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

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

🙂 Hi, there are several ways to look at this, 1/2 ton thing. I will use my new truck for an example. My truck is rated to tow 11,200 lbs. I would never consider anything near that. My truck has a gross combined weight rating of 17,100 lbs and a 7,650 lbs gross vehicle weight rating. If I figure my truck at GVWR and subtract that from my GCWR, that leaves me with 9,450 lbs for a trailer. (this is more realistic)

For reference, my trailer is rated at 6,300 lbs.

I searched for a truck with the Max Tow option to help increase my payload. My payload is 1745 lbs.

Here is the most common problem. (in my opinion) Half ton buyers buy what they see on the lot and end up without the Max Tow Package, and the truck with the most toys. Then they find out that they need bigger mirrors. Then after everything is said and done, they find out that their new truck has a pitiful 800 to barely over 1,000 lb payload.

Now you need to bail out of that 1/2 ton and move up to a 3/4 ton. And if you still didn't learn to do your home work, there are 3/4 ton Diesels out there that have lower payloads, lower tow ratings, and lower Gross combined weight ratings than my F-150.

[bradyk]

You better head to a scale. My 6500 or so loaded trailer tongue weight comes in around around a thousand lbs. scaled when loaded. Don't forget if you have 2x30 lb propane tankes on the nose, battery or (2 in mycase) water and all the other junk we fill our trailers, beds of our trucks, firewood, family, pets, bikes and whatever else is in there that adds weight out of the stripped truck.
I have done the half ton haul too and noticed the difference right away pulling the same unit with the 3/4 ton. Even though I was on the edge experience tells me once you get up there a bit to just do the 3/4 ton for a much better experience especially if you plan on long trips.

[8iron]

Dreenn wrote:
So I looked at the door sticker payload is 1764 I tired to look up the camper tounge weight it looks somewhere around 600 so that leaves me with 1164 I have proly 150
Pounds in aftermarkets bed liner tonnou cover and nerf bars I'm left with 1054 my family and dogs 500 with 564 pounds left most everything else will get loaded in the trailer seeing as I have plenty of "wiggle room" on weight there 7500 loaded camper weight with a 9600 pound tow rating

Sure a 2500 would be "better" but did I really wanna pay $60,000 for a truck? When the 1500 numbers add up and I only go 1 weekend a month for 6 months

Supeizingly this thread tought me some things

A 7500# camper will have a lot more tongue weight than 600#.

[Dreenn]

So I looked at the door sticker payload is 1764 I tired to look up the camper tounge weight it looks somewhere around 600 so that leaves me with 1164 I have proly 150
Pounds in aftermarkets bed liner tonnou cover and nerf bars I'm left with 1054 my family and dogs 500 with 564 pounds left most everything else will get loaded in the trailer seeing as I have plenty of "wiggle room" on weight there 7500 loaded camper weight with a 9600 pound tow rating

Sure a 2500 would be "better" but did I really wanna pay $60,000 for a truck? When the 1500 numbers add up and I only go 1 weekend a month for 6 months

Supeizingly this thread tought me some things

[stevec22]

Quoted wrong post. Can't find it

I tend to fall in this camp. Obviously, you do not want to overload your TV.

I have very limited experience, but I did bring my new 24' TT home from north of Springfield MO in Dec, It is 4500 DW, behind my 2005 Yukon. I had no problems maintaining 60 mph over the grades along I44. Certainly not the Rockies, but steeper grades.

I will have to wait until after March 15 (selling my gun shop) to take a loaded trailer on a trip. So far it is completely stable.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

BubbaChris wrote:
I think the other side of the coin that hasn't been mentioned yet is the salesperson (TT or TV). They are very busy trying to close the deal and won't take the time to point out the real limitations.

I've had several salesmen over the years ask what I was planning to tow a TT / 5er with - and been told "You can't tow this trailer with that truck."

Both when I had an F-150 and my current RAM 2500.

Now, they've been willing to show me lighter/ smaller rigs which 'will fit your needs'.

The Dallas/Mesquite dealership which sells DRV told me plainly don't even think about them without a special build 350/3500 - but that a 450 is what is really needed to be safe.

-----------------------

For the OP - I had a 4,200 lb empty 26BH which was 30' long ball to bumper. The F-150 could handle it fine - also long as it wasn't windy.

But I was actually over the payload capacity.

Going to the Ram 2500 made all the difference in the world in ease, handling and comfort towing that TT, and my now 6' longer and twice as heavy rig.

The 'hate' of 1/2 ton TVs is because people get them, get a max weight rig - and end up hating RVing. Some get on here and complain, many end up selling the rig and we lose folks who use campgrounds.

While we've all experienced too full campgrounds/ RV parks on occasion - it's more distressing to see empty campgrounds. Because those get closed - and reduce the opportunities for all of us to enjoy RVing.

[Terryallan]

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:

3oaks wrote:
Yea, doesn't everyone know nothing less than a 350 dully is safe to tow anything. :R

Towing over 6000 lbs is a matter of.....
1/2 ton = good
3/4 ton = better
1 ton dually = best

Tow the same trailer with a 1 ton dually and get back to us.

F450 even better,
F650 even better

A 10 wheeled 35000lb over the road Freightliner would be even better. but NOT needed.



If folks are scared to tow a little over 6000lb with a F150. I would suggest a Freightliner. No sway, good braking, won't be pushed around by the TT. You won't even know it is there. Try it, and get back to us

1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton are the normal trucks you see on the road. Your reply is trollish.

Makes the same point yours does. Bigger is better right :R

[Kampfirekid]

Dreenn wrote:
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

Young Grasshopper, more you should know...

Your max tow rating is with a completely empty truck except you, yourself, and you. If you weigh over 150#, subtract that from your max tow rating. If you have anything in the bed, a 72 oz. cola in the cupholder, a tin of Altoids, an extra pair of shoes, an aftermarket lid or tonneau, and a sub sandwhich, deduct their weights, too. Its true, not a joke.

[MitchF150]

You guys are so funny. 😉

Mitch

[rbpru]

Dreenn,

If the person you bought the TT from does not know the brand of the hitch, I would figure out how to post photos of it on this forum. Proper hitch mount and operation is very important

[majorgator]

I have both a 2007 Chevy 1500 w/ 5.3 and a '96 F350 w/ 7.3. The 2 trucks are night and day difference when pulling my 24' 4500# TT. The Chevy does just fine but the F350 does it way better.

I've made the following statement on here before and was run up a rail for it, but I'll say it again because it's true. RV owners are the only group of people that have resigned themselves to pulling heavy loads (heavy trailers) with 1/2 ton trucks. And they spend countless hours trying to convince themselves that their choice is a good one. Simply drive down the highway and you'll see firsthand that this is the case. No other group of people who are involved with hauling trailers consistently use 1/2 tons...only the RV'ers. Is it because some people depend on their TV and trailer for their livelihood, while others use it only for recreation? Is it because all those people hauling medium sized trailers with 3/4 and 1 tons are ignorant? You be the judge. I'm just a 30k mile a year guy pointing out my observations.

[TomG2]

As the old saying goes, "Try it, you'll like it". That is really true if you borrow or rent a F-250 or 2500 series pickup for towing travel trailers. For those unwilling to give it a try, there are LT tires, Timbrens, Supersprings, and all kinds of fancy hitches that promise to make your towing more enjoyable.

[therink]

goducks10 wrote:
One reason why 1/2 tons get a bad rap is because they are 95% the ones who come on here and have TT towing issues. Very rarely will you read about a guy with a 3/4-1 ton truck complaining about the truck getting push/pulled by their TT.

BTDT 2010 F150 towing 7300lbs @31'. 900-950lb TW. 1857lb payload. After loading the truck up I was at GVW 7650lbs and right near the RAWR of 4050lbs.

1/2 tons do have their place. There just at the lower end of TT weights. Keeping the loaded TT to 6000lbs or less will remove some of the payload issues. The troubles arise when 1/2 ton owners look at the tow rating and think they can tow 9500-12,000lbs.

Such is the life of an average 1/2 ton owner towing a heavy long TT.

I agree 100 percent. I use to be a half ton owner towing too large of a TT and had nothing but white knuckle experiences. I was within the trucks tow ratings (trailer weight). I was not paying attention to payload ratings.

[RinconVTR]

Terryallan wrote:

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:

3oaks wrote:
Yea, doesn't everyone know nothing less than a 350 dully is safe to tow anything. :R

Towing over 6000 lbs is a matter of.....
1/2 ton = good
3/4 ton = better
1 ton dually = best

Tow the same trailer with a 1 ton dually and get back to us.

F450 even better,
F650 even better

A 10 wheeled 35000lb over the road Freightliner would be even better. but NOT needed.

If folks are scared to tow a little over 6000lb with a F150. I would suggest a Freightliner. No sway, good braking, won't be pushed around by the TT. You won't even know it is there. Try it, and get back to us

I'm happy to see more people commenting like this within such threads. Seriously. I hope it makes some people think about how far one can take "bigger is better" and the practicality of it.

And why is it that 1/2 ton topics are the most common on here in regards to questions and problems? Uh, may be because the 1/2 ton truck is the most popular of all the other sizes combined? OF COURSE it will be discussed more than any other size truck!

[marcsbigfoot20b]

Terryallan wrote:

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:

3oaks wrote:
Yea, doesn't everyone know nothing less than a 350 dully is safe to tow anything. :R

Towing over 6000 lbs is a matter of.....
1/2 ton = good
3/4 ton = better
1 ton dually = best

Tow the same trailer with a 1 ton dually and get back to us.

F450 even better,
F650 even better

A 10 wheeled 35000lb over the road Freightliner would be even better. but NOT needed.



If folks are scared to tow a little over 6000lb with a F150. I would suggest a Freightliner. No sway, good braking, won't be pushed around by the TT. You won't even know it is there. Try it, and get back to us

1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton are the normal trucks you see on the road. Your reply is trollish.