which is best truck for 5000Lb trailer

Payload over 1,500 pounds, regardless of engine configuration, for sure.

V6 for sure.

ib_leblanc wrote:
just wanted to get a feel for different size engines gear ratiios etc. in ford or gm... i understand that payload is a factor that will play a part in my decision.. thanks all and if any one has anything to add i would appreciate all info i can get.

V8 for sure.

I would go F450 for sure. You might also check out rvhaulers.ca for more piece of mind...

Unless of course you don't care about the safety and welfare of your family.

(Just having fun with you since you asked one of the most volatile questions for this forum!)

Happy truck hunting!

ib_leblanc wrote:
I'm buying a 25 ft trailer(exterior length), 5000lb dry weight. ...snip.......

Why are people assuming that the OP is going to tow a 5,000 pound trailer? That is the fictitious "dry weight" that salesman use to convince people it is "1/2 ton towable". The trailer will probably weigh close to 7,000 with 900 pound tongue weight if it is anything like similar trailers that I have owned and scaled.

The new diesels are not a good economical choice. The manufactures have crippled the fuel mileage on them and not even with a $1,500.00 programmer are you going to get really better fuel mileage. The 1/2 ton trucks are more than enough truck to pull a 5,000lb trailer. If you are not going to tow more than that you will be good. I would go with a gear ratio somewhere around the 373 mark. With most transmissions being 6 speeds or more now you will usually have a pretty high gear for when your not towing. I pull my 8.5' X 24' trailer, with a GVWR of 10,000lbs, with a Toyota Tundra and it pulls the trailer almost as good as my 3500 Dodge 6.7l in stock form but I have the diesel because I need it to pull my much larger trailer that the Toyota can't tow. I personally think that the 3/4 ton trucks are a better buy for your money because you get a whole lot more truck for about the same price as a 1/2 ton but you will sacrifice some fuel mileage and the ride will not be as soft but the 1/2 will do and I wouldn't go buy something else if I already had a 1/2 ton. It pretty much comes down to how much you are going to tow because 3/4 ton truck will hold up longer if you are towing a lot.

TomG2 wrote:

Which is the OP most likely to find on the used market, a F-150 with 1,750 pounds of payload or a F-250 with over 1,800 pounds?

He just needs to look. I found 2 Max Tow F150's in the 3 months I was looking. One went in a few days and the one I bought was not listed as Max Tow by the Toyota dealer I bought it from. But the Window Sticker said it had Max Tow.

He needs to do the #'s and buy a truck that will work within those limits. I'd rather have a newer (under 5 yrs) F150 at the max than a 10 year old 3/4 ton that has a bazillion miles on it. That's what the truck market was like here last year.

wrenchbender wrote:
IMOP go with a 3/4 ton and thank me later.I spent 3 months following trailers being towed by half ton trucks with small displacement engines that could not make the speed limit.

I have a small displacement half ton, towing the OP's weight...I can jump in the passing lane, on a grade and move with authority at any legal speed.

Unless the OP has some unique payload issues, he won't have concerns at this weight and a proper half ton. My payload is 1800lbs and I don't think it's that hard to find on the used market. Mine doesn't have the HD payload option, which is the option that is much harder to find.

just wanted to get a feel for different size engines gear ratiios etc. in ford or gm... i understand that payload is a factor that will play a part in my decision.. thanks all and if any one has anything to add i would appreciate all info i can get.

wing_zealot wrote:
...snip......You're "assuming" he needs 1750 lbs or more of payload. What if he only needs 1500 lbs.? I'd get rid of my F250 in a heartbeat if it was feasible. But alas, it's paid for and another payment with in a son in college isn't in the cards. An F250 can be Too Much Truck!! (contrary to popular belief) for a whole bunch of reasons.

OP- figure out what payload you need and buy the vehicle that suits your needs. Forget what everyone else needs.

If he only "needs" 1,500 pounds of payload, I would still suggest looking for something in the 1,750 plus range. They might want to take Uncle Bill and Aunt Nellie along. Since they are shopping, why look at what "Might" be enough? As stated, forget what everyone else needs, they might not be looking at a larger trailer in two years and you might.