Complete Newbie Needs Straight Talk

Bravo to ricks99. I discovered that my '01 Dakota could pull 5000# in part because it has a 3.93 rear as well. I recently had the hitch, brake controller and tranny cooler installed. Hopefully by spring I'll be looking at a trailer in the 14-16' range that should suit our needs and desires.

mkirsch wrote:
The "load distributing hitch" would not be installed on the truck, so you don't need to ask about that anymore. One less thing to worry about.

Technically what you are referring to is a "WEIGHT distributing hitch" and it is a device you buy separate from the truck and trailer, to connect the trailer to the truck. The size you choose is based on the weight of the trailer, and is a good idea 99.9999 percent of the time, especially if you buy one with an integrated sway control device.

Agree on the weight distributing hitch. Our first RV of any kind was a 19' Kit Sportsmaster travel trailer and we towed it with a '95 F150. We had the weight distributing hitch and anti sway bar. It was a great setup, although the TT was on the edge of being too heavy. Anyway, that was five towables ago.

Just a quick update... we found our TV: A nice 2008 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, v8 with 3.92 gearing. Already has a class3 receiver hitch and prewired.. and under our $10K budget.

I've run the numbers and a 3000-3500# TT should be no problem.

Now we're off to get a brake controller and start TT shopping for real. :-)

As recommended, once we're ready for our first trip, we'll get everything weighed.

Thanks again everyone for the advice!

Me too...but...many will only look at the lowest class TV AND only
(seemingly to me) want to have something 'rated just enough'...

Why only advise with metrics for anyone asking/reading/lurking to
figure it out themselves...

Lost is that all things designed are NOT for the good days when a riding
lawn mower 'can tow it'...but...for the worst day out there when
Mr Murphy crosses your path...either you have the right sized/rated
spot on...or not...no time to go back to the store for better/bigger/etc...nor
time to resetup the whole thing...

2001400ex wrote:
Lot of technical advice. One practical piece of advice I learned the hard way. Buy more truck than you need. Buying your first camper is like buying your first house, you make mistakes and things you think aren't important, really are. So you end up trading up.

Also I've been on the side of not having a big enough pickup and it's irritating. I hated towing, but now that i have the right setup, towing is a breeze.

So while yes, most vehicles will pull what you need, get a reliable pickup. Your price range, you should be able to find an early 2000s gas 3/4 from any of the big 3. Or mid to late 2000s you can get a V8 half ton. The advantage to the half ton is unloaded fuel mileage is way better.

This is not the place for 'straight talk'. What you will get is a variety of opinions based on experience, personal preference, and plain old - "that is how I have always done it". Frankly, I am surprised nobody has recommended a Heavy Duty Diesel for your needs yet..... Now...don't everyone get upset about this....just trying to be funny. :)

As for the question, a 3000lb trailer will have a tongue weight of around 300-450lbs. You certainly do NOT need a V8 unless you want one. Most mid size SUV's, mid size pickups, many with V6's will do the trick. Two main things to consider as you research - Is the vehicle rated to tow the weight (will likely need trailer brakes and a hitch rated for the load) and, will the vehicle support the weight of all passengers and the tongue weight of the trailer. Happy Shopping!

But good luck finding one. You'll likely end up with a slush box in whatever you get.
If somehow you can manage getting any of the newer models with a 5-6 speed auto and still within the price/miles you're looking for, do that.
Fwiw Dodge had the first auto with more than 4 gears starting in 06? With a 5 speed auto. GM 09, 6 speed, Ford '10 or '11 6 speed.

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
most with a V8 .. but avoid manual transmissions unless its a heavy duty.

my Ram 1500 V SIX manual.. would only do 3,000 pound trailer.. but the same engine with an automatic was 4,500 pounds. I am talking 2 wheel drive.

WDH is needed when trailer is heaver that tow vehicle or Nose heavy.. my opinion.

check owners manual and on the Door sticker.. for what a vehicle can tow and carry. as the door sticker is the last WORD on that it can do..

I' think a bit differently here.
IF you can actually find a full size pickup with a manual trans in your budget/condition range, as most 1/2 ton handshakers are now clapped out or recycled already, and want to drive a stick or are using the truck primarily for towing the camper, I think it's a much preferable option over ANY older auto trans for towing duty, simplicity and reliability.
Worst case, you have to put a clutch in it. No real worries about overheating he trans on hills, hold any gear you want up or down the same hill. Better compression braking.
If I had $10k or less to find the best 1/2ton tow rig I could right now today, I'd search for an old grandpa owned 2nd gen Ram 1500 5.2/5 speed or a GMT400 (88-98) 1/2 ton, 305 or 350 5 speed. Up through '92? GM used an aluminum foreign 5 speed trans in the 1500s. Wasn't highly regarded but I had 2 of them for a combined 300kmi total and never opened the case. 1 HD clutch replacement on each was all I did to them. In 93' I think, GM ditched that trans for a NV4500, even in the half tons. Yes the same trans behind every Cummins Dodge for years several GM models and ALOT of big power rock buggies. Indestructible in a little small block half ton.

Cobra21 wrote:
If you want a good bang for the buck, I would consider the Chev. Trailblazer.
4.3 straight 6

Unfortunately they're reasonably priced, by comparison, because GM kind of dropped the ball on that model. Not the best in reliability. Not a fluke either. Have 3 different friends or neighbors that have dropped the Trailgazer or Buick version like a hot rock at first opportunity. Folks next door still have a newer Buick one, whatever it is. Looks like they have a new car every couple months because there's a different rental or loaner in the driveway for weeks at a time.

Cobra21 wrote:
If you want a good bang for the buck, I would consider the Chev. Trailblazer.
4.3 straight 6

almost always a poor choice for a tow vehicle, except for very small TTs and popups.
there are tons of posts here, from TB owners who hated how it towed and got better tow vehicles.

Lot of technical advice. One practical piece of advice I learned the hard way. Buy more truck than you need. Buying your first camper is like buying your first house, you make mistakes and things you think aren't important, really are. So you end up trading up.

Also I've been on the side of not having a big enough pickup and it's irritating. I hated towing, but now that i have the right setup, towing is a breeze.

So while yes, most vehicles will pull what you need, get a reliable pickup. Your price range, you should be able to find an early 2000s gas 3/4 from any of the big 3. Or mid to late 2000s you can get a V8 half ton. The advantage to the half ton is unloaded fuel mileage is way better.