New Tow Vehicle Advice Needed

[BeerBrewer]

I'm new to RVing and I'm looking for our first travel Trailer. After looking at quite a few travel trailers I've come to the conclusion that I may need to upgrade my Pick-up Truck (2006 Tundra with 57K miles on it) because it can only pull 7000 lbs (minus tongue wt) and most of the trailers we like are either out us right at that 7000 lb limit or just over. So I'm now looking for a new tow vehicle. The new GM, Ram, Ford half ton trucks (properly equipped) all claim to be able to pull over 10,000 lbs and the 3/4 ton (250 or 2500) almost all can tow more, but are A LOT more pricey.

We "think" that we'll be buying a trailer that will put in the 7000 to 8000 lbs range, well within the capability of a 1/2 ton truck.

Should I go with a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck? If so is it worth the extra cost?

Should I consider a diesel or stick with a gas engine?

Thanks

[BeerBrewer]

The Travel Trailers we liked ranged in length between 26' and 30'.

As for where we'd travel, its basically anywhere between to two coasts....anywhere! There are so many places in this country that we'd like to see that the list is endless.

I'm going to take closer look at the 250 and 2500 Diesels.

[2edgesword]

BurbMan wrote:

mhamershock wrote:
It's not what you can pull, it's what you can carry. Payload is what matters. Tongue weight + load in bed + passenger load.

^^ This right here.^^

The 1/2 tons have high tow ratings but the GVWRs haven't increased a lot. If you have a family and take a lot of stuff in the truck bed, then you should plan on getting a 2500 something.

It also depends on where you plan to go. If you're just staying in local CGs here on LI, then the 1500 is probably fine. If you plan on towing off LI upstate or PA, then strongly consider a 2500 just for the added stability.

IdaD wrote:
HD trucks don't really cost any more than 1/2 tons these days, especially a 1/2 ton truck properly equipped to tow the kind of TT you're contemplating.

If you are buying brand new off the dealer lot, that's true. However if you are looking for something off-lease or 2-3 yrs old, there is virtually NO inventory of HD trucks. They come up for sale and are sold before you can get there. The 1500 series trucks have become so popular they are car replacements for many, and are heavily leased and also heavily promoted by the mfrs. It may be different in your part of the country, but that's how it is here on LI.

I would 2nd much of what Burbman said. If you're sure you're not going to be going over the maximum limits for the truck (tow, payload, axles, etc.) and you're going to be doing the vast majority of your camping on Long Island then go with a newer 1/2 ton. In the flat lands of LI it should be fine.

When you get of LI and get into the hills of PA and other places with elevation the truck will struggle with maximum weights.

[Maury82]

BeerBrewer wrote:
I should have given more details on what we were looking at. There are a couple trailers that we like (we aren't finished looking) and their UVW is between 4700 and 5100 lbs, with tongue weights of 400 to 600 lbs. According the brochures they can carry about 1900 lbs of cargo (including water). Obviously I'd need to include everything stored in the truck. But taking the high numbers 5100 + 600 + 1900 = 7600 lbs.

Outside of that trailer being a toy hauler or having huge water tanks, that is a lot of carrying capacity.

The 1900lbs ratings are not what you have to carry, so you can purchase your tow vehicle based on how you plan to use it.

Any off-the-lot 1/2 ton truck with the best towing rating over 9,000lbs will do the job without sweating.

[IdaD]

Your tongue weight is included in the UVW. So probably 7000 lbs is more the number to focus on. How long is it? That matters too. A newer half ton will pull a 7000 lb TT fine. An HD will just do it better, especially if it's a diesel. Think about how far you'll be towing, in what parts of the country (mountain passes, elevation), whether you plan to upgrade in the future, what would the truck otherwise be used for, etc.

Me personally, if I didn't have a trailer at all I'd still be driving a HD diesel. I just flat like them better, and have since I was a dumb kid growing up on a farm (some things never change I guess). I like the torque, the sound, the heavy components and the way it idles down a highway effortlessly whether its just me or I've got the whole family and our 11k lb fifth wheel in tow. Others really prefer half tons and their softer rides. Neither preference is better than the other, just different.

[BeerBrewer]

I should have given more details on what we were looking at. There are a couple trailers that we like (we aren't finished looking) and their UVW is between 4700 and 5100 lbs, with tongue weights of 400 to 600 lbs. According the brochures they can carry about 1900 lbs of cargo (including water). Obviously I'd need to include everything stored in the truck. But taking the high numbers 5100 + 600 + 1900 = 7600 lbs.

[fx2tom]

I towed an 8300 lb trailer with an F150 EcoBoost with Max Tow. While it did it it was much more pleasurable with a 3/4 ton Ram or my Nissan Titan XD diesel.

[falconbrother]

7000 limit would be the bare minimum for me towing my 5800 dry trailer. My limit now is 7200. I added Sumo Supersprings before I ever towed the trailer. The Suburban does really better than I expected. I would suggest that there's plenty of big enough trailers under the weight you're suggesting. The new-ish 1500 Chevy/GMCs are the way I would go for what I'm currently pulling. I have been pleased with the Suburban. It converted me from strongly preferring Fords..LOL..

Truth is, for pulling a camper in the 6-7000 range any of the half ton 5 liters with the tow package and proper limits will do the job. My personal preference would be GM and Ford.

An 8000 pound trailer is a hoss. I'd be looking at a 3/4 ton at that point.

[Lwiddis]

Leave the world of "pulling" and join the world of "payload."

[Maury82]

donn0128 wrote:
Hummmm the old half vs three quarter debate again! OK, the bottom line is this
3/4 ton will get you better tires, stronger frame,wheels,axles,brakes. To get that you will also get better load carrying capacity, bigger motor, worse fuel economy, and a bit rougher ride. Unless you go with a $55K Ford ecoboost with max capacity packages you will be right at the edge with a 7000 pound trailer plus passangers and stuff. With a well equipped 3/4 ton you can bump up to a 9-10,000 pound trailer and still have room to grow. Your choice as to what is important to you. Many folks will never upgrade beyond their 6 or 7 thousald pound trailer. For them a properly equipped half ton is just fine.

He asked for advice and options between which truck to tow a possible 8,000lbs TT.

What type of input and options would you provide?


I was in the same spot and all I got was bias input and poor information, and I ended up finding my own answers.

If I'd followed the information about the Ford EB you gave him, that would have been bad advice, and I'm glad I know better.

[donn0128]

Hummmm the old half vs three quarter debate again! OK, the bottom line is this
3/4 ton will get you better tires, stronger frame,wheels,axles,brakes. To get that you will also get better load carrying capacity, bigger motor, worse fuel economy, and a bit rougher ride. Unless you go with a $55K Ford ecoboost with max capacity packages you will be right at the edge with a 7000 pound trailer plus passangers and stuff. With a well equipped 3/4 ton you can bump up to a 9-10,000 pound trailer and still have room to grow. Your choice as to what is important to you. Many folks will never upgrade beyond their 6 or 7 thousald pound trailer. For them a properly equipped half ton is just fine.

[Maury82]

bartlettj wrote:
I love my 2500HD and the extra capacity I have, no drama and hours of comfortable towing. I can chuck anything I want into the bed and not worry about it.

I feel you on having the extra capacity, because when i first started researchjng a tow vehicle, I initially thought I had to settle without the ratings for water, generator or other items, and now I don't have to be such a weight police.

[BurbMan]

mhamershock wrote:
It's not what you can pull, it's what you can carry. Payload is what matters. Tongue weight + load in bed + passenger load.

^^ This right here.^^

The 1/2 tons have high tow ratings but the GVWRs haven't increased a lot. If you have a family and take a lot of stuff in the truck bed, then you should plan on getting a 2500 something.

It also depends on where you plan to go. If you're just staying in local CGs here on LI, then the 1500 is probably fine. If you plan on towing off LI upstate or PA, then strongly consider a 2500 just for the added stability.

IdaD wrote:
HD trucks don't really cost any more than 1/2 tons these days, especially a 1/2 ton truck properly equipped to tow the kind of TT you're contemplating.

If you are buying brand new off the dealer lot, that's true. However if you are looking for something off-lease or 2-3 yrs old, there is virtually NO inventory of HD trucks. They come up for sale and are sold before you can get there. The 1500 series trucks have become so popular they are car replacements for many, and are heavily leased and also heavily promoted by the mfrs. It may be different in your part of the country, but that's how it is here on LI.

[bartlettj]

I love my 2500HD and the extra capacity I have, no drama and hours of comfortable towing. I can chuck anything I want into the bed and not worry about it.

[Maury82]

The new GM, Ram, Ford half ton trucks (properly equipped) all claim to be able to pull over 10,000 lbs and the 3/4 ton (250 or 2500) almost all can tow more, but are A LOT more pricey.

************

Keep in mind, the closer you get to towing 7,500lbs TT, the more likely you will run out of payload, and GM/Dodge, and Max Tow Fords top off at around 2,000lbs max in popular optioned trucks, even if rated to tow 10,000lbs.

The hitch ratings also needs to be no less than 1,200lbs with TT over 7,500 plus lbs.

With me, it came down to picking my poison. The HD will handle a 8,000lb a bit more stable in challenging conditions than the HDPP Ford, but the Ford HDPP got a much better engine/transmission for towing that 8,000lb weight than the HD, and better ride when not towing.

There is a compromise for many, so choosing which one is greater comes down to personal preferences.

[IdaD]

BeerBrewer wrote:
I'm new to RVing and I'm looking for our first travel Trailer. After looking at quite a few travel trailers I've come to the conclusion that I may need to upgrade my Pick-up Truck (2006 Tundra with 57K miles on it) because it can only pull 7000 lbs (minus tongue wt) and most of the trailers we like are either out us right at that 7000 lb limit or just over. So I'm now looking for a new tow vehicle. The new GM, Ram, Ford half ton trucks (properly equipped) all claim to be able to pull over 10,000 lbs and the 3/4 ton (250 or 2500) almost all can tow more, but are A LOT more pricey.

We "think" that we'll be buying a trailer that will put in the 7000 to 8000 lbs range, well within the capability of a 1/2 ton truck.

Should I go with a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck? If so is it worth the extra cost?

Should I consider a diesel or stick with a gas engine?

Thanks

HD trucks don't really cost any more than 1/2 tons these days, especially a 1/2 ton truck properly equipped to tow the kind of TT you're contemplating. Personally I'd recommend driving all three of the HD trucks available, in both gas and diesel. Pick your favorite and enjoy. In the unlikely case you find that the ride is too harsh in all of them maybe contemplate trying to locate a max tow/heavy payload F150 (a rare unicorn).

My guess is you'll be very happy with any of the current HD offerings. They're all nice trucks albeit with various pros and cons relative to one another.

As far as gas versus diesel goes, everybody has an opinion. My recommendation is don't worry about the cost aspect because it's a wash in the end (diesel costs more up front but is cheaper to operate and worth more when you're done). Performance wise it's diesel all day.