1/2 ton or 3/4 ton

[SRadke]

Hey Everyone!
My wife and I are looking to buy a truck and trailer within the next year and need some guidance. I posted in the TT forum with this same type of question and I am getting some good responses, but thought I would post here as well just in case there are more/different opinions here.
We are looking to buy a bunkhouse style TT with a GVWR of around 7,500 lbs. To pull it our initial thought was to us a 2018 F150 2 wheel drive V8. The math works on the payload, towing, and gross weight, but it is pushing the upper limits of what the truck is able to do.

What do people here use to pull trailers like this?

What kind of margin do y'all like to keep between what you are pulling and the limits of your truck?

Would it be better to go with a slightly older 3/4 ton truck than a slightly newer 1/2 ton truck?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Grit_dog]

valhalla360 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
I know there will be people who come back and disagree but when you get 10-15yrs out, don't count on getting a $10k premium on resale for a diesel.

Last couple times we were shopping, there was little if any premium at that price point.

Heck, even NADA puts the diesel at $7500 more apples to apples and the real world prices support this.

Yeah, because NADA is realistic.

You’re right, not always, heck sometimes NADA is understated. For example our 07 Dodge would fetch more tomorrow than nada, in a heartbeat.
Keep paying too much for your gassers if that’s what you believe.....or tell me where I can buy diesels for “little, if any premium”, because I want to buy all they have and make some MONEY!
Valhalla, you’re putting up one of those sky isn’t blue arguments here buddy.

[nickthehunter]

ShinerBock wrote:
Here is my total cost analysis based on a Ram. It will be different for you depending on many things such as PM intervals/cost between the two, fuel prices in your region, interest rates, re-sale values and so on.

Interesting, you don’t have insurance, cost of money, and you have a unrealistic interest rate. That’s just from a 3 second glance at it.

[valhalla360]

Grit dog wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
I know there will be people who come back and disagree but when you get 10-15yrs out, don't count on getting a $10k premium on resale for a diesel.

Last couple times we were shopping, there was little if any premium at that price point.

Heck, even NADA puts the diesel at $7500 more apples to apples and the real world prices support this.

Yeah, because NADA is realistic.

[demiles]

Grit dog wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
Why do people list their trailers GVWR? Do people really tow at their trailers max? I don't. I had an 11,400 5er that loaded up weighed 9200-9300 lbs. Why would I want to mislead anyone?

Or a better question, why do people obsess over a few hundred or even, say 1000 lbs? If a person has done much towing, they'd realize that towing safety includes many different factors, only 1 of which is the weight of the trailer. And trailer weight (within reason) may be a ways down on the list of important considerations depending on the trailer and the rig.
Like I have pulled around 15klbs many times behind 1/2 ton trucks, but it's low profile loads and the ability to adjust the load to get an acceptable tongue weight. BUT, I'd not even consider towing a 7 ton 5ver or toyhauler behind the same truck. Jus cuz it weighs the same don't mean it's even close to the same.
Nother example, ultralight, lightly loaded big TC, say 30' long and 6000lbs, not too practical but possible. A JGC or Durango is "rated" to tow more, but that trailer could horsewhip a short lighter vehicle like that pretty easily, especially in the hands of the inexperienced, but it would be far more comfortable towing it with an ext cab long bed 1/2 ton that may not have any more rated capacity, maybe less even.
So to err on the side of caution, the bigger the tow vehicle, the better, but it doesn't mean smaller is unacceptable in all cases.

I think I brought this up on page 1or2 that not all trailers of the same weight are created equal yet we have 9 pages of garbage. This why I highly recommend people don’t take advice from this or any Internet forum, educate yourself on the facts.

[ls1mike]

Grit dog wrote:


Or a better question, why do people obsess over a few hundred or even, say 1000 lbs? If a person has done much towing, they'd realize that towing safety includes many different factors, only 1 of which is the weight of the trailer. And trailer weight (within reason) may be a ways down on the list of important considerations depending on the trailer and the rig.
Like I have pulled around 15klbs many times behind 1/2 ton trucks, but it's low profile loads and the ability to adjust the load to get an acceptable tongue weight. BUT, I'd not even consider towing a 7 ton 5ver or toyhauler behind the same truck. Jus cuz it weighs the same don't mean it's even close to the same.
Nother example, ultralight, lightly loaded big TC, say 30' long and 6000lbs, not too practical but possible. A JGC or Durango is "rated" to tow more, but that trailer could horsewhip a short lighter vehicle like that pretty easily, especially in the hands of the inexperienced, but it would be far more comfortable towing it with an ext cab long bed 1/2 ton that may not have any more rated capacity, maybe less even.
So to err on the side of caution, the bigger the tow vehicle, the better, but it doesn't mean smaller is unacceptable in all cases.

I totally agree. I am fine with 7800lbs for the trailer. Most half tons can pull it no problem. Most gassers not a problem.
It is the length. That is why I have the 4 door long bed truck. Loaded for camping it is heavier than the trailer. The trailer doesn't push it around at all. My hitch really helps too.

[ls1mike]

goducks10 wrote:
Why do people list their trailers GVWR? Do people really tow at their trailers max? I don't. I had an 11,400 5er that loaded up weighed 9200-9300 lbs. Why would I want to mislead anyone?

Yes. No big deal for me My situation 2012 Passport 3220 BHWE. 6280 Dry. 7500 Gross.

I weighed it twice this summer for 5 day trips. Once with my 2002 2500HD once with the 2017 3500HD

3500lbs Dexter axles, empty tanks, two batteries, 2 propane tanks. We travel pretty light compared to everyone else we camp with.

Front axle was 3480 rear axle was 3520. 7000lbs You figure 800ish on the hitch. I am a little over. The axles are right at capacity.

I have been like that since 2012, probably heavier in the past as we got rid of some stuff we never use. I went with load range D tires this last time vice the load range C it came with. It did make a difference in sidewall bulge and how the trailer handled over bumps.

[Huntindog]

librty02 wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
This is going as usual. What we have here is different perception as to what performance is acceptable.
Some of us have higher standards than others.
Some of us started with 1/2 tons, and thought they did fine..... Until they experienced the difference a HD truck makes. Once that occurs, most won't go back to a 1/2 ton.

As always, your money, your choice.

Hmmm I went from a 08 F350 dually and 38ft 5th wheel to a half ton and 30ft 7200lb GVWR Travel trailer and the half ton handles the TT just as well as the dually did that 5th wheel...:h

huntindog wrote:
What we have here is different perception as to what performance is acceptable

As always, your money, your choice.

[Huntindog]

goducks10 wrote:
My question was raised so there could more clarity. Saying you tow the GVWR of your trailer while actually not spreads misinformation.
I had an F150 and towed a 7300 lb TT. It had a GVWR of 8400 lbs. If I said I towed an 8400 lbs GVWR TT with an F150 then someone thinks that F150's tow 8400 lbs easily.
Fake news.
It would be more helpful to say what your trailer actually weighs.

It sure would be useful to state actual weights.
But most, even those on this forum have never weighed their rigs.... Of those that have, most only wieghed it once, usually when they first got it.

TTs are a lot like people in that, they both tend to gain weight over time, as one more thing gets put in them.

Going by GVWR, is usually the prudent thing to do. In fact I would wager that many end up over that, at some point.

[goducks10]

My question was raised so there could more clarity. Saying you tow the GVWR of your trailer while actually not spreads misinformation.
I had an F150 and towed a 7300 lb TT. It had a GVWR of 8400 lbs. If I said I towed an 8400 lbs GVWR TT with an F150 then someone thinks that F150's tow 8400 lbs easily.
Fake news.
It would be more helpful to say what your trailer actually weighs.

[Me_Again]

goducks10 wrote:
Why do people list their trailers GVWR? Do people really tow at their trailers max? I don't. I had an 11,400 5er that loaded up weighed 9200-9300 lbs. Why would I want to mislead anyone?

That depends on use. While snowbirding we two different 5th wheels we were always close to GVWR, and over once in a while with the 29' Cardinal. Bighorn was always close to it's 16K GVWR. Planning for GVWR makes a lot of sense, as one will not end up with not enough truck for the trailer. Have more truck than needed does not lead to issues like not having enough truck. Chris

[Grit_dog]

goducks10 wrote:
Why do people list their trailers GVWR? Do people really tow at their trailers max? I don't. I had an 11,400 5er that loaded up weighed 9200-9300 lbs. Why would I want to mislead anyone?

Or a better question, why do people obsess over a few hundred or even, say 1000 lbs? If a person has done much towing, they'd realize that towing safety includes many different factors, only 1 of which is the weight of the trailer. And trailer weight (within reason) may be a ways down on the list of important considerations depending on the trailer and the rig.
Like I have pulled around 15klbs many times behind 1/2 ton trucks, but it's low profile loads and the ability to adjust the load to get an acceptable tongue weight. BUT, I'd not even consider towing a 7 ton 5ver or toyhauler behind the same truck. Jus cuz it weighs the same don't mean it's even close to the same.
Nother example, ultralight, lightly loaded big TC, say 30' long and 6000lbs, not too practical but possible. A JGC or Durango is "rated" to tow more, but that trailer could horsewhip a short lighter vehicle like that pretty easily, especially in the hands of the inexperienced, but it would be far more comfortable towing it with an ext cab long bed 1/2 ton that may not have any more rated capacity, maybe less even.
So to err on the side of caution, the bigger the tow vehicle, the better, but it doesn't mean smaller is unacceptable in all cases.

[Grit_dog]

"This OP is a newbie asking...

IMO, if anyone has to ask, they do NOT have the background/experience/etc to understand the kinds of advice provided on these freebie forums...so my advice is always to go by their ratings (they have to do some home work, which includes weighing everything, axle by axle)

It is risk management decision they are going to make from the advice they get here and hopefully factored by their research into their specifications."

^ True words by Mr. BenK. And while I'm about as far from the weight cops on here as anyone, I can and do read into the context of the question and try to assess the person's knowledge or abilities and tailor my response accordingly along.
This leads some folks on here to think I'm talking out both sides of my mouth, but I'm more of a "hey hold my beer and watch this" person and a do as I say, not as I do. And I don't push that on anyone, except the bible thumper equivalent of weight cops, lol.

[goducks10]

Why do people list their trailers GVWR? Do people really tow at their trailers max? I don't. I had an 11,400 5er that loaded up weighed 9200-9300 lbs. Why would I want to mislead anyone?

[BenK]

This OP is a newbie asking...

IMO, if anyone has to ask, they do NOT have the background/experience/etc to understand the kinds of advice provided on these freebie forums...so my advice is always to go by their ratings (they have to do some home work, which includes weighing everything, axle by axle)

It is risk management decision they are going to make from the advice they get here and hopefully factored by their research into their specifications.

Many will advise to squeeze as much ratings as they can...to more conservative advice.

For me, the decision is for the day Mr Murphy crosses my path. Either everything is sized properly and adjusted properly spot on, or not. No time to go back to the store and/or resetup everything.

Good luck to the OP and enjoy their experience(s)

[librty02]

Huntindog wrote:
This is going as usual. What we have here is different perception as to what performance is acceptable.
Some of us have higher standards than others.
Some of us started with 1/2 tons, and thought they did fine..... Until they experienced the difference a HD truck makes. Once that occurs, most won't go back to a 1/2 ton.

As always, your money, your choice.

Hmmm I went from a 08 F350 dually and 38ft 5th wheel to a half ton and 30ft 7200lb GVWR Travel trailer and the half ton handles the TT just as well as the dually did that 5th wheel...:h