Help picking a TV

I will never buy a half ton again. In my opinion a 3/4 ton will make you a happier camper. Payload runs short quick on a 1/2 ton.

Any of the later model 3/4 tons with a gas motor would be fine for your needs. Drive them all and pick the one you like best. Just don't get sucked into one of the smaller motors. Pick the largest motor available.

low budget, trailer towing, 4X4,prefer a truck but worried about low fuel economy?

Almost Impossible for us to suggest what YOU should buy. Would have to be used and only you can find that.

You want a 4x4 truck to haul a fairly light trailer. Any 1/2ton will do. Make sure it has the bigger V8. 5.3 vs 4.8 in GM or 5.7 vs 4.7 in Dodge. Better economy with the bigger engines IMO.

But you need to forget about fuel economy. seriously it is going to suck but what can you expect

and last 5-6 years?....a used 7-10 year old truck? maybe, who knows. will likely need a bit of maintenance to do it.

Obviously do not buy a diesel

Any gas motor towing 5000 pounds will get around 10 mpg....non-towing, you are looking at 13-15 mpg. Doesn't seem to matter if it is a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton.

I agree that a 3/4 ton is the only way to go...you can never have too much truck. A 1/2 ton will do the job, but he 3/4 gives you heavier suspension, bigger brakes, more stability and a better towing experience. If you are spending 40% of the time towing, I can't believe a 1/2 ton will do what you want.

Buy the truck you like with the highest capacity and highest torque available...nothing less than a 3/4 ton.

Don't worry about gas mileage...enjoy life. The fun you'll have will be worth the cost of the fuel.

3/4 ton for a 3500 pound GVWR TT? I love mine, but it's overkill.

If this is a low walled RV, then buy a minivan. I like the 05-07 Chrysler ones. Lots available, fairly cheap.

Anything high walled, for $12k age and capability means pretty much a half ton, maybe a mid-sized SUV/truck. But fuel economy towing is all the same, as is unloaded for that vintage. My 2003 F-150 used about 15% more fuel than my 2011 3/4 ton Suburban, but this Suburban was not $12k!

GM full sized van 3/4-1-ton. 6.0L/6-spd/3.42 axle. Dirt cheap used. Very capable. And decent fuel economy.

Really? 100% of the posters think the OP needs a "3/4 ton" to tow a GVWR trailer of 3500 lbs? (probably 3k realistically)... I'm a little conservative too but you're not talking about that much weight, especially since the OP is worried about gas mileage.. ANY V8 1/2 ton would be fine with that size of a trailer IMHO...

oh get a diesel too. it'll pull 3500 pounds like nothing's there.

My '12 V6 Pathfinder would have handled that easily... So maybe a '05+ with a radiator bypass could work. The similar vintage Frontier would also probably work well too. I don't know what they go for, but I can't imagine not being able to find one for $12k or less considering I bought my Path for ~$24k brand new.

Lol this thread is hilarious. I'm a 3/4 ton fan and would recommend that for many people, but for someone looking to tow 3500-5000 lbs and daily drive it most of the time? And the biggest gas motor available? Overkill.