jodiwer wrote:
Lot's of advice to consider - this has been very helpful. Since we won't be traveling until spring, we're going to take our time making this decision. We have never bought a new vehicle - we always buy used so that will give us time to find a good one. My husband says that if we get a 3/4 ton, we will get the electric running board that drops down lower than the other ones - thanks Me Again for that tip.
To those who suggested using the Tundra to tow - we looked up the towing capacity of our specific truck by VIN and it is 6800 so way too low for this rig. From what we have read, one should never tow more that 80% of the tow capacity of a vehicle for safety. So we would need at minimum a rating of 8750 and would prefer much more. We will also watch the payload as suggested if we decide on a 1/2 ton.
Payload matters more than the brochure tow rating, but both Ford and GM have 1/2 ton trucks with more than 2000 lbs payload and well over 10K rated towing. Just need them optioned right.
As far as a 3/4 ton, don't dismiss a single rear wheel one ton when looking. For the last few years, they are pretty mush the same except the one ton has one more big rear leaf and has more payload. But ride is similar (at least for Ford and GM, not sure about Ram). But yeah, running boards needed (my wife needs them on our 1/2 ton). You don't need a one ton for what you have, but hey. That may change too :)
