Truck for towing - Opinions please

[Green96]

Looking at getting a truck to tow a 7200lb GVWR travel trailer (5200 dry weight). I am considering the following:
used F250 4X4 crew cab 2000-2003 7.3L Powerstroke. Hopefully under 100K miles.
New Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi 4X4 crew cab with lowest rear (3.92 I think).
New Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins 4X4 crew cab.

I know that the 3/4 ton trucks will do a better job, but they are more upkeep. How will the 1500 do? It would be a better dd, but I do not want to be marginal for towing. On paper they all work, I am looking for the real world pros and cons.

Thanks.

[Curless]

NO on the Hemi and NO on a 1/2 ton...you can't afford the gas and you'll hate it pullin up hills. With the weight your going to pull it is Diesel 3/4 or 1 ton only. Your first choice is a wise one, however you'll pay for a low mileage Stroker of that era. Just curious, you left out the Duaramax...any reason?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Why is a 3/4 ton more upkeep? It's has larger components, less likely to break than a half ton. beefier frame, larger axles, bearing, hubs, rearend etc. You will not be happy pulling with a half ton.

[ImpalaSlayer]

i agree, you are talking almost 4 tons, get a 3/4 ton for sure. i would def look into a diesel aswell.

[Triple Threat]

Looking at getting a truck to tow a 7200lb GVWR travel trailer (5200 dry weight). I am considering the following:
used F250 4X4 crew cab 2000-2003 7.3L Powerstroke. Hopefully under 100K miles.
New Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi 4X4 crew cab with lowest rear (3.92 I think).
New Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins 4X4 crew cab.

I know that the 3/4 ton trucks will do a better job, but they are more upkeep. How will the 1500 do? It would be a better dd, but I do not want to be marginal for towing. On paper they all work, I am looking for the real world pros and cons.

Thanks.

Last year i bought a new Ram 1500 5.7L hemi 2X4 with 3.93 gears,posi and towing package.I tow the Marauder to the track every week.There is plenty of power for hills and gas milage is about 12 mpg towing.

[lji372]

how much will it be used for pulling?
if its only a few times a year the 1/2 ton is fine. if more often you can't go wrong with a diesel.

also consider this:
if it's for taking the family camping we bought a 30ft and had it put at a seasonal site for $1700 a year (lakefront). put up a cheap shed and it was a summer cottage for 6 years. no wasting time towing or setting up camp, and no wasted money on fuel or a truck to pull it.
made friends with the other seasonal campers, it was great. downside same place every weeked, but we loved it there and so did the kids

bigger bonus of the seasonal route (after reading your ride stats) you can now afford the supercharger:banana2:

[Marauderman]

I bought a new 2012 King Ranch F-150 Off Road Pkg. that can pull 11,300 lbs. darn thing pulled 7000lbs to Atlanta twice with the MM and didn't even notice it was back there--oh yeah--its has the egoboost twin turbo V-6!! pushing out 365 HP w/410 TQ to the rear- truck is just marvelous!! OBTW--It alone weights 7200 lbs---......

[sailsmen]

NO on the Hemi and NO on a 1/2 ton...you can't afford the gas and you'll hate it pullin up hills. With the weight your going to pull it is Diesel 3/4 or 1 ton only. Your first choice is a wise one, however you'll pay for a low mileage Stroker of that era. Just curious, you left out the Duaramax...any reason?
+1, based on experience this is sage advice.

Also the hitch set up makes a big difference.

[bigcowl-imp]

NO on the Hemi and NO on a 1/2 ton...you can't afford the gas and you'll hate it pullin up hills. With the weight your going to pull it is Diesel 3/4 or 1 ton only. Your first choice is a wise one, however you'll pay for a low mileage Stroker of that era. Just curious, you left out the Duaramax...any reason?


x2 and Duaramax for the win..

[bigcowl-imp]

Last year i bought a new Ram 1500 5.7L hemi 2X4 with 3.93 gears,posi and towing package.I tow the Marauder to the track every week.There is plenty of power for hills and gas milage is about 12 mpg towing.


I was getting 19 mpg towing with a 1995 5.7L LT1 motor.....


http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/bigcowl-imp/Picture022.jpg

[Green96]

GM and I do not get along. I am not familiar with this Duaramax that you speak of.

I will only be towing 2-3 times per year for family vacations. If I go 1/2 ton Ram I would be using a weight distributing hitch and might also put air bag overloads on the rear. The trailer will probably weigh around 6500 when I am pulling it.

A late addition to the running: a Toyota Tundra 5.7 4X4 Crew cab. Rated for over 9000 lbs.

[Green96]

BTW, the Marauder will probably have to go :(

[lji372]

BTW, the Marauder will probably have to go :(


-1

say it ain't so:alone:

[Gryphonzus]

I am not too fond of Dodge trucks. I have too many friends with Dodge trucks and they all have had several transmission failures. Good luck with your choice.

[sailsmen]

GM and I do not get along. I am not familiar with this Duaramax that you speak of.

I will only be towing 2-3 times per year for family vacations. If I go 1/2 ton Ram I would be using a weight distributing hitch and might also put air bag overloads on the rear. The trailer will probably weigh around 6500 when I am pulling it.

A late addition to the running: a Toyota Tundra 5.7 4X4 Crew cab. Rated for over 9000 lbs.

Nix the Toyota! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWjTbiYo3x0

[mrjones]

If you're wanting a half ton, think Ford's F150 with the Max Trailer Tow package and the Ecoboost. It's rated to tow up to 11.3K. It will still get decent mileage when not towing and has a butt load of low end torque.

[Green96]

If you're wanting a half ton, think Ford's F150 with the Max Trailer Tow package and the Ecoboost. It's rated to tow up to 11.3K. It will still get decent mileage when not towing and has a butt load of low end torque.

I like the F-150, but they have priced it like it is gold plated. It is significantly more that the alternatives.

[gpfarrell]

I like the F-150, but they have priced it like it is gold plated. It is significantly more that the alternatives.

That's because it is significantly more truck than the alternatives.

Find one a year old and save a few bucks.

[Green96]

I have been talking to the local Ford dealer, and they actually came down a lot more than I thought that they would on an ecoboost. Going to drive one tomorrow.

[Curless]

All I can say is, I tow with a 99 3/4 Suburban with the 454 (not stock)...there is nothing like the ride of a 3/4 ton when loaded and doing work. The 1/2 tons are NOT going to tow nicely even with the load hitches and what not. You can get away with it but once you use a 3/4 you'll never go back.

I have two friends with eco boost trucks...they will pull the weight...for a minute...they are not meant to do it all day on long hauls fully loaded. Those turbos are small so they spool quickly but they will be screamin all day with that much weight (and air) behind them.

[gdsqdcr]

I know you said GM not good for you ... But my two cents.

I have an 04 Sierra crew Z71 with tow package. I have towed 7000lbs behind on a 2000 mile journey, plus I regularly put a 9500lb trailer behind it. With the big trailer, I am never going that far, usually under 100 miles or so. If I was towing all the time, I would buy a 3/4 ton though.

My little 1/2 ton has done quite well for the occasional and then some trailers behind it. Currently has 160k, original transmission. Only major work was the water pump and knock sensors. I bought her with 50k on it.

1/2 tons can get the job done.

[bigrocks85]

Road trips we take you need the 1ton trucks or the excursion to do things right.The diesel has the power you need to move things but the V10 can also do the job.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/bigrocks85/707F91C8-D92E-4C07-8580-B3AF27A7C0F1-2036-000000EC370881AF_zps3beed9b8.j pg

[Green96]

I think I am going to order a F-150 XLT Ecoboost tomorrow. I am going with the maxcrew or supercrew (whatever they call the full 4 door model) 4X4 with 3.73s. I have to get either the max tow package, or the off road package to get the 3.73s. The gigantic mirrors that come with the max tow package will not fit thru my garage door, so I am going with the off road package.

Oh, and I am keeping the Marauder;)

[REAL4WD]

the towing mirrors don't have power folding option? my buddy's 2008 F250 has em.

[Green96]

Nope, manual telescoping and manual folding.