Looking to make the plunge

SRadke wrote:
We have found resources that will tell you everything from "you can pull anything with a half-ton gas v6" to "you need a full ton diesel or your an idiot!" and we are looking for what the truth really is and what real people have experienced.

You'll find some of that here too, but most will tell you to know your numbers. Don't research, 'How much can a half-ton tow?' Research and understand weight ratings in trucks. What are payload numbers and what weights count against that limit? What is a GCVWR and how is that computed? Etc...

How comfortable a combination will be is an extremely subjective question. Some are perfectly comfortable with rigs that are maxed out on limits and regular spin at 4-5k RPM's, others are not. Larger trucks will tow steadier and more easily, but they come at various pragmatic costs (parking, cost, daily driving, etc...). The balance of these factors is subjective and everyone sees it differently.

The only OBJECTIVE analysis is based on the numbers. Know the realistic weights involved, see how close you would be to maxing out a vehicle's capacities, and then make a judgment call on how you feel about your cushion (or lack thereof).

I use a diesel truck as a daily driver as well, and couldn't be happier. I've also towed a 25 ft camper at just over 5k loaded with a half ton and hated the experience. 6 hours to Stone Mountain was all I could take.

Any chance you'll want to get a bigger camper? Regardless, I'd take Barney's advice - gas engine equipped trucks have more payload - which is the number you want to pay more attention to as it will run out before the manufacturers stated tow capacity.

If you buy the truck before the camper, you can always rent a TT from RVShare.com and see what how it performs.

Google - how much can I tow? good luck - keep asking questions and be informed before the purchase!

Were it me, I would get a 2500 or 250 series truck with a gas engine around 6.0L. for a trailer that long and weight. I towed a 26ft Sunnybrook TT for quite a few years with a Dodge 2500 with the 5.9L gas engine and it was just about all it could handle. When I got our present 30ft Sunnybrook with a GVW of 10,000lbs I had to get a bigger truck and went to a F250 with a 7.3L diesel.

Both of those trucks were used as a daily driver when not towing for quite a few years. The ride was not bad and I enjoyed driving both of them.
Barney

Keep in the mind that you may enjoy the rv lifestyle and want a larger trailer or fifth wheel in a few years it happens or happened to most of us, you will never have to much truck and a 2500 is still ok for a daily vehicle and will handle most anything you may move to in the future without having to upgrade your truck in two years . We went from a 1500, 2500, and are on our second 3500 dually and have lost some money in some of the truck upgrades and if you end up not enjoying your rv the 2500 will have a bit better resale , enjoy the adventure !!

Figure that you will have about 900 pounds tongue weight. Keep the payload rating in mind when truck shopping.
We have 600 pounds of tongue weight. With that, my wife, me and our “stuff”, we are at 1100-1200 pounds total. The Silverado has a max payload of 1780 pounds, so we have a really nice cushion.
The 5.3 L V8 does a great job of pulling our trailer, which is 5000 pounds. I don’t know how it would do with a lot heavier trailer.
You might want to consider the Eco-boost if you’re set on a Ford.

jy wrote:
If I was going to travel the country I would want a bigger truck.

Yep, I agree. And 4WD too.

I know that in the PNW, it's nearly impossible to find a 2WD truck on a dealer's lot unless you buy a white, bare bones model "fleet truck".
Everything else is 4WD.

I basically have the same setup.I have a 2018 F150 4by4 V8,pulling a 28 foot bunkhouse.It pulls OK.Most of my trips are 4 hours or less.(taking the grandkids camping) If I was going to travel the country I would want a bigger truck.