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

[Maury82]

Maury82 wrote:

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

The preference for a 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton is a personal call, but depending on the size trailer you are looking to purchase, would depend on what truck you need.

I have a 2018 F150 S.Crew, XLT, 4X4, HDPP with a 6.5 ft bed, 11,500lb tow ratings, 2472lbs payload. My trailer is 37ft, 8,400plbs dry 9,900lb max.

Only the Ford HDPP 1/2 ton (not Max Tow) could handle TT this heavy due to the high for a h1/2 ton payload, and if you want an off-the-lot 1/2 ton, you should look for smaller trailers, or get a 3/4 HD ton truck.

[Maury82]

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

The preference for a 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton is a personal call, but depending on the size trailer you are looking to purchase, would depend on what truck you need.

I have a 2018 F150 S.Crew, XLT, 4X4 with a 6.5 ft bed, 11,500lb tow/ 1,320lbs hitch ratings, 2472lbs payload. My trailer is 37ft, 8,400plbs dry 9,900lb max.

Only the Ford HDPP 1/2 ton (not Max Tow) could handle TT this heavy due to the high for a h1/2 ton payload, and if you want an off-the-lot 1/2 ton, you should look for smaller trailers, or get a 3/4 HD ton truck.

[mtofell1]

Wow, lots of questions in there. Let's start with some basics. Keep in mind with towing there are two equally important numbers related to your truck: How much can it carry? (often called payload) and how much can it pull? (often called max towing). Be sure you are buying a vehicle that checks both of these boxes with the trailer you want.

Manufacturers and dealers LOVE to brag about one of these numbers while ignoring the other. From your post I suspect you've already fallen victim to their advertising. The "max towing" numbers they love to throw around are virtually unattainable unless you are traveling in a truck all by yourself with not so much as a latte in the cup holder. Every person, cooler and piece of firewood you put in the bed of the truck take away from that "max tow" rating.

So, the first thing I'd do if I were you is research the towing basics and how to find max payload on trucks and go from there. fwiw, in most cases, a truck's payload becomes the limiting factor - this is why manufacturers and dealers love to ignore it and focus on some tow rating that you're unlikely to ever achieve.

[mhamershock]

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 know 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

There are about 2.3 million threads on this here. It's not what you can pull, it's what you can carry. Payload is what matters. Tongue weight + load in bed + passenger load. You will have 1000 lb tongue weight + the rest. Only you can do the math, and the answer will drive all your other answers.

Mike