General towing guestion - newbie

You got a lot of responses. Realize that most on here are ultra conservative numbers crunchers.
NOW, with your perceived lack of experience towing, an HD pickup is a more conservative and capable option and may be preferable based on where you're going and duty cycle on the truck.
However, most newer 1/2 ton SUVs can be configured to tow a 4ton trailer safely and effectively.

I’d look at an F150 Super Crew with an ecoboost. Properly equipped it will handle an 8k lb trailer fairly easily.

Great summary. Thanks!

valhalla360 wrote:

I haven't verified but it's coil springs (all models have shocks) but I thought it was only the last 2-4yrs before that they were the same leaf springs.

My Ram 2500 has coil springs. When we test drove the other brands, the ride was noticeably better with coils (imo). If the truck will be a daily driver, the OP might consider this.

Regarding the 1/2 vs 3/4 debate, my former truck was a Ram 1500 quad cab with 5.7 hemi and tow package. My trailer is a Windjammer that CAT scales at 7960 (very close to the OP's weights). I have the unique experience of towing the same trailer, same hitch, same loads, same route back to back with the half ton and then the 2500. The difference is, literally, night and day. In both trips we went through Raton pass and stayed in Colorado springs. It is difficult to describe how much better the trip went in the 2500. The half-ton was operating at near max capacity and required constant attention to react to passing semis and winds. It was capable of the grades, but was working hard and I had to be careful with braking on the way down. The 3/4 ton was mostly indifferent to the trailer -- you could almost forget it was there. It rarely downshifted, and with the exhaust brake I (again, literally) didn't touch the brakes during any descent.

afidel wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

rbpru wrote:
The truck ratings are a lot more than the suspension. That is why similar models have different factory ratings. Subtleties such a brakes, cooling, frame flex, shocks, gearing and suspension etc. all play a part.

If you are talking about moving from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton...absolutely correct other than being vaguely similar looking, they are completely different vehicles.

3/4 to 1 ton SRW...for most used models, it really is just the rear springs.

The one big exception to the 3/4 vs 1 ton is RAM, the 2500 has used rear shocks for many years while the 3500 was/is traditional leaf springs.

I haven't verified but it's coil springs (all models have shocks) but I thought it was only the last 2-4yrs before that they were the same leaf springs.

valhalla360 wrote:

rbpru wrote:
The truck ratings are a lot more than the suspension. That is why similar models have different factory ratings. Subtleties such a brakes, cooling, frame flex, shocks, gearing and suspension etc. all play a part.

If you are talking about moving from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton...absolutely correct other than being vaguely similar looking, they are completely different vehicles.

3/4 to 1 ton SRW...for most used models, it really is just the rear springs.

The one big exception to the 3/4 vs 1 ton is RAM, the 2500 has used rear shocks for many years while the 3500 was/is traditional leaf springs.

Aftertheloop wrote:
Great information. Thanks!

So what type trucks should I be looking at?

Def. a 3/4 ton truck if new/newer. I would suggest avoiding 4WD. Takes away otherwise available payload, more maintenance and they're 5-6" higher off the ground which is a nuisance IMO (esp. when getting camping stuff in & out all the time). I'd also suggest a good rear end ratio for towing. I love our 4.1 but gas mileage suffers somewhat.

Do you "need" a SUV with 3 rows or do you just "want" 3 rows? If you don't need 3 rows of seats any 2500 or 250 truck out there will do just fine and will be MUCH easier to find. If you need 3 rows for kids you are pretty much limited to the excursion or the suburban 2500. These SUV's are pretty hard to find and will have some years and miles on them. That being said the Excursion (V10, 6.o bullet diesel, 7.3 diesel) and the Suburban (00-06 8.1, 08-13 6.0) are very capable SUV's and can handle big TT's.
My current setup is a 05 yukon xl 2500 8.1 towing a 9-10k loaded 37' TT and it pulls it like a boss.

When we moved up to a trailer in that weight range, we followed by getting a 2010 Expedition with tow package. We wanted three rows of seats to haul the kids and the camper, it's been a very good combination for us.

rbpru wrote:
The truck ratings are a lot more than the suspension. That is why similar models have different factory ratings. Subtleties such a brakes, cooling, frame flex, shocks, gearing and suspension etc. all play a part.

If you are talking about moving from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton...absolutely correct other than being vaguely similar looking, they are completely different vehicles.

3/4 to 1 ton SRW...for most used models, it really is just the rear springs.