Tow Vehicle for 10k bumper pull

[CampingFamily10]

My travel trailer is a 2020 Keystone Outback 340bh. About 40 ft long and 8800 lbs u loaded / max 10500 loaded. We have a permanent spot but will still probably travel 1-2 times a year up and down the east coast with the worst being Allegheny mountains in PA. Because I won’t tow frequently I am looking at probably going gas truck again as I replace my current Ram 1500 with the 5.7.

Any recommendations when comparing the big 3? I’m probably looking for a 2014 - 2017 used 2500/F-250. Seems like the 6.4 HEMI does well but with a weak transmission. A lot of people think the 6.0 is underpowered and I’ve heard the 6.2 is pretty comparable as well. I don’t really have any allegiance to a brand.

[BurbMan]

Have you considered a Hensley Arrow hitch for than looong trailer?

[ls1mike]

spoon059 wrote:

ls1mike wrote:
I have a 17 3500HD gasser 6.0/6L90E.

I'm not a GM guy, is that a relatively new transmission? I know that 6.0 is an underrated engine that has worked very well for quite some time. It ain't broke, so GM ain't fixing it. Newer transmission technology can certainly help squeeze a little better fuel economy and power though.

I came out of the 4 speed 4L80E to the 6L90E. Both 4.10 gears.

The 02 2500HD gasser was 300hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque. The 17 3500HD is 360Hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque.

It is a totally different experience less revs on big hills, no issues maintaining speeds on the big/long passes, just a better experience overall.

The 6L90E is not new and is pretty reliable. It was introduced in 2007 for the 2500/3500HD gassers. Service is required every 45,000 miles. I am really happy with it. It is still in use with the 6.6 GM gasser.

[spoon059]

ls1mike wrote:
I have a 17 3500HD gasser 6.0/6L90E.

I'm not a GM guy, is that a relatively new transmission? I know that 6.0 is an underrated engine that has worked very well for quite some time. It ain't broke, so GM ain't fixing it. Newer transmission technology can certainly help squeeze a little better fuel economy and power though.

[spoon059]

Me Again wrote:
Well with the newer RAMs there as a higher output diesel and better transmission available in the SRW 3500 vs the 2500.

Yes, but the OP is asking about gas, so neither of those variables apply. And also, the comment about 3/4 ton versus 1 ton to which Grit replied was that somehow a 1 ton truck is "safer" than a 3/4 ton truck when pulling heavier and longer trailers. That's simply untrue. The HO Ram with a couple extra HP, a little more torque and a heavier duty transmission doesn't change the "safety" aspect, nor would it make much difference with a 10K trailer.

A 20K lbs gooseneck, yes. 10K bumper pull, no.

[FishOnOne]

Grit dog wrote:

Me Again wrote:

Well with the newer RAMs there as a higher output diesel and better transmission available in the SRW 3500 vs the 2500.

Thx captain obvious.

Touche...

[ls1mike]

I have a 17 3500HD gasser 6.0/6L90E.
My trailer is 35 feet 10 inches overall.
Loaded it is 7800lbs, truck does fine, I am more than happy with it coming out of an 02 2500HD Gasser.
Most I have pulled is my good friends Grand Design. It scaled in at 9200lbs loaded. I couldn't tell the difference between the Grand Design or my Passport being back there.
I ended up with the gas 1 ton in July it had 27,000 miles on it. LT trim so optioned pretty good for me. 4 door, long bed, 4x4. I paid 36500 for it and they gave me 6800 for my 2002 2500HD W/T with cruise and 56,000 miles. I was happy with that.

[carringb]

Me Again wrote:


Given that a 250/2500-350/3500 gas truck will weigh almost 2K more than a F150, there is a lot more stability built into the heavier truck and associated heavier LT tires.

Yup. Totally agree with that. I'm just saying, that even though this is a large trailer (1' longer than mine, but 2,000 pounds lighter), going for a diesel dually probably isn't necessary for the outings the OP describes.

BTW - Max Payload F150 does come with LT tires. And 2,400 pounds+ of payload in crew cab flavor. But being as lightweight as it is, will be a disadvantage with a trailer that big.

[Me_Again]

carringb wrote:
That trailer isn't very heavy. An F150, correctly configured, could tow that and be within all specs.

That said... It has a lot of sail area, and not much tongue weight, so it may not be best behaved trailer during adverse conditions. But for occasional towing, especially if there's schedule flexibility to wait out any bad weather, overkill for towing also means dealing with a worse ride and potential higher ownership expenses the rest of the time.

Given that a 250/2500-350/3500 gas truck will weigh almost 2K more than a F150, there is a lot more stability built into the heavier truck and associated heavier LT tires.

[carringb]

That trailer isn't very heavy. An F150, correctly configured, could tow that and be within all specs.

That said... It has a lot of sail area, and not much tongue weight, so it may not be best behaved trailer during adverse conditions. But for occasional towing, especially if there's schedule flexibility to wait out any bad weather, overkill for towing also means dealing with a worse ride and potential higher ownership expenses the rest of the time.

[Grit_dog]

Me Again wrote:

Well with the newer RAMs there as a higher output diesel and better transmission available in the SRW 3500 vs the 2500.

Thx captain obvious.

[Mike134]

spoon059 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
Weight wise a 3/4 will do it but at 40 feet I'd get a one ton. That's a bunch of tail for a dog to tow.

But a 1 ton dog is the same size as a 3/4 ton one, regardless of how big his tail is...

Never let reality get in the way of the RV.net weight police... don't you know better by now!!!???!!!

So true..........they repeat the same big is better so many times to themselves they start believing it.

[Grit_dog]

For a 10klb TT, a HD gasser truck is the sweet spot between the high powered 1/2 tons with less backbone and HD diesels that cost more.
You get all the chassis capability with the discount for not going diesel.
A big 1/2 ton will tug it, just fine, but the chassis a batting out of it's league, slightly. Depending on your experience and how often/ where you tow, a big 1/2 ton may still be the right overall machine for you.
IE: truck is a daily driver but pulls the camper "locally" a few times a year, = 1/2 ton.
Towing 1000s of miles, mountain grades, truck doesn't get a ton of use as a dd = 3/4 ton is better suited.
Everything in between is a preference/judgement call.

[Me_Again]

spoon059 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
Weight wise a 3/4 will do it but at 40 feet I'd get a one ton. That's a bunch of tail for a dog to tow.

But a 1 ton dog is the same size as a 3/4 ton one, regardless of how big his tail is...

Never let reality get in the way of the RV.net weight police... don't you know better by now!!!???!!!

Well with the newer RAMs there as a higher output diesel and better transmission available in the SRW 3500 vs the 2500.

We went for a drive to downtown Phoenix to just look around, and I ask my DW if we should put adjustable shocks on the rear to improve the ride, and she said it is a TRUCK don't worry about it!

[Grit_dog]

wowens79 wrote:
I’ve been looking and researching trucks, and started looking at 2-3year old trucks, but looking at prices it looks like new ones are not much more, so I’m looking new.
All 3 have made big changes for the 19’s and 20’s
Ram in 2019 went to an 8 spd trans, and people are loving the new trans. The old 6spd was solid, but had bad shift points, and internal gear rations
Chevy upped the engine to a 6.6 liter for 2020, but left the 6spd trans and it seems it has bad shift point like the Ram had.
Ford just realeased a 7.3 liter gasser with a 10 spd tranny, and it is getting every ones attention. It seems to be a real beast.

True, true, true and true.
Lightly used prices are mostly too high from, IMO, folks that bought dumb, paid too much and are under water 2 years later, selling to others who think sticker price is what a new vehicle costs.
The ZF 8HP is likely the best proven performer in the 8 speed and up category, hands down. It's not new at all and has been behind Mopars since 2015 and a bit earlier in europe. It's behind Hellcats and Demons, so it will handle the paltry power of a 6.4 Hemi pickup.
Haven't driven a 6.6 gasser GM yet (not the new ones anyway, did have a 400 small block back in the day, lol) but the 6.0/6 speed/4.10 combo, while sufficient and reliable, is bottom of the pack in towing power.
Yes, the 7.3/10 speed has the numbers to beat the other 2.