Matching Towing Vehicle and TT Beginner

[cinker]

Hi,
We have had park model, seasonal trailers and have never towed anything.
Now in retirement we are planning on buying a 24 to 27 foot travel trailer for towing to spend time between Ontario and Alberta as well as see the Maritimes, BC rest of Canada and the U.S. So it's just the wife and I and 2 large size ie Golden Retriever dogs.
So, we have the choice of starting from scratch in buying a TT and a Truck / SUV.
However, being retired, budget is an obvious consideration as is burning fuel. So, di I get a Diesel or Gas?, 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton truck or SUV? We will be pulling up into the mountains of B.C and western States.
Although its obviously a personal decision, I would like to bounce around the question to get inputs from others.
We have bounced around the ideas of motor coach, 5th wheel and keep coming back to TT due to investment cost and the pushing towards a 1 ton.
We welcome your thoughts and inputs, thanks in advance,
Most appreciated.
P.S. I know this is probably an old aged question but would like to get your inputs.

[Grit_dog]

cinker wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
I'd say you're on the right track and yes my reccomendation for a diesel comes with caution and not knowing your budget.
You talking new truck, 2 years old, or the best rig you can get for 10 grand?
Speaking strictly new or new ish, couple years old, all the diesels are solid. I have my preferences and they revolve around the simplicity of an inline 6. Hint hint.
But do your research, especially if going used. Lots of concerns between different models and brands over the last 15 years.

Thanks Grit Dog. yes, I was thinking of a F-250 or Ram 2500 say model year 2013 to 2015 with less than 100k miles. I would be interested in your input of an inline 6 although I strongly suspect its the Cummins RAM, am I right? :-). Thanks again.

You'd be right! My preference there is the simplicity, even in the newer models you're looking at. Any of the big 3 will be capable and reliable in the years you're looking at.
My simple take is this.
Ram vs Ford, chassis/body/ features are a wash. Ford gets the nod for transmission unless you go with the Aisin option or want a manual trans. Ram offers the only manual. Engine goes to the Ram for a couple reasons. Biggest one is a crappy exhaust brake pre 2015 on the Ford and the suspect injection pump, second is the simplicity of the 6 banger.
GM, IMO is the best well rounded package, save for the newer injection pump, same as fords. But with a Duramax, you get a proven drivetrain with little to no downsides. Dmax is the same basic drivetrain since 2001. (Techies, I know they've changed a bunch of stuff, but not as much as the other 2)

Since you're looking at DEF emissions trucks, Ram wins the emissions trophy in cold weather hands down. Period. This has nothing to do with my previous fondness for Rams, rather my experience keeping a large fleet of new diesel pickups, all 3 brands, running in the worst possible emissions torture conditions. All winter, North Slope AK, pretty much all idle and no load hours. Have a thread on it here if you search, but the Ram emissions, while not without its problems, had FAR less and more easily repairable problems. Something not many would experience unless you're running a lot in super cold weather.

[hunter_rv]

3/4 ton or 1 ton (Single Rear Wheel) is a great choice and pretty close in price of each other. I have had 3 diesels trucks so far and will only buy a diesel, but there is an education that goes along with knowing the pros/cons of each brand and that model year. (for example Regens vs DEF)

If you are consider a truck this size, it would open the option a small 5th wheel instead of a TT and allow your trailering to be so much easier and allow more basement storage.

Depending on how much mobility you want, a small MH might be the best choice of all.

[Rick_Jay]

cinker,

Have you considered a Class C or Class A motorhome? Since you're starting from scratch and faced with purchasing the trailer and the tow vehicle, you might find a Class A or C to be price competitive with the added convenience while travelling down the road.

Just a thought. 🙂

~Rick

[cinker]

APT wrote:
3/4 or 1-ton diesel pickup with a bed cap of your favorite brand in the last 5 years. All are good. While what Turtle said is true of that size RV for weekenders, retirement and longer trips mean more stuff. That means more paylaod. It also might mean more towing miles vs. non-towing, so diesel makes more sense. The only half ton diesel does not have the paylaod for their uses IMHO.

Thanks APT. Much appreciated!

[APT]

3/4 or 1-ton diesel pickup with a bed cap of your favorite brand in the last 5 years. All are good. While what Turtle said is true of that size RV for weekenders, retirement and longer trips mean more stuff. That means more paylaod. It also might mean more towing miles vs. non-towing, so diesel makes more sense. The only half ton diesel does not have the paylaod for their uses IMHO.

[cinker]

tragusa3 wrote:
I have about as capable of a half ton as there ever was. We are at 28' and 7k loaded. Family of 4 and large dog. We've used it for 15k miles of cross country trips in the last 3 years.

We love our truck, and it does well at the task. I'm not considering buying anything else. However, if I were in retirement and planning to cover as many miles as you, I would go 3/4 ton and diesel.

Skirting the limit is okay for the once a year summer trip. But I just wouldn't want to think about it later in life.

Thanks tragusa3. Very good, useful input. Thanks

[tragusa3]

I have about as capable of a half ton as there ever was. We are at 28' and 7k loaded. Family of 4 and large dog. We've used it for 15k miles of cross country trips in the last 3 years.

We love our truck, and it does well at the task. I'm not considering buying anything else. However, if I were in retirement and planning to cover as many miles as you, I would go 3/4 ton and diesel.

Skirting the limit is okay for the once a year summer trip. But I just wouldn't want to think about it later in life.

[cinker]

Grit dog wrote:
I'd say you're on the right track and yes my reccomendation for a diesel comes with caution and not knowing your budget.
You talking new truck, 2 years old, or the best rig you can get for 10 grand?
Speaking strictly new or new ish, couple years old, all the diesels are solid. I have my preferences and they revolve around the simplicity of an inline 6. Hint hint.
But do your research, especially if going used. Lots of concerns between different models and brands over the last 15 years.

Thanks Grit Dog. yes, I was thinking of a F-250 or Ram 2500 say model year 2013 to 2015 with less than 100k miles. I would be interested in your input of an inline 6 although I strongly suspect its the Cummins RAM, am I right? :-). Thanks again.

[Grit_dog]

I'd say you're on the right track and yes my reccomendation for a diesel comes with caution and not knowing your budget.
You talking new truck, 2 years old, or the best rig you can get for 10 grand?
Speaking strictly new or new ish, couple years old, all the diesels are solid. I have my preferences and they revolve around the simplicity of an inline 6. Hint hint.
But do your research, especially if going used. Lots of concerns between different models and brands over the last 15 years.

[cinker]

Thank you everyone. It seems that we start finding the TT we like and then matching the vehicle to suit which seems very logical. Also, from what I have already seen the 27 foot TT that we like is about 8000lbs dry so it seems to make sense to go to the 3/4 ton that somebody recommended and also to choose diesel over gas to get the pulling efficiencies and the lower fuel costs. It seems that there are some diesel trucks are problem vehicles so I had better do some research to steer away from those expensive culprits.
Thanks again every-body, you have definitely helped this beginner tower!!

[ken56]

You ask a nearly impossible question for others to answer. I know you are just looking for others educated opinions here too so in that respect......find the floor plan that fits you and the doggies. It almost sounds as if a class A coach would suit your needs better than a travel trailer. The options between class A and 5th wheel and bumper pull rigs are all over the map and cost varies wildly between them all. Figure you will be spending a lot of time in your rig, what ever it turns out to be, so comfort and livability is paramount or you will be miserable. That's no way to enjoy your retirement.

With a fixed income and limited funds making a mistake in this choice could be very expensive so analyze your needs carefully here. Visit dealers and go through all types of units, take your time and sit in them for a little while and see what fits you and the dogs, THEN figure out a tow vehicle. Good luck.

[Grit_dog]

Van = 2wd unless you get crazy with the conversions. You're planning on spending year round in Canada. Presume you already know how to drive in snow, but 2wds are much more limited in what/where you can go.

[DrewE]

You might also want to look at full-sized vans. They typically have (or at least can be configured to have) quite good tow ratings and better load carrying capacity than SUVs. The Nissan NV would probably be my choice for this sort of thing these days, though not the only possibility.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

This is a huge question!

Let me give you a few of "my" thoughts.

There is almost 0 reason for you to get a 1 ton for the trailer you're thinking of getting. If you want one and can afford one, get it. But you have 0 "need" for one.

I would get a 3/4 ton because your going to be doing a lot of traveling from the sound of it. I would also get a 4 door to haul your furry friends to make it easy to load and unload.

You're going to save about 30% on fuel if you buy a diesel. Depending on the cost of diesel vs gasoline you might save a lot of money or you might save next to nothing. Where I live I save a lot of money by owning a diesel.

Another thing about a diesel is you won't lose horse power on the hills like you will with a gasoline engine (excluding ecoboost). This can be big where you travel if you have a lot of mountains.

How much money do you want to spend on your rig? Some think 10 thousand dollars is a lot of money. Some think 100 thousand is a lot of money. TT'ers lose a LOT of value so if you buy used you can save a LOT of money. Not so much for a diesel truck because they hold their value so much.

If you decide to get a diesel truck read all the reviews you can on the engine. Some on here say that all diesels are the same and they are all good. This is not true. Some engines have design problems and can cost big bucks if something goes out. Tread lightly when looking at diesels.

Have fun!