Confused 1/2ton or 3/4ton ?

[Michiganmetzger]

Looking at purchasing our first tt and confused by all the different responses as to what truck we should get to tow it. It has a UVWR of 5295 lbs hitch weight of 635lbs. Most are saying to go with a 3/4 ton yet the 1/2 ton is rated to 7000 lbs. So I'm asking you towing veterans what would you use?

Thank you

[Mortimer_Brewst]

Here are some payload numbers I Googled for Ford trucks for comparison:
2018 F150 payload: 1485 - 2311 lbs.
2018 F250 payload: 3288 - 4315 lbs
With the trailer weight and truck payload somewhat up in the air, draw your own conclusions as to which would be the safer route to go for the OP.

[BenK]

A bit late to this thread and didn't read all of the responses...

Here is my 2¢...

Yes confusing and made possible by the masses who refuse to get the higher class TV, even though they need/should...the why of the 'fake half ton' offerings, though the fake half ton is very, very rare (IMHO...they make more margin/profit on a pure/real half ton than the fake half ton because bigger/better/higher-spec stuff costs more...

Just look at the TV's rear axle ratings and you will also find clarity..I hope you do...

The TV's rear axle rating is the key and then the actual weights (each axle, fully loaded and empty) of both the TV and trailer you plan to tow.

Most all half ton's will have a RGAWR (rear gross axle weight rating) less than 5,000 lobs (fake half ton will be at or a bit over 5K lbs) and higher class all have 6,000 or higher RGAWR's.

Part of the thread that 3/4 ton and 1 ton are basically the same is that they often have the same RGAWR and the difference is only known to the design engineering team...that they will never tell the public...

Then look at the side of any TV and notice that most will have the mid point between the axles be the rear edge of the drivers door...meaning that most of the weight any TV will carry will be mainly on the rear axle

Simple, but many...most complicate it by tons and tons of reasoning using marketing verbiage/specification (not engineering specifications) to justify whatever their positioning is...

Michiganmetzger wrote:
Looking at purchasing our first tt and confused by all the different responses as to what truck we should get to tow it. It has a UVWR of 5295 lbs hitch weight of 635lbs. Most are saying to go with a 3/4 ton yet the 1/2 ton is rated to 7000 lbs. So I'm asking you towing veterans what would you use?

Thank you

[medic868]

My $0.02
UVWR is trailer weight without any dealer installed options like battery and propane tanks. Also doesn't include the weight of the hitch or anything you put in it, such as food, clothes, cooking utensils, etc. You will very likely exceed the towing capacity of 7000 lbs. My 1/2 ton would tow my trailer fine but I was really close to the tow capacity, payload, RAWR, and probably a little over my GCWR.
There are many people who would continue to use this combination and not think another thing about it, myself being an exception.
I traded up to a 3/4 ton truck and what a difference. Towed much better and felt more stable.
The people who say you can't have too much truck have probably done what I did and experienced the difference between a 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks.
And like so many of us here you will replace your first trailer with another one at some point and it'll probably be bigger as your family grows. If your in the market for a truck now you may as well think of the future.
I started pulling a 21' trailer with a 1/2 ton and now I pull a 27' trailer with a 1 ton diesel, overkill I know but planning for the future & I found a good deal on it 🙂

[Maury82]

1320Fastback wrote:
Too much trailer, both length and weight for a 1/2 ton, doesn't matter what the sticker says.

Maybe too much for your 1/2 ton, but you can't speak for my 1/2 ton truck...I can only do that.

That trailer would be a cake walk with my truck.

[MNGeeks61]

Googled "RV with uvwr 5295 lbs" and got two hits -

Mossy Oak 23RLS
Autumn ridge 23RLS (same trailer really)

Mfr doesn't list GVWR anywhere that I can find on either site, nor from any dealer. But that's my guess as to the actual TT.

[troubledwaters]

N-Trouble wrote:

bid_time wrote:

gbopp wrote:
No one complains because they have too much truck.

No ones ever complained about having enough truck and saving several thousand dollars.

Enough truck according to who? Salesman?

That's easy, tell me what the GVWR of the trailer is, how much the family weighs and I'll tell you what truck is "enough". The fact is, no one here apparently knows the answer to those two questions. So no one here can give a real answer (a lot of speculation, bluster and BS but no solids). Everyone says go with a 3/4 ton truck. That will probably work; depending, some 1/2 tons have more payload then some 3/4 tons. But the real answer is probably any truck with 1500 lbs of payload will work (could be more or less if we only had the answer to the two questions).

[APT]

5300 pounds needs a 3/4 ton? I towed my current TT at 5500 pounds dry and 32' overall (plus 2' with bike rack pulled out) with a 2003 F-150 Supercew. While performance tested patience at times, it towed very comfortably. Now my 3/4 ton SUV with more power, better gearing, and stringer suspension tows the same TT better, I would not say the compromises are someone required.

GVWR of the TT does not matter that much. People load about the same amount regardless of TT, about 1000 pounds. 6k dry TT is a good guideline for the more capable half tons despite tow ratings over 10k. That will be about 7k loaded with 900-1000 pounds of TW. You will want a TV with over 1500 pounds of payload, 1700 better. Get the more powerful engines and highest numerical axle ratio from whichever brand you pick. Use a WDH with integrated sway control and a proportional brake controller.

[Maury82]

Michiganmetzger wrote:
Looking at purchasing our first tt and confused by all the different responses as to what truck we should get to tow it. It has a UVWR of 5295 lbs hitch weight of 635lbs. Most are saying to go with a 3/4 ton yet the 1/2 ton is rated to 7000 lbs. So I'm asking you towing veterans what would you use?

Thank you

If you want a truck for towing, why get one with such low ratings?

There are plenty of 1/2 ton's with greater ratings.

My trailer is 37ft long, 8,400lbs dry/9,900lbs max, and my 1/2 ton tow's and handles it very well.

It all depends on what you need and what you have to compromise on, and my HDPP F150 is more than adequate for my trailer while offering me a better truck than a 3/4 or 1 ton can offer when not towing ...a two'fer.

[valhalla360]

Reality is you are probably around 8000lb fully loaded with 1000-1100lb hitch weight. Keep in mind anything you put in the truck comes off the cargo capacity so if it's only got 1500lb capacity, with the wife, 2 kids and the dog, you are at the limit before putting the cooler, fire wood and a cap on the back. (1/2 ton trucks can come with wildly different cargo capacities so it's very specific)

If the 1/2 ton is rated for that, it should be fine. The 3/4 will do better but not strictly needed.

What would likely make the difference for me is how much and where will you tow? The more you tow and the more it's in the mountains, the more I would lean towards the 3/4 ton.

[blt2ski]

They key for some is "enough engine" not truck chassis.....that helps. But one can have too much truck, but not enough engine to be happy also! I've had too little chassis, plenty of engine. Not fun! Enough chassis, too little engine.....if setup correct, this is better than too little chassis, plenty of motor!

Reality is, bet to have enough truck and engine! Yeah, too much of both can be good too! depending!

I can see a newer GM 1500 with the HTPP setup, 6.2 with 400 hp having no issues with this trailer. On the other hand, a 1500 with the 300 hp 4.3 woud work truck wise......maybe not power speed wise for some.....but chassis would be fine! Both will work if a family of 2....

If you are like I was, 4 adult size teens......I needed a SW 35 series truck to pull said trailer, as neither of the 1500 series trucks had 3000+ lbs of payload.....

Now choose and appropriate truck for you based on above situations! As there is NO correct answer for everyone. We ALL have different needs for a given trailer.

Marty

[1320Fastback]

Too much trailer, both length and weight for a 1/2 ton, doesn't matter what the sticker says.

[ScottG]

richclover wrote:

gbopp wrote:
No one complains because they have too much truck.

Good one! Agreed!

I spent too much time with not enough truck...

Yeah, that's not a mistake any of us makes twice!

[old_guy]

I had a 1/2 ton once and it worked hard pulling a 24 ft TT. my son had a wreck with it and I bought a 3/4 ton and it was like night and day difference in towing. I would only buy another 1/2 ton if I didn't have to tow any thing. both truck we gassers. after towing up over cabbage hill this week I am seriously considering buying a diesel truck but it will be a heavy 3/4 ton Ram. my son sells them so looking for family discount and what ever else I can get it for

[N-Trouble]

bid_time wrote:

gbopp wrote:
No one complains because they have too much truck.

No ones ever complained about having enough truck and saving several thousand dollars.

Enough truck according to who? Salesman?

[Walaby]

I towed a 6500lb trailer (fully loaded), with my 1/2 ton. It towed fine, even in the Smokey Mountains (granted, not the Rockies, but not flatlands either). Looks like this would probably be a good combo, but if you intend on keeping the truck for a long time, and want to make this purchase last through TT upgrades, I'd go with a 3/4 ton.

Mike