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

[wing_zealot]

8iron wrote:
I'm not aware of any 150/1500 truck that can tow an RV at 100% of the manufacturer's tow ratings. Those tow rating have asterisk beside them for a reason.

Maybe I should clarify what I meant (and note I went back and edited it so as not to confuse). What I meant was 100% of it's vehicle ratings. Asterisks explain the ratings, they don't change them.

[xteacher]

Depends on the truck, the TT, and the WDH, IMHO. I towed a 31 ft. (total length) TT that weighed 4850 dry with a Dodge 1500 HEMI with a 3.92 axle. Using a good WDH (I had a Reese Dual Cam), it towed like a dream. The TT came with a different (and cheaper) WDH, which was a nightmare. I switched after one trip out.

[Lantley]

wing_zealot wrote:

LarryJM wrote:
... and those that are stuck with a 1/2T and are rationalizing the acceptability of it's often marginal towing capabilities since they can't afford or refuse to accept reality.

The reality is, you can tow at 100% of the manufacturers' tow ratings. If that means a 1/2T works out, then that doesn't make it "marginal" that makes one of several tools that can do the same job; but probably less expensively. You don't necessarily need a Mercedes to go to the prom, sometimes a Ford Focus is good enough.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with using a 1/2 tom as long as it is within all of its tow ratings and not just a chosen few. There are more factors/parameters to consider than just the max tow rating.
In the end most 1/2 ton trucks are payload deficient.
Another fallacy is that it's about money.
A 1/2 ton truck that is properly equipped for towing including max tow and max payload packages cost as much as a 3/4 ton.

Do you believe the ratings is ultimately the real issue. Anyone seriously trying to match a combo needs to have the entire rig weighed at least once.
Regardless of size a truck that is within all of its ratings will tow noticeably better that a truck that is within some of its ratings.
Lastly this is an RV towing forum. The 1/2 ton debate often centers around the fact that the 1/2 ton truck is a DD and better MPG's are desired. A 1/2 ton truck does make a better DD but it does not make it a better TV. One must decide their priorities.
I applaud the 1/2 ton guys that actually go out and order their 1/2 ton with all the options/packages to make it a decent tow vehicle vs. those that buy a grocery getter and attach a RV trailer to it.
Many capable 1/2 tons exist but finding a capable 1/2 ton on a dealers lot is not likely. In many cases a properly equipped 1/2 ton needs to be ordered.
If you are towing a 7500# plus dry trailer you will have a much easier time finding a capable 3/4 ton truck vs. finding a 1/2 ton truck.
By capable I mean able to be within all of its towing parameters when the combo is loaded ready to go.
Similar to the old pay me now or pay me later phrase. Avoid the upgrade game. By the right truck the first time around it always cost more to get it right the 2nd time around.
All too often 1/2 ton drivers are not aware of how poorly there 1/2 ton was performing until they upgrade to a 3/4 ton.
This same dilemma/debate exist between 3/4 and 1 ton as well as 1 ton and 1 ton duallies.

[8iron]

wing_zealot wrote:

LarryJM wrote:
... and those that are stuck with a 1/2T and are rationalizing the acceptability of it's often marginal towing capabilities since they can't afford or refuse to accept reality.

The reality is, you can tow at 100% of the manufacturers' tow ratings. If that means a 1/2T works out, then that doesn't make it "marginal" that makes one of several tools that can do the same job; but probably less expensively. You don't necessarily need a Mercedes to go to the prom, sometimes a Ford Focus is good enough.

I'm not aware of any 150/1500 truck that can tow an RV at 100% of the manufacturer's tow ratings. Those tow rating have asterisk beside them for a reason.

[wing_zealot]

LarryJM wrote:
... and those that are stuck with a 1/2T and are rationalizing the acceptability of it's often marginal towing capabilities since they can't afford or refuse to accept reality.

The reality is, you can tow at 100% of the manufacturers' ratings. If that means a 1/2T works out, then that doesn't make it "marginal" that makes one of several tools that can do the same job; but probably less expensively. You don't necessarily need a Mercedes to go to the prom, sometimes a Ford Focus is good enough.

Revised to clarify.

[bradyk]

I think the point is getting missed here. You can safely tow with a half ton but a 3/4 is done safer in a lot of cases and will often tow better. The question asked was do the numbers really fit. Yes they probably do but may be a little closer to the max of the payload of the truck once loaded and taken to a scale even though the trailer is way below the tow rating of the truck.

[2112]

Can you feel the love?

LarryJM wrote:
... and those that are stuck with a 1/2T and are rationalizing the acceptablility of it's often marginal towing capabilities since they can't afford or refuse to accept reality.

Larry

My reality is that my 1/2 ton tows my FW perfectly. It is a comfortable, stable ride and I can't wait to hook up and go. I can afford ANYTHING on the lot, or special order. I would hate to be 'stuck' with a 1 ton.

Stop making assumptions and generalized statements.

[jaycocreek]

O.K. Quit guessing, get some real information from actual scaled weights, then come back with some real knowledge to add to this discussion. If you read enough of these type threads you will find two groups of People, those that have BTDT and are wearing the T-shirt that says "I moved up from a 1/2T and the towing difference is night and day" and those that are stuck with a 1/2T and are rationalizing the acceptablility of it's often marginal towing capabilities since they can't afford or refuse to accept reality.

And to think I moved from a 3/4 ton to a HD 1/2 ton because it handled it better..And before you say it was an old 3/4 ton,I also towed the same trailer with a modern HD-2500....Night and day difference..Not even close..Very similar when everything is set up correctly.

The reality is if you pay any attention to the silly internet numbers game,you will see that the average 1 ton dually is overloaded with Arctic Foxes smallest camper and a 3/4 ton diesel is overloaded with Keystone Montana's smallest fifth wheel with an empty pin of over 2600lbs.

Owe,the only thing I have ever weighed is semi's and not by choice.:B

[jerem0621]

I hated my CC, LB, dually.. I'm one of those that should have got a HD Half or a 3/4 ton short bed. Too much truck for my use... 7,000 lbs trailer needs a dually?...sure...yea...okay

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[LarryJM]

Dreenn wrote:

goducks10 wrote:

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

You obviously haven't weighed anything. You're the guy that creates the 1/2 ton hate. Assuming all is good, but it ain't.

Your right I haven't weighted anything seeing as there is a foot of snow outside if you wanna come up and dig my Tt out then please be my guest and we will go weigh it if now then contruibte something usefull please I'm learning

O.K. Quit guessing, get some real information from actual scaled weights, then come back with some real knowledge to add to this discussion. If you read enough of these type threads you will find two groups of People, those that have BTDT and are wearing the T-shirt that says "I moved up from a 1/2T and the towing difference is night and day" and those that are stuck with a 1/2T and are rationalizing the acceptablility of it's often marginal towing capabilities since they can't afford or refuse to accept reality.

I'm even more of a leaner towards why even mess with a 3/4T just move up to a 1T and then the only decision is should you go the DRW route or not and for most that isn't necessary.

Larry

[Speedogomer]

And not to mention some 3/4 and 1 ton trucks have worse crash test results than their half ton counterparts.

So the other 355 days I don't tow, I'm safer with a 1500.

[Speedogomer]

I have a half ton truck, no issues towing for me.

Sure a 2500 would be better towing, but I daily drive my truck.

I tow 10 days a year. I drive without a trailer the other 355. The trade offs of having a 2500 for me don't add up.

10 days of slightly better towing or 355 days of slightly worse ride, fuel cost, slight worse ability to park, slightly decreased braking and acceleration unloaded (yes 3/4 and 1 tons brake worse and accelerate slower than 1500s, look it up).... no thanks.

[Dreenn]

goducks10 wrote:

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

You obviously haven't weighed anything. You're the guy that creates the 1/2 ton hate. Assuming all is good, but it ain't.

Your right I haven't weighted anything seeing as there is a foot of snow outside if you wanna come up and dig my Tt out then please be my guest and we will go weigh it if now then contruibte something usefull please I'm learning

[goducks10]

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

You obviously haven't weighed anything. You're the guy that creates the 1/2 ton hate. Assuming all is good, but it ain't.

[Dreenn]

ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
🙂 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.

The payload on my truck is 1764 which I've already stated and when I say 7500 pound trailer that is being generous dry weight of my trailer is 5200