Forum Discussion

jbrobinson996's avatar
jbrobinson996
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013

Needing new tow vehicle - ideas?

Hello!

We are in the market for a new tow vehicle. We have a 2011 Keystone Hornet 27BHS with the Weight Distribution Hitch and Sway Bar. The Dry weight is 6500, and from what I can tell, fully loaded is 7800. We purchased the trailer and pulled with a 96 Chevy 2500 silverado light duty - Reg cab. However, the truck went to the big garage in the sky a few years back, and we have just been borrowing my father in law's GMC 2500 Diesel. I've been researching for a few days, and thought it would be good to ask some 'experts'!

Now that my husband and I are wanting to start camping more with our kids (3.5 years and 8 mths), we want to have our own vehicle. We are looking at potentially 2007+ Chevy Crew cab 1500 short bed 5.3L Gas, or GMC Equivalent. But, I am worried if the truck can pull it. I have a GMC Yukon SLE 4WD 5.3L V8, but we don't think it would be strong enough to pull and stop safely (if we were to put on a brake first). I've been trying to calculate the weights and things, but it is making my head spin a bit!

Looking to the experts for any specifics we should look for when we are looking at trucks.

Thanks
Momma Robinson
Tow Vehicles
  • gcloss's avatar
    gcloss
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    goducks10 wrote:
    Since you're looking at 2077+ then I'm assuming your looking used. If new then a 12 Ram 2500 Hemi 5.7. There should be some left over 12's drastically marked down.


    Just picked up a 2012 Ram 2500 leftover for $14,110 off the sticker. It was sitting on dealer's lot since July 2012. My new Ram was less money than used.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jun 06, 2013
    Why not hook up the Yukon and see how it does?
    You may be pleasantly surprised.
    You'll get all kinds of responses, some that border on insanity, like " you need a 3500 dually to tow your 7800lb trailer."

    Yes the bigger the truck, the easier the tow, but if you have good trailer brakes that trailer is totally half ton tow-able.
    SHort trips, not alot of tow miles, no problem.
    If you're running cross country with it or towing it alot, then a bigger truck makes sense due to less wear and tear on the truck and greater comfort.

    It's a bit long for a short wheel base tow rig, but with w/d hitch, sway control AND trailer brakes, it's a non issue.

    I've pulled a friends 24' Jayco with their Yukon, no w/d hitch and it was fine. Lacked a little hp going up the hills.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    I would get something with more motor than the 5.3L. A newer 1/2 ton(2-4 yo) would be better than what you had and a newer 3/4 ton would be a lot better than what you had. That years model of the 27BHS TT had a CCC of 3000+ lbs so you could potentially be pulling 9500 lbs. Choose wisely
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    Definitely 3/4 ton. If your looking used and either diesel or gas I would go in no particular order;
    GM 2500, 6.0, not sure when the 6.2 came on board.
    Ford 2500 6.2
    Ram 2500 5.7
    Ram 2500 6.7 CTD
    GM 2500 6.6 Dmax

    Since you're looking at 2077+ then I'm assuming your looking used. If new then a 12 Ram 2500 Hemi 5.7. There should be some left over 12's drastically marked down.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    You are way ahead of the game, since you are asking about what to buy instead of "What can I do to make my tow vehicle handle my trailer?" For starters, do not believe the sales people that will tell you "It's half ton towable". There are half tons and then there are half tons that more closely resemble three quarter ton models. Less confusing to just buy a three quarter ton model to start with. Personally, I find the 5.3 Chevy and 5.4 Fords to be lacking when it comes to towing over 6,000 pounds. I have had both.
  • brirene's avatar
    brirene
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    I agree completely with ib516, and I've had a similar set up as yours. It may do the job, marginally, but it won't be much fun, especially in comparison to fil's diesel.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    jbrobinson996 wrote:

    We are looking at potentially 2007+ Chevy Crew cab 1500 short bed 5.3L Gas, or GMC Equivalent. But, I am worried if the truck can pull it. I have a GMC Yukon SLE 4WD 5.3L V8


    Those are pretty much the same truck. Similar payload, same engine and trans until 2009+ 6-spd. Wheelbase is longer for CC pickup, but not really that important.

    First, decide the form. Pickup, SUV, Van. There are ones available that are capable in each catagory. Vans are cheapest, especially used. Maybe half of an SUV with same condition. I prefer crew cab pickups for their utlity and dirty cargo carrying capability, but my wife won wanting 3 rows of seats for kid separation.

    You are into 3/4 ton territory with 1000 pounds of tongue weight and a family. I highly recommend the 2007.5+ GM twins. The 6.0L/6-spd is the same I have and greatly improved over my prior similar half ton, 4-spd. Along with the more power and better gtrans, you get heavy duty components and a lot more carrying capacity for a bed full of camping gear.

    ...my father in law's GMC 2500 Diesel.


    Buy that one?
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    You might want to look at 2009 and newer GM 1500 trucks with the 6.2L engine and 7.3 rear NHT package. It will pull the trailer fine, is a joy to drive and get decent mileage.
  • jason4598's avatar
    jason4598
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2013
    To me the truck you are considering, and the truck you have are very similar.

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