Need help picking out a used truck to tow

GRRV2015 wrote:
Gdetrailer: Thanks for all of that. Believe me, you are singing my tune with the first bit about diving into the deep end. This isn't my idea.

We have been renting for the past 5 years, so we have a pretty good idea about the packing issues, and eliminating anything we do not absolutely need. But our rentals have been motorhomes (24-28 foot), so the tow vehicle and tow capacity is all new, same for parking.

Does the math work better with a 3/4 ton? Or is this F-350HD only territory?

By the way, I plan on leaning heavily on our dealer's delivery service for the first summer, and will be reading and researching heavily before buying a tow vehicle. As well, I am looking for a good RV training/driving school - something like www.rvschool.com (suggestions?).

The lines between sizes (1/2, 3/4, 1 ton) now days are really blurred..

A lot really depends on what model, cab size, bed length, 4x2, 4x4 and any other optional packages the truck may have.. all of that eats into the payload..

Those high tow capacities that folks really like to use are typically based on the bare bones base model with regular cab 4x2 and no options what so ever..

If you found a regular cab F150 XL 4x2 short bed with say Econoboost engine plus with HD package it is possible to get one with a little over 2K of payload.. Unfortunately that isn't going to work for your situation and finding one of those stripped down basic models is nearly impossible..

The trailer you are looking at with the size of cab you will need is at a min of a F250.. But you will need the crew cab and that starts eating into the payload..

For instance, I have a 2013 F250 XLT, super cab 4x2 with 6.2 short bed.. My payload available is 3,414 lbs..

Crew cab is going to drop that capacity as well as 4x4 and if you went with diesel you could end up with a payload around 2K or a bit less.

This is why you really need to find out the payload of the vehicle before buying!

Since you are looking at used with 8K-12K for budget you are going to be looking at some rather older high mileage vehicles for sure. I'm guessing 2000-2006 perhaps if you are lucky.. Trucks hold values pretty well so used ones are not cheap and the ones that are cheap are well worn out.. if you don't "need" 4x4 then include 4x2 in your searches.. You can save some money with 4x2 but they are harder to find since most folks want 4x4.

As far as jumping into to towing, yeah that is a lot of length.. 32ft trailer plus 22ft of truck gets you to 54ft of train to deal with.. This takes some planning for things like getting gas..