Travel Trailer towing

[bfrances]

What is the recommended truck size for towing a 6,000 to 8,000 lb. travel trailer? 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?

[Mr_D]

Personally I prefer a margin and went with the 3/4 ton with my 26' TT, but that was in the late '70's too.

[Spdracr39]

I pulled a 29 foot ultralite with my 1/2 ton and it did ok on relatively flat terrain but having upgraded to a 3/4 ton I wouldn't do it again. Go with the bigger truck you wont regret it.

[Jimbow]

6,000 you will be fine with a 1/2 ton. 8,000 3/4. But more truck is always nice.

[DaveA56]

I pull a 6,000 pound (that's loaded not empty weight) with a 1/2 ton with a diesel. No problems on the highway or the mountains.

[Surfcamp]

Although a many 1/2 trucks are rated for that weight and will tow those loads fairly well a 3/4 ton truck will provide a much better and safer towing experience especially at highway speeds

[Surfcamp]

That being said Daves truck would be my choice in the 1500 class

[bluepill]

Matching a Tow Vehicle & Trailer 101 - RV UNIVERSITY

[Reevesfamily]

Don't know about "recommended", but we pull a 7600lb, 34' "Lite" TT with an F150 King Ranch 2WD (2010), Husky CenterLine. It's all the trailer I would want to pull with this truck and I would love to upgrade to a 250 diesel, but honestly have no issues with this as long as I stay on top of the torque curve of the 5.4l. No safety concerns, but then I don't push it when traveling and I treat the equipment well, stay between 60-65 max. Pulls fine up all the hills here in SC, NC, GA, and TN.

[Firewall]

I've towed with a 1500 and a 2500. They both pull pretty equally but that's where it stops. The 1500 bounced a lot and the stopping power is sometimes scary. The 2500 does much better in windy conditions and in general is just more stabile. Today's 1500's are awesome but their big brother can still beat them up!

[blueridge-fl]

A full size 1/2 ton should work fine but if you are making a truck buying decision I would go for the 3/4 ton. That will leave you with some wiggle room should you ever decide to move up to a bigger trailer.

[Jimbow]

Even better would be a one ton. Safest of all options. You'd barely notice the trailer back there. ☺

[Cumminsfan]

I towed in the middle at 7300lbs loaded and 31' with a 2010 F150 5.4, 3.73 and 1857 lbs for CCC. Adequate to say the least. What you really need to keep an eye on is the trucks payload. My 7300 lb TT had a tongue weight of 900-950lbs Now add in other gear in the truck bed and passengers in the truck and you could be maxed out or over with some 1/2 ton trucks. While Daves 1500 3.0 is a sweet truck his payload can be really low. I get my oil changed at the local Ram dealer and spend some time walking the truck lot. From opening doors and checking payload stickers I find the 1500 3.0 Eco in upper trim levels to have only 1000-1200lbs for CCC. If you take a 6000 lb TT with an average 12.5% tongue weight thats 750 lbs. 1200-750 is 450 lbs. thats what you have left for passengers and gear in the truck.
Ford has really high CCC now that they went to the aluminum bodies. Upwards of 1700-1900 lbs for CCC. Just something to think about. It's not always about tow ratings. It's really about payload. do you home work before you let the sales guy give you the run around.
FWIW IMO anything over 7000 lbs loaded is 3/4 ton territory. An 8000 lb TT could have a 1000 lb tongue weight. Add in gear and passengers and you max out most 1/2 tons.

[daveRG]