In my opinion, besides actually being overweight, the engine just wasn't enough. It was also kind of squirrely on the way home. This may be fine in some people's opinion, but I had a 2500 before and knew how much better it can be.

I'm not trying to talk you out of a 1500 being you are in NY, just making you aware that the numbers on the website could be way off once you actually weigh it.

2edgesword wrote:
Any truck over 6,000 lbs. gets commercial tags.

Assuming they cost more, is that because NY has really crummy roads?

mooky stinks wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:


Plenty of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s models


Jeremiah

Not in New York!:)

May have to travel to find a good one. Ha ha

jerem0621 wrote:
This one is worse than California’s stupid 55 MPH speed limit while towing.

Many don't like it, but I do. Gives me an excuse for having 6 cars backed up behind me. LOL

Personally I say that as long as you are within ALL of the factory ratings, have a good brake controller, a good properly rigged hitch and maybe some LT tires you can safely drive the rig. That is not saying that if you plan to do a lot of long trips that you wouldn't be more comfortable with a bigger truck. I pull rated capacity, maybe even a little over, on my half ton Ford regularly with no issues. The guys that build the trucks are not idiots.

jerem0621 wrote:


Plenty of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s models


Jeremiah

Not in New York!:)

You are just looking at the wrong trucks.

Plenty of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s models of 3/4 and 1 ton trucks that would weigh under 6,000 lbs “unladen” weight to be liscensed as personal.

Link to the NY DMV

Stupid law. Stupid stupid law. This one is worse than California’s stupid 55 MPH speed limit while towing.

Thanks and JMHO!

Jeremiah

Being within the TV weight ratings is just the beginning of selecting a good towing combination. With 1/2 ton trucks trailer characteristics are important. Tires, center of gravity, floor plan, axle position, effective tongue length, loading, and moment of inertia become as important as overall weight itself.

Oh my, for cripes sakes, not that this thread is any different than any other half ton towing thread, except that benk said something totally off the wall when usually his microscopic mechanical analysis is pretty spot on, but beer brewer, slow down, step away from the computer, breath a few deep breaths and go buy a freekin truck that you can drive on the stupid parkways or freeways or whatever they are AND tow a TT with.
Pick your favorite brand 1/2 ton. Ford, GM Ram, Yota or Nissan. Get the big motor and trailer/ payload/super whatever towing package.
Go buy a trailer that is within the range of the ones you're looking at, becasue they ALL will tow just fine.
And GO CAMPING already!

Seriously bud, I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I've towed stuff that size all over town or all over the country for almost 30 years now, since I got my drivers license, with a lot of differnet 1/2 tons. Many of which, in stock form, that would not hold a candle to any 2018 model pickup in terms of power, handling, braking, stability or strength.
It ok. You can do it.

1/2 ton trucks are very limited to tow hauling in my book. many are rated at 10K but by the time you add people, gas, and everything else you throw into the camper and the truck, you really are limited to around 7K to 8K TT. get a 3/4 ton and you will be happier. like night and day towing with a 3/4 ton