Why all the hate on 1/2 ton tvs

[Dreenn]

Like the title says I have read many posts that basically suggest that towing a 30ish foot Tt with a 1/2 ton truck is wrong and your going to Indanger your family and anyone around you on the road that said I have a few questions

I just bought a 30foot Tt dry weight is 5200 loaded is 7500 I believe by the manufacture sticker I am towing it with a 2014 gmc 1500.

I looked up max tow rating on my gmc in the manual and used my window sticker for refers to what was equipped it said max was 9600 pounds now looking at my door sticker I don't see 9600 pounds anywhere on it am I missing something?? Or is my truck rated to tow a lot less then what the manual says

Sorry for the poor grammar typing on my cell phone

[blt2ski]

:S:S:S:S:S:S:S

My aching head........toooooo, no make that WAY too many reasons not to buy a twuck! of any sort, and why to buy a twuck of any sort.....

my aching head........

Must be why some of us in the past, have multiple sized twucks, kinda like hammers, 3l sledge for 12" spikes, 16oz for 8-12d nails, 12oz or smaller for nails smaller than 8d! or better yet, a rad hammer for brads........

Marty

[TomG2]

Bottom line is, I buy what I want, you buy what you want. I ain't selling pickups here. Some of the folks on here want to justify what they have with all kinds of weird rationalization. I have owned six new pickups in the last twelve years and even more trailers. I wouldn't give up the quality and versatility or my 2500HD, for now, but who know what a year or two will bring. I may buy a motorhome.

[Terryallan]

TomG2 wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
...snip......
And then you said no one tows an RV with them. WROG again.

...snip.......

I hope he is not WROG again! That must be rough.

you know... Every one is WROG every now and then. :B

[Terryallan]

Bottom line. I don't need a 20lb sledge hammer to drive a 6 penny nail. A 16oz claw will do just fine.

[TomG2]

Terryallan wrote:
...snip......
And then you said no one tows an RV with them. WROG again.

...snip.......

I hope he is not WROG again! That must be rough.

[Terryallan]

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

spoon059 wrote:

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:
Towing with a semi isn't a totally trollish statement?
GFY

Really guy? I doubt you mean "Good for you" when you say GFY. Real mature...

Spoon. He is still a rookie. Someday he will learn.

I might not be 68 years old like you (or older), but I am 43 and have towed boats and TTs for over 27 years.
While we are at it I'm probably more "qualified" than you on automotive knowledge including weights and vehicle limitations.
Been an ASE master tech since 1990 and semiconductor engineer for 20 years.......nice try "rookie".

I get tired of having to respond to this******while only trying to give an honest educated experienced advice......not a you can't do that or you must have this.

No you said you MUST get the biggest TV possible, and I merely pointed out TVs that were bigger than you thought. And then you said no one tows an RV with them. WROG again.

So you have been towing TT, and boats since you were 15, and an engineer since you were 23??? and this qualifies you as NOT a rookie? and yet according to YOU, you have only been RVing for 2 years. Nope. Still a Rookie.

You really shouldn't assume you know things you don't. you never can tell what the people you try to demine have done, and are doing for a living. It's a good thing you said probably, as you are wrong AGAIN. Rookie. Beside if you just accept that you are wrong on this subject. You don't have to respond.

As to what I now do for a living. And I have done many things, But now. I make vehicles move. And the engineers ask ME what to do. I could help you. As you seem to make a habit out of being WRONG.

Because bigger is NOT always better. And where do you stop?

[CKNSLS]

transamz9 wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

LarryJM wrote:

Tystevens wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Many of us have done the test by pulling the same trailer with both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models. Check the results and you will discover the truth. You may not believe it, but you will discover it.

Interesting, I have done exactly that, going from a 2500HD diesel to an F150 Ecoboost. Of course, my 6k# trailer is far below the limits of the 2500.

That said, the difference hasn't been as great as I would have expected. Meaning, the 1/2 ton does the job just about as well as the 3/4 ton did. Does that mean I would hook 10k up to my 1/2 ton? No, not at all. But it is all about the right tool for the job. I'm w/in the ratings on my F150, and it tows my TT comfortably and smoothly. And I have a more efficient, nicer riding, more maneuverable vehicle for my daily driver as well (not that the 3/4 ton was unmanageable as a DD, but...). So I'm quite happy with the switch.

Your experience is what I would have expected since as you admitted you were already towing a fairly light TT which I don't think anyone of the so called "1/2 Ton Haters" would question. It's when folks looking at the claimed 1/2 ton tow capabilities in the 7k and up area and start looking at these 30' multi slide trailers that when loaded up scale in the 7500 to 8500lb range with TW in excess of 1K is where all the threads looking for what can be done to improve their towing experience come into play.

As mentioned you can get ultra light trailers that are fairly long that have GVWRs under say 6500, but they offerings are much less and it seems the amenities offered are less than what a vast majority of RVers what, especially those with families.

If one wants to only look at 1/2 vehicles because of preceived ride quality, daily driver, cost, etc. they have to be willing to realize they might well have to make concessions on how big, heavy and what sort of amenities they can reasonably expect a TT to have. The issue as I see it is that this willingness to make these concessions is not considered and they want their proverbial cake and eat it too so to speak.

Larry

Larry

I agree with everything you said Larry-and I am a half-ton owner. The only thing I want to mention is that you said "perceived" ride quality. There is nothing perceived. The half-tons on the market ride better than heavier trucks-and that's a fact. I think sometimes it's the other way around-the heavier truck owners can't (or won't) admit that their trucks ride rough. And before we go there-there isn't anything else on the market (in reality) than you can tow a trailer with other than a truck, whether it's a half-ton or something bigger. I also agree that many half-ton truck owners do a VERY POOR job of matching the trailer to the truck's capability.

I would put the ride of my 2006 F350 service truck up against any 1500/150 truck built today. You would not believe how smooth and soft the ride is. BTW, I weighed it two weeks ago and it was light @ 10,800#.;)

You must have a very special truck. EVERY REVIEW I have read when comparing trucks back to back state the inferior ride of the heavier trucks. That's not to say that the ride in heavier trucks haven't improved in even the last five years, because the have and ride is better than your 7 year old plus truck-but they still ride rougher, they have to, to deal with the heavier payloads they are capable of. I have read also in the reviews they ride better with 500 pounds of cargo in the bed-but not all of us want to go out and buy 500 pounds of sand, plywood, or cement.

IMHO your an owner I mentioned in a previous post-your basically in denial of the less than pleasurable ride of your truck.

[TomG2]

Where many half tonners get in trouble is demonstrated in the current "TV and Trailer Combo" thread. The buyer is running out of payload before he loads up all his gear, people, and the trailer that he wants. With a payload of 1350 pounds, be will really have to watch his weight. Happens a lot. Most we never hear about because they don't waste their winter months posting endless arguments on the Internet how a small truck is just as good as a big truck and gas and diesel are the same only different.

[transamz9]

CKNSLS wrote:

LarryJM wrote:

Tystevens wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Many of us have done the test by pulling the same trailer with both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models. Check the results and you will discover the truth. You may not believe it, but you will discover it.

Interesting, I have done exactly that, going from a 2500HD diesel to an F150 Ecoboost. Of course, my 6k# trailer is far below the limits of the 2500.

That said, the difference hasn't been as great as I would have expected. Meaning, the 1/2 ton does the job just about as well as the 3/4 ton did. Does that mean I would hook 10k up to my 1/2 ton? No, not at all. But it is all about the right tool for the job. I'm w/in the ratings on my F150, and it tows my TT comfortably and smoothly. And I have a more efficient, nicer riding, more maneuverable vehicle for my daily driver as well (not that the 3/4 ton was unmanageable as a DD, but...). So I'm quite happy with the switch.

Your experience is what I would have expected since as you admitted you were already towing a fairly light TT which I don't think anyone of the so called "1/2 Ton Haters" would question. It's when folks looking at the claimed 1/2 ton tow capabilities in the 7k and up area and start looking at these 30' multi slide trailers that when loaded up scale in the 7500 to 8500lb range with TW in excess of 1K is where all the threads looking for what can be done to improve their towing experience come into play.

As mentioned you can get ultra light trailers that are fairly long that have GVWRs under say 6500, but they offerings are much less and it seems the amenities offered are less than what a vast majority of RVers what, especially those with families.

If one wants to only look at 1/2 vehicles because of preceived ride quality, daily driver, cost, etc. they have to be willing to realize they might well have to make concessions on how big, heavy and what sort of amenities they can reasonably expect a TT to have. The issue as I see it is that this willingness to make these concessions is not considered and they want their proverbial cake and eat it too so to speak.

Larry

Larry

I agree with everything you said Larry-and I am a half-ton owner. The only thing I want to mention is that you said "perceived" ride quality. There is nothing perceived. The half-tons on the market ride better than heavier trucks-and that's a fact. I think sometimes it's the other way around-the heavier truck owners can't (or won't) admit that their trucks ride rough. And before we go there-there isn't anything else on the market (in reality) than you can tow a trailer with other than a truck, whether it's a half-ton or something bigger. I also agree that many half-ton truck owners do a VERY POOR job of matching the trailer to the truck's capability.

I would put the ride of my 2006 F350 service truck up against any 1500/150 truck built today. You would not believe how smooth and soft the ride is. BTW, I weighed it two weeks ago and it was light @ 10,800#.;)

[x96mnn]

Owning two 5.7 hemi's, a cummings and comparing a freinds duramax in the mix there is no differance in cost in gas and diesel over the life of the trucks. No post or artical will convince me that what I have proven for myself is not true. Talk is cheap, only people who have owned both would really know and even them the guy with injector problem on his Ford at 200000 miles is not going to have the same cost comparison as the Dodge at 500000 miles. ( I am not being serious on brands, did it to be funny). People buy what their most compfortable with and I don't get the logic behind trying to convince other people you did what's right for you. If you try and quote your logic I will only substitute it for that of my own.

All the post regarding it is ok to overload 3/4 tons and 1tons but not half tons I do not follow. Can you point me to any of these post? Any of the threads I have read where someone was halling the titanic with a 3/4 ton was equally ridiculed for their described absent minded behaviour by those doing math. When I read this comment even if you make a good point I can't believe it because I think your making stuff up, if you can point me to the post please do. I like some of the info being shared but this makes it hard to beleive.

My group, there is 1 1 ton dually, 1 3/4 ton, 4 half tons. All in limits with a couple pushing their max and I won't say which ones. What I will say, if it was not for the half tons and the trailers that they can tow and meet their family needs, I would have at least 3 less camping buddies. That thought makes me sad....go half tons.

Drink responsibly people, and I am meaning the Kool-Aid

[RinconVTR]

ib516 wrote:
Road safety:
- 95% driver
- 5% vehicle

The effect of the machine on safety (class equals like truck to truck) is almost meaningless in the macro view.

This will never sink into many brains on here. Its a shame.

[CKNSLS]

LarryJM wrote:

Tystevens wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Many of us have done the test by pulling the same trailer with both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models. Check the results and you will discover the truth. You may not believe it, but you will discover it.

Interesting, I have done exactly that, going from a 2500HD diesel to an F150 Ecoboost. Of course, my 6k# trailer is far below the limits of the 2500.

That said, the difference hasn't been as great as I would have expected. Meaning, the 1/2 ton does the job just about as well as the 3/4 ton did. Does that mean I would hook 10k up to my 1/2 ton? No, not at all. But it is all about the right tool for the job. I'm w/in the ratings on my F150, and it tows my TT comfortably and smoothly. And I have a more efficient, nicer riding, more maneuverable vehicle for my daily driver as well (not that the 3/4 ton was unmanageable as a DD, but...). So I'm quite happy with the switch.

Your experience is what I would have expected since as you admitted you were already towing a fairly light TT which I don't think anyone of the so called "1/2 Ton Haters" would question. It's when folks looking at the claimed 1/2 ton tow capabilities in the 7k and up area and start looking at these 30' multi slide trailers that when loaded up scale in the 7500 to 8500lb range with TW in excess of 1K is where all the threads looking for what can be done to improve their towing experience come into play.

As mentioned you can get ultra light trailers that are fairly long that have GVWRs under say 6500, but they offerings are much less and it seems the amenities offered are less than what a vast majority of RVers what, especially those with families.

If one wants to only look at 1/2 vehicles because of preceived ride quality, daily driver, cost, etc. they have to be willing to realize they might well have to make concessions on how big, heavy and what sort of amenities they can reasonably expect a TT to have. The issue as I see it is that this willingness to make these concessions is not considered and they want their proverbial cake and eat it too so to speak.

Larry

Larry

I agree with everything you said Larry-and I am a half-ton owner. The only thing I want to mention is that you said "perceived" ride quality. There is nothing perceived. The half-tons on the market ride better than heavier trucks-and that's a fact. I think sometimes it's the other way around-the heavier truck owners can't (or won't) admit that their trucks ride rough. And before we go there-there isn't anything else on the market (in reality) than you can tow a trailer with other than a truck, whether it's a half-ton or something bigger. I also agree that many half-ton truck owners do a VERY POOR job of matching the trailer to the truck's capability.

[LarryJM]

Tystevens wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Many of us have done the test by pulling the same trailer with both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models. Check the results and you will discover the truth. You may not believe it, but you will discover it.

Interesting, I have done exactly that, going from a 2500HD diesel to an F150 Ecoboost. Of course, my 6k# trailer is far below the limits of the 2500.

That said, the difference hasn't been as great as I would have expected. Meaning, the 1/2 ton does the job just about as well as the 3/4 ton did. Does that mean I would hook 10k up to my 1/2 ton? No, not at all. But it is all about the right tool for the job. I'm w/in the ratings on my F150, and it tows my TT comfortably and smoothly. And I have a more efficient, nicer riding, more maneuverable vehicle for my daily driver as well (not that the 3/4 ton was unmanageable as a DD, but...). So I'm quite happy with the switch.

Your experience is what I would have expected since as you admitted you were already towing a fairly light TT which I don't think anyone of the so called "1/2 Ton Haters" would question. It's when folks looking at the claimed 1/2 ton tow capabilities in the 7k and up area and start looking at these 30' multi slide trailers that when loaded up scale in the 7500 to 8500lb range with TW in excess of 1K is where all the threads looking for what can be done to improve their towing experience come into play.

As mentioned you can get ultra light trailers that are fairly long that have GVWRs under say 6500, but they offerings are much less and it seems the amenities offered are less than what a vast majority of RVers what, especially those with families.

If one wants to only look at 1/2 vehicles because of preceived ride quality, daily driver, cost, etc. they have to be willing to realize they might well have to make concessions on how big, heavy and what sort of amenities they can reasonably expect a TT to have. The issue as I see it is that this willingness to make these concessions is not considered and they want their proverbial cake and eat it too so to speak.

Larry

Larry

[CKNSLS]

spoon059 wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:
You just need to buy 70% or so of your tow rating for a towing experience a half-ton can handle

Yet a 3/4 ton is fine for 100% (or more...) of the tow rating? No... there is no hate for 1/2 tons on here...

There seems to be already movement away from diesel pickups in fleets due to fuel and maintenance costs, so as more capable half-tons come out, there COULD BE movement away from heavier (diesel) pickups for all but the most grueling jobs where a heavier truck is truly needed.

This might "quiet" the haters.

clicky