Heavy Duty / Super Duty Truck as Daily Driver

[MtView]

Soooo I find myself needing a new vehicle unexpectedly. I want to be able to tow the current TT which is about 22' and has a dry weight of 3300 lbs as well as the next larger TT I'm likely to get. I was using a 4WD Honda Pilot.

As the kids get older we will all want more room so it would probably be a 30' - 35' pull behind. Based on payload calculations for the larger TT, I'm finding myself needing a Silverado 2500 and it would also have to be my daily driver.

I don't see a way around getting into a Super Duty or Heavy Duty truck. Is that nuts to use it as a daily driver? I would prefer a light truck, but I wouldn't be able to get a new truck and a new TT at the same time so this is my opportunity to get the truck.

Thanks!

[Lynnmor]

If you have marginal clearance, keep in mind that snow might raise the truck enough to collide.

On my nominal 9 x 7 door, I was able to reduce the trim on the sides and top to allow an additional 2" on each side and 3/4" at the top. Now Ford doesn't want to sell me a new truck since they put Super Duty guts under an F150, raising it even higher while supplying a lesser truck for a lot more money.

[troubledwaters]

BarneyS wrote:

TurnThePage wrote:
While fuel prices have been stabilized fairly low for quite a while now, the big trucks aren't so bad. I hated filling the tank when the prices were in the $4/gal range. That makes daily driving very painful.

A garage or covered carport is a must for me. I won't own a vehicle I can't park inside. My half ton quadcab 4x4 is just low enough to clear the garage door, while I also have a few inches in front and behind it. The closest equivalent HD version won't fit.

JMHO

Hmmmmm. Won't fit? I wonder why? My truck is a 2500 HD Cummins 4x4 and it fits in my garage just fine. My garage is just a standard height double door. If the 1/2 ton fits the 3/4 should also.
Barney

My F250 won't clear my garage door either while my 1500 will. And besides that, it takes surgical precision to even get my F250 to clear the fence posts to even get it close to the garage.

[TomG2]

ktmrfs wrote:
Part of my problem is my garage floor was poured over 6 inches deep at the front and about 8 inches by the back. Kept it from cracking, but the decision was made after the door was framed so I lost about 2 inches in clearance.

To put the truck in the garage I had to adjust the door opener to completely raise the door above the frame and even then the antenna scrapes going through the door.

I am not sure that I understand your garage floor but as an old construction guy, it might be possible to lower the floor a few inches if necessary. Also, extra clearance hardware may be available for your garage door.

[ktmrfs]

on height, yup the newer HD trucks, at least the 4WD are getting to be an issue for some garages.

My 2015 duramax is about 2 inches higher than the 04 and I have less than 2 inches extra clearance. Bigger tires or a lift and it won't fit.

Part of my problem is my garage floor was poured over 6 inches deep at the front and about 8 inches by the back. Kept it from cracking, but the decision was made after the door was framed so I lost about 2 inches in clearance.

To put the truck in the garage I had to adjust the door opener to completely raise the door above the frame and even then the antenna scrapes going through the door.

now I wish I had 9ft wide doors instead of 8, but the garage is 30ft deep so depth isn't an issue

But at least I can get it in. Now when I was looking at new trucks the GMC would fit height wise with a few inches to spare, but looking at Ford and Dodge 4x4's it looked like they were enough higher to be a issue or would need a test drive to see if it would fit. But then we really wanted the GMC anyway.

[TomG2]

BarneyS wrote:
What do you think I was talking about when I mentioned the height of my garage door? He said "The closest equivalent HD version won't fit." Well, my truck is just about the closest equivalent you are going to get to his, and Yes, I DID read his whole post. :R
Barney

Having owned both half ton and HD pickups, the HD versions were always taller. Sorry to challenge your expertise. I was not aware that a 2500 Cummins was the closest equivalent to a F-150.

[BarneyS]

TomG2 wrote:

BarneyS wrote:

Hmmmmm. Won't fit? I wonder why? My truck is a 2500 HD Cummins 4x4 and it fits in my garage just fine. My garage is just a standard height double door. If the 1/2 ton fits the 3/4 should also.
Barney

Read the whole post. He said it was a vertical clearance problem and many HD models do sit a little taller than the average half ton. You are correct that length and width are comparable between classifications.

What do you think I was talking about when I mentioned the height of my garage door? He said "The closest equivalent HD version won't fit." Well, my truck is just about the closest equivalent you are going to get to his, and Yes, I DID read his whole post. :R
Barney

[TomG2]

BarneyS wrote:

Hmmmmm. Won't fit? I wonder why? My truck is a 2500 HD Cummins 4x4 and it fits in my garage just fine. My garage is just a standard height double door. If the 1/2 ton fits the 3/4 should also.
Barney

Read the whole post. He said it was a vertical clearance problem and many HD models do sit a little taller than the average half ton. You are correct that length and width are comparable between classifications.

[BarneyS]

TurnThePage wrote:
While fuel prices have been stabilized fairly low for quite a while now, the big trucks aren't so bad. I hated filling the tank when the prices were in the $4/gal range. That makes daily driving very painful.

A garage or covered carport is a must for me. I won't own a vehicle I can't park inside. My half ton quadcab 4x4 is just low enough to clear the garage door, while I also have a few inches in front and behind it. The closest equivalent HD version won't fit.

JMHO

Hmmmmm. Won't fit? I wonder why? My truck is a 2500 HD Cummins 4x4 and it fits in my garage just fine. My garage is just a standard height double door. If the 1/2 ton fits the 3/4 should also.
Barney

[TurnThePage]

While fuel prices have been stabilized fairly low for quite a while now, the big trucks aren't so bad. I hated filling the tank when the prices were in the $4/gal range. That makes daily driving very painful.

A garage or covered carport is a must for me. I won't own a vehicle I can't park inside. My half ton quadcab 4x4 is just low enough to clear the garage door, while I also have a few inches in front and behind it. The closest equivalent HD version won't fit.

JMHO

[Edd505]

Down size a TV? Never! My 350 diesel's a daily at 17.1

[Camper_G]

Thanks goducks, that's what i was trying to convey, but some folks have to learn things their way. Maybe the op will be happy with an f150 and a 37' monster behind it? Everyone is different.

[goducks10]

The problem with the newer aluminum bodied F150's and towing long heavy TT's is that the truck now gives up weight that's needed for stability. How light can you go and still feel in control of 37' and 8300 lbs?
Just because Ford say you can doesn't mean you need to or would enjoy it.
BTDT. I towed a 31' 7300 lb TT with a 2010 F150 Max Tow and with a 12 Ram 2500 CTD. There's no comparison in the feeling of being in control with the 2500 over the F150. The F150 had Michelin LT's stiffer shocks and super springs added.

[Maury82]

hondapro wrote:

Camper G wrote:

Maury82 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Mine is a daily driver and I love it. Bit stiffer ride but otherwise it lacks nothing compared to a half ton and it adds a ton of capability. My previous half ton was the last one I’ll own.

I own a 37 feet 8,300lbs travel trailer that I currently tow using a HD 250 truck I rent from Enterprise, and I couldn't imagine usin that thing as a DD. While it is a nice truck, tows well, I prefer my Honda for daily use and trips when not towing.

I'm purchasing a F150 ECO Boost 3.5 liter, CC with the Max Trailering package (12,500lbs plus towing/2,600lbs plus payload), next year, and that will be more than capable to tow your trailer and use as a DD.

I have no use for a truck besides towing, so I'm getting the capable half ton.

The f150 your considering may have the payload capacity, but don't expect it to handle that huge 37' sail your dragging behind you like the f250 you rent does. The f150 with MPP is a great truck and i like them, but they are still a half ton truck. The chassis is light, especially with the aluminum body and you may notice more push from passing semi's due to that.

At 37' regardless of weight, I think your in 3/4 ton truck territory, just my .02. Is your quoted 8300 lb, loaded and confirmed weight ready to camp or is that the dry weight? Good luck.

Happy Thanksgiving All!

I agree, my 35 foot travel trailer gets pushed around by passing semis with my truck I am sure it will be worse with a lighter weight truck.

Maybe a hitch like the Hensley would help, I am not sure I have never worked with them.

All TT'S are subject to the bow wave sway induced by passing trucks,some to a greater degree than others.
Mine can be a handful at times and is the worst coming downhill when the trailer is pushing the truck.And can be very unsettling.

It is a major reason why we are considering getting a 5th wheel.

I would not tow MY trailer with a half ton truck.

I appreciate, and noted you guy's sentiments.

The 250 I use to tow my RV is a gas engine, and while the power is OK, the 3.5 EB would be a better fit. I'm not sure whether the half ton I'm getting has LT tires, but if not, it will definitely be added, but Ford did a great job of adding extra payload, and addressed suspension concerns (brakes, springs, antisway bar), so I'm not concerned about this truck's capabilities with handling this TT.

I'm definitely not looking to address any little issue when towing well within a truck's capacity by buying a larger truck, and I'm sure a F450 would be a much better option than a 1 ton, a 3/4 ton, etc, so unless someone has specific experiences with towing this size TT with a newer 1/2 ton with the Max Trailering package and well within capacity, as oppose to their issues with some undescribed 1/2 ton, I have to stick with the information that Ford is providing.

[LVJJJ]

Heck no. As a long time RV'er, I've learned not to worry about gas mileage at all, takes all the fun out of it.

I've always used my TV as a daily driver. the 65 Chevy Van got 13 mpg running solo and 10 towing. My current TV, a 94 GMC Suburban k1500 4wd that weighs 6,000 lbs gets 13 mpg solo, and 9.5 towing. I think its better to drive the RV regularly cause vehicles begin to deteriorate when they just sit around. I'd much rather drive it instead of our '08 HHR that gets over 25 mpg, although I do love the little Suburban.

[Lar114]

frisbeekev wrote:
I have an f250 as my Daily driver and love it. Uses a little more gas, and you have to sometimes fold the mirrors in when parking, but plenty of room for the family.

Boy isn't that the truth. Got to watch the mirrors every time I pull up next to the house, already clipped the downspout at least three times in one year of owner ship. But hey love the way it tows, no white knuckles here anymore.