Ideas for a truck to pull 6500lb trailer?

otterslide wrote:

MitchF150 wrote:
If the trailer GVWR is #5800, that's the max it can weigh.. You must mean that's it's "dry weight" and when you load it up, it can go up to it's GVWR. That was about the dry weight for my trailer. It's GVWR is #7000.

I've got 82,000 miles on my 13 F150 Ecoboost and it's only been in the shop for the couple of recalls on it (brake booster and transmission reflash of the program).

Oh, my truck has a 'tow rating' of #11,300... I feel maxed out with my #7000 TT. You will not enjoy towing a #6000 TT with that V6 Ram at all... I say that knowing what a difference it was towing a #5000 TT with my truck and then getting the #7000 TT with the same truck... Big difference!

But, every truck is different and no matter what make, model you get, there will ALWAYS be some that are a POS and some that shine..

Good luck!

Mitch

Ok, looks like I misunderstood what GVWR is, so the trailer will be a bit lighter than I thought then.
Dry Weight 3,914 lbs.
Payload Capacity 1,526 lbs.
GVWR 5,800 lbs.
Hitch Weight 380 lbs.

You have a pretty strong truck, and fast too. Surprising that you need such a big buffer to feel good towing.
How much worse does the MPG get when you're towing vs. not towing?
Thanks.

Yep, you didnt use GVWR correctly. Based on those numbers, if correct, almost any 1/2 ton would work. A 2.7 Ecoboost would work also and get better mileage than anything else in your price range.
BUT if you think you might upgrade to something bigger in the future, look for a bigger truck now.

I have had no problems with my F150 3.5 Ecoboost and love it. I average 10-11mpg towing, 16-17mpg mixed and often get 20mpg highway. I've been towing from Washington to Arizona every year, for the past 3 years and it has been stellar.