Truck or SUV recommendations

[RatedX]

I am looking for recommendations on what kind of truck or SUV to buy to pull my travel trailer. The trailer is a ultra light, 32 feet long with pin and weighs in at 4936 dry. I have looked into a Toyota Tacoma TRD that hauls 6500 lbs but some have told me that I would be pushing it's boundaries too much.

What are your opinions? I would prefer SUV but willing to look at truck like Tundra, F150 or Dodge Ram Hemi...

[CKNSLS]

CincyGus wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:
Today's 1/2 tons are not your grand fathers half-tons and most are very capable to pull upwards towards 10,000 pounds. And they can do so safely.

BUT, some on this board have a hard time understanding this fact.

I'm not one to act as the weight police but I think there is more to picking a proper tow vehicle than what a sticker or manufacture web site says. And I have enough experience pulling horse, RV;s and other trailers to know sometimes the numbers all work but I don't want to use the combo again after a trip.

Wheel base of the TV vs. the length of the trailer is important.
Rear end ratio and engine size is critical to pulling hills.
Weight of TV vs Trailer is a concernt to be considered.

And these are before you get into the weights of the vehicle and capabilities of the TV.

I've yet to drive a 1/2 ton truck that I would be comfortable pulling a 10,000 lb trailer with. Maybe it's out there and I just havn't tried it yet. A decision everyone has to make on their own.

I agree. I think most of us that tow with 1/2 tons have no intention of pulling it's maximum rated weight. The Ultra Lights between 5,000 and 7,000 pounds are the sweet spot of 1/2 ton towing. And these trailers are well constructed and have all the features (mostly) of heavier trailers.

I am currently towing a 5,500 pound TT across the country with my 2011 Silverado 1/2 ton Crew Cab w/the 5.3. After 4,500 towing miles (thus far) and 10,000 solo touring miles there have been ZERO issues so far with my completely stock truck and my Eclipse Milan 29 foot travel trailer.

There is no need for 3/4 ton or 1 ton recommendations when towing these type of trailers.

[mlts22]

Were I to get a TV again that would also double as my daily driver, I would probably go for a 4WD extended cab shortbed one ton or at least a 3/4 ton with factory prep for a 5W slider hitch.

With a vehicle like this, I can tow most trailers out there, use a few TCs, and haul a fifth wheel with a slider hitch.

Of course, this won't tow the larger rigs or use a three-slide TC, but it is a decent compromise between being able to park in town versus towing ability.

[CincyGus]

CKNSLS wrote:
Today's 1/2 tons are not your grand fathers half-tons and most are very capable to pull upwards towards 10,000 pounds. And they can do so safely.

BUT, some on this board have a hard time understanding this fact.

I'm not one to act as the weight police but I think there is more to picking a proper tow vehicle than what a sticker or manufacture web site says. And I have enough experience pulling horse, RV;s and other trailers to know sometimes the numbers all work but I don't want to use the combo again after a trip.

Wheel base of the TV vs. the length of the trailer is important.
Rear end ratio and engine size is critical to pulling hills.
Weight of TV vs Trailer is a concernt to be considered.

And these are before you get into the weights of the vehicle and capabilities of the TV.

I've yet to drive a 1/2 ton truck that I would be comfortable pulling a 10,000 lb trailer with. Maybe it's out there and I just havn't tried it yet. A decision everyone has to make on their own.

[PopsRacer]

CKNSLS wrote:

Mooreagreen wrote:
Try an Infiniti QX56 - I am pulling s similar size and weight and it pulls great. Wide stance and hydraulic body roll control make it rock solid.

Couldn't he just get a Nissan Armada and save a ton of money?

Yes, he definitely could if he wants to.

[CKNSLS]

mister_d wrote:

tenbear wrote:
My first RV was a 21' TT that I towed with an F150. I found it was not enough truck, the semis were passing me on the hills. I did go to Alaska with it though so it did work.

That must have been one weak F-150 compared to today's offerings! Now-a-days any 150/1500 with a decent towing package could handle a 21' trailer. OP, we're very happy with our setup. Our last trip was to Smokey Mountain NP and it was cake for the truck.

Mister D you bring up a good point. Today's 1/2 tons are not your grand fathers half-tons and most are very capable to pull upwards towards 10,000 pounds. And they can do so safely.

BUT, some on this board have a hard time understanding this fact.

[mister_d]

tenbear wrote:
My first RV was a 21' TT that I towed with an F150. I found it was not enough truck, the semis were passing me on the hills. I did go to Alaska with it though so it did work.

That must have been one weak F-150 compared to today's offerings! Now-a-days any 150/1500 with a decent towing package could handle a 21' trailer. OP, we're very happy with our setup. Our last trip was to Smokey Mountain NP and it was cake for the truck.

[tenbear]

My first RV was a 21' TT that I towed with an F150. I found it was not enough truck, the semis were passing me on the hills. I did go to Alaska with it though so it did work.

[wbwood]

I missed the "my trailer" part of your original posting.

Well with that said. I agree about the full size truck thing. I would recommend something with at least a 9000lb + tow rating. As others stated, you will be at 6000-7000 lbs before you know it. You also want to look at the tongue weight of the trailer and add some weight to those numbers and then go from there also. You can't go wrong with a 3/4 ton truck. We bought a brand new supercrew f250 gasser back in 2010 for $32,000 the sticker was over $40,000. They gave us almost $26,000 for it when we traded in 3 years later. I was happy with that deal. Supercrew F150's were costing about the same as the F250 i got. Of course their gas mileage was better, lol.

[CKNSLS]

Mooreagreen wrote:
Try an Infiniti QX56 - I am pulling s similar size and weight and it pulls great. Wide stance and hydraulic body roll control make it rock solid.

Couldn't he just get a Nissan Armada and save a ton of money?

[Mooreagreen]

Try an Infiniti QX56 - I am pulling s similar size and weight and it pulls great. Wide stance and hydraulic body roll control make it rock solid.

[CKNSLS]

CincyGus wrote:
Agree with those suggestion a F150/1500 with a good towing rear end ratio. Somewhere around the Chevy's 3.73 range would be ideal. Not sure what the similar is for the F150. Get the tow package with the tranny cooler, heavier springs, etc. not just the hitch.

With a family of 4, the crew cab would be nice and give you that extended wheel base you are looking for with a 30'+ trailer.

I have mentioned this on another thread, but I will reveiw. I am currently towing a 29 foot-4,500pound (DRY) Ultra light trailer across the USA with my 2011 Silverado 1500 Crew cab w/the 5.3 and factory tow pkg. The tongue weight is 750 pounds. The truck is COMPLETELY STOCK. I have pulled the trailer over 4,500 miles and have put another 10,000 touring miles on the truck-for a total of 14,000 miles so far. We are currently in Ohio heading due west back to Utah.

This combination has had ZERO PROBLEMS THUS FAR.

The truck has 34,000 miles on it. The tires were replaced in New Hampshire with Nitto Crosstek. (Standard ones not HD) but they are XL. I have two Rancho 5,000 shocks I purchased at Summit racing that I will have installed soon.

There are some blazing deals right now on 1/2 ton trucks. There are those who say it can't be done - you need a one ton to tow a pop-up. Well-I'm doing it.

[CincyGus]

Agree with those suggestion a F150/1500 with a good towing rear end ratio. Somewhere around the Chevy's 3.73 range would be ideal. Not sure what the similar is for the F150. Get the tow package with the tranny cooler, heavier springs, etc. not just the hitch.

With a family of 4, the crew cab would be nice and give you that extended wheel base you are looking for with a 30'+ trailer.

[RatedX]

Just to be clear I already own the trailer 🙂 So I am stuck with what I have...

The type of camping we plan on doing is full services (Sewer/Electric/Water) for sure. The distances we will travel will be a maximum of 300 miles and I have a family of four, 2 kids wife and myself.

We will be bringing pedal bikes, coolers etc.

As for experience this weekend was my first time in a TT and thanks to all my friendly neighbors and family I got through it 🙂

I absolutely love it!

Also thanks to all of you for the feedback 🙂

[jerem0621]

Yea, your trailer is going to grow to about 6500 -7500 lbs loaded. My trailer has a similar dry weight and ready to go camping its about 6500-7000 lbs.

Remember that dry weight is only going to matter to ONE person in reality. That is the person who pulls the trailer from the factory to the dealership.

thanks!

Jeremiah