Tow Vehicle Choice - New Member

Hi, My name's Mike, and I am planning on getting back into RVing. I was big into it 30+ years ago, when I had just a pickup with the camper on the back. Things have changed ALOT since then.

Im still in the process of deciding what I want in an RV, but it's quickly narrowing down to a travel trailer of the 22-26Ft variety. Im leaning towards new purchase, if I can get a good deal.. primarily because of the newer technologies, lighter weight designs etc..

I've also got to purchase a tow vehicle. The trailers Im contemplating are in the 4000-4500 (maybe a tad higher) dry weight area. Tow vehicles I've been looking at are Dodge RAM and Ford F150. I was actually seriously considering the F150 Ecoboost until I read all the issues with misfire etc... Kinda too much for me to worry about so leaning towards either F150 5.0 V8 or Ram 1500 5.7Hemi

I've been a Dodge RAM owner in the past, so leaning that way. Looking at 2012 or 2013. Having a time arguing with myself over a Max tow capacity equipped vehicle, or lesser. I can find RAMs all day that have the tow package and 3.55 gears with a GCWR of 14,000 and max trailer of 8650 and GVWR of 6800. I figure that a trailer of 4500 lbs dry might be somewhat close, depending on water capacity etc, so I've been leaning towards equipment with 3.92 rear end and a GCWR of 15,500 and max trailer of 10,150.

I understand just about anything is gonna take a pretty serious hit gas mileage wise. But, gas mileage while towing is a consideration. So, if anyone has real world experience with potential gas mileage for the combo Im describing, that would be awesome.

Given all things being relatively even between the different half tons, I guess I have a couple questions.

1) If I focus on half-ton trucks, and trailers in the 4000-4500 dry weight area, is that a good combo in terms of performance/gas mileage?

2) Should I keep my eye on the ball for a truck with the higher GCWR and max trailer as close to 10k as I can get, or is there more than adequate margin with something in the 14000 GCWR, 6800 GVWR and 8650 Max trailer? I understand if I actually reach 6800 GVWR, max trailer would only be 7200. That's kinda leaning me towards finding a vehicle that has the higher capacities, and better gearing, even though I might still be "adequate".

I should say that I will be a weekend RV'er for the next few years and once/twice a year out for perhaps a two week excursion. So, tow vehicle will be daily driver and tow vehicle. I don't want it to suck towing though, so looking for any advice.

Sorry if this was long winded, but I figured I would at least let y'all know that I have done a bit of research, not just tossing out a quick "hi" and a question that appeared to not have any thought behind it. I've read the five pages of posts in this section, but still at the fork in the road.. leaning towards higher cap, but not wanting to spend a bunch more if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts inputs etc.. And I hope to make this my internet home for RVing in the future.

Thanks

Mike

Tow Vehicles

19 Replies

Walaby
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2014
dwightr8 wrote:

The problem Ford had with the Ecoboost has been blown way out of proportion. The problem was condensation in the intercooler in certain weather conditions which caused a loss of power. Ford has fixed the problem so it is no longer something you need to worry about.

Yeah, I am impressed with the performance of the eco-boost. The one that I actually did go test drive (2012) did NOT have the TSB installed (the one that put the shield in front of the cooler), so buying a used ECo-Boost still gives me pause. A newer one, maybe not so much.

Definitely something to still consider.

Thanks

Mike
dwightr8
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
Walaby wrote:

I've also got to purchase a tow vehicle. The trailers Im contemplating are in the 4000-4500 (maybe a tad higher) dry weight area. Tow vehicles I've been looking at are Dodge RAM and Ford F150. I was actually seriously considering the F150 Ecoboost until I read all the issues with misfire etc... Kinda too much for me to worry about so leaning towards either F150 5.0 V8 or Ram 1500 5.7Hemi

The problem Ford had with the Ecoboost has been blown way out of proportion. The problem was condensation in the intercooler in certain weather conditions which caused a loss of power. Ford has fixed the problem so it is no longer something you need to worry about. We have a 2014 Ecoboost and have never had any problems with it. It pulls our 28' tt (about 6500#) with ease. The really nice thing about pulling with a tubocharged engine is it doesn't loose power at higher elevations. We recently got back from a trip through Colorado and Utah where we went over numerous passes up to a bit over 12,000 ft. I was amazed with the performance. Another nice thing is it makes max torque at less than 3000 rpm so you don't have to rev it way up to get the power like you do with the small non boosted V8s.
cbwallace
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
I am a firm believer that you can't have too much truck. I pulled the trailer in my signature which has a GVWR of 7950lbs and tongue weight of 675 lbs with a '09 Silverado 1500 w/5.3 and a tow package, but it put me over the GCVWR and lead to several short distance, white knuckle trips. I have since upgraded to the 2500 pulled the trailer thousands of miles in the mid-west and out to Yellowstone over a couple of mountain passes and you don't even know it is back there unless you look at fuel mileage or in the mirrors. Some of the newer 1/2 tons might do the trick from you, but rest assured a 3/4 ton will do the job better! The 2500 is also my daily driver! Good luck with your purchases!
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
Any of the current offerings of the Big 3 will meet your needs if you watch the payload ratings and get a power plant capable enough.
Walaby
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2014
Yeah, just going through some basic numbers on paper leads me to believe that I would have to be very careful with a 1/2 ton. The "we" camping is my wife and I, and occasionally two grandkids (maybe 3 if they all get along) and again, probably the state park route, with hookups etc. But, running the numbers on paper it's not much margin with the payload of the truck being 1630 (Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab). There will be times we have four adults, and that's gonna be real close.

Finally starting to understand all the interactions between the different values and the margins reduce real quickly.

Mike
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 11, 2014
Half ton is a half ton for the most part payload wise unless you find one of the F150s with the max haul pkg. claim 3klbs payload but I don't believe it. They are heavier sprung than the others though. That said unless you're hung up on not exceeding OE payload capacities there are many econimical options to stiffen up the rear suspension, maybe more limited on the coil spring Ram 1500s.
If you're looking used for a truck then any of the bigger V8s or Ecoboost is gonna have a good tow pkg and miles and condition and price are more important than having the lower axle ratio of the max tow pkgs but having 3:73 or 3:92s does help in the hills. With the 6-8 speed autos now and high revving engines the axle ratio isn't as important as it used to be with 3-4 speed trans and half the hp.
If unite looking at Ford, wait until the new models come out. That should drop the value some on the current gen pickups.
Of the big 3 and Yota there is not a bad truck in the bunch now. I'm not a Ford guy and I'm partial to the 5.0 though. Good little pulling motor in my '11 F150. The newest Gen Hemi though is tops for hp and close on torque to the ECoboost.
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Nov 11, 2014
I know it's been a while since you have camped, but what do you think you will be taking with you when you go? Truck bed loaded up with firewood, bikes, etc? Who is the "We", you and your wife, or do you guys have kids also? Asking due to the weight of the family in the truck takes away from the available payload, which could be an issue depending on the tongue weight of the loaded trailer.

With our old trailer, tw (tongue weight) of 860lbs, cab high fiberglass topper, spray in bed liner, 4 bikes and a tool box in the bed, and the 4 of us (maybe 450lbs total), we were over the gvwr of our '10 Chevy 1500 ccsb 4x4 by about 200lbs. The weight adds up very quickly! So try to think about what you may want to take with you and determine what the rough weight will be, add the family, then you can compare the available payload listed on the yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb of the trucks you are looking at and see what is left for the trailers tw.

POWER WISE, you won't have an issue with those listed motors as long as you have the proper gearing. Remember, with the 6spd and 8spd trannies, you don't need 4.10's, just make sure you have the best available towing ratio offered for the truck you choose! I never felt I needed more power with the 5.3/6spd/3.42 combo of our '10-1500, just didn't have the needed payload. Only reason we have the 2500HD now.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2014
A 150, or 1500 will do you fine IF you get the right one. Not all 150s, and 1500 are created equal. Some have a payload of only 1000lbs, and they are the true 1/2 ton trucks. As 1000lb is a 1/2 ton. However. From there 1500s, and 150 can payloads from that 1000lb to 2500, and more. You just have to pick the right one.

When you go look go armed with the information you need. It is up to you to check out the truck. The salesman will just say, yes it will, But it prolly won't.

So do your home work. Find out what Ford, GM, and Rams axle codes mean. You are going to want no less than a 5.3, 5.4, or Eco Boost with a 3.55. A 3.73 or lower gear would be best. Read the sticker so you will know the GVWR. the higher the GVWR the higher the payload can be, and so the higher the GCVWR, or towing capacity will be.

You are spending your money. So be careful and get a truck that will do what you want. WE can't tell you which you need, as there are just so many different configurations of so called 1/2 ton trucks.

As for the Ram diesel. Be very careful with that one, as after the diesel is in, there may not be much pay load left to carry much of anything. Or sop I've read. Again, do your own research, Even going so far as to weigh it, and subtract that from the GVWR.

As for the TT. In 2009. It became a requirement for the manufacturer to weight each TT at the end of the line, and post that weight on a yellow sticker. And if the dealer adds weight, then it has to be added to the yellow sticker. So that the weight on that sticker is exactly what the RV sitting in front of you weighs. All you have to do is figure how much YOU will add to it. My family added 650 lbs. Only you know how much stuff you will carry. some take everything they own, and others, like us, only take what they need. Your choice.

Above all. Enjoy.
Walaby
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2014
Steeljag wrote:
We normally do State Parks with hookups. Because of that, I don't load up with water, generators, and or a bed load of firewood, etc. We normally carry a few bikes and a small grill in the bed and that's about it.

Right now I don't see ourselves doing much, if any boondocking. I believe we will be doing pretty much the state park thing, or public campgrounds depending on location and availability.

I suspect we will be like you, at least for the foreseeable future

Mike
Steeljag
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014
Walaby, what type of camping are you planning to do, how often, and distance? I ask because I have the TV and TT listed in my signature, and have had NO issues at all! Very comfortable ride, and avg 10 mpg.

We normally do State Parks with hookups. Because of that, I don't load up with water, generators, and or a bed load of firewood, etc. We normally carry a few bikes and a small grill in the bed and that's about it.

If your going to be doing allot of boon docking, and carrying a full load of water, wood, generator, etc, you may need to look at a 3/4 ton truck (still check payload #). For our use, I did not want / need 3/4 ton and or a diesel.

Good luck, hope you find what you need!

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