Forum Discussion

aedubber's avatar
aedubber
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013

What TV will handle a 7-8k GVWR TT ?

I know most trucks will pull , but i want something that will go up and down safely .. I live in NJ so not many of the roads are flat per say . Keep in mind the new TV will be my DD as well so i need something that will handle DD and towing on weekends. First time towing and RVing ! :)

We wont be towing every weekend either and we wont be staying out for long trips too.
I plan on getting a TT that is around 26-27 FT length MAX and dont want no more then 7-7500 GVWR on the TT too ... Loading the vehicle and TT will be light since its only me and my gf , but would like the extra payload on the TV and CCC on the TT in case we bring 2 other adults.

I have been thinking of these 3:

Ford f150 Ecoboost
Dodge Ram 1500
Chevy 1500

I plan on taking all 3 out for a test drive to see what i like best for DD but i will sacrifice ride comfort for safely towing. I just want to do everything right the first time and not regret something or get something underpowered .

So any real time experience is greatly appreciated , and hello as a new member !
Tow Vehicles
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    They should all handle a TT that size comfortably, but as with any 1/2 ton truck keep an eye on the tongue weight and payload.
  • bmanning's avatar
    bmanning
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    If you have the time & energy, test drive a 1/2 ton AND 3/4 ton from each maker.

    Though you are within the limits of a modern half-ton, if you find the ride of the heavier duty truck to be acceptable you could end up with more margin & the ability to go larger in the future.

    So many great choices in both the half- and HD segments that I don't think you can truly go wrong with whatever you choose.

    Post your impressions here after your test drives...
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2013
    I certainly did not have good luck pulling my 2005 8800LB fifth wheel with my 2004 F150 that was suppose to pull in the 9500lb range... Pulled it just fine but it was that coming down the other side of the mtn that ate my lunch. Probably more me than anything but it was white knuckles all the way down the other side. I could tell right away this wasn't going to be fun for me like camping is suppose to be so I parked my fifth wheel at the house and it still sits there.

    Have gone all over the South and East part of the US pulling my 4200lb OFF-ROAD POPUP setup with my now 2010 F150 truck...

    Roy Ken
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    If you are talking "new" trucks, then the field is wide open. All max tow models have good power, 6 speed tranny and transmission braking. The big thing is payload for the truck and there, it does matter. You need 2000# +/-, so when you take your test drives, look at that number very closely. Also, all manufacturers make a tow model and then they make a max tow model and they are very different, so be aware of that also.
    we have a "max tow" Chevrolet and it would do the job with NO problems.
  • aedubber's avatar
    aedubber
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    RoyB wrote:
    I certainly did not have good luck pulling my 2005 8800LB fifth wheel with my 2004 F150 that was suppose to pull in the 9500lb range... Pulled it just fine but it was that coming down the other side of the mtn that ate my lunch. Probably more me than anything but it was white knuckles all the way down the other side. I could tell right away this wasn't going to be fun for me like camping is suppose to be so I parked my fifth wheel at the house and it still sits there.

    Have gone all over the South and East part of the US pulling my 4200lb OFF-ROAD POPUP setup with my now 2010 F150 truck...

    Roy Ken


    Well im not looking to pull a 5th wheel as that would be too much weight for the truck and the payload would be way over its limits . A lot of the 5th wheels i have looked at the weights and their dry weight was like 8-9k ...

    Im talking about a TT with GVWR MAX of 7-8k .
  • aedubber's avatar
    aedubber
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    bmanning wrote:
    If you have the time & energy, test drive a 1/2 ton AND 3/4 ton from each maker.

    Though you are within the limits of a modern half-ton, if you find the ride of the heavier duty truck to be acceptable you could end up with more margin & the ability to go larger in the future.

    So many great choices in both the half- and HD segments that I don't think you can truly go wrong with whatever you choose.

    Post your impressions here after your test drives...



    I love the thought of a 3/4 ton truck but i dont know about price , how much different it would be from the 1/2 ton . Knowing that i can always go larger in the future is an awesome idea as well but ill def try and test drive everything i can.
  • Mvander's avatar
    Mvander
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    If you want payload think 3/4 ton. Their all gonna get******mileage towing.
  • aedubber's avatar
    aedubber
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    Well payload is very important but i dont need a 4k payload. I just want to be in a safe zone and not exceed any weight limits. I just want to be sure that the 1/2 ton trucks have enough payload to handle the weight of a trailer plus gear and people in the truck.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    aedubber wrote:
    Well payload is very important but i dont need a 4k payload. I just want to be in a safe zone and not exceed any weight limits. I just want to be sure that the 1/2 ton trucks have enough payload to handle the weight of a trailer plus gear and people in the truck.
    Ford and GM max tow models will have the payload, not sure about Dodge today, because in 2011 it did not have the needed payload.

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