1/2 or 3/4 Ton? - Trying to decide.
Ready for a newer truck... Jayco 25' travel trailer: WEIGHTS Unloaded Vehicle Weight: 5220# Dry Hitch Weight: 545# Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 7000# Cargo Carrying Capacity: 1780# A 250...
Forum Discussion
To re-iterate what Marty said get the right tool for the job. A properly equipped 1/2 ton should handle the trailer you are describing without a problem. What is properly equipped 1/2 ton include?
For the trailer you are looking at you wrote it is 5220 lbs dry. With a couple of options and loaded to camp looking at 6,700 or so, let's round up to 7,000.
With 13% of that 7,000 on your hitch that is 910 lbs, if you run as much as 15% on the hitch you are at 1,050. Let's bias towards the high side and say 1,000.
Consider the weight of passengers and payload in the truck today and 5+ years from now. If, for example, that number is 800 lbs this plus your hitch weight is at 1,000 lbs. This means you will need a payload of 1,800+. So keep an eye on the payload sticker of the pickup. You will want a package that gives you the payload needed, LT tires, transmission cooler, integrated trailer brake controller and tow mirrors. So read the payload sticker and pay attention to the options.
If you are shopping for a 3/4 ton it should be easier because the LT tires, payload and transmission cooler are probably already included with the truck.
If you end up near capacity on a 1/2 ton there is not much you can do if you decide you want a bigger trailer. So if you think you might go bigger one day this can put you in a tight spot whereas the 3/4 ton would give you room.
You can tell by my signature what worked for me. I preferred the ride, height of the vehicle, mpg and engine option available at the time in the F150. I also knew that I would not go any bigger than my current trailer.
Take it easy,
Stu
For the trailer you are looking at you wrote it is 5220 lbs dry. With a couple of options and loaded to camp looking at 6,700 or so, let's round up to 7,000.
With 13% of that 7,000 on your hitch that is 910 lbs, if you run as much as 15% on the hitch you are at 1,050. Let's bias towards the high side and say 1,000.
Consider the weight of passengers and payload in the truck today and 5+ years from now. If, for example, that number is 800 lbs this plus your hitch weight is at 1,000 lbs. This means you will need a payload of 1,800+. So keep an eye on the payload sticker of the pickup. You will want a package that gives you the payload needed, LT tires, transmission cooler, integrated trailer brake controller and tow mirrors. So read the payload sticker and pay attention to the options.
If you are shopping for a 3/4 ton it should be easier because the LT tires, payload and transmission cooler are probably already included with the truck.
If you end up near capacity on a 1/2 ton there is not much you can do if you decide you want a bigger trailer. So if you think you might go bigger one day this can put you in a tight spot whereas the 3/4 ton would give you room.
You can tell by my signature what worked for me. I preferred the ride, height of the vehicle, mpg and engine option available at the time in the F150. I also knew that I would not go any bigger than my current trailer.
Take it easy,
Stu
