Will a 3/4 ton do

[rarin_2go]

I have an rv that is at the 14000 GVWR. I need a new tow vehicle and was wondering if a 2500 or 3/4 ton truck would safely tow this. I would appreciate your knowledgeable input on this. Would this being a 5th wheel make a difference?

Thanks

[corvettekent]

It is far better to have too much truck than not enough truck.

[mkirsch]

25% of 14000 is 3500.

So on a theoretical max weight of 14000 you're looking at a theoretical max pin weight of 3500lbs. That doesn't even count the weight of the 5th wheel hitch.

Your average everyday 2500 series truck is not rated to handle that even ignoring GVWR and just going on rear axle and tire ratings. They still tend to have 3000-3200lbs of payload before you hit the limits of the rear tires.

The truck will need to have suspension and tires for a 14000lb trailer.

Simple fact of the matter is, you're not going to find a 3500 SRW on dealer lots right now. You can barely find 1500s and most dealer lots tend to have 25 1500's for every 2500, and 25 2500s for every 3500 SRW.

[IdaD]

thomas201 wrote:
What is your pin weight? A 3/4 ton might work, but you are asking the wrong question. The question is, "Do you need a 3/4 ton?". The price difference is small, but I run a 3/4 ton due to homeowners assoc. rules, hammer lanes in MD and NJ, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, blah and blah.

So, a compromise, depending on your needs. If a 3/4 ton will work with your pin weight and you need it, fine. If not, I would get a one ton. With Fords, the camper/snowplow package almost gets you a 1 ton, except on paper.

This guy just nailed the real answer. Some 2500s now come with higher than 10k lb GVWR, and some 3500s come with a 10k lb GVWR. Reality is 2500 vs SRW 3500 generally means nothing in terms of performance or capability.

The real question is 10k lb GVWR or a higher number. Since you're buying new, if the higher number won't cause you any problems go ahead and go that route. It it does such as in the example above, get something with a 10k lb GVWR and you've still functionally got the same truck, maybe at most with adding bags/timbrens.

I don't think you need a dually at 14k lbs if you don't want one, but that's the actual next step up in capability.

[valhalla360]

At 14k, I'm guessing it's a 5th wheel (not many bumper pulls that heavy).

It may have enough grunt to pull it (or it might not, have to check the specifics).

The problem is it's likely going to have a pin weight on the order of 3000lb (give or take a couple hundred). That counts against the truck payload. Add in other stuff, including passengers in the truck and very good chance you exceed the truck payload.

A 1ton SRW probably will have enough payload but that's getting borderline where I would be considering dually.

[thomas201]

What is your pin weight? A 3/4 ton might work, but you are asking the wrong question. The question is, "Do you need a 3/4 ton?". The price difference is small, but I run a 3/4 ton due to homeowners assoc. rules, hammer lanes in MD and NJ, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, blah and blah.

So, a compromise, depending on your needs. If a 3/4 ton will work with your pin weight and you need it, fine. If not, I would get a one ton. With Fords, the camper/snowplow package almost gets you a 1 ton, except on paper.

[S_Davis]

If you like messing with your vehicles go 3/4 ton, I towed a 14,000lb gooseneck with a 2013 2500HD and had to add helper springs, upgraded shocks and upgraded tires. My pin weight was over 3000lbs.

[Lantley]

MFL wrote:
If you already had the late model 2500, Id say it will work. Since you are going to purchase a new truck, it just makes more sense to go with a 35 series truck.

Jerry

This^^^
Don't knowingly start out with an underated truck.

[MFL]

If you already had the late model 2500, Id say it will work. Since you are going to purchase a new truck, it just makes more sense to go with a 35 series truck.

Jerry

[MNRon]

You’ll run out of rear wheel capacity to carry the pin weight. 1Ts don’t cost much more and add additional rear suspension, I’d recommend giving them a serious look. Even with a 1T you won’t have a lot of excess RAWR.

[BB_TX]

Will it do? Yes. Many people do it. But you will most likely be over the payload rating of the 3/4 ton (250/2500). Go for a 1 ton (350/3500).

[Lwiddis]

For the few hundred that a one ton is priced over a 3/4, get the one ton.