New Tow Vehicle Advice Needed

BurbMan wrote:

mhamershock wrote:
It's not what you can pull, it's what you can carry. Payload is what matters. Tongue weight + load in bed + passenger load.

^^ This right here.^^

The 1/2 tons have high tow ratings but the GVWRs haven't increased a lot. If you have a family and take a lot of stuff in the truck bed, then you should plan on getting a 2500 something.

It also depends on where you plan to go. If you're just staying in local CGs here on LI, then the 1500 is probably fine. If you plan on towing off LI upstate or PA, then strongly consider a 2500 just for the added stability.

IdaD wrote:
HD trucks don't really cost any more than 1/2 tons these days, especially a 1/2 ton truck properly equipped to tow the kind of TT you're contemplating.

If you are buying brand new off the dealer lot, that's true. However if you are looking for something off-lease or 2-3 yrs old, there is virtually NO inventory of HD trucks. They come up for sale and are sold before you can get there. The 1500 series trucks have become so popular they are car replacements for many, and are heavily leased and also heavily promoted by the mfrs. It may be different in your part of the country, but that's how it is here on LI.

I would 2nd much of what Burbman said. If you're sure you're not going to be going over the maximum limits for the truck (tow, payload, axles, etc.) and you're going to be doing the vast majority of your camping on Long Island then go with a newer 1/2 ton. In the flat lands of LI it should be fine.

When you get of LI and get into the hills of PA and other places with elevation the truck will struggle with maximum weights.