I'm curious who Is actually doing it, and what the experiences have been. It was long the rule that any larger trailer was going to push any 1/2 ton pick-up over it's numbers. Mathematically, that simply isn't true any more. You can readily get an F150 that meets, if not exceeds, the ratings of our 2500 Suburban with the 8.1. Payloads over 2k and tow ratings at 10-12k can have someone legitimately pulling an 8k trailer while staying well within their limits.So, please DO NOT start giving me numbers, theoretical hypotheses or second-hand accounts. I know how to calculate ratings and I know what is and is not within specs. What I'm curious about is who is actually towing rigs over 30', and over 7-8k, with a 1/2 ton pick-up... Are you finding that they have stretched the ratings too far and the truck can't really handle it? Are you finding that, while a 3/4 or 1 ton would be better, it is sufficiently up to the job and a reasonable compromise from using an HD truck as a daily driver? What are the real experiences of those of you using late-model 1/2 tons with larger trailers?

Not over 30' but our last TT was exactly 30' from tongue to back bumper. I pulled it with a 2005 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 1500. I also had a blue ox hitch. It pulled great. I never had any sway problems or white knuckle moments. It's all about getting the setup correct and not being over weight or over your GVWR.

Towing a 34" SS29ST generally weighing loaded at 7,600 with an 2008 5.7L Tundra. I am using a Reese DC hitch and can say I've had no issues what-so-ever. I also tow a 3 horse slant load trailer using either my Tundra or my daughters 2017 F-250. They both feel the same in my experience.

“Are you finding that they have stretched the ratings too far and the truck can't really handle it?”No. Stay within all manufacturers’ limits and you’ll be fine.

Truck and trailer in sig. Trailer weighs 8300 ready to camp. Tongue weight 1050lb on 1200 lb hitch. Rear axle is 39XX on the rated 4300. Reese dual cam. I feel a lot (not all) of ill handling rigs can be traced back to improperly setup hitches. Biggest issue for me is wind. Trailer is 34'10" OAL and can sometimes require a lot of driver input. I understand it's not for everyone but it is within all the ratings.

2015 ford ecoboost SC with a 5.5 bed and pull a 25' OAL cargo trailer that weighs in @ 8000 lbs. up to 10.000 lbs. and it performs great!Also I do not use any WDH or anti sway bars.

Late-model 1/2 Ton and 30+ feet - Real world experiences...

jerem0621
Explorer II
May 19, 2019
I did it with a 97 F150 towing a 31.5 ft 7,700 GVWR TT.

Dialed in the loading and it worked great.

Newer truck should be more than fine.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
parker_rowe
Explorer
May 17, 2019
crazyro wrote:
I pull with an older truck (so there goes one of the three requirements), but do pull a 32 footer. Loaded I'm at less than 6,000 (so there goes that). But yes, 1/2 trucks can do a great job especially some of the newer ones with higher numbers when it comes to towing capacity. But, as you probably already know, getting to the limit of a truck's capabilities can spell trouble.
In terms of power, since you mentioned it, our truck performs as expected, even on grades we've experienced in the Carolinas.

Depending on the year, those 1/2 ton mega cabs have some pretty sweet axle weight ratings.

They are like a 3/4 ton with a 1/2 ton engine and trans. Interesting trucks.
crazyro
Explorer
May 17, 2019
I pull with an older truck (so there goes one of the three requirements), but do pull a 32 footer. Loaded I'm at less than 6,000 (so there goes that). But yes, 1/2 trucks can do a great job especially some of the newer ones with higher numbers when it comes to towing capacity. But, as you probably already know, getting to the limit of a truck's capabilities can spell trouble.
In terms of power, since you mentioned it, our truck performs as expected, even on grades we've experienced in the Carolinas.
hvac
Explorer
May 17, 2019
Nationwide,2015 eco diesel, 8 spd,3.92,air suspension 4 corner. 28 ft ATC 28 front bedroom with 5.5 onan.Approx 7800lbs. Andersen wd.Cooper xl.

Amazing tow vehicle. No drama, just does it but not fastest or the slowest on mt passes.
gmckenzie
Explorer
May 15, 2019
Trailer is 34'4" from tongue to bumper and 8200 lbs loaded (I've scaled it).

I used to pull with a 2001 3/4 ton Duramax and now pull with a 2015 GMC Sierra max trailering package.

Truck pulls fine for the most part. Some hills I miss the diesel. I have a 4 pt hitch and Sumo springs (like Timbrens) to help with the sag. Had some porpoising between Jasper and Banff, but the road sucks. Other wise it tows just fine.

Went this route as my non-trailering use is pretty light. ~3km commute and around 10,000 kms a year was not healthy for the diesel and after doing the injectors once (real PITA to do on the early Duramax) I decided I wanted gas again, but not the 6.0L GM has.

Looking at the GM 2020 3/4 tons when they come out as we may be going bigger on the trailer one year. But will stick with gas.
goducks10
Explorer
May 15, 2019
BillyBob Jim wrote:
Just go to any campground in the US on May 24 and stay for a few days, go early on the 23rd or something. Then you can sit around the fire on the afternoon of the 24th, sucking down cold ones and watching the circus arrive. its a barrel of fun and you'll see all the 30'+ TT's and quite a few 30'+ 5'rs being pulled by 1/2 tons you care to see. A lot of the trucks will also be loaded down with gas grills, a cord of firewood, half a dozen bicycles, 3 100 qt coolers, and half the patio furniture from the sticks and bricks.

If you stay until Tuesday you get to watch the circus in reverse on Monday, and my favorite, watching the traffic jam at the dump station. Might even see some fisticuffs over idiots tank flushing for twenty minutes with 30 rigs lined up behind them.

x2. It's actually more fun than watching people launch boats.

We've been watching the circus for years, great fun.
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
May 15, 2019
AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
I tow a trailer a fraction under 30' that weigh 8000 loaded to camp. I went from a 2001 2500 Suburban with the 8.1 and 4.10 to a 2012 F-150 with the HD Payload option and have no regrets. I am within all limits (payload, RAWR, hitch, etc.). I use a Reese dual cam.

First, to emphasize I got the HD Payload package for a heavier set of axles and suspension.

I prefer how the 3.5 Ecoboost and 6 speed delivers power. The integrated braking was superior. More quiet and comfortable ride.

The 8.1 with the 4.10 had better engine braking.

Take it easy,
Stu

Interesting input, Stu. Thanks. If we ever went this route, this would be exactly our scenario. Ours is a few years newer (2006), but we have the same Suburban with the same set-up - and while a few feet longer, our trailer is the same weight. At 13 years old, the Suburban getting a bit long in the tooth, and the nature of our travel is transitioning in a way that the third row may not continue to be as important as it used to be. We have no plans to make any changes in the near future, but it adds fodder to my consideration of what comes next.
BillyBob_Jim
Explorer
May 15, 2019
Just go to any campground in the US on May 24 and stay for a few days, go early on the 23rd or something. Then you can sit around the fire on the afternoon of the 24th, sucking down cold ones and watching the circus arrive. its a barrel of fun and you'll see all the 30'+ TT's and quite a few 30'+ 5'rs being pulled by 1/2 tons you care to see. A lot of the trucks will also be loaded down with gas grills, a cord of firewood, half a dozen bicycles, 3 100 qt coolers, and half the patio furniture from the sticks and bricks.

If you stay until Tuesday you get to watch the circus in reverse on Monday, and my favorite, watching the traffic jam at the dump station. Might even see some fisticuffs over idiots tank flushing for twenty minutes with 30 rigs lined up behind them.

We've been watching the circus for years, great fun.
AlmostAnOldGuy
Explorer
May 15, 2019
I tow a trailer a fraction under 30' that weigh 8000 loaded to camp. I went from a 2001 2500 Suburban with the 8.1 and 4.10 to a 2012 F-150 with the HD Payload option and have no regrets. I am within all limits (payload, RAWR, hitch, etc.). I use a Reese dual cam.

First, to emphasize I got the HD Payload package for a heavier set of axles and suspension.

I prefer how the 3.5 Ecoboost and 6 speed delivers power. The integrated braking was superior. More quiet and comfortable ride.

The 8.1 with the 4.10 had better engine braking.

Take it easy,
Stu
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
May 15, 2019
Thanks everyone, for sticking on topic! I wasn't sure we'd be able to!

Interesting input. Everyone's expectations and comforts in towing are different, which very much comes into play with something like this. But still, with the anecdotal reports being shared, it seems as though there might be a substantive difference between those in the 7-8k range and those in the 10k range.

I do find it interesting that no one has named power as an issue, which indicates that the trucks can reaonably pull the loads for which they are rated. I wasn't sure that would be the case.