Old schoolers are right when they say that 3/4 ton vehicles tow better than 1/2 tons. With that said, if you have a newer 1/2 ton with a large V8 and 3.73 gears or higher, you can safely tow a pretty big trailer. In the coming years, you're going to see the industry shift to light weight trailers and 1/2 ton tow vehicles. Owning a 3/4 or 1 ton tow vehicle is a luxury, and the future campers of America are not going to be able to rationalize that luxury as much as we've seen in the past. Ford's 2012 (projected) 1/2 tons are going be capable of pulling of 12,500lbs or more. That, coupled with higher quality light weight trailers is the future of the travel trailer lifestyle. Count on it.
What is interesting is that the people with small p/us and large trailers never seem to have any problems with towing and the folks with large p/us and large trailers don't either..Well,on my last rip out I saw a newer F150 that had been pulling about a 30+ foot trailer in the ditch and several of us stopped to see if he needed any help and asked what had happened.He said that a large MH had bombed past him and he started swaying,lost it and went off the road and went into the ditch.The trailer was on it's side and the p/u was across the ditch pointing into the field..
Well,a little while later,I was cruising along at about a little over 60 and mine just took off on me and took up parts of two of the four lanes of the freeway and after about 1/2 mile I finally got it stopped on the shoulder and,of course,took a sniff test and determined that I was ok.It can happen to anyone,at any time regardless of equipment...
Of course,after I got it home,a tad bit over 100 miles,I noticed that one axle was sticking out a bit over an inch farther than the other,Soooo I took it into the shop where they found that the trailer was riding on the axles 'cuz it had three broken springs and either broken or cracked shackles.. OOpppsss...
GO COUGARS
2001 Ford 7.3L PSD Excursion
Ride Rite air bags
AFE Stage 1
4"MBRP exh
Hellwig rear sway bar
DP Tuner 2005 Keystone COUGAR 304BHS
Tekonsha Prodigy
1200 Equalizer hitch
2000 Thomas school bus (RETIRED !!! )
Hi i think its funny when people get on the hype of 1/2 ton
pickups, they should do their home work, i pull a wilderness 280bhs
6800lb with a dodge ram 1500 392 rear axle. that being said dodge 1/2
ton and 3/4 ton trucks share the same brakes,worked for dodge 20yrs.
just use your common sense and you'll be ok i have thousands of miles
towing with 1/2 ton trucks
I towed a 33' travel trailer with a 1/2 ton pickup truck for a full season which included a trip from central Ohio to Maine and back. I was under every weight rating for my truck according to the scales when I weighed it fully loaded to go camping.
The ONLY time I was worried was when I was going downhill and had a sudden (it was sudden because I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been) left corner popped up in front of me. I could "feel" the trailer trying to push the back end of my pickup truck a little sideways as I went around the corner.
Would I do it again? Yes, but that incident was always in the back of my mind.
2008 Damon Outlaw 3612 Toyhauler
2008 Jeep Sahara Unlimited
2007 VStar Tourer 1300
2007 Honda Shadow Aero 750
2002 Bayliner 215 Bowrider
(did I forget to list any toys??)
I tow with a 34 ft. TT with a ½ ton. I am about 400 pounds under the total gross weight allowed for the vehicle and 600 pounds under the TT gross weight. We traveled 7k miles last year, a lot of it through the Eastern Mountains with no problems. TV has 130” wheelbase and is AWD. One panic stop when a deer ran in front of us in PA. I believe if you stay within the specifications of the TT & TV, use a good anti-sway hitch & good brake controller there should be no issues. I have been towing various kinds of trailers all my life and only once owned a truck over 1/2 ton. This argument will never end. You need to do what is comfortable & best for you.
We are pulling with a 3/4 ton and have the 158" WB. I have a heck of a time manuvering in close quarters but I wouldn't trade the WB for anything when towing. We get very little sway even on the windiest days. IMHO there is no substitute for WB. I like the 3/4 ton because I tend to carry a lot of "stuff" when we camp and the payload keeps me safe from the weight police.
* This post was
edited 02/25/09 08:12am by shenandoahvalley *
I am of the opinion, that a 30' trialer is too much for any 1/2 ton truck, even if it supposedly in weight rating. There is a lot more to towing than just having the power to pull the trailer. The dynamics involved require, better tires, better suspension and heavier components if you want the truck to last a bit longer.
The current 1/2 ton trucks (even the ones percieved as heavy duty) are designed for soft rides and running errands in town.
If most of the adament 1/2 ton drivers would ever try pulling their trailer with a 3/4 ton truck, they would quickly see and feel the difference in how easily the rig drives. My suggestion is to listen to the folks that have made the change and listen to their advice.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with one miniature Schnauzers, one standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
I have made the transition the opposite way. For years I towed with a 3/4 ton dodge and a 5500# TT. It was a great set-up, comfortable to tow, and lots of overkill.
Today I tow a total weight of 7,000 - 7,200 lbs on average with a 1/2 ton crew. The wheel base is comfortable and I really enjoy the ride. I am educated and comfortable in how the set-up handles and that is key. If you are not comfortable with it then it is wrong to proceed.
Be educated with your limitations and do not exceed them. Be comfortable in your decisions and enjoy the ride. If your "White-knuckled" then get off the road and go buy the 3/4-ton.
You appear to be within your limitations, the biggest question would be how comfortable are you towing it?
Chevy 1/2 Ton Crew Z71 / 3.73 / 5.3L
Rockwood 8317 SS (Yes, it's a 1/2 ton pulling it)
Reese WD System with HP Dual Cam
Primus Brake Controller
Factory Receiver Hitch
McKesh Mirrors
The question is not would the 3/4 ton pull better. I have no doubt that you are correct. The question is do you need a 3/4 ton to pull the Spree (or other lightweight, 1/2 ton designed trailer) safely and with acceptable performance? The answer to that is no; a 1/2 ton truck or large SUV will meet the bill for the OP. As bobbyg indicates, the car and RV industries are moving away from the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. I would not be surprised in the next decade to see those vehicles offered only through special order, possibly with restrictions based on verifiable need such as farming or other heavy duty requirements.
Towed a 30' Nomad TT with a 96 GMC 1/2 ton (5.7/3.73) for 7 years. We took trips all over the country. We were right at the upper limits of the truck but we did fine.
Our first long trip introduced us to sway. After this we bought a Hensley. Money well spent with no regrets.
Camping Family Me, Mom, 3 Boyz & Toyz
2004 GMC 2500HD D/A CC 2005 Ameri-Camp 321QBS
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