Hello everyone...I have scoured many forums reading about the same question I am asking, but always have different weights and sizes, so I am going to try to get advice that is specific to my situation.I have recently purchased a 2013 Kodiak 300BHSL TT. I just couldn't pass it up as it was original owner, used 6 times, and garaged!!! It is in like new condition. I will be living in this TT with 2 kids for a portion of every month, and storing it between trips. I will only be towing it about 40 miles or so from storage to campsite, and about once a year I will be towing it about 1000 miles for vacation camping trips. Only throwing that in as to show the limited towing I will be actually doing. The other part of the equation is that I will be driving my tow vehicle to and from the stored trailer, and am trying to get the best mileage for that portion of tow vehicle use.That being all said and done, I am torn like so many others on whether to purchase a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck. My trailer has an UVW of 7592 pounds,a GVWR of 8900, a hitch weight of 830 pounds, and a total length of 36'11". It will be towed fairly light, with empty tanks. Included in the TT purchase is a top of the line weight distribution hitch and sway control. It will mostly be towed in southern California, with longer trips up to Arizona, Oregon, and Washington. I've been looking at mostly Ford F-150 EcoBoost, Ford F-250, Dodge 1500, and Dodge 2500. All with Super crew configurations, 4x4, and max towing options. I have read so many posts saying the length of the TT makes a difference, and all kinds of sway stories, and people that swear by the 1/2 ton...and people that swear by the 3/4 ton trucks. Luckily I don't have to make a decision until March 2015. Any helpful advice will be greatly appreciated.Sorry this is so long, but like I said, I am trying to get feedback on my set of variables. Thank you!!!

2500 Suburban, 2500 series crew cab truck, 2500 or 3500 series van all make good tow vehicles. Nothing is going to get great economy towing. As a daily driver the van or Suburban would probably be the best, most comfortable.

All i can say is don't under-truck yourself. Just enough isn't usually enough. (We made the mistake a couple of times).and donn0128 is correct. Forget about economy and RV'ing.

With a longer trailer like you bought and the 8000-ish weight, I'd lean toward a 3/4 or 1 ton because it's 9 zillion times more stable that with a 1/2 ton. But not everyone wants a heavy duty pickup to drive everyday. If a HD truck is not to your liking, get a 1/2 ton with the heavy duty payload package (not to be confused with the heavy duty towing package). It will give you the ability to support the tongue weight of the trailer better than with a 1/2 ton.

There isn't always a right answer because, technically, you are within the towing limits of most 1/2 ton trucks these days. You have to decide for yourself based on your personal situation as to whether the 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton is a better fit.I do have a few thoughts though:* If you decide to go with a 3/4 ton, skip it and just get the 1 ton. They only cost a little more and you get more capacity.* Forget about towing fuel efficiency. You aren't towing enough to take that into account and the difference between comparable diesels or gas trucks isn't much. If it helps, you could expect around 10 mpg towing with a diesel and around 8 mpg with gas. Since diesel costs so much more these days, your towing fuel COST will be pretty similar.* I had an F150 Ecoboost and now have a 2013 F250 diesel. As you would expect, the F150 got better unloaded fuel economy and was a better daily driver. The F250 tows much better. You have to decide how much you're towing vs not towing and how much you value the extra towing stability from a 3/4 ton.* My F250 weighs 2,000 pounds more than my F150 Ecoboost did. That's a TON (literally) more weight to keep the trailer in check. Having said all that, I would strongly lean towards the 3/4 or 1 ton. A 37' long TT is loooong by TT standards, and you *WILL* encounter strong cross winds towing east-west through the U.S.

I use an E-Boost F-150 4x4 for a 5000 lb. dry weight trailer and fairly light load (no kid toys). For anything over 5000 lbs. I would recommend an F-250 or bigger. I like Fords but the brand is less important than the payload capacity. This varies with the individual truck and its accesories. Most half tons are limited to 1500 lbs. max cargo or less; subtract people weight, tongue weight, truck cap weight, tools, toys and camping gear stashed into the bed, and you will probably be over the max cargo limit. For the short hauls you describe you might get by with half ton but a trip of any length really requires a bigger truck.

Selecting Tow Vehicle for Travel Trailer | Good Sam Community

jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2014
Its going to be VERY easy to add 1500 lbs to your trailer... even packing light.. (everybody says they will, nobody ever does)

Dishes, silverware, towels, toys, TV's, tool kit, spare tires for the TT (Yep, need 2), power tongue jack, pictures on the wall, etc etc etc... Many end up in Fivers just for the cargo capacity... all this adds and adds and adds weight.

My 4950 UVW TT Scaled at 6500 lbs with empty tanks and with the trailer loaded for weekend camping. Full time camping is an entirely different affair.

IMHO...

A crew cab 3/4 ton gasser would be PERFECT for your situation. 6.0 GM, 6.4 Ram, 6.2 Ford are all great choices. No matter which you choose I recommend getting the 4.10 rear end for the GM and Ram trucks and the 4.30 for the Ford.

Diesels are not required for your trailer.. but are an option if you WANT one.

Chevy Express Van with a 6.0 and 4.10 would take care of business too. Most can't get over the full size van image.. but they are awesome driving vehicles and are just about the ideal tow vehicle. Have great daily driver manners too.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
EcoBullet
Explorer
Nov 21, 2014
I have an EcoBoost Max Tow and love it, but for the trailer you have, I would definitely want a 3/4 or 1 ton. I pulled a trailer that was about 33' and 6K lbs across the SE US last winter, when it seemed the wind was blowing 20mph+ every day. It was not fun.
Peg_Leg
Explorer
Nov 21, 2014
A half ton will likely have squishy P-rated tires. West bound and you'll be adding heat to the rubber, up north, damp and hilly. A low rear end ratio, 3.73 or really low 4.10 will add grunt. If you want better mileage, slow down as wind resistance is the number one gas hog.

I foresee 2 rug rats adding growth rings and NEEDING more accessories. Hence I see your needs changing. So you'll likely be adding a topper to the truck to keep those accessories secure and dry. Oh yeah, they'll be wanting to bring friends along too.

Conclusion, I'd pick the 3/4 ton, gas engine truck. The main consideration for me would be the rear tire weight rating and the families safety.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 20, 2014
Get the truck that tows and then it will never be "underpowered" as a daily driver. But, get a daily driver and you will definitely be underpowered towing. Having both power and daily driver is really NOT going to happen. Choose the combination that provided safe towing. You won't be disappointed.
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 20, 2014
Weight wise, you could probably make a 1/2 ton work... But that length is the deal breaker. A 3/4-1 ton will weigh a LOT more, and have stiffer tires/suspension better brakes, etc. All this will better control that long of a TT.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Nov 20, 2014
It sounds like what you need is a used 2500 suburban and a brand new economy car to commute with. You could probably pay for the car in fuel savings over the years.
Any tow vehicle that is overloaded for a 1,000 mile trip is also overloaded for a 40 mile trip. Distance doesn't make any difference. I wouldn't want to handle that much trailer/cargo with any 1500 series truck. Not even the "mighty" ecoboost. A 2500 series truck will provide a much more stable platform, ride better, handle better, and be less tiring to drive when towing.
path1
Explorer
Nov 20, 2014
Being you have TT and you have until March next year find a used one on a sales lot with a hitch and see how it does. If they won't let you ask them "why would I buy not knowing how will this will tow, that's why I'm in the market to buy".
BurbMan
Explorer II
Nov 20, 2014
Brad, no worries, you didn't say if you were on a budget or not. I would definitely get a 250 or 2500 something for that weight/size trailer, whether truck or van. Unfortunately the only remaining 2500-series SUVs (Suburban 2500 and Excursion) have been discontinued.

That unloaded hitch weight of 830 will likely be 1100+ when you add propane and cargo. A properly equipped 1500 or 150 truck "can" do it, but the 250/2500 series would be a better choice IMO.
PUCampin
Explorer
Nov 20, 2014
My feeling is this trailer is almost squarely in the 3/4 or larger camp.

With a half ton the first issue you will run into is the tongue weight limit of the receiver. The 10,000 or 11,000 lb max tow ratings of todays 1/2 tons are based on a boat trailer with a 10% tongue weight. Travel trailers are almost all 13%+ to remain stable

That 830lbs hitch weight is "dry", with no propane, batteries, anything. That trailer even lightly loaded will probably have a tongue weight of 1100lbs. The receiver MIGHT be rated for 1100 or 1200lbs, or like mine it might be 900. You will likely need to replace the receiver with a heavier aftermarket one.

Then there is payload. Payload capacity for 1/2 tons is all over the place from as low as 1100lbs to over 3000!! You will have to find one that can at minimum support your family and the trailer tongue, I would say 1800 or 1900+

A max payload (not just max tow) equipped F150 is really the only 1/2 ton that would work.

Good luck with your search!
APT
Explorer
Nov 20, 2014
The only half ton I'd recommend is the max tow package F-150. You'll need at least 1700 pounds of payload and few crew cab half tons have it. Ignore those HD towing packages on half tons.