Thinking about the next Tow Vehicle

[Surgtech94]

Thinking about the next tow vehicle, currently leasing a Dodge Ram 1/2 ton. and going to buy something used. Our TT is 5,100 lbs - dry weight, 25 ft.. Anyone towing with a newer V6 either truck or SUV ? Any ‘ya or nay’ for Toyota Tundra, Toyato Tacoma, Jeep Grand Cherokee(V8), Dodge Durango. Thank you in advance

[JRscooby]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Ford Ranger w/2.3L I4 EcoBoost has a max towing capacity of 7,000 lbs.

F150 w/2.7L V6 EcoBoost has a max towing capacity of 10,000 lbs.

Surgtech94 wrote:
Thank you for all the information. I need to start researching

When shopping and comparing it is good to remember that a very small percentage of the trucks are set up to tow the max. If you decide you want a 150, for example, make sure the 1 you pick has the capacity you need.
Somebody mentioned "Future Proof. That does not just mean larger trailer. Say in the past 95% of the miles you put on TV where without trailer, a lot of the compromise had to lean towards driving without the trailer. You say you plan to drive a lot less miles. Are you going to tow about the same as before? Then the compromise might lean more to tow performance. And your trips. Working we would often go out on Friday, come home Sunday. After we retired, we often leave home Sunday morning, come home Friday. And because we leave morning we sometimes go farther

[ssthrd]

camp-n-family wrote:
5100lbs dry? That can easily push 6500lbs loaded. That will exceed the tow limits of most mid size SUVs. You’d be easily within the range of any half ton with a turbo V6 or V8. A tuck will have a longer wheelbase than an SUV and be more stable.

Since you specifically mention a Tundra and buying used I would recommend checking it out. They are reliable and will hold value over the long run. The drivetrain is bulletproof. It is geared for towing and won’t even notice that weight except for in MPGs, it is thirsty. The Taco is a little undersized for what you want to tow.

^^^
My old v6 Taco which was rated for towing 6500#, and was pushing it while towing my 5000# (OTR) TT. My Tundra was rated for a 9800# tow, and was pushing it with a 7000# (OTR) TT.

The Tacoma was great for short hauls and flat ground while the Tundra had more than enough power anywhere. Both were gas hogs, and I would not want to pull any more weight with either truck. I’m sure you would be more than happy with a 5.7l Tundra which has 380 HP and 401 ft lbs of torque.

More weight than the 7k that I had behind the Tundra, and I would think about a ¾ ton in your favourite flavour. The trailer was 30’ tongue to bumper, and was a bit of a handful on a windy day.

[camp-n-family]

5100lbs dry? That can easily push 6500lbs loaded. That will exceed the tow limits of most mid size SUVs. You’d be easily within the range of any half ton with a turbo V6 or V8. A tuck will have a longer wheelbase than an SUV and be more stable.

Since you specifically mention a Tundra and buying used I would recommend checking it out. They are reliable and will hold value over the long run. The drivetrain is bulletproof. It is geared for towing and won’t even notice that weight except for in MPGs, it is thirsty. The Taco is a little undersized for what you want to tow.

[wjlapier]

Our first TT was a Starcraft Autumnridge no slide. We pulled it with two Suburbans and eventually a 1 ton truck. Scariest driving I ever experienced. Once we traded the last Suburban for a long bed GMC 3500 we barely noticed the trailer back there. We upgrade our TT several times same with our trucks. I would never again tow a TT with anything less than 3/4 ton ( and would prefer 1 ton ).

We are hauling a Host Everest with a 2019 Chevrolet 3500 Dually. We are considering a Dodge 5500 for various reasons the main one payload.

Good luck with your search.

[Surgtech94]

Thank you for all the information. I need to start researching

[theoldwizard1]

Ford Ranger w/2.3L I4 EcoBoost has a max towing capacity of 7,000 lbs.

F150 w/2.7L V6 EcoBoost has a max towing capacity of 10,000 lbs.

[IdaD]

I have a big garage and shop, a bit of property and live in an area where a larger vehicle isn't a hindrance so I'd personally lean toward a fullsize truck. The cost difference should be minimal and you get a lot more space and better towing. Of what's on the market right now and based off limited knowledge my inclination would be either an F150 or the new Tundra if I were buying a half ton.

If I were going to get midsize truck I'd without question get a Tacoma. With the resale values those trucks have they should be by far the cheapest option in the long run. Plus they're really reliable and nice trucks. Might be a little light depending on how heavy you load the trailer and truck.

Any HD truck would of course tow much better than a midsize or half ton, but there's no reason you'd need one for that size trailer. The reason you may consider one is future proofing in case you want to get a larger trailer later on.

[Surgtech94]

JRscooby wrote:

Surgtech94 wrote:
Thinking about the next tow vehicle, currently leasing a Dodge Ram 1/2 ton. and going to buy something used. Our TT is 5,100 lbs - dry weight, 25 ft.. Anyone towing with a newer V6 either truck or SUV ? Any ‘ya or nay’ for Toyota Tundra, Toyato Tacoma, Jeep Grand Cherokee(V8), Dodge Durango. Thank you in advance

Maybe it's because I just woke up from my nap, but I read I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH WEIGHT I WANT TO TOW, CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO TOW IT?
First step is weigh your rig ready to go, then drop trailer and weigh again. Even better would be a 3rd pass with everything unloaded. That will tell you what you expect to tow and haul

I know it adds up fast, but We don’t carry a lot of extra. It’s 2 of us, 2 dogs, typical food/groceries. A truck will tow what we have and need, but wondering will we notice a difference in towing with a 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton. Is a V6 truck almost as capable as a 1/2? Will a truck tow better then a SUV with same engine/drive train? One thing I forgot to ask in my original post. What about truck beds? So many of the crew cabs come with a short bed,

[JRscooby]

Surgtech94 wrote:
Thinking about the next tow vehicle, currently leasing a Dodge Ram 1/2 ton. and going to buy something used. Our TT is 5,100 lbs - dry weight, 25 ft.. Anyone towing with a newer V6 either truck or SUV ? Any ‘ya or nay’ for Toyota Tundra, Toyato Tacoma, Jeep Grand Cherokee(V8), Dodge Durango. Thank you in advance

Maybe it's because I just woke up from my nap, but I read I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH WEIGHT I WANT TO TOW, CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO TOW IT?
First step is weigh your rig ready to go, then drop trailer and weigh again. Even better would be a 3rd pass with everything unloaded. That will tell you what you expect to tow and haul

[blt2ski]

Look 2014 and newer if you can. I noticed across the board for ANY manufacture be it a car SUV or truck based. A BIG increase in mpg and HP. Along with better transmission options.
GM at least, really only has one chassis option be it a rwd or 4wd. Rear axle typically 3900 rated. Front 3500 or 3900 rwd/4wd. Gvwr is typically 6800 or 7200 for the two. There are some with a 4400 rear, few and far between, usually with the 6.2 V8. Talking 15 series trucks, not the over 8400 8 lug trucks.
Ford had ranges of RAWR from 3000 to 4000, on iirc about 5000. Front axle also varied, with factory gvwr from 6200 to 7800 or so. The 7800 version with the 5k ra was few and far between, usually had a 5.x V8. I believe they exist with the 3.5EB. I did not see any when I was looking. The few I saw got ruled out as I did not want mpg of a V8.
Ram is kind of opposite GM, but generally speaking I found with gvwr in the 6200-6600 relm. That was too low with typically 1200-1500 payload. Vs the GM 1800 to 2000. Ford depending upon chassis motor etc 1200 to 2000 or so.
The Ram diesel in the 1500, a few that I know have it, like it! No issues pulling upwards of 6-7000 lbs. But like GM, if you look at a disel, it will be mid trim to max interior trim only. If you prefer work truck or a step or two above like me, the diesel is not available.....

Reality with any of the trucks having 250+HP, 6-10 gears in trans, pulling a 6500-7000 lb trailer is a cake walk compared to some BB V8s I had with 3 gears in the lat 80s to early 90s.
As long as you can keep yourself with in payload spec on the TV, you'll be fine.
Your trailer sounds like one I had. I'd pull it with my current 1500 vs the 3500 SW rigs I had
Marty

[Surgtech94]

blt2ski wrote:
Thr Ford 3.5 evo boost seems to be a decent mpg rig empty if ones foot is not lead in nature. Towing, on par with most rigs. Takes a certain amount of energy to move 12-13000 lbs be it with a 4, 6 or 8 banger.
GM I4 turbo might be an option in the Corado or fill size 1500 pickup. Like the Ecoboost, has a turbo, won't be effected with elevations like a non turbo motor. The 6 cyl diesel also is an option.
Ive pulled upwards of 8500 with my GM 4.3 V6. The trailer was not a high profile TT equal. I was easily doing 50-55 up a 3-4% freeway grade. An RV trailer I would swag 5 mph slower?!!;? Due to aerodynamics.....
I did not look at Ram trucks looking a year plus ago before buying my 1500 4.3. multiple boxes for different asst items I could not check off. I'm sure it's a good truck too if your wants are different than mine.

Marty

Thank you. I know nothing about GM or Fords. Never thought about diesel. We haven’t bought used in a long time, have been leasing, now being retired and not putting on more then 8,000 miles a year, we’ve decided to buy used.

[blt2ski]

Thr Ford 3.5 evo boost seems to be a decent mpg rig empty if ones foot is not lead in nature. Towing, on par with most rigs. Takes a certain amount of energy to move 12-13000 lbs be it with a 4, 6 or 8 banger.
GM I4 turbo might be an option in the Corado or fill size 1500 pickup. Like the Ecoboost, has a turbo, won't be effected with elevations like a non turbo motor. The 6 cyl diesel also is an option.
Ive pulled upwards of 8500 with my GM 4.3 V6. The trailer was not a high profile TT equal. I was easily doing 50-55 up a 3-4% freeway grade. An RV trailer I would swag 5 mph slower?!!;? Due to aerodynamics.....
I did not look at Ram trucks looking a year plus ago before buying my 1500 4.3. multiple boxes for different asst items I could not check off. I'm sure it's a good truck too if your wants are different than mine.

Marty

[Surgtech94]

I was just looking at some older posts and think maybe we should stay with some sort of a truck? Is there that much difference between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton truck with a TT around 5,100 lbs? Some camping friends are towing a 31 ft TT with a 1/2 tone Silverado

[Lwiddis]

Do the nominated trucks all have sufficient payload for an estimated 650 to 700 pounds of tongue weight and your family with what you want to carry in the truck? And I believe those trucks all have a shorter wheelbase than your current Ram…one of the reasons I moved from a Tahoe to a 1500.