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.

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.

I agree a modern 2500 would be adequate (but sit tight, I'm sure the DRW crowd will be here shortly). As for which one, of course it's a constant debate. I own a 6.4 Hemi and you are correct that the tranny sucks. Aside from shifting poorly and having terrible gear spacing mine has blown up twice before 100K miles. This being said, when I shopped I found I got more for my $$ with Ram. I think any of the trucks will do the job and it really just comes down to which one you like best. I'd have no problem with any of them. Since it sounds like you won't be towing often a gasser is probably sufficient (I should have mentioned earlier that the DRW diesel crowd will be here shortly).

For your viewing pleasure, no load leveling or sway controls needed. ;)

I agree any of the current or newer 3/4 ton trucks should do the job nicely, particularly since it sounds like you won't be towing often. We have towed our TT TH that weighs over 10K# when loaded with toys and water for over a dozen years with our Chevy 3/4 ton gasser here in the mountain west, we live and mostly camp above 6K' elevation where a gasser loses 3% power per 1K' elevation. Even so, we don't have any issues letting it roar into it's power band (above 4K RPM) when climbing, has nearly 100K miles and no issues with tranny thus far. Of course it sure gets thirsty, just filled it up @ $1.12 a gallon which made be giggle when I remember many moons ago we paid up to $3.80 a gallon toting our kids to all the national and state parks in the four corner states.

One consideration, look at the 2019 leftovers, all the manufacturers are offering incentives, often with zero interest. You can find new Ram 2500's for under $35k with some searching.edit add, just looked, up there the few left are around 38 and up.

Tow Vehicle for 10k bumper pull | Good Sam Community

BurbMan
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2020
Have you considered a Hensley Arrow hitch for than looong trailer?
ls1mike
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2020
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
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2020
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
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2020
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
Nomad
Apr 22, 2020
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
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2020
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
Explorer
Apr 22, 2020
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
Explorer III
Apr 22, 2020
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
Explorer
Apr 21, 2020
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
Navigator
Apr 21, 2020
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.

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