Advice on needed tow capacity for new pickup truck

[chrisdd23k]

I bought w new Coachman 292BHDS Travel Trailer last summer. The TT dry weight is 6,150 lbs. Now I am looking to buy a new pick up truck to tow it, either a Ford F150 of a Chevy Silverado 1500. Both trucks have different configurations that range in tow capacity. Chevy has one that tows 9,100 lbs or 11,100 with max tow package. Ford has similar ranges including some at 10,500. How much max tow capability will I need?
Other Weight Factors
2 adults, 3 teenagers and a dog about 700lbs
gear roughly 800lbs
tanks are empty when traveling
food/drinks 200lbs

[LVJJJ]

I just scanned this post so not sure if this has been mentioned, but one problem towing that heavy of a TT with a 1/2 ton is that the running gear components wear out a lot quicker. I'm towing with a 1/2 ton '94 k-1500 Suburban. Bought it about 2 years ago. Was a one owner, always garaged 130,000 mile cream puff. Good and complete maintenance records. It was never used to tow although it has the tow package and all the options. After towing for those 2 years and about 10,000 miles the rear pumpkin began making noise and had to have the rear bearings and seals replaced, then the front diff started making noise and had to have the same repair. The well experienced mechanic said the differentials would probably have lasted almost forever, but the towing took them out as they were not heavy duty. Our TT is only about 5500 lbs loaded so it was well within capacities. So bypass the 1500 and get the 2500 ton and save money in the long run (not a Ford fan so bypass the F150 too).

My son had a similar thing happen to his 1/2 ton '05 Dodge Hemi, and his trailer is lighter than mine. We towed for several years with a '88 3/4 ton 454 Suburban and never had a single running gear problem.

[deltabravo]

Atlee wrote:
With that trailer, and since you haven't bought a truck yet, I highly suggest you go straight to a F250/2500HD truck.

x1000

[bid_time]

rbpru wrote:
Well by now the OP should know that a pick up can pull a lot more than it can carry. My 2010 F-150 can pull 9500 lbs. but the max cargo means it can only carry 1411 lbs. And, each vehicle is different depending on the features it left the factory with.

Of my 1411 lbs. of cargo capacity two adults, a big dog, bikes and other toys eat up about 700 lbs. leaving 711 lbs. for the tongue weight.

The hard fact is a half ton pick up is good for about a 5000 lb. dry weight TT, when both are loaded for the road.

I have never found braking to be a issue with properly adjusted TT brakes, even in the Rockies.

so let me see if I got this right. Just because your 1/2 ton only has 1411 lbs of payload everyone else most have only 1411 lbs of payload. What if he gets a 1/2 ton with 2000 lbs of payload? By my calculations your 5000 lbs dry weigh is full of sheet.

[rbpru]

Well by now the OP should know that a pick up can pull a lot more than it can carry. My 2010 F-150 can pull 9500 lbs. but the max cargo means it can only carry 1411 lbs. And, each vehicle is different depending on the features it left the factory with.

Of my 1411 lbs. of cargo capacity two adults, a big dog, bikes and other toys eat up about 700 lbs. leaving 711 lbs. for the tongue weight.

The hard fact is a half ton pick up is good for about a 5000 lb. dry weight TT, when both are loaded for the road.

I have never found braking to be a issue with properly adjusted TT brakes, even in the Rockies.

[Maury82]

troubledwaters wrote:

DallasSteve wrote:
...But - by they time you get to that much power you may be near the price of an F-250...

But, you can't get the 3.5 Ecoboost and 10 speed transmission in a F250.

That 3.5 EB and 10 speed transmission equals a better daily driver when you are not towing, and it's towing demeanor is worth the compromise you give up to the HD when towing.

It's all in what you are willing to compromise on.

[mikakuja]

bobndot wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
how do you seat 5 in the rear seat of a pickup?
bumpy

Didn't you see those guys at the Kentucky Derby ?

Factory stretched with 3rd row seating?? :h

[bobndot]

Bumpyroad wrote:
how do you seat 5 in the rear seat of a pickup?
bumpy

Didn't you see those guys at the Kentucky Derby ?

[Bumpyroad]

how do you seat 5 in the rear seat of a pickup?
bumpy

[afidel]

APT wrote:
afidel,

Get off the internet and open truck doors. Dealer lots, auto shows, etc. Locate this sticker for as equipped payload.



Anyway, OP wants Ford or GM. 7000-7500 pounds should be good for the more capable half tons and family RVing. 3/4 ton would be more forgiving on WDH adjustments, but both will be comfortable/safe for driver and passengers. And the half tons will be more comfortable non-towing and use less fuel.

They do exist:

[APT]

afidel,

Get off the internet and open truck doors. Dealer lots, auto shows, etc. Locate this sticker for as equipped payload.



Anyway, OP wants Ford or GM. 7000-7500 pounds should be good for the more capable half tons and family RVing. 3/4 ton would be more forgiving on WDH adjustments, but both will be comfortable/safe for driver and passengers. And the half tons will be more comfortable non-towing and use less fuel.

[troubledwaters]

DallasSteve wrote:
...But - by they time you get to that much power you may be near the price of an F-250...

But, you can't get the 3.5 Ecoboost and 10 speed transmission in a F250.

[DallasSteve]

Ford has some 2018 F-150s with the 3.5L EcoBoost that rate near 3/4 ton levels, including Super Crew cabs and 4X4. They can get up to about 13,000 pounds of towing capacity and about 2,500 pounds of payload. But - by they time you get to that much power you may be near the price of an F-250. Below are the official specs, at the bottom of the 35 page PDF.

2018 Ford F-150 Brochure

[mosseater]

Having played the weight game for 10 years with my F 150, HD, I can safely say I will be buying a bigger truck next time. It gets the job done, but don't be in a hurry about it. If you insist on a 1500 series truck, get the heavy duty payload package at least.

[wrenchbender]

My advice to you is to go with a 3/4 ton crew cab,with a big engine.You can thank me later.