Any of the newer 3/4 ton gassers will tow that trailer easily as will the 1/2ton HD trucks, however as someone mentioned a 1/2 ton is going to run out of payload fast.
Me..i would look into a 3/4 ton gasser if you cant afford a diesel, when considering diesel keep in mind the maintenance costs are a lot higher. I went from a 1ton years ago to 1/2 ton trucks now i am back in a HD(pervious 1 ton and now 3/4). As long as i am towing over 8k lbs i wont go back to a half ton.
2011 F250 CC LB, 6.7 urine injection
2007 keystone Outback Sydney 32BHDS
2009 HD Ultra CVO
2013 CanAm Outlander 1000
1963 Wife..no mods
I'd go for something with a diesel if the purchase cost is not a huge thing. I found the best I could get a new F350 XLT supercab diesel for was about 45K after X plan and incentives. A similiar optioned 1/2 ton that will do the job is just about 10K less (your requirments may differ). Neither included taxes. I'm 7 years from retirement and went the cheaper route, I'll reevaluate in 7 years. I drag around a lot less weight then you do.
Happy Motoring
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
12 F150 HD SCAB EcoBoost LB 4x4
06 Starcraft 18SB
As much as I love the F-150 Ecoboost, for long term I recommend any 3/4+ or 1-ton single rear wheel (350/3500). Gas or diesel are both plenty more capable than what you have now.
What are you or your husband complaining about when towing with current truck?
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
As mentioned by aftermath, payload is your biggest drawback with 1/2 ton trucks. Many 1/2 tons will tow the TT just fine. However, you need to look at the payloads. Some are as low as 1500 lbs, and some (HD models) are as high as 3000 lbs.
If you get one with 1500 lb payload and subtract the weight of fuel, passengers, maybe a bed cap or cover, and 8 - 900 lbs tongue weight, you may not have enough payload left for cargo.
With 3/4 or 1-ton truck, your DH would probably not even think about payload and what things weigh.
(I used to tow with 1/2 ton. My DW was not pleased when, she asked about her mother riding along, and I said we would need to know how much she weighs.)
E&J push'n wind wrote: What man doesn't want a new truck? If you have the money or resources go for it. If it's gonna add grief and strief, make what you have work. Your truck is more than up to the task for what you are doing. If you were full timing, perhaps reconsider the truck you have as you will use it more freequently for towing.
I have a Tundra as well; I'm pulling a TT with a GVWR of 8,000 pounds and I do it with relative ease as well. I pull through the Alberta, B.C. and Washington Rockies and have never felt "under powered" or pushed around. Would a 3/4 pull it up the hill faster, probably, I dont need to go any faster...
The payload is the one issue, remember, weight is transferred with WD hitch, I saw a little bit more than 20% at the scales go back to the trailer. This is my experience and will depend on your setup. I load the trailer, not the truck.
Good luck.
2013 GMC 3500HD Diesel Denali
2012 Arctic Fox 25S
Alberta Canada
2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7 CrewMax (Sold - I loved this truck)
For me it isnt if the truck will go faster, i had a 07 tundra and it did very well power wise. Paylaod and stability was a different story, sorry but a 3/4 or 1 ton just feels better to me when towing over 8k lbs.
BTW... i still tow at the same speed with my current truck as i did with the tundra.
"So, give your truck a trial. Check into the weight ratings for your truck, weigh the trailer, think about how much stuff you usually carry and then go from there. There are lots of very good TVs out there but, just like a trailer, make sure you do your research before you buy. You can get a 1 ton diesel but then what do you do with that when you are not towing the trailer?"
Yeah, that's my concern also. When we are not towing it just drives him to work and back...its E85 so that saves a bit, yesterday in our area gas was $4.29! (IL)
I am understanding much more about the TV and what we need etc!! I like the idea of keeping this truck for a while. It is just the 2 of us and we travel light, couple bikes in the truck, fire bowl, couple odds and ends but since we dont bring our own firewood anymore it really lighted things up. As far as the TT we dont pack more then cloths and food, couple kites....We dont load food or water until we are close to the camp site(usually camp at state parks so we fill up when we arrive, dump everything before we leave)
My DH would like more stability, and probably more payload so then he wouldn't have to think about it. It's a regular cab (something he would also like to change)We have been mostly doing short trips in the mid-west, so its flat, but we are ready to head out on longer and more mountain trips in the near future. When we do set out we dont want anything to spoil our fun so having the right TV is important...sounds like we should start keeping out eyes open for at least a 3/4 ton. I am relieved to hear we will be alright keeping this truck until the time comes and feel much more knowledgeable to keep him feet on the ground when we do look at trucks. I know when we retire he's got in mind what he would like.....just trying to paying the mortgage in the meantime
Thank you all so much!!! Great comments!!!
I made the error of buying a new 1/2 ton truck that should have pulled my RV with no problem in 2008 after two transmissions in two years I bought a new 2500 with the diesel. No more worrying what route to take how safe it, is the transmission getting to hot better pull over... Now we go were ever when ever we want... A good rule to remember is trucks are over rated in weight and RV's are under rated in weight.
I have an almost identical TT in terms of weight although my TT's GVWR is at 9460# but I have never come even close to that number, 8500# is the realistic loaded camping weight. We bought a '10 Sequoia and took a vacation down the OR coast into northern CA. The 5.7L Sequoia did fine but I felt that a longer wheel base would provide a much more planted and secure feel while towing mountains. If our plans work out, we are also looking to move back to CO and into the mountains.
In '11, I purchased a new F350 6.7L CC LB. Did I need the F350? No. Do I prefer towing with the F350? No question, absolutely!!!
There were a few reasons for my motivation to buy the F350. At the time I also had a '94 F250 LB with the 460. I did not like my kids riding in the back extra cab area as their heads were up against glass and I was not OK with that. The loose steering on the '94 didn't help either.
Reason two was the great pricing and incentives being offered at the time I bought the F350.
Reason three is I know my truck is currently over-kill for my TT but it does offer a large margin of safety for my family. I plan to keep the truck for a long time (barring no issues with it) and it allows me the opportunity to upgrade our TT to a heavier TT or 5th with a lot of options. The Sequoia would not allow for nearly as many upgrade options.
I also do not need to fret so much on loading up my truck now which is a comforting feeling. That does not mean I can load up my truck with everything from our house...but for family camping w/ activities (4 bikes, kayaks, etc), we are good.
"Reason three is I know my truck is currently over-kill for my TT but it does offer a large margin of safety for my family. I plan to keep the truck for a long time (barring no issues with it) and it allows me the opportunity to upgrade our TT to a heavier TT or 5th with a lot of options. The Sequoia would not allow for nearly as many upgrade options.
I also do not need to fret so much on loading up my truck now which is a comforting feeling. That does not mean I can load up my truck with everything from our house...but for family camping w/ activities (4 bikes, kayaks, etc), we are good."
Offline
