What to look for in purchasing a tow vehicle for my TT

bsiemens wrote:
Okay, I got a great deal on an older TT in really good shape but need a truck to tow it. The Dry weight of the trailer is 4,624lbs and the GVWR is 6500lbs. I think a half ton pickup will be okay but could use some guidance on engine and gear ratios. Hope to find something used, 2016 or newer. We are not planning on towing great distances but the Smokey Mountains are close and one of our favorite places.

With such a specific dry weight number, along with the fact this is an "older" trailer, I'd suspect that's a number you pulled out of a brochure or off the internet and is not it's actual dry weight as it sits there in your driveway. Accounting for any accessories & options this trailer may have over a base model, a battery (or two), propane in the tanks, and enough water in the water heater tank and fresh water holding tank to make this trailer operational I wouldn't be surprised to see this trailer's actual dry weight pushing close to 5000 lbs. Especially if this is a family trailer I could see you loading enough junk into it so it's GVW loaded & ready to camp might come awfully close to the trailer's GVWR. In a worse case scenario where it does you'd be running about 850 lbs gross tongue weight @ 13%, in which case a 1/2 ton's limited payload capacity that usually hovers around 1400 to 1500 lbs can be awfully limiting. For just two adults it might be acceptable but if you're also hauling along a gaggle of kids that only get bigger & heavier as they grow you may find a 1/2 ton's payload capacity insufficient.

I've been towing for a dozen years with GMs ubiquitous 5.3L coupled to a 3.42 axle, both with the older wide ratio 4-spd and currently with the newer narrow ratio 6-spd, and while the latter is certainly more flexible when it comes to towing that 3.42 in itself is pretty limiting when you're negotiating serious upgrades. For that I'd much rather have a 3.73 which will allow the engine to rev a bit higher in any given gear.

Our previous K-Z Spree averaged ~ 5500 lbs loaded & ready to camp with a gross tongue weight of ~ 750 lbs, the Coachmen Freedom Express ~ 4800 lb & ~ 625 lbs. While our GM 1/2 ton trucks towed the Spree OK I certainly knew there was nearly 3 tons behind me and feel that "less is more". Personally I wouldn't want to tow any trailer averaging more that ~ 6000 lbs fully loaded with any typical 1/2 ton, more than that is I think 3/4 ton territory with a larger engine, both for grunt under the hood and much better payload capacity. This trailer you've chosen is IMO certainly at or beyond the limit of what I'd be comfortable towing with a 1/2 ton.

The tongue weight of the trailer is going to be around 1,000 lbs (15% of 6,500 lbs) Add the weight of passengers and the gear that will be in the truck and that will give you some idea of the payload capacity you’re going to need. If payload for the truck isn’t clearly stated you can calculate it by deducting the curb weight of the vehicle from the maximum gross weight shown on the driver’s door sticker.

I only have experience with Chevs for towing. One of the GM twins will tow that trailer fine in my opinion.

You will need to get:
5.3 l engine
3.42 rear end
transmission cooler
integrated brake controller

You will also need a weight distribution hitch. I suggest getting a good on. I am very happy with our Equal-i-Zer.

On long steep grades the engine will rev. That is where the power is. Let it rip. 3000 and above is no problem.

e have towed our trailer which weighs about 6500 lb loaded coast to cost with a 2012 and a 2017 Chev Silverado 1500. Lat year we went about 9000 miles including across to San Diego.

Good luck

Welcome. Please do yourself a favor and forget terms,like dry or shipping. Neither has anything to do with the real world.
So, if you look for a tv to handle the gross weight of 6500 pounds, most any of the more modern 1500/150s will do you. Personally for a 3 or 4 year old teuck I would go with a Chevrolet 1500 5.3L V8. 4x4/4x2 is your choice as is cab configuration. If your planning to haul lots of passangers a 2500 might be a better choice for you. Better resale, so plan to spend a bit more. But for that you get better brakes, stronger axles, tires, wheels, frame, and a bot harsher ride. But you also get a 6.0L gas motor that is a real work horse. Fords are also good, but usually cost more. Search out in your area for what is the niggest dealer and buy that brand. There is likely going to be more of that brand on the market.
Dont get me wrong a properly equipped 1500 would do just fine in the flats and will work harder in the mountains, but do fine.