What type of pickup truck do i need?

If you're going to full-time, I'd get a Fifth wheel or motorhome. If a fifth wheel, I'd get a 1 ton dually for the most payload and a differential gear to give you more than enough tow capacity for it.

Well,how soon some forget...With the 6th generation Ford trucks(1973-1979) came the F-150 called the heavy 1/2 ton because the F-100 had been the 1/2 ton for years.They were much more capable in there time.

As for the 3/4 tons back then,in 1976 Ford F-250's were considered great for towing but they had almost the "exact" numbers as the modern F-150's of "Today".

F250 F251 F252 F253 F254 F255 F256 F257 F258 F259: 3/4 ton (6,200–8,100 GVWR max)
F-360: 1 ton (4X4) (8,550 GVWR max)

The new so called 1/2 tons have the same or more GVWR/more horsepower and Torque than the F-250's of yesterday.

Engine Years Power (SAE net)
240 CID Straight-6 1973–77
300 CID I6 1973–79
302 CID Windsor V8 1969–72 130 hp (97 kW)
352 CID FE V8 1973–77
360 CID FE V8 1973–76 145 hp (108 kW)
390 CID FE V8 1973–77 195 hp (145 kW)
460 CID 385 V8 1973–79 200–220 hp (150–162 kW)
351 CID 351M V8 1977–79 163 hp (122 kW)
400 CID 400M V8 1977–79 169 hp (126 kW)

So,I wouldn't say the new so called 1/2 tons are incapable of doing there share of towing travel trailers as the old 3/4 tons used to and still do back when trailers were heavier...

I had the 3/4 ton below when I towed my 35 ft Jayco fifth wheel.It's a 1976 F-250 and it hauls that 8.5 Lance camper just fine pulling ATV's but I can honestly say,my new F-150 pulled my trailers better with more HP and better handling,so I finally sold that F-250 with tears as everything about it was new from ground up and HD.It was a family member for years.



Yes,times have changed and improved all the way up the line but a new so called 1/2 ton is equal to or better than the 3/4 tons of old that got the job done.

I have come to realize that Towing is a very personal experience. When towing a max load I am very comfortable but , I also have over 100,000 miles of towing and RVing of one sort or another. I started driving an underpowered 18 wheeler back in the early 70,s and the Old ford tractor was probably 10-15 years old then. So today I am good with towing and with what I tow with. I only bring this up because you will get many comments here from those that have experience that may far beyond your Present skill level and comfort zone. As you are speaking of FT and have little experience I would Suggest that you look at a larger TV that could accommodate perhaps 50% more than you are looking at. You may go through a couple of changes and if you are buying a new TV that could mean a lot of extra expense if you swap in a short period of time. I would stay away from the so called 1/2 tons as they can get a little dicey when loaded heavy and there are only a few of them out there that could even be considered capable.

For full timing, you'll want to look for 4 season packages, plenty of storage, and maximum interior space. All this adds up to more weight. Don't make the mistake of buying too small of a truck. Because in a year you'll be buying a bigger one...
My next setup for full timing, after the kids are grown, is a one ton duelly towing a fiver. If I'm gonna spend 5-6 months in something, it better be comfortable or else I'll just stay home.

Where do you live in PA? I'm in East Stroudsburg, the Pocono Region, that can get snow October to April, and has 15 to 24% grades. Pretty much the same anywhere north of Route 80 in this state.

BTW, no minivan in this family of four. 4wd Trailblazer V8 and K2500 Suburban 4 captain seats. The sub is used for offroad trails, boat launches, hauling wood, and in laws(infrequently). The trailblazer is used for the same, and totes the 2 and 6 year old kids around in any weather condition.

The TT in my sig expands out to 29'. From July '13 to August '14 I stayed in it during the week for work and drove home 130 miles on the weekend. It was fine for me.

For me, it was like living in a studio apartment. When we sold our house and moved up here, there was no question about whether we were staying in the TT. There is no way we could have 2 people and a dog in the TT for 2+ months while we looked for a house.

If I ever full-timed, I'd be looking at a lot bigger 5er or TT.

First off, you can't tow any TT with any Mazda.. ;) (yes, I'm being sarcastic!)

If you are planning on full timing, you are going to need something a bit more than a T@B too...

You say "26 foot" for a TT. Well, I have a 22' total length TT that only weighs #5000, but there is no way I'd "full time" in it..

It's just a long weekend/2 week vacation type of RV, but I guess you could "live" in it if you had too... ;)

My Folks have a #12,000 5th wheel that they could full time in if they had to and tow it with a 3500 Dodge Ram DRW diesel truck. But, they don't full time in it.. Just use it to get away with every now and then..

Since you've never driven a "truck" before, you've got a lot to learn on just how "trucks" drive... It ain't gonna be like that Mazda minivan!

So, that alone is gonna be a factor to consider IMO..

Towing a trailer is gonna make you press the GO PEDAL harder and to the floor at times and the engine is gonna scream at you and show over 3000-5000 rpms on the tach.. (if you get a gas engine)

Can you accept that??

I started driving trucks/tractors/towing stuff at a very young age, so I got schooled very early on in my life and by the time I got my own "stuff", I knew what would work and what wouldn't compared to what I wanted..

To be able to tell you what "truck" and what "trailer" would work for you is essentially impossible because what it all boils down to is what your past experience is and what your current expectations are..

Tow ratings and dry weight trailer weights mean a lot to some and mean nothing to others.. Lots of folks have wasted a lot of $$ learning the difference... ;)

I've known people that I won't even get into a vehicle with and other's that I'll easily fall asleep in the passenger seat with...

What category you fall into?? Dunno, so all I can say is be honest with yourself and know your driving skill and relate that from your Mazda that maybe weighs #4000 to towing a truck/trailer combo that can weigh over #15,000.... ;)

Good luck!

Mitch

With a little one you need to look at the "car seat" issue. The child has to have a back seat so you are looking at a cab with a proper back seat to mount the car seat. It's one reason I have a crew cab. They keep changing the rules but figure the kid will be in some sort of child restraint system till about 8 some places 12 years old or probably as long as you own this vehicle.

Car seat laws

groundhogy wrote:
Hi,
Im new here and am trying to figure out what to buy.
If I get a TT (im getting the lingo. lol), I will need
a pickup truck.

What models do I look for? I want to start pricing them
out. Used.

Some I have noticed have double back wheels. Lower gas
milage?

What about 2W vs 4WD?

thanks,
groundhogy

I think that the RAM 6.4l 2500 is by far the best 3/4 ton truck on the market. I will pull a TT better than the others due to its coil spring suspension. The 6.4L is much more stable than the leaf spring suspended vehicles.
MM49

I understand. thx.