The TT I am picking up in April has a GWV of 6800 and UVW of 5830.So as if I didn't think I spent enough money on a new TT, the DW and I decided to look into buying a new (or new to us) pickup truck.I have a e250 commercial van with a TC of 6600 and payload of about 3400. I guess it would tow the TT if I kept the TT cargo load down and tanks fairly dry. That was my original plan for mostly local weekend trips less than an hour away on flat roads. However, the family would have to follow in SUV bc it is only a two-seat van and we want to do further from home trips as well. So, I have been web browsing for trucks. My first impression is that while 1/2 toners could tow the TT, their payload cap really is awful. Especially if I want 4WD and a crew cab.After 1000lbs of tongue wt and a 500lbs of me, family and dog there ain't much payload left. Most I see are between 1500-1800lbs payload. I mean I have to bring beer right? And I could just forget about the firewood.Leaning toward a 3/4 ton truck.The truck I get wont be a commuter vehicle & will never go on long trips without the TT behind it. It's going to be a weekend tower, tow a few road trips each year, and only an occasional grocery getter.Would something like THIS TRUCK with 6.3L engine, shorter gears (#3E axel- 3.73 Electronic Locking) and 173in long box WB be way overkill for the TT I am getting?I would be fine with a 6.5' box (155in or so WB?) and taller gears to save gas (which I don't really care about) but I realize stability and torque will be lessened. Thanks

I'm not sure about 3/4 ton and up pickups, but most (all?) 1/2 ton pickup trucks have a HD trailer tow option. This includes a HD radiator and an extra transmission cooler, plus all of the wiring for brake controller (if it does NOT have a built in brake controller). These items are mandatory for towing a TT.

Well better too much than not enough. I do agree you need a 3/4 ton, or a 1/2 ton with HD package.The ad for that truck says it has "tow prep package." Be sure you find out what is included, or not, with that. The same year/trim level of F150 1/2 ton is fully ready to tow, with 7 pin hookup, brake controller, tranny/oil cooler, and heavy duty alternator. Seems to me that the 3/4 ton should have the same equipment.

All the modern half tons, properly equipped will tow that trailer with ease. I towed about 1,000 lbs heavier than that with my old Tundra. Having said that, you're better off with a 3/4 ton because you'll want to go bigger at some point

That truck should have a class 3 hitch & 7 pin from the factory. You may have to add relays/fuses under the hood for the 7 pin to work. I should have a built in brake control, love it over the Techonsha P2 in my last truck. I have towed 11K with both a F250 & F350 both did the job well. They both had 3.73's and I live in the mountains, once you have driven a long bed you wont go back, nothing like throwing in full sheets of plywood, dry wall etc.

I had a half ton many years ago but won't have one again. They aren't any cheaper than HD trucks these days and the only tradeoffs are a bit rougher ride and (if gas) poorer mileage. But on the flip side you get a heavier truck with stronger components and much more capability with a HD model. Newer models aren't the rough and loud trucks of 20 years ago - I commute in mine with no issues at all but can hook up the fifth wheel and take the family on a long trip with no towing stress. You could get by fine with the right half ton with that size trailer, but again I don't see much downside to going with a HD truck. From a footprint standpoint there's no difference until you kick into the dually models.

Tow Vehicle Overkill? | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

drsteve
Explorer
Dec 25, 2017
Tow vehicle overkill? No such thing! Get a real truck...
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 25, 2017
JIMNLIN wrote:
After 1000lbs of tongue wt and a 500lbs of me, family and dog there ain't much payload left. Most I see are between 1500-1800lbs payload. I mean I have to bring beer right? And I could just forget about the firewood.

Leaning toward a 3/4 ton truck.

Agree with a 3/4 ton truck.

However you and many are short changings Fords higher rated F150 packages/payloads. Ford markets 3-4 different (tow and payload) F150 packages.
Example;
6800-7000 gvwr with tiny 3800 rawr can have 1400-1600 lb payload in the bed.
Next up is a a 7550 gvwr and 4550 rawr can have 1900-2100 lb payload in the bed.
Tops is the 8200-7850 gvwr with 4800 rawr good for 2300-2500 lb payload in the bed.
So choose the wrong package like others did and you too will swear a F150 can't do the job.

The 5.0 or the 3.5 EB engine won't have any issues pulling that size TT.
There are a couple of problems with the max rated Ford 1/2 tons. First is availability. They don't seem to make very many of them. It is almost like they don't want to. Maybe they just want the "press" that those high ratings bring.
The second problem is the price. One of them is just about the same price as a nice 3/4 ton. And those are easy to find, as well as they ARE a 3/4 ton with all the HD parts that go with it.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Dec 25, 2017
After 1000lbs of tongue wt and a 500lbs of me, family and dog there ain't much payload left. Most I see are between 1500-1800lbs payload. I mean I have to bring beer right? And I could just forget about the firewood.

Leaning toward a 3/4 ton truck.

Agree with a 3/4 ton truck.

However you and many are short changings Fords higher rated F150 packages/payloads. Ford markets 3-4 different (tow and payload) F150 packages.
Example;
6800-7000 gvwr with tiny 3800 rawr can have 1400-1600 lb payload in the bed.
Next up is a a 7550 gvwr and 4550 rawr can have 1900-2100 lb payload in the bed.
Tops is the 8200-7850 gvwr with 4800 rawr good for 2300-2500 lb payload in the bed.
So choose the wrong package like others did and you too will swear a F150 can't do the job.

The 5.0 or the 3.5 EB engine won't have any issues pulling that size TT.
BenK
Explorer
Dec 24, 2017
Totally agree with Marty...add...IMO...as all advice are just that...opinions...

There is no one size fits all in most anything...but...if someone has to ask this type of question...they most likely do NOT have either the knowledge or experience to not need to ask...

Gets to a “do as I say...not what I do” thing

Meaning, for my position on advice of mine, is that since the OP has to ask...they do NOT have the background/impirical/education/etc knowledge to make up their risk management decision...AKA...gamble on this

Why I’ll always point them to the OEM’s specifications and to use the generic formula.

Old dogs like myself and others have been there...busted...limped Home...etc, etc have enough background to make our own gambles

Plus, with today’s vehicles and their huge amounts of power...getting into trouble is way to easy...even easier when someone advises that they should overload because they do...

Just something against my personal values on this topic...

blt2ski wrote:
I find an under powered, correctly speced payload ability vehicle is better than a correctly to overpowered, barely correct payload ability truck. Obviously I hope, a correctly powered, correctly speced payload vehicle is best. If the first two options are my choices, I've found the first option typed is best! Especially if I correctly set it up with the best tranny option, and gears in axels. I've had one or two powered correctly motors, but the gearing in the trans and axels did not allow said truck to go up steeper grades.
It is not just a single what are you over or under for a tow rig.

marty
campigloo
Explorer
Dec 24, 2017
I hope you're sufficiently confused by now.
Good Luck!
silverfz
Explorer
Dec 24, 2017
My friend who went from a big horn ram 1500 to a ram 3500 and hates the stiff ride towing the same camper. I look at you as where I will be in the future . Instead of a 70k truck I am getting a used class A.

I tow my 7500 lb camper around 2k miles a year and the truck is used as a grocery getting and kids school runs . I prefer gas aa it's not heavily used.
Groover
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2017
watt100 wrote:
I had a 2014 F250 gas 6.2 if I remember correctly 3:72 and i thought it was a dog towing 8000 pound pull behind. But i came from a diesel not even close. Going up I-77 in WV had to stay in truck lane with the gas and got 5 MPG. I am now back to Diesel.

The Ecoboost is the stronger engine. I am towing over 11,000 with mine and haven't yet encountered a hill that made me slow down. I get 8 to 9mpg towing that much, about 11 to 12 towing a 3 horse trailer. My old V10 only gave about 9.5 towing the horse trailer and was not nearly as strong. Even if you don't care about how much you spend on fuel the range is nice. That is a big reason that I did not go with a 250 on my last truck.
watt100
Explorer
Dec 23, 2017
I had a 2014 F250 gas 6.2 if I remember correctly 3:72 and i thought it was a dog towing 8000 pound pull behind. But i came from a diesel not even close. Going up I-77 in WV had to stay in truck lane with the gas and got 5 MPG. I am now back to Diesel.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2017
a TT with a 6800lb GVW is not a real heavy trailer. A properly equipped F150 would do a great job with that TT. MY 150 would be great with it.
Durb
Explorer
Dec 22, 2017
That's a pretty nice truck for occasional use, You're going to want to drive it everyday. I almost always pick the truck keys over the SUV.