Community Forums

Funfor4 · 03-13-2012, 08:33 AM

Hey guys, I'm looking into a motorhome or a travel trailer. I only have a 1/2 ton pickup so I don't think I can pull much. I get an average of 17mpg right now, approx what will it average towing?

Flagstaff206 · 03-13-2012, 08:40 AM

what 1/2 ton do you have? 2 or 4wd ? what rear end ? engine? etc. ? Will probably get between 9-11mpg towing at best. Most are around 9 if you are pulling quite a bit of weight. Depends on your truck. You may be able to pull more than you think. Others will tell you 1/2 ton's are useless. but as long as you stay within ratings and use trailer brakes, wd hitch, etc. you will be fine. I tow a 7k pound boat with a 2004 and 2009 F150. My buddy tows the race car trailer (10k pounds) with a 2000 GMC 1/2 ton. GMC is MAXED probably over maxed with that much weight though.

Bear25314 · 03-13-2012, 09:07 AM

I pulled a Keystone Outback 298re, 35ft, 7600lbs fine with a 2006 f150. Reese dual cam wd hitch. I don't think I would take it cross country that way. It it was fine for the 4 hr or less pull. Weekend getaways.

Funfor4 · 03-13-2012, 09:10 AM

07 silverado 1500 2wd. 5.3 v8. Has the tow package, never towed anything though.

Flagstaff206 · 03-13-2012, 09:18 AM

classic body style or new ? ext. cab or crew ?

TxRVMan · 03-13-2012, 09:18 AM

I used to pull a 28' Outback tt with my '10 Ford F-150 FX4, trailer weighed 6400 dry and about 7000 loaded down with propane and gear. No problems towing whatsoever, longest trip was about six hours with no issues. I average about 16 mpg without the trailer and I was about 7-9 mpg with the trailer, just depending on speed and terrain.

Funfor4 · 03-13-2012, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flagstaff206

classic body style or new ? ext. cab or crew ?

New body, crew cab

Flagstaff206 · 03-13-2012, 09:28 AM

Looks like you have a tow rating of 7,600 pounds. So that is a start. You will need electric brakes for your trailer and a weight distribution hitch. You will know that kind of load is back there for sure. You should be able to tow a pretty good size travel trailer. All depends on how you are planning to use it. trip length ? mountains ? frequency ? etc. ?

randyranger · 03-13-2012, 09:42 AM

For your truck I found some numbers, 07 Silverado 1500 2wd. 5.3 v8,
Standard Towing (lb.)
4800
Maximum Towing (lb.)
8200

you will have to do some more looking your self, your dealer should be able to help (hopefully, I never had luck with mine) you need to know your axel gear ratio as well.
NOTE that max towing is with using a weight distributing hitch; you should have no problem pulling a decent size TT. I would get a tech to show you how to set up the weight distributing hitch, set up properly there great, I have seen so many done wrong and they are scary on the hi-way.
I used to have a F150 with a 5.4L had a 24' TT at 6000 lbs, I had no problems. I also had better fuel economy towing on the hi-way than I did driving in the city empty.

randyranger · 03-13-2012, 09:50 AM

As for the moter home or trailer is this for full timing or just an ocaional weekend trip?
if its just for ocainal use i would go with the TT. if you dont go out that much the extra maintenance for a moter home might not be worth it. i have seen many on the side of the road broken or burned up, be cause of no maintenance.
if you are going to doing a lot more traveling i may go with the moter home.

WA4SLC · 03-13-2012, 11:08 AM

I had a 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.2 (318) engine and 3:55 gears. I pulled a 30 foot Mallard TT that had a dry weight of 4800 lbs. I never did weigh it. I assumed it was at least 6000 lbs. I got 18 mpg with the truck by its self and 10.5 towing. I had the Reece dual cam hitch. I had to go to load range E tires because the sidewalls on the P metric tires are too soft and you can only run 40 lbs. of air in them. The E tires and setting the hitch up according to the mfg. instructions took care of my sway problem. The 1500 did OK on flat ground, but when I got in some hills it really suffered. When I got my 2001 Ram 2500 with the Cummins engine I did not have any problems towing that TT at all.

Bill

Funfor4 · 03-13-2012, 01:33 PM

Thanks guys, really helps

450Donn · 03-13-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funfor4

07 silverado 1500 2wd. 5.3 v8. Has the tow package, never towed anything though.

Towing do not expect anything north of 10. And that is if you keep the trailer weight down to under 7500 pounds.

Funfor4 · 03-13-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyranger

As for the moter home or trailer is this for full timing or just an ocaional weekend trip?
if its just for ocainal use i would go with the TT. if you dont go out that much the extra maintenance for a moter home might not be worth it. i have seen many on the side of the road broken or burned up, be cause of no maintenance.
if you are going to doing a lot more traveling i may go with the moter home.

I won't be full timing for a long time. I plan on a couple of big trips a year and camping within a few hours away at least once a month. I like motorhomes and my wife thinks we should get a TT. she's worried about gas prices and possible engine problems.