not sure of TV needed for this TT

[lantanatx]

New to RV'ing. I'm in the market for a tow vehicle and TT. Most of the new TTs I like can be towed with a reasonably equipped half ton like a Ford 150with tow package. I need a 4wd crew cab as this will also be our primary family vehicle and for light use on our family ranch. I'd like have decent mpg when not pulling a trailer.

I found what looks to be a good used 19ft trailer on CL (will see it IRL this weekend). The seller sent me the trailer weight label and it looks like it is much much heavier than the new trailers I was looking at. What kind of vehicle would be needed to pull this?
gvwr=7580, minus uvw=4080, minus fresh water weight of 55 gal =457,
minus propane weight of 14 gal = 59,
= CCC for this trailer = 2984

I will be headed up Yellowstone country this summer, so I will be pulling it up/down some pretty good grades.

[handye9]

John Wayne wrote:
I'd get the biggest most powerful truck I could afford. So I wouldn't sweat how big a trailer I could pull, or if I'd be under powered if I wanted a bigger TT later. or wanted to load a few dirt bikes or quads in the bed of the truck to take along.

I would agree. It may not be long before you're looking for a bigger trailer. My first one, only lasted one year. Second one, lasted three years.

19 footer will get cramped with wife and kiddies in there.

Note: Others have mentioned payload, payload, and payload.

That is the truck's capacity to carry the combined weight of any aftermarket accessories (bed cap, bed liner, etc), people, cargo (in the truck), weight distribution hitch, and trailer tongue weight.

[John_Wayne]

I'd get the biggest most powerful truck I could afford. So I wouldn't sweat how big a trailer I could pull, or if I'd be under powered if I wanted a bigger TT later. or wanted to load a few dirt bikes or quads in the bed of the truck to take along.

[CWOUSMC]

I have a 2014 F-150 SCab with the 3.7 and I tow a 22ft 4500# trailer with no issue. And when I am not towing I get 19 mpg in town and 22 mpg highway. When I was in the market for a truck I thought that getting a V8 or a Ecoboost was the answer but after realizing that the base engine was enough I went with it and don't regret it.

Just my 2 cents

[Drew_K]

All good advice above. I'll add to what APT said: don't get the least powerful or most fuel efficient engine because you'll want some towing grunt. However, I'm not crazy about the Dodge EcoDiesel because the payload is pretty low for heavily optioned ones. I wouldn't rule them out but check the door stickers on trucks you're considering and compare the ACTUAL payload capacity rather than what the manufacturer's web site says.

[fla-gypsy]

APT wrote:
I agree mostly with tmm2good, except you'll still want the more capable options in those half tons and their respective towing packages. No base naturally aspirated V6s for example. Pick your favorite brand half ton. If your trips involve higher elevations, then I recommend something with forced induction. The 2.7L Ecoboost in the 2015 F-150 would be a great match and 3.5L Ecoboost and Ram's Ecodiesel even better.

One thing just to verify as you shop is payload. This is the amount of extra weight the truck is designed to support which includes people and cargo in the cab and bed and trailer tongue weight. Crew cab half tons range from 750 pounds of payload to about 2400 pounds, with most in the 1200-1600 pound range. Just make sure the as equipped payload has enough for your estimates of about 700 pounds of TW, family and some gear.

Good advice here, you may look into the max payload pkg if you are considering a Ford as it will give you more options on tongue weight

[APT]

I agree mostly with tmm2good, except you'll still want the more capable options in those half tons and their respective towing packages. No base naturally aspirated V6s for example. Pick your favorite brand half ton. If your trips involve higher elevations, then I recommend something with forced induction. The 2.7L Ecoboost in the 2015 F-150 would be a great match and 3.5L Ecoboost and Ram's Ecodiesel even better.

One thing just to verify as you shop is payload. This is the amount of extra weight the truck is designed to support which includes people and cargo in the cab and bed and trailer tongue weight. Crew cab half tons range from 750 pounds of payload to about 2400 pounds, with most in the 1200-1600 pound range. Just make sure the as equipped payload has enough for your estimates of about 700 pounds of TW, family and some gear.

[tmm2good]

Any of the newer half tons would have no problem with that trailer.