Looking to make the plunge

Since you have decided on a gas 3/4 ton class truck, I would take a close look at the
2019 Ram 2500 with the big gas engine.
My last truck that I towed with was a 2016 Ram Laramie 2500 with the Cummins diesel engine (in signature). That truck was a complete pleasure to drive, both towing and empty.
Only reason I don't have it now is that we are not towing anymore and diesel engines don't play as well as gas engines in our cold Michigan winters. Besides, it was a great excuse to get into another new truck! (See my profile):W
Barney

Good choice on the 3/4 you will not regret it, the only difference I found having owned both gas and diesel is the diesel takes more oil for an oil change and the fuel filters need to changed regularly and the added fluids .. If you were to go diesel you should carry spare fuel filters and know how to change a fuel filter on the road in case you picked up some bad fuel. The Diesel engines in today’s trucks have more emissions controls than my last 2007 duramax so I would guess there’s more that could fail . I have Had a 2500 with the old GM 8.1 gas motor and currently have a ram 6.4 gas motor and both have been good motors but of course the duramax lwas a dependable motor as well .

Thanks everyone for the input! I really appreciate it!

Based on the responses I think I will be "safe" so long as the math works. Since I am buying a new-to-me truck and the price difference isn't very large between the two styles of truck (from what I have seen) I think I am going to go with a gas 3/4 ton. This way we can grow to a larger camper in the future if we want without having to worry about the truck.

Has anyone had a particularly bad experience with the gas variants of these trucks? (I would rather stay away from the diesel engines because I have never owned a diesel and have never worked on one before.)

While your doing the payload math DO NOT forget to figure every thing you will add to the equation before you leave the driveway. You mast add the weight of EVERYTHING. You, the wife, the kids, the dog, food, cloths, tools, ETC. EVERYTHING. Do you like sitting on the edge of your seat while driving or do want to be comfortable? You planing on going to the mountains? The big question is not "Will it tow it"? the big question is "Will it stop it" The 1/2 ton gonna have the brakes to panic stop all of that?

Boomerweps wrote:
I just bought my F150 5.0L 4wd with towing package. Few months back. You can download the Ford towing guide that lists towing and payload capacities based on truck body, engine, and gear ratios. 2wd F150s are rare in my area, too. Get the factory towing package to get the better rear gear ratio. Better yet would be to get the Max Tow package or the HDPP Heavy Duty Payload Package to get the even better ratios and/or bigger heavier duty differential. Both of those packages come with a larger gas tank, too, a consideration when towing a heavy load and getting half your unladen gas mileage! I got the 4 door short bed. IF you think you might ever consider a 5th wheel, you'll need the 6.5 or 8' bed. The HDPP is required for truck campers per Ford.

I had a 3/4 ton 6.4 F-250 Diesel. Great tow vehicle.
I towed a 30' camper at 8500 lbs. easy.
Mountains no problem.

Instead of going larger/heavier/longer, My wife and I have gone the other way.
No kids... We went small with no slide.
We have redone a Vintage 1975 Fleetwood Prowler.
20' and 3400 lbs. My tow vehicle is now a 3.7 F-150 HDPP 4x4.
Mountains no problem.

What ever you decide on, include in your thinking the possibility of towing up mountains. I once had a 1500 with a small motor. No HD package.
First trip to the mountains, and I bought the F-250 when I returned home...

I'll give you my experience and then move on. Our first ever trailer was a 7,000# dry that ended up about 8200# loaded.
Towed it with a Titan, Armada and F150 Ecoboost.
Traded it in after about 6-8 months (and took a financial bath on it) because I could never get comfortable towing it.
Bought a new trailer that was 6,000# dry and ended up 7200# - 7300# loaded, depending on how much beer I put in it.
World of difference.
Went from white knuckle to comfortable with the drop in weight.
if I had a half ton and was buying a bumper-pull, I would limit my search to trailers in the 6,000# dry weight maximum again.

I agree with several posts already here that the most important thing is to check the numbers, and assume 12% of the GVWR of the trailer for tongue weight. However, anecdotally, my wife and I tow our 24' bunk house trailer with a 2009 Ram 1500 with the older 4.7L V8. That truck has been terrific and we've towed from Florida to as far away as Arizona and Utah. The truck has been more than sufficient but there have been a few times that I wish I had a little more power. As a result when I retire in a couple of years and look to get a new truck, I'll consider a Ram 1500 with the Hemi, but I will also look to see what is available in the 2500 series. That is not to say I've ever felt unsafe with the 1500, but if I can get a little more margin, I'd go for it as long as I like the truck. If I find the 2500 too big or uncomfortable, I'd have no issue staying with a 1500. My trailer is a bit lighter than yours, with a GVWR of 5,000 pounds, but I do know people successfully trailers in your range with 1500s and they have no problems.

You can get some good unbiased information here to help in choosing a tow vehicle to fit your needs (just the facts - without the opinions). Clicky

I just bought my F150 5.0L 4wd with towing package. Few months back. You can download the Ford towing guide that lists towing and payload capacities based on truck body, engine, and gear ratios. 2wd F150s are rare in my area, too. Get the factory towing package to get the better rear gear ratio. Better yet would be to get the Max Tow package or the HDPP Heavy Duty Payload Package to get the even better ratios and/or bigger heavier duty differential. Both of those packages come with a larger gas tank, too, a consideration when towing a heavy load and getting half your unladen gas mileage! I got the 4 door short bed. IF you think you might ever consider a 5th wheel, you'll need the 6.5 or 8' bed. The HDPP is required for truck campers per Ford.

In Texas you are probably okay. But that is a good sized trailer. People seem to tend to head for just enough truck. Why not join the winning team and buy a 3/4 ton truck? If you plan to travel with your trailer, consider 4wd. YOu will never be sorry for buying a 3/4 ton 4wd truck.

I have used a one ton Ford diesel as a daily driver for 17 years, and it is the best vehicle I have ever owned.