First pull with new truck

[jwc99]

Let me start off with this is my opinion based on towing the same trailer with my old truck and new truck. Same destination, same weather conditions (very windy) and same loading.

But I'm sure someone will take offense anyway.

I was one of the readers that always got so tired of all those posters that said you need a 3/4 ton or bigger truck to pull your rig. For years I towed with my 1/2 ton and made it just fine. When it got time for my new truck I ordered a 1/2 ton max tow with the plan of getting a bigger trailer. If I had purchased the trailer I planned on the 1/2 ton would have been fine. But the wife found one she liked better. Almost 4 ft longer and about 3000lb heavier. I towed it with the 1/2 ton but it was work. The truck had plenty of power but I was getting pushed around on the road. The wind and passing vehicles kept me hanging on tightly to the wheel. I traded for a 3/4 ton diesel and I am very impressed. I still felt a little wind sometimes, but nothing that made me uneasy. The power was great and the mileage was better, I gained 2 mpg. Needless to say I am very happy I made the change.

I still believe the 1/2 ton is a good tow vehicle. Even though mine was rated to tow 11000 lbs didn't mean I should. Yes I had a good hitch, I'm using it with the new truck. Every piece of equipment has its limitations. I feel I was there with the old truck. I'm not telling anyone to run out and purchase a bigger truck. Stay within your limits and be safe. I feel I made the right move by upgrading.

[buddyIam]

Boy that fifth wheel ball hitch is sure dwarfed by the truck and trailer.

[noteven]

A real truck toy hauler hauler

[Durb]

IdaD wrote:
My biggest complaint about my truck is I don't see how I'll ever be able to buy anything that isn't a diesel. The power is so effortless it's addicting. I find myself enjoying the towing part of a camping trip as much as the camping part.

Dittos to that. The smiles start when you leave the driveway.

I traded a Nissan Titan crew cab for an older Ram 3500 DRW long bed quad cab. The Titan was smooth, fast, quiet and comfortable. It did a great job towing my 6,000# bumper pull. The Ram is noisy and ponderous but boy do I like driving it!

I ended up buying a diesel SUV simply because I was now a diesel guy.

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

I kept saying during my recent camping trip, "Load some more firewood in that thing!" I never would've even considered it with my 150. I love having an HD truck. I love not having to worry about tongue weight and who/what I haul.

The hardest part is sticking with my car for commuting to work. Thankfully, my car's pretty new and comfy or it would be up for sale too.

[jwc99]

My wife is very happy with the new setup. She had to watch how she packed for a trip, didn't want to go over our limit. She told me last night she was excited to be able pack the camper the way she wanted and not worry.

The biggest problem I am having since I got the new truck is I can't stop driving it. I can get 23 mpg driving it to work, 85 mile round-trip. I have a Hyundai I bought for work that gets 38. I just enjoy driving the truck. I get no respect in the car, always getting cutoff and such. I get all kinds of respect in the truck.

[Bedlam]

TomG2 wrote:
Getting by with a half ton is a challenge and we like challenges. Funny how nobody ever comes on here asking how to turn their HD model into a half ton tow vehicle. How about, "Can I put P rated tires on my 2500HD?", or "Are smaller brakes and tires available for the 3500 series?". Nobody ever says, "I am worried that I will forget the trailer is back there now that I have a HD tow vehicle".

I am not anti- half ton as I recently purchased a 2016 F-150, but I tow lightweight trailers these days.

You do see people asking this, but they are mall crawlers or racer boys going for something other tow capacity.

[IdaD]

My biggest complaint about my truck is I don't see how I'll ever be able to buy anything that isn't a diesel. The power is so effortless it's addicting. I find myself enjoying the towing part of a camping trip as much as the camping part.

[goducks10]

As they say "You don't know what you don't know"
BTDT on trucks.

[ACZL]

Congrats OP on the new ride and new trailer! With our 5er, I'm 54.5' nose to tail and just south of 22k and very little problems towing. Also have a 4 place V-nose alum snowmobile trailer and nose to tail is around same length as w/ the 5er and total weight w/ 3 sleds is approx between 13-14k (never scaled out). Sled trailer is NOT on WD hitch and it is very noticeable when pulling it. Was much worse when old sled trailer was steel frame. Point is, the 5ers do tow much nicer and tho my sled trailer isn't all that bad towing, anything heavier (trailer weight above 5k), I'd have a WD hitch on it.

[TomG2]

Getting by with a half ton is a challenge and we like challenges. Funny how nobody ever comes on here asking how to turn their HD model into a half ton tow vehicle. How about, "Can I put P rated tires on my 2500HD?", or "Are smaller brakes and tires available for the 3500 series?". Nobody ever says, "I am worried that I will forget the trailer is back there now that I have a HD tow vehicle".

I am not anti- half ton as I recently purchased a 2016 F-150, but I tow lightweight trailers these days.

[NC_Hauler]

Same here in 99' had a 1/2 ton truck towing a TT, truck did great, oh, and was new...purchased a 5er...lost big time when I traded the 1/2 ton for a 3/4 ton which did a better job towing in the mountains...live and learn...sometimes it'll really cost you.

Jim

[alexleblanc]

Been there, done that, have the tshirt! Those F150's are impressive, but above 7500lbs a 3/4 or 1ton really are that much more stable and enjoyable to tow with.

[wirenutz]

my picture posting sucks

[wirenutz]

go big I say