marieangelique
New Jersey
New Member
Joined: 01/25/2013
View Profile
 Offline
|
Hello everyone,
My significant other and I are looking at purchasing our first travel trailer. We will also be purchasing a tow vehicle to pull the travel trailer. We are looking at ~30' rear living trailers with one large slide. The goal is to live in the trailer for a year or two while we travel the US and Canada, so we would really like the slide for some additional space. Where we are having difficulties is determining what kind of two vehicle we need. Are half tonne trucks enough to pull a 7,200lbs trailer or should we really go for a three quarter tonne truck. I've been reading online and the suggestion is to never tow more than 2/3 of the towing capacity for the truck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
|
facory
Georgia
Senior Member
Joined: 03/06/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
My personal opinion: Starting from scratch I would buy a 250 Ford Diesel, or 2500 series Chevy or Dodge diesel. I would buy the one I got the best deal on because they will all perform well pulling a 30 footer. If you are going to spend two or more years on the road you need something of substance. The diesel will out perform the gas version hands down, especially pulling the mountains you will encounter. The difference in mileage should help offset the added cost of diesel fuel.
Happy Trails
2008 Cruiser RV Fun FinderXtra
Ford F150 Lariat 4x4 SuperCrew 5.4L 6.5' Bed 150" WB 3.73
Schwinn Mountain Bike
|
mikeb9550
MI
Senior Member
Joined: 11/12/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
depends on what the loaded weights. You can do it with the new 1/2 tons. I tow a similar weight and would buy a new f150 ecoboost but I dont want another car payment.
Diesels are nice but not required.
Mike
2006 Ford E350 Van (standard length)
V10, 3.73, 5 Star Tuner, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Prodigy BC, Hensley Arrow Hitch
2006 Jayco Jay Flight 26BHS
|
marieangelique
New Jersey
New Member
Joined: 01/25/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
The 7,200 is the GVWR of the trailer we are looking to buy.
|
dtzackus
Cumbola, PA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/24/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I'd becareful with the 1/2 tons, I looked at some newer chevy and they stated to only pull 7000 with no slide. I opted for a 2500 Chevy 6.0 gas. Very happy with it.
Dan, Tammy, Cory, Leah and Adam
2011 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6.0
2012 Conquest 297DBS
Equal-i-zer Hitch
GM Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
|
|
|
marieangelique
New Jersey
New Member
Joined: 01/25/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
I read the following link: http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/172
This concerned me about getting a half ton to pull the trailer.
|
dave17352
LINCOLN, NE
Senior Member
Joined: 09/20/2004
View Profile
|
Traveling for a year or two pulling the trailer I see zero pluses with a 1500. I would go with a 2500. I prefer a oil burner. I would not get the ford 6.0 motor. But gas would work just fine.
|
fla-gypsy
North Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 04/19/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
What 30' rear living with a large side has a 7200 GVWR? That sounds low. Does it have any CCC. Staying in one for a year or two with a low CCC (I suspect that is the case here) will not allow you to carry much with you and that is not conducive to full time use. My 30' RL TT has a GVWR of 10k.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
|
facory
Georgia
Senior Member
Joined: 03/06/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
What a GREAT site. Thanks
And, what is 'CCC'?
|
marieangelique
New Jersey
New Member
Joined: 01/25/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
The CCC is 1,314.
|
|
|
