What TV for 6000lbs?

Hi and welcome to the forum. You will likely get a lot of opinions and various experiences on that subject. From my personal experience: Towed a 6000# scaled TT with a fully HD equiped with tow package Tahoe for years with no issues about 50k towing miles. I would characterize the vehicle adequate for that job. It was an '05 with the 4 speed auto. The newer 6 speed autos would be be better.

Since you are getting a new (to you) tow vehicle I would recommend just go ahead and get a 3/4 ton based tow vehicle with the tow package. Don't need diesel for that wieght but if you get one it will make a difference in towing comfort.

Depends on what ELSE besides a 150# driver is in the TV.

Get the biggest truck 1/2, 3/4, 1/1 ton you can possibly afford. Dually if you really want good stability, but also costs more. Brand, pick your choice. They are all good.

I drive a 3500 dually. We got it 1 year used. We had a 3500 dually gas and traded for the 3500 dually diesel. The diesel walks circles around the gasser. I know I did not need a truck this big, but thinking down the road, it gave me the option to tow a TT or a 5er later we we change campers. It also gives me the ability to tow almost anything, including my brother-in-laws boat. The bed of the truck is 8 feet and got the shell specifically to carry our canoe (which we could not do with a 5er).

The choice is yours. But one thing you really need to consider - will you be trading for a heavier trailer in the next 5 years? If so, get the truck now? Are you planning on towing anything else other than your camper? If so, how much truck do you need. Is your truck a daily driver (a reason to go smaller).

What you need to do, just like selecting your camper, identify what you want to use your tow vehicle for first (all the reasons you will be using it, more than just towing your camper). Then narrow down brand: (Chevy, Ford, Dodge), then gas or diesel. Factor your personal finances and what you can REALLY afford (you do need to have disposable money for camping you know. What fun is having a new camper and tow vehicle and all your money goes to making payments and nothing left over for actually paying for campsites, fuel, and food?)

Use your head, think smart, and you'll discover what will work for you.

Welcome to the Forum..from experience, buy a truck that will tow this trailer and your NEXT one.
There will undoubtedly be a 'next' one and it will be bigger and heavier.

Welcome! Any properly equipped V8 1/2 ton pickup WITH THE TOW PACKAGE will pull that load around with ease. Doesn't mean you're limited to 1/2 tons, ie, if you can get a good deal on a 3/4 ton, that's even better. A 1/2 ton is all you need however.

No you don't need a F350, or F450, or even a F650 to tow your TT. Any F150, or 1500 series, with the 5.4, or 5.3 will tow your 6000lb TT with ease. And as you say. It will prolly never weigh that much 1800lbs is a lot of stuff.

Plus in all reality. your next TT IF, you ever get one. Will prolly be lighter than this one. Mine after 9 years was traded on a larger, but lighter one. They get lighter every year.

downtheroad wrote:
Welcome to the Forum..from experience, buy a truck that will tow this trailer and your NEXT one.
There will undoubtedly be a 'next' one and it will be bigger and heavier.

Thanks folks, so far lot's of good info. Actually this TT is the next one. My plan is to get a 4200lb, total weight TT, and do 3-4 day trips for the next 7 years, get some RV experience under my belt and then, when I retire, go up to the 6000lb TT to snowbird in.

So I guess a better question is Should I go ahead and get a half ton with tow package for the 4200lb TT, Then reevaluate in 7 years and upgrade the TV if I need too?

I would say buy a truck that suits your present desire and budget. If your wants change in 4 years then buy what suits your fancy at that time. It could be that by the time 7 years goes by you will want a 36' fifth wheel that requires a 1 ton diesel to lug around.

Thanks!

I'm glad the 1/2 ton will work. It opens up a lot of options and who knows I might see a TT in the future that's bigger, better, lighter and can still use a 1/2 ton TV.

Now for a question that will stir up the pot a little. What are the top brands of ultra-light TT, 20-24', less than 5000lbs total weight, for a single guy? Looking at 15-20,000 budget.

I also think any modern half ton with the tow package will make a great tow vehicle for you. The only warning would be that you will run out of payload if you plan to haul five passengers, a 4-wheeler, a half cord of firewood, or other heavy stuff at the same time you are towing. Even a fiberglass topper reduces available payload. The 4,200 pound trailer might have a tongue weight of over 500-600 pounds despite what the brochure says.