My husband and I have ordered a new 2021 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS which should arrive the end of October. We are shopping for a truck but can't decide if we should buy a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton. The GVW for the Roo is 6848 lbs with a hitch weight of 688 lbs. We have checked out RAM, Chevy and Ford trucks. I find the 3/4 ton trucks difficult to get into (I am 69 yo). My husband still has nightmares of towing our previous rig, a 17,000 lb Alfa with a 3/4 ton truck. He just wants to be sure that he has all the truck necessary to easily and safely pull the new rig. We expect to travel 12 months next year. We are open to a used vehicle and like the lower price on the 1/2 ton but can afford the 3/4 ton if we need it. Any thoughts?

I would recommend going with the bigger truck because you may find out that the Rockwood is too small and you want a bigger trailer or fifth wheel.

Your loaded and wet hitch weight will be 688 pounds? Or is that dry hitch weight?With a running board a 3/4 ton is no more difficult to enter and exit than a 1/2 ton. If you aren’t the primary driver don’t pick the truck.

A 3/4 ton truck is superior in every way for towing: stronger frame, stronger axles, better brakes, heavier springs, usually a more powerful engine, larger drive shafts and U-joints, etc. Even with a small trailer such as the one you have traveling for 12 months will mean lots of gear and "stuff". The towing experience will be far better with a 3/4 ton truck.As for getting in and out, GM trucks used to sit lower to the ground than Ford or Dodge because of their independent front suspension. They have succumbed lately to the "bigger is better fad" of making trucks taller for no good reason. If you look at GM trucks from about 2016 and earlier and particularly 2007 and earlier you will probably find them just as easy to get into as any 1500 series truck.

The pain of too much truck, is usually not nearly as bad as too little truck.

Well, by your signature, you already have a 1/2 ton and towing a TT..How much more does the new Rockwood weigh compared to your old TT? Just figure on the GVWR as it's max, because traveling for 12 months, you might not pack too light..I have a 2019 Rockwood Mini "Lite" and it ain't lite at all. It has the same GVWR as yours and I'm towing with an F150, but it has a higher payload than your average F150 of my era..It does fine, and I would not want to go any heavier.. But, I'm' only a long weekend camper during the summer, so it's not towing all year long..Tough choice for sure.. You will be right at that point to go bigger or not...Good luck! Mitch

Need advise on which new truck - 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?

Mike134
Explorer
Sep 26, 2020
Pickup trucks in Illinois are considered "trucks". I guess because we call them "pickup trucks" so they get B plates which is a truck/van designation of under 8000lb GVWR. Cannot drive on certain streets in Chicago with a truck. Fortunately same price as automobile plates. And to the poster above Yes you will get a ticket driving your nice looking empty pickup truck on those restricted streets. It's a TRUCK.
ksss
Explorer
Sep 26, 2020
Has to have commercial plates because its a 2500? That is a bogus law. They must charge you more for commercial plates to justify that kind of stupidity.

Are you subject to all commercial driving requirements or is it just restricted to driving on commercial vehicle allowed roads?
Teamjd
Explorer
Sep 25, 2020
I apologize for derailing the original thread.
Let me just end by saying, I bought the 2500, it had to be registered Commercial, and they said you can not drive on Parkways.

I know that I can probably get away with it, but:

"The law isn't going to bother you if you're driving an empty pickup truck with Commercial plates on a NY Parkway."
I'll be remembering that the first time I get a $180 ticket :)

The restriction is for vehicles registered Commercial.
The intent was trucks used for commercial purposes.

"your RV tow rig won't get a second glance"
I hope not :), because I live next to the Parkway and the commercial route adds 18 miles to my trip to/from my happy place.

Again, sorry to derail things, and thanks for the encouragement.
Sjm9911
Explorer
Sep 14, 2020
mkirsch wrote:
Teamjd wrote:
An another note...
Depending on what state you live in, the 2500 might have to be registered as commercial.
In New York over 6001 lbs (which is almost every 2500) , it does, and it's causing me to reconsider buying the 2500 I'm looking at. I have to travel Parkways. In NY you can not go on Parkways with commercial vehicles.

The law isn't going to bother you if you're driving an empty pickup truck with Commercial plates on a NY Parkway. The restriction is for vehicles used for commercial purposes. Driving down the parkway with a dump truck or even a pickup loaded with tool boxes and ladder racks might get some attention, but your RV tow rig won't get a second glance.

Depending on what he is towing. When reading the rules just now they stated it was originally because of low bridges that trucks could not go under. So , he might not be able to tow on them anyway. If he moves to NJ , he will have 0 problems, lol. Ill agree, i cant see them pulling over a pick up just because it has a commercial plate and no other signs of a work truck.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Sep 14, 2020
Teamjd wrote:
An another note...
Depending on what state you live in, the 2500 might have to be registered as commercial.
In New York over 6001 lbs (which is almost every 2500) , it does, and it's causing me to reconsider buying the 2500 I'm looking at. I have to travel Parkways. In NY you can not go on Parkways with commercial vehicles.

The law isn't going to bother you if you're driving an empty pickup truck with Commercial plates on a NY Parkway. The restriction is for vehicles used for commercial purposes. Driving down the parkway with a dump truck or even a pickup loaded with tool boxes and ladder racks might get some attention, but your RV tow rig won't get a second glance.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 14, 2020
Why do a feel like posting 20 face-palm emojis here?? Lol
Nice truck OP! Roll on!
Teamjd
Explorer
Sep 14, 2020
nineback wrote:
This is confusing. Do you mean a 3500 might have to be registered as commercial? What 6001 lbs are you referring to? Both 2500 and 3500 have a GVWR well above 6000 lb. Are you talking about rear axle rating? Even some 2500 have axles ratings over 6000 lbs.

Teamjd wrote:
An another note...
Depending on what state you live in, the 2500 might have to be registered as commercial.
In New York over 6001 lbs (which is almost every 2500) , it does, and it's causing me to reconsider buying the 2500 I'm looking at. I have to travel Parkways. In NY you can not go on Parkways with commercial vehicles.

Just to clarify, they are referring to unladen weight not GVWR.
Teamjd
Explorer
Sep 14, 2020
:S I can't believe I missed that.
Well at least it was good advice :)
Mike134
Explorer
Sep 13, 2020
bikendan wrote:
Teamjd wrote:
An another note...
Depending on what state you live in, the 2500 might have to be registered as commercial.
In New York over 6001 lbs (which is almost every 2500) , it does, and it's causing me to reconsider buying the 2500 I'm looking at. I have to travel Parkways. In NY you can not go on Parkways with commercial vehicles.

The OP already bought a new F150, over a week ago.

no reason to stop our armchair advise......
pitch
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2020
The 6001 refers to curb weight. My '13Ram 1500 just makes the cut off.
Mine is registered passenger, first truck I have ever had not registered commercial. I can't see a difference in requirements or liabilities.

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