1/2 Ton for a 6,000 pound TT

[Nutties]

Have another thread going about big SUVs but am now leaning back towards a truck for a new to me tow vehicle.

Been shopping around at half tons and am concerned about payload. Most seem to be in the 1600 range. The Tundra stickers I looked at stated 1,120 pounds. How is that possible? Are these ratings just completely ignored?

If I want to put five people, five bikes, a generator and a canoe on my truck, am I really going to need a 3/4 ton HD to tow my mere 6,000 pound trailer?

[tuffr2]

Try to look for a Nissan Titan XD gas engine. It will have over a 2,000 payload. The normal Nissan Titan is like the Toyota Tundra with a wimpy payload. So it has to be a gas powered Nissan Titan XD.

The 2020 Nissan Titan XD is a really nice truck. Refreshed with a new interior and 9 speed transmission.

Also the 2019 and newer GM 1500 trucks have payloads in the 1,800lb plus range.

Ford F-150's XLT trim will have oayiads of 1,600 - 1,800lbs I think.

A 250/2500 truck is a lot different than a 150/1500 truck. A gas 250/2500 truck will be clumsy compared to the smaller trucks. Plus MPG really bad on the 250/2500 trucks. But the reason people buy the bigger truck is the payload of over 3,000lbs.

I would avoid a 250/2500 if possible.

[Colbytech]

Lots of F150s come in with higher payloads (around 2k or even higher). The more features you add (4x4, extended cab, moon roofs, etc.) will add those numbers up fast. My 2020 Lariat SCrew has a payload of 1537 (around 1600 is normal for that model). You can go XLT SCrew in certain configurations with the heavy duty payload package (6.5 foot bed I think works with that) and you can get the payload to around 3K. You just need to configure it right (and find one, they are hard...)

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by Nutties

Have another thread going about big SUVs but am now leaning back towards a truck for a new to me tow vehicle.

Been shopping around at half tons and am concerned about payload. Most seem to be in the 1600 range. The Tundra stickers I looked at stated 1,120 pounds. How is that possible? Are these ratings just completely ignored?

If I want to put five people, five bikes, a generator and a canoe on my truck, am I really going to need a 3/4 ton HD to tow my mere 6,000 pound trailer?

I like payload overkill. My trailer is 2800 lbs dry, 3600 lbs GVWR. I use to tow with 4.0L SUV. It handles OK on the highway. Now I tow with 7.3L F250 with 2995 lbs payload capacity. I run 70 mph on 6% grade no problem for 3 miles. It’s a game changer. You probably don’t need a 3/4 ton, but HD definitely tow a lot better. Just be careful with payload on 1/2 tons.

[CCHubbard]

Originally Posted by Nutties

Have another thread going about big SUVs but am now leaning back towards a truck for a new to me tow vehicle.

Been shopping around at half tons and am concerned about payload. Most seem to be in the 1600 range. The Tundra stickers I looked at stated 1,120 pounds. How is that possible? Are these ratings just completely ignored?

If I want to put five people, five bikes, a generator and a canoe on my truck, am I really going to need a 3/4 ton HD to tow my mere 6,000 pound trailer?

The simple answer is probably. Payload is often the limiting factor on 1/2tons. Loading the truck up with that many people and that much gear and adding the WDH and tongue weight of the TT, you are going to be over the payload rating of many well equipped 1/2ton trucks.



A 3/4ton truck will give you more payload and probably a better quality experience.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by Nutties

Been shopping around at half tons and am concerned about payload. Most seem to be in the 1600 range. The Tundra stickers I looked at stated 1,120 pounds. How is that possible? Are these ratings just completely ignored?

If I want to put five people, five bikes, a generator and a canoe on my truck, am I really going to need a 3/4 ton HD to tow my mere 6,000 pound trailer?

First I want to thank you for taking the time to look at and understand the payload numbers , as you're probably aware far too many people do not .
Most all 1/2 ton trucks are glorified grocery getters, and anything over a 14' aluminum boat and trailer are beyond them .
Dodge had so much trouble with overloading complaints on their quad cab 1/2 tons that when they introduced the 1/2 ton Mega Cab , they had to use 3/4 ton axles and suspension components to get the payload # up .
If yours is a family of five and what you've listed would be a normal load out for a weekend of camping , you need a 3/4 ton , and as mentioned , even then you'll have to watch the payload numbers .
A 6,000 lb trailer and hitch will take between 850>1,000 lbs out of the truck's payload, with hitch and tongue weight.

[Nutties]

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess I am in 3/4 ton territory. I have been looking for the fabled 3k payload F-150 but it seems to be a unicorn. Ordering new is out of the question as I have three kids to put through school and can't justify spending $60k on a truck at this point in my life.

With that, which 3/4 ton should I be looking at? I am on a $35k budget.

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by Nutties

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess I am in 3/4 ton territory. I have been looking for the fabled 3k payload F-150 but it seems to be a unicorn. Ordering new is out of the question as I have three kids to put through school and can't justify spending $60k on a truck at this point in my life.

With that, which 3/4 ton should I be looking at? I am on a $35k budget.

You should be able to find many 3/4 ton gasser at $35k range. How many miles on the clock really depends on what trim level you’d like. You may have a lower mileage for a base trim but a lot higher miles for a fancy trim. Anyway, just avoid trucks used for commercial uses, they were driven pretty hard in general.

[Nutties]

Should I consider a diesel or is it not worth the extra expense in my situation? No plans for a bigger TT as current one will suit us until the kids are gone.

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by Nutties

Should I consider a diesel or is it not worth the extra expense in my situation? No plans for a bigger TT as current one will suit us until the kids are gone.

It depends what you plan to tow in the future. I personally have no interest in getting a fifth wheel and won’t go any longer than 28 ft and heavier than 7000 lbs. So a gasser with 2995 lbs payload is more than adequate for my purpose. Just be careful with diesel 3/4 ton payload, especially Ram. Diesel motors are at the cost of payload. And always, gasser is cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain. I can work on gassers myself but have absolutely no clue about diesel.

[1st-tt2018]

I would challenge the mpg a bit....hear me out.
I had a 2013 gmc sierra 1500...got 14 mpg unloaded, 6 towing.
I now have a 2019 Ram 2500...i get 15mpg unloaded and 11 towing the same setup and gear.

It all depends on options, wants, needs, and of course price. They are both gas V8. The gmc was a 5.3, the ram is a 6.4 hemi.

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Try to look for a Nissan Titan XD gas engine. It will have over a 2,000 payload. The normal Nissan Titan is like the Toyota Tundra with a wimpy payload. So it has to be a gas powered Nissan Titan XD.

The 2020 Nissan Titan XD is a really nice truck. Refreshed with a new interior and 9 speed transmission.

Also the 2019 and newer GM 1500 trucks have payloads in the 1,800lb plus range.

Ford F-150's XLT trim will have oayiads of 1,600 - 1,800lbs I think.

A 250/2500 truck is a lot different than a 150/1500 truck. A gas 250/2500 truck will be clumsy compared to the smaller trucks. Plus MPG really bad on the 250/2500 trucks. But the reason people buy the bigger truck is the payload of over 3,000lbs.

I would avoid a 250/2500 if possible.

[1st-tt2018]

I got my ram 2500 new for 35k...

Originally Posted by Nutties

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess I am in 3/4 ton territory. I have been looking for the fabled 3k payload F-150 but it seems to be a unicorn. Ordering new is out of the question as I have three kids to put through school and can't justify spending $60k on a truck at this point in my life.

With that, which 3/4 ton should I be looking at? I am on a $35k budget.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Nutties

Have another thread going about big SUVs but am now leaning back towards a truck for a new to me tow vehicle.

Been shopping around at half tons and am concerned about payload. Most seem to be in the 1600 range. The Tundra stickers I looked at stated 1,120 pounds. How is that possible? Are these ratings just completely ignored?

If I want to put five people, five bikes, a generator and a canoe on my truck, am I really going to need a 3/4 ton HD to tow my mere 6,000 pound trailer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RbqPaqtpuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwFLOBrADBs

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by Nutties

Have another thread going about big SUVs but am now leaning back towards a truck for a new to me tow vehicle.

Been shopping around at half tons and am concerned about payload. Most seem to be in the 1600 range. The Tundra stickers I looked at stated 1,120 pounds. How is that possible? Are these ratings just completely ignored?

If I want to put five people, five bikes, a generator and a canoe on my truck, am I really going to need a 3/4 ton HD to tow my mere 6,000 pound trailer?

The answer is probably "yes". Do the numbers. Wishful thinking is just fantasy.

I wish you good luck and happy trials ahead!