Need advise on which new truck - 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?

[jodiwer]

My husband and I have ordered a new 2021 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS which should arrive the end of October. We are shopping for a truck but can't decide if we should buy a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton. The GVW for the Roo is 6848 lbs with a hitch weight of 688 lbs. We have checked out RAM, Chevy and Ford trucks. I find the 3/4 ton trucks difficult to get into (I am 69 yo). My husband still has nightmares of towing our previous rig, a 17,000 lb Alfa with a 3/4 ton truck. He just wants to be sure that he has all the truck necessary to easily and safely pull the new rig. We expect to travel 12 months next year. We are open to a used vehicle and like the lower price on the 1/2 ton but can afford the 3/4 ton if we need it. Any thoughts?

[Grit_dog]

OP, any well equipped newer half ton will do the job for you without a spec of issues with the camper you're proposing.
A 3/4 ton would not be a bad choice though and the simplicity of having just a bit more truck than you need and the ability to toss the wdh and associated hardware in the garbage with a 3/4 ton could be appealing.

[Grit_dog]

kellem wrote:
Half tons ride nice and look cute but don't ask them to work.....get the 3/4.

That makes the top ten most ignorant things I've seen posted here this week...
And apparently I've been doing it all wrong for 30 years! Lol

[Me_Again]

bikendan wrote:

Now that we've had both for 4 years, we now are looking at a 30ft 5th Wheel, which our F150 can't tow. But we couldn't get a 3/4 ton up our driveway into the garage. But since we're planning on selling our place, now a 3/4 ton will be the next TV for our future 5th wheel.
If you don''t plan on ever getting anything bigger, then a 1/2 ton will work fine. I'm a fan of the F150 3.5 Ecoboost with the Max Tow package.

You should be thinking 350/3500 SRW not 250/3500. Just saying.

[Me_Again]

Tyler0215 wrote:
Running boards on a 3/4 PU is an option to make entry easier.

Should be AMP retractable running boards on a 3/4 PU is a GREAT option to make entry easier.

[ACZL]

For farts and giggles let's say your hitch weight is 1200 pounds (advertised at 688 rounded up top 700 and another 500 for "stuff"). Then add another 150 for hitch in truck and another 300 for people. Now you up to almost 1700 pounds so you need to subtract that from trucks cargo capacity. I don't know what 1/2 tons maxed out cargo is, but you'll have plenty in a 3/4. I agree with several replies on getting running boards over tube steps. GM with their independent front suspension will probly ride the best in either 2 or 4 wheel drive. Then again, I think Ford and Ram have IFS in their 2 wheel drive trucks. 4WD have their advanatges and disadvantages and will sit higher. Towing the 5er withe 3/4 will be a breeze and more stable.


****** Upon re-reading OP's question, I was assuming it was a 5er instead of a TT. In saying this, my math is prolly wrong on the hitch weight and cargo weight-------- if so, please correct me and I'm sorry if it was wrong*******

[MarkTwain]

Tyler0215 wrote:
Running boards on a 3/4 PU is an option to make entry easier.

Would not have a truck without running boards for safety and ease of getting in and out of truck. Get the flat running board not the round chrome bar.

[Mike134]

A F150 will do just fine with a 3.5 engine in it. Mine pulls a Cat scaled 6100lb 28' trailer and it feels like the trailer is on rails behind me. Sounds like you've owned several trailers before so the advise you "might go bigger" doesn't apply you know what you like and need. I have a '19 super cab Lariat with lots of creature comforts and still have 1900lbs of payload. Have fun shopping

[wing_zealot]

You don't need a 3/4 ton truck to pull a 7,000 lbs, 23-foot trailer. A Ford F-150 with the 3.5 ecoboost and 10 speed transmission is an excellent tow vehicle. No matter what truck you buy, make sure it has sufficient payload. If you don't understand payload rating and what it means read up here. Clicky

[dodge_guy]

If you won't be upgrading to a larger trailer then go with a 1/2 ton. Properly equipped it will pull your 24ft TT just fine, provided the tongue weight is at 12% of the trailers loaded fo travel weight.

[valhalla360]

Running boards will handle a lot of the climbing in and out issue.

Also, is he looking at 4WD or 2WD? If you aren't going off roading, consider 2WD with a locking rear differential. The 2WD sit lower and the locking rear diff will handle most issues of getting stuck.

If you do go with 1/2ton, make sure to verify the payload. Hitch weight is likely going to be 750-800lb, plus 100lb for the hitch plus what the 2 of you weigh...before loading other gear into the truck. Some of the 1/2 ton trucks only have 1300-1500 payload, so you could easily be at 1200-1300lb before putting anything in the truck bed.

[MFL]

bikendan wrote:


As a former Roo owner, any decent 1/2 ton can easily tow the 23IKSS.
BUT if you think you might upgrade in the future, get the 3/4 ton instead.
We bought a great F150 3.5 Ecoboost with Max Tow package, to tow our current 26ft TT.
Now that we've had both for 4 years, we now are looking at a 30ft 5th Wheel, which our F150 can't tow. But we couldn't get a 3/4 ton up our driveway into the garage. But since we're planning on selling our place, now a 3/4 ton will be the next TV for our future 5th wheel.
If you don''t plan on ever getting anything bigger, then a 1/2 ton will work fine. I'm a fan of the F150 3.5 Ecoboost with the Max Tow package.

I agree, the Ford 1/2 ton would be a great choice for your new trailer! When/if you want a bigger trailer, then you may wish you had purchased a bigger truck.

Jerry

[bikendan]

jodiwer wrote:
My husband and I have ordered a new 2021 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS which should arrive the end of October. We are shopping for a truck but can't decide if we should buy a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton. The GVW for the Roo is 6848 lbs with a hitch weight of 688 lbs. We have checked out RAM, Chevy and Ford trucks. I find the 3/4 ton trucks difficult to get into (I am 69 yo). My husband still has nightmares of towing our previous rig, a 17,000 lb Alfa with a 3/4 ton truck. He just wants to be sure that he has all the truck necessary to easily and safely pull the new rig. We expect to travel 12 months next year. We are open to a used vehicle and like the lower price on the 1/2 ton but can afford the 3/4 ton if we need it. Any thoughts?

As a former Roo owner, any decent 1/2 ton can easily tow the 23IKSS.
BUT if you think you might upgrade in the future, get the 3/4 ton instead.
We bought a great F150 3.5 Ecoboost with Max Tow package, to tow our current 26ft TT.
Now that we've had both for 4 years, we now are looking at a 30ft 5th Wheel, which our F150 can't tow. But we couldn't get a 3/4 ton up our driveway into the garage. But since we're planning on selling our place, now a 3/4 ton will be the next TV for our future 5th wheel.
If you don''t plan on ever getting anything bigger, then a 1/2 ton will work fine. I'm a fan of the F150 3.5 Ecoboost with the Max Tow package.

[blt2ski]

"IF" you can find an F150 with the heaviest payload gvwr option, the 3.5eco boost. DO NOT get a fully loaded leather pkg crew cab, but the ext cab. You should not be low on power, low on suspension etc.
The GM has the highest base gvw of the three. You can get a 6.2L V8 that will also have more power than you will need for that trailer. Only issue, it does not have a turbo. So if at elevation, you will be down HP. That is where the eco boost in the ford is the better option. OR
If dodge makes a 7200-8000 gvwr rig as Ford and GM do, the little diesel in that one would be on par with the eco boost at elevation. I believe GM also has a turbo diesel in the newest of half tons too, and they have a turbo 4 cylinder gas motor. The gas does not have as much HP as i would like, but would probably work reasonably well. Not positive on the diesel GM.
if you go with the 8 lug 25 series trucks. That trailer in reality, needs the smallest motor offered. You do NOT NEED, altho WANT is another factor, the 400hp diesels to motor around in the 13-15K total lb relm.

marty

Marty

[Ron3rd]

kellem wrote:
Half tons ride nice and look cute but don't ask them to work.....get the 3/4.

Or get a Ram 2500 with coil springs on the rear and rides like a half ton, best of both worlds.

To the OP just have your husband put running boards on the truck and you'll be fine. All the new trucks sit higher nowadays

[kellem]

Half tons ride nice and look cute but don't ask them to work.....get the 3/4.