Which truck would be better for my TT

[Joseph4200]

I have a keystone outback 312BH its 35.5 feet long.

Here are the specs

Shipping weight = 7304
Carrying capacity = 1696

Im trying to decide the best truck to pull this with. Im thinking either the Tundra "I love Toyota" or the Ford F150. Here are some comparisons between the two trucks.

Been researching and this is what I came up with.


F150 vs Tundra

Towing capacity
F150 = 11,800
Tundra = 10,200
------------------
GCWR
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_combined_weight_rating

F150 = 17000
Tundra = 16000
------------------
GVWR
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_vehicle_weight_rating

F150 = 7000
Tundra = 7000
------------------
GAWR
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_axle_weight_rating

F150
Front = 3525
Rear = 3800

Tundra
Front = 3900
Rear = 4150
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Load Capacity "from sticker inside driver door"

F150 = 1810
Tundra = 1202
-------------------
Horse Power/ Torque
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/towing-capacity/information/horsepower-versus-torque.htm

F150
HP = 365 @ 5000 rpm
Torque = 420 @ 2500 rpm

Tundra
HP = 381 @ 5600 rpm
Torque = 401 @ 3600 rpm
---------------------
Gas milage "under normal driving"
F150
City = 16
Highway = 22
Average = 18

Tundra
City = 13
Highway = 18
Average = 15

What would you guys suggest?

[93Cobra2771]

carringb wrote:

Joseph4200 wrote:
Does a weight distribution hitch help with the tongue weight at all?

Can I make any modifications to an F150 that will help me with the load such as air bags, tires etc...?

1) Weight distribution will mitigate rear axle overloaded (to a point), but the weight is still on the truck, only being "distributed" to both axle. Some to the trailer axles too, but I wouldn't factor that into your truck purchasing.

2) The best upgrade to an F150 is holding out for or ordering one with with the Max Payload package. This package will provide 2200-3,000 pounds payload depending on configuration. They are hard to find, but will put the payload range close to a 3/4-ton. For occasional towing, but lots of solo driving, I'd take a F150 Max Payload over a true 3/4-ton.

For the record, it is actually called the "Heavy Duty Payload Package". It includes the "Max tow package" but is a significant upgrade over the "max tow package" alone.

[IdaD]

You'll pay as much or more for a max tow/HD payload F150, if you can even find one. I'd take more truck for the same money and not look back. The current crop of HD trucks are very comfortable daily drivers and family vehicles. The only major tradeoff vs a half ton is fuel economy on the gas trucks and a bit higher up front cost for the diesel trucks.

[carringb]

Joseph4200 wrote:
Does a weight distribution hitch help with the tongue weight at all?

Can I make any modifications to an F150 that will help me with the load such as air bags, tires etc...?

1) Weight distribution will mitigate rear axle overloaded (to a point), but the weight is still on the truck, only being "distributed" to both axle. Some to the trailer axles too, but I wouldn't factor that into your truck purchasing.

2) The best upgrade to an F150 is holding out for or ordering one with with the Max Payload package. This package will provide 2200-3,000 pounds payload depending on configuration. They are hard to find, but will put the payload range close to a 3/4-ton. For occasional towing, but lots of solo driving, I'd take a F150 Max Payload over a true 3/4-ton.

[trail-explorer]

Dennis12 wrote:
Your safest bet with any truck is at least a 3/4 ton or more and dual wheeled.

Dually is overkill

[trail-explorer]

Terryallan wrote:
honestly, and everyone knows how I feel about F150, or 1500 series truck. But your best bet with that TT would be a properly equipped F250, or other 2500 series truck.

Ditto

SoundGuy wrote:
Neither. For a trailer that heavy you'd want at least a 3/4 ton.

Yep, for a trailer that long, I'd want a 3/4 ton - bigger brakes, more stable platform due to a stiffer suspension, LT tires, etc.

[fla-gypsy]

Neither, F-250 gasoline version would be a better compromise and may not cost any more than the HD optioned F-150. No brainer

[Joseph4200]

I have been looking at the F250's and man they are expensive.

Couple questions. Does a weight distribution hitch help with the tongue weight at all?

Can I make any modifications to an F150 that will help me with the load such as air bags, tires etc...?

[Hannibal]

Joseph4200 wrote:
250 with a gas or diesel engine?

We tow our 32.5' Jayco 28RLS with our 5.4L F250 auto/3.73 around the south east. Does a fine job but it does downshift on every hill. Won't hurt a thing but some folks cringe at the sound of normal operation. I'm happy as a puppy with two tails with it. We use a Reese HP trunion style with no sway control. I wouldn't want to tow our trailer with anything less than our F250. I'm sure others disagree.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

There is usually at least one person claiming that you can do it and the weight police are complaining. The fact that not one person has done that gives you your answer.

Based on specs you posted, the Tundra can't even handle the tongue weight. F-150 will but no room left for any cargo. You will have more cargo capacity on gas 250/2500 than diesel. Good deals right now on F-250 2016 close outs but I can't find any that have the 4.30 axle.

For Ford, you can google the year and towing guide and get at PDF with specs for all configurations to do research. I'm sure the others have it in some format.

[camp-n-family]

As much as I love the Tundra, that tt s well into 3/4 ton territory. Take your pick.

[rbpru]

I have to go with the F-250 crowd. 1800 lbs. of cargo on a F-150 is good but my guess would be you will eat at least 1200 lbs. in Trailer weight. not much left for kids and cargo.

I dearly love my F-150 4x4 but it only has a max cargo of 1411 lbs. So, my 25 ft. Dutchmen with a "loaded for the road" weight of 6400 lbs. and 700 lbs. of tongue weight, pretty much brings me to the limit when I add family, dog and gear.

[Dennis12]

Your safest bet with any truck is at least a 3/4 ton or more and dual wheeled.

[carringb]

An F150 Max Payload is the only half-ton that can handle a trailer that size, and even the you'd have to pack carefully! Even the new Nissan Titan XD would be overloaded.

Actual tongue weight of that trailer will be 1200-1400 pounds.

[APT]

I estimate you are loaded for a long weekend with the family at 8500 pounds and 1100 pounds of TW. Besides tow ratings, you will probably want at least 1800 pounds of payload available with a family inside and a bed full of camping gear. The Tundra would work if you as a driver weigh less than 100 pounds and you keep the rest of the cab and bed empty. The F-150 as listed is borderline. If you can find/order a max paylaod F-150, you'll gain another 400-500 pounds of payload would I can then recommend. They are needle in the haystacks on dealer lots. Meanwhile, every 3/4 ton gas and most 3/4 ton diesels have 2000+ pounds of payload. You gain a lot in suspension and drivetrain (not so much power with the 3/4 ton gas) that makes the towing experience comfortable. They all also (3/4+ ton) come with LT tires, longer lasting brakes, and other heavier duty components that make total cost of ownership over 200k miles much more bearable. Fuel will be more.

We put 18-20k miles on our 3/4 ton Suburban which is our main family hauler, TV, and wife's daily driver in suburbia.

[HuckleberryHunt]

I agree with the others. 3/4 ton minimum and diesel if you can afford it.