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A_K_Chesnut's avatar
A_K_Chesnut
Explorer
Feb 22, 2016

Inexpensive 1/2 ton truck options

Hi everyone! Brand new member. Been doing some reading in this section, but it seems the vast majority of the threads are about relatively new tow vehicles.

My wife and I are preparing to become full time RVers for a few years. The plan:

- 24-26' bumper pull camper, I'd say max GVWR of 6k
- 2 KLR motorcycles in the truck bed

We'd like to spend about $6k on a truck as I don't want to go into debt.

- Will likely have 150k or so on the odometer already
- Must be 4wd
- 8' bed so we can fit the bikes
- Don't care about cosmetics
- Auto or manual ok
- The truck will be used to tow the camper and KLRs once every 3-6 months (probably closer to 6). Otherwise will be parked with very sparse use. We've commuted almost exclusively on motorcycles for 4 years now here in Denver, so we don't rely on 4 wheels often.

I have zero experience with pickups, I'm a Subaru guy. I know it's important to determine the rear axle ratio, what ratios am I wanting? I believe the axle codes are on the sticker inside the door, yes?

I've had people tell me this is impossible, that GM/Dodge/Ford trucks are not reliable enough to even do 200k and I must buy a Tundra. I'd have to get a 2007 or newer Tundra to get the towing capacity, and well, that's nowhere near our budget.

Thanks for any and all helpful suggestions! Happy to be here.

80 Replies

  • Forget the 15 series. 25 or most likely several 35 series of older trucks are available. The 35 series you should have plenty of payload to not worry about weights.
    If you are truly going full time ( full year) your going to be running heavy.
    Good Luck
  • gbopp wrote:
    Welcome to the forum. Remember, you can never have too much truck. :)


    No doubt.

    I know how much I can spend. Now I'm trying to balance mileage with capability.

    Trying to see what people have experience with or recommend. Which manufacturer to buy? Buy a diesel with 250k or a gas with 150k? What years to look for or avoid? What gear ratios? What transmission?
  • I would say gasser 2500 is likely going to be your best bet for your interned purpose and budget.

    All brands should be reliable up and past 200k miles if they were decently maintained.
  • Welcome to the forum. Remember, you can never have too much truck. :)
  • Hondavalk wrote:
    You're gonna have 800LBs in bikes, at least 600LBs in tongue weight, 100LBS in hitch weight. You're close to maxed out before adding yourselves, gas, and gear. Also finding a second generation Tundra at your price point is gonna be very difficult.


    Yeah, no Tundra for us.

    Maxing out a 2500 as well you think?
  • You're gonna have 800LBs in bikes, at least 600LBs in tongue weight, 100LBS in hitch weight. You're close to maxed out before adding yourselves, gas, and gear. Also finding a second generation Tundra at your price point is gonna be very difficult.
  • NOTE:Airbags don't increase the capacity.

    The capacity is based on several factors including brakes, drivetrain, transmission, engine size...etc.

    Your best bet is a 2500
  • I'm trying to hunt down some 2500s to help with the payload issue. Thank you for bringing that up, I hadn't even considered it.

    Some examples:

    - http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/5435083951.html
    - http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/5450484735.html
    - http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5446606116.html
    - http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5446860957.html

    Also looking for 1500s with airbags:

    - http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5436437126.html
  • The motorcycles in the truck bed will be a big problem with a 1/2 ton truck. Your limiting factor will be payload which is everything carried in the truck, the weight of a weight distributing hitch and the tongue weight of the trailer. On an older 1/2 ton your payload will probably be 1500# or so. 900 pounds for the tongue weight, passengers and misc stuff will be 300-500 pounds, the hitch maybe a 100 pounds that leaves very little left for the bikes. Unless these are the hotwheel versions.

    Japanese pickups have smaller payloads than one of the big three so avoid those. Even newer Japanese trucks might only have a 1300 pound payload.