What to look for in purchasing a tow vehicle for my TT

[bsiemens]

Okay, I got a great deal on an older TT in really good shape but need a truck to tow it. The Dry weight of the trailer is 4,624lbs and the GVWR is 6500lbs. I think a half ton pickup will be okay but could use some guidance on engine and gear ratios. Hope to find something used, 2016 or newer. We are not planning on towing great distances but the Smokey Mountains are close and one of our favorite places. Any help would be greatly appreiated. I only want to do this once.

[CincyGus]

I just traded in my 2011 1500 Silverado 4x4 extended cab for a 2016 2500 GMC Denali 4x4 Extended cab. I pull the trailer in my signature which was 4100 lbs dry weight and is around 5500 loaded as measured across scales.

I can tell you that by the time we loaded it, put a few things in the bed of the truck like coolers and cornhole boards and an extra propane tank for the grill and outdoor stove, we were within a few hundred lbs of the limits of the cargo carrying of the truck. It was important to have the WD hitch zero'ed in properly and even then, there were times in windy conditions, I wish I had more truck. Going up mountains to the Smokies was bounce between 2nd and 3rd gear with earplugs needed when it dropped to 2nd and reved up until it shifted to 3rd. Knowing what I know now, I would have gotten the 3.73 rear end as I think that would have helped significantly but I have to tell you, I don't even know it's back there in the 2500 now.

If you can swing the extra a 2500 will cost you, I would advise to get it. Much more comfortable towing and lets me load the bed to the brim if I so desire. Wind and semi's passing are non events with the extra weight of the truck. If finances are challenging and you decide to go the 1500 route, I wouldn't get anything but the 3.73.

[boosTT]

I'd get a half ton, but keep a eye on the payload numbers... they are not all the same.

[2DHoop]

Congratulations on the great find.

If the future (new) truck's purpose will be primrlily to tow your trailer for recreation, why not look for something that will meet the current requirements and also offer opportunties for future growth in trailer size/weight?

Take a look at trucks in the 3/4 - 1 ton range as well. A bit bigger investment now may help out in the future.

[APT]

Any of the half tons will work well, but you do need to get the options for the higher trailer towing and payload.

GM: 5.3L 3.42 axle
Ford 2.7L or 3.5L Ecoboosts with 3.55 axle
Ram 5.7L 3.55 or 3.92 axle

[miltvill]

If you want to go with a 1/2 ton then get load range "E" tires. It may come with passenger tires load range "P". Many 1/2 ton trucks are sold with passenger car tires on them.

[73guna]

Are you new to rving?
How many people in your family?
Newer 1/2 tons will do the job, but I always have the mindset of overkill when it comes to tow vehicles.
You wont go wrong getting a 3/4 ton truck and you'll already have the heavy duty truck when/if you upgrade to a larger trailer.

[rbpru]

Here are some real CAT scale numbers. they are similar to what you may see.

As mentioned dry weight means little. My 2010 TT has a dry weight of 5004 lbs. When loaded for the road it weighs 6200 lbs. across the scales, with 750 lbs. of that on the tongue. My 2011 F-150 E-Boost 4x4 will pull 9500 lbs. "BUT" it has a max cargo of 1411 lbs. according to the door jamb sticker. Once I subtract the tongue weight I have 661 lbs. for two adults, a big dog, tools and camping gear in the bed.

The end result is my F-150 is at its max cargo capacity. This has never been an issue and the combo works very well. However, if you haul a lot stuff, do a lot of hill climbing, or expect to get a bigger trailer; you might want to look at 3/4 ton truck.

We have averaged about 8000 mile a year towing across country for the last four years and our truck is a daily driver. It has done well in the Rockies, desert and the flat plains. But we have to live with the fact that it is at its max cargo limit and the wear and tear will accumulate accordingly.

Good luck

[Mr_Biggles]

You don’t mention what/who else will be in the truck. If it’s just you and the wife, or five kids, the dog and kitchen sink. Just you and the wife, a 1/2 ton will be fine, but if you have a family, a 3/4 ton truck might be needed.

[deltabravo]

I'd rather have 3.73s for towing as well.

[valhalla360]

Any of the big three 1/2ton trucks should work...key word "should".

Check:
- Tow Rating
- Hitch weight (take 12-15% of the GVWR of the trailer)
- Cargo capacity (don't forget to add the weight of passengers, gear in the truck and any after market items like running boards)

Most 1/2 ton trucks will be fine but there are a few built for very light duty.

Get a Weight Distributing Hitch if it didn't come with one and figure out how to use it.

[SoundGuy]

bsiemens wrote:
Okay, I got a great deal on an older TT in really good shape but need a truck to tow it. The Dry weight of the trailer is 4,624lbs and the GVWR is 6500lbs. I think a half ton pickup will be okay but could use some guidance on engine and gear ratios. Hope to find something used, 2016 or newer. We are not planning on towing great distances but the Smokey Mountains are close and one of our favorite places.

With such a specific dry weight number, along with the fact this is an "older" trailer, I'd suspect that's a number you pulled out of a brochure or off the internet and is not it's actual dry weight as it sits there in your driveway. Accounting for any accessories & options this trailer may have over a base model, a battery (or two), propane in the tanks, and enough water in the water heater tank and fresh water holding tank to make this trailer operational I wouldn't be surprised to see this trailer's actual dry weight pushing close to 5000 lbs. Especially if this is a family trailer I could see you loading enough junk into it so it's GVW loaded & ready to camp might come awfully close to the trailer's GVWR. In a worse case scenario where it does you'd be running about 850 lbs gross tongue weight @ 13%, in which case a 1/2 ton's limited payload capacity that usually hovers around 1400 to 1500 lbs can be awfully limiting. For just two adults it might be acceptable but if you're also hauling along a gaggle of kids that only get bigger & heavier as they grow you may find a 1/2 ton's payload capacity insufficient.

I've been towing for a dozen years with GMs ubiquitous 5.3L coupled to a 3.42 axle, both with the older wide ratio 4-spd and currently with the newer narrow ratio 6-spd, and while the latter is certainly more flexible when it comes to towing that 3.42 in itself is pretty limiting when you're negotiating serious upgrades. For that I'd much rather have a 3.73 which will allow the engine to rev a bit higher in any given gear.

Our previous K-Z Spree averaged ~ 5500 lbs loaded & ready to camp with a gross tongue weight of ~ 750 lbs, the Coachmen Freedom Express ~ 4800 lb & ~ 625 lbs. While our GM 1/2 ton trucks towed the Spree OK I certainly knew there was nearly 3 tons behind me and feel that "less is more". Personally I wouldn't want to tow any trailer averaging more that ~ 6000 lbs fully loaded with any typical 1/2 ton, more than that is I think 3/4 ton territory with a larger engine, both for grunt under the hood and much better payload capacity. This trailer you've chosen is IMO certainly at or beyond the limit of what I'd be comfortable towing with a 1/2 ton.

[2edgesword]

The tongue weight of the trailer is going to be around 1,000 lbs (15% of 6,500 lbs) Add the weight of passengers and the gear that will be in the truck and that will give you some idea of the payload capacity you’re going to need. If payload for the truck isn’t clearly stated you can calculate it by deducting the curb weight of the vehicle from the maximum gross weight shown on the driver’s door sticker.

[owenssailor]

I only have experience with Chevs for towing. One of the GM twins will tow that trailer fine in my opinion.

You will need to get:
5.3 l engine
3.42 rear end
transmission cooler
integrated brake controller

You will also need a weight distribution hitch. I suggest getting a good on. I am very happy with our Equal-i-Zer.

On long steep grades the engine will rev. That is where the power is. Let it rip. 3000 and above is no problem.

e have towed our trailer which weighs about 6500 lb loaded coast to cost with a 2012 and a 2017 Chev Silverado 1500. Lat year we went about 9000 miles including across to San Diego.

Good luck

[donn0128]

Welcome. Please do yourself a favor and forget terms,like dry or shipping. Neither has anything to do with the real world.
So, if you look for a tv to handle the gross weight of 6500 pounds, most any of the more modern 1500/150s will do you. Personally for a 3 or 4 year old teuck I would go with a Chevrolet 1500 5.3L V8. 4x4/4x2 is your choice as is cab configuration. If your planning to haul lots of passangers a 2500 might be a better choice for you. Better resale, so plan to spend a bit more. But for that you get better brakes, stronger axles, tires, wheels, frame, and a bot harsher ride. But you also get a 6.0L gas motor that is a real work horse. Fords are also good, but usually cost more. Search out in your area for what is the niggest dealer and buy that brand. There is likely going to be more of that brand on the market.
Dont get me wrong a properly equipped 1500 would do just fine in the flats and will work harder in the mountains, but do fine.