Shopping for a new TV
This will be a mixed use vehicle,business and personal. We tow our 6000# (loaded, and with about a 900# tongue weight) TT about once a month on average and we plan to go out west one time in the next ...
Forum Discussion
SoundGuy wrote:
I've always been a 1/2 ton Chevy guy but IMO pretty well any of the current 1/2 tons with a V8 or ECO V6 would easily handle a travel trailer weighing 6000 lbs loaded. Vehicles have come a long way since your 2002, both in engine and transmission capability - indeed even my 2012's 6 spd tows better than either of my earlier version 4 spds. I'd look for as much payload as you can get and pay attention to the axle ratio, 'cause even with a 6 spd or 8 spd a 3.73 axle will still be far more capable when it comes to towing than say a 3.21.
AFAIK you can't get the 8 speed with 3.73 RA, 8 speed max tow is 3.42, you can get the 6 speed with the 3.73 but you'll actually have a lower final drive than the 8 speed with the 3.42 for 1st and 2nd gear so there's no advantage. The only reason to get the 6/3.73 is if you want max tow in a standard cab as that configuration isn't available for the 8 speed. For a mixed use vehicle the 8 speed is the obvious choice due to the superior fuel economy and like I said better towing due to final drive ratio being better.
