New Tow vehicle needed

[shar3890]

Was looking for some suggestions for new tow vehicle. We currently have 28 ft RV with dry weight of 5200 lbs. Am looking for pickup of some type. Do you suggest a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton vehicle. We have trailer seasonal parked, but do still take about 4 trips per year. Who likes Fords and who likes Chevy?

[afidel]

shar3890 wrote:
After a long weekend of truck shopping we decided on a Ford F250. Found a great deal on a slightly used one. Spending 60k for new one was a little out of our budget. Thanks for all the input. Happy camping !!!

What trim level did you go for? I've seen F250 XL's for under $27k new, now that only gets you a standard cab long bed RWD, but it will pull pretty much any TT and quite a few 5ers. Heck, even XLs are fairly loaded these days, power windows, keyless entry, heated tow mirrors, AC, cruise, trailer brake controller, etc. For a few thousand more you can get a Supercab if you need a bit of inside storage. For around $32k you can even get a Crewcab XL, add another grand for 4WD. $33k for a brand new crew cab, long bed, 4WD truck isn't bad at all, as long as you don't need heated leather seats there are definitely deals to be had.

[shar3890]

After a long weekend of truck shopping we decided on a Ford F250. Found a great deal on a slightly used one. Spending 60k for new one was a little out of our budget. Thanks for all the input. Happy camping !!!

[rbpru]

If the choice is a 1/2 or 3/4 ton; buy the 3/4 ton, much more cargo capacity for stuff you do not need but cannot leave behind.

Ford, Chevy or Ram? Let the wife choose. Then she cannot complain about your choice and you will never know the difference.

[PAThwacker]

myredracer wrote:
If you are going to do only short local trips on relatively flat ground, you might get by with a 1/2T, esp. one of the newer ones with HD payload option. If going longer distances including moderate to steeper grades, twisty roads and lots of freeway towing, you want a 3/4T.

I've towed with both a 1/2 & 3/4T and now tow a 29' TT with an F250. A 3/4T truck is just beefier overall and quite a difference. I'd avoid 4WD unless you absolutely need it because they're higher off the ground and harder to get in & out, you lose a bit of payload cap. due to extra wt. of drivetrain and they're more maintenance. I'd get one with longer wheelbase (extended or crew cab plus long bed) for better handling. I'd also get 4.1 gears for better acceleration and climbing hills. Payload capacity in a tow vehicle is the important number for TTs, not tow capacity. Payload capacities vary all over the map so choose wisely.

BTW, when looking at tongue weights, do NOT use brochure dry weights. Use a min. of 12-13% of the TT GVWR. Some TTs can be close to the GVWR rating fully loaded up, like ours for ex. and some TTs can be closer to 15% TW, like ours.

. Nothing is flat ground in PA. The top rated state parks are all north of route 80. All of which are max rises on interstates but 15-17% rises on local and secondary routes. You will blow up a poorly equipped half ton hauling 6k to Ricketts Glen State Park. Beaches jersey to md are overated and good for one or two trips per year. I live in hectic Pocono region that gets 150k plus extra tourist per weekend. On holiday weekend I escape to the boondocks.
I pegged my trans and engine temps with a k2500 going north to Ricketts Glen from interstate 81.

[sgfrye]

IdaD wrote:
I'd go HD at that size but part of that is I just like them better - you get more truck for similar money so to me they're a better value.

Hitch weight will likely be closer to 900 lbs loaded. How big is the family? How much stuff do you pack? Do you intend to upsize in the future? Any plans of traveling out west ever? Lots of factors would play into the tow vehicle choice.

Of the current crop personal choices would be an F150 3.5 Ecoboost in a half ton, a F250/350 in a gas HD or a Ram 2500/3500 in a diesel HD.

X2 on all of this. I'm a f150 5.4 gasser owner and also bought a 2017 f250 this past October to tow our 33ft TT weighing approx 7300 lbs ready to camp. Towed it with the f150 for about 4 months maxed out. The f250 pulls it so much better. It's an all around more relaxing trip when you have a well matched combo

My f250 is a crew cab 4x2 XL with vinyl seats, no carpet, but has electric windows and locks etc

Less bells and whistles but thousands of dollars less than a mid level new f150. But way more truck.

[IdaD]

handye9 wrote:
If you're not opposed to looking at something other than the big 3, you might want to look at a Nissan Titan XD.

Nissan just started building them in 2016, and finding a used one could be difficult. I looked at a crew cab, gas, standard bed, 4x4, with almost every available option installed. I was surprised to see it still had 2100 lbs (from the tire / loading sticker) payload. The diesel version would be less. The "max tow" rating is in the area of 11 - 12,000 lbs.

The early reports on reliability are less than stellar on the diesel. Plus it has a CP4 pump and timing chains. I'd steer clear at least until the kinks are worked out. Besides, they don't cost much or any less than an actual HD truck with heavier components and full float axles.

[Jackfate]

myredracer wrote:
If you are going to do only short local trips on relatively flat ground, you might get by with a 1/2T, esp. one of the newer ones with HD payload option. If going longer distances including moderate to steeper grades, twisty roads and lots of freeway towing, you want a 3/4T.

I've towed with both a 1/2 & 3/4T and now tow a 29' TT with an F250. A 3/4T truck is just beefier overall and quite a difference. I'd avoid 4WD unless you absolutely need it because they're higher off the ground and harder to get in & out, you lose a bit of payload cap. due to extra wt. of drivetrain and they're more maintenance. I'd get one with longer wheelbase (extended or crew cab plus long bed) for better handling. I'd also get 4.1 gears for better acceleration and climbing hills. Payload capacity in a tow vehicle is the important number for TTs, not tow capacity. Payload capacities vary all over the map so choose wisely.

BTW, when looking at tongue weights, do NOT use brochure dry weights. Use a min. of 12-13% of the TT GVWR. Some TTs can be close to the GVWR rating fully loaded up, like ours for ex. and some TTs can be closer to 15% TW, like ours.

Excellent information all true. The 4:10 may not be nessary depending on engine

[myredracer]

If you are going to do only short local trips on relatively flat ground, you might get by with a 1/2T, esp. one of the newer ones with HD payload option. If going longer distances including moderate to steeper grades, twisty roads and lots of freeway towing, you want a 3/4T.

I've towed with both a 1/2 & 3/4T and now tow a 29' TT with an F250. A 3/4T truck is just beefier overall and quite a difference. I'd avoid 4WD unless you absolutely need it because they're higher off the ground and harder to get in & out, you lose a bit of payload cap. due to extra wt. of drivetrain and they're more maintenance. I'd get one with longer wheelbase (extended or crew cab plus long bed) for better handling. I'd also get 4.1 gears for better acceleration and climbing hills. Payload capacity in a tow vehicle is the important number for TTs, not tow capacity. Payload capacities vary all over the map so choose wisely.

BTW, when looking at tongue weights, do NOT use brochure dry weights. Use a min. of 12-13% of the TT GVWR. Some TTs can be close to the GVWR rating fully loaded up, like ours for ex. and some TTs can be closer to 15% TW, like ours.

[handye9]

If you're not opposed to looking at something other than the big 3, you might want to look at a Nissan Titan XD.

Nissan just started building them in 2016, and finding a used one could be difficult. I looked at a crew cab, gas, standard bed, 4x4, with almost every available option installed. I was surprised to see it still had 2100 lbs (from the tire / loading sticker) payload. The diesel version would be less. The "max tow" rating is in the area of 11 - 12,000 lbs.

[bobndot]

ScottG wrote:
I would also go with a HD truck. It will handle better and you will NOT be sorry.

X2.

I think your real tongue weight will be about 1000# if you roll down the road near 7500#.

I base this on my 27 ft rig with a 6500# gross and my TW is in the 900# plus range.

I use a 1500 GM max tow pack (which gets the job done but I'm at my max) and I often wish I had a 2500HD or 3500 with me because I carry a lot camping equipment and tools in my trucks bed. I think my next new truck will be the 2500HD with a full cap with side opening windows.

[deltabravo]

1 ton diesel dually. like in my signature.

You can never have too much truck.

[owenssailor]

I am towing a similar trailer with a 2017 Chev Silverado 5.3 It has the heavy duty payload rating and he 8 spd tranny. This winters trip was down the East coast into Florida across the Gulf coast out to San Diego and back to Ontario. Total driven was 18000 km ( 11000 miles) The truck towed the trailer with no effort at all.

Personal experience.

[WayneAt63044]

I'm towing a trailer your size with a Ram 1500 and payload wise, it's maxxed out after I load tools and camping gear. I'd suggest a 2500. My 1500 has done a good job so it is acceptable, barely.

[ScottG]

I would also go with a HD truck. It will handle better and you will NOT be sorry.