New to Towing

[E and M]

Good Morning and Happy New Year!

I am new to RVing and towing for my travel trailer. I am having difficulty with how to pick out a truck. Below are the details of my trailer:

Length: 33 ft 4 in
Dry Weight: 7082 lb
Payload Weight: 1718 lb
Hitch Weight: 830 lb

I can't decide if a 1/2 ton will be fine. If it will, how much horse power and torque? Are 6 cylinder turbos ok? How many speeds transmission...6, 10? I also heard that the real axle should have specific parameters. Plus, are there different kinds of tow packages I should look for? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Ed

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by E and M

Good Morning and Happy New Year!

I am new to RVing and towing for my travel trailer. I am having difficulty with how to pick out a truck. Below are the details of my trailer:

Length: 33 ft 4 in
Dry Weight: 7082 lb
Payload Weight: 1718 lb
Hitch Weight: 830 lb

I can't decide if a 1/2 ton will be fine. If it will, how much horse power and torque? Are 6 cylinder turbos ok? How many speeds transmission...6, 10? I also heard that the real axle should have specific parameters. Plus, are there different kinds of tow packages I should look for? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Ed

No, a half ton will not be fine IMO. at almost 9,000 lbs that's solidly a 3.4 ton load. Also keep in mind that the unloaded hitch weight is a relatively useless number; my unloaded hitch weight is advertised at 720 lbs and weighs in at 1,180 lbs. Half tons just don't have the payload required and the OAL/windage is another concern.

My trailer is 31'2" long, has a 9,995 lb GVWR and I tow it with an F350 DRW though I've towed it with a 2500 and 3500SRW diesel and all were capable.

I strongly recommend you look at 3/4 ton trucks for that size trailer and ignore the fictitious "max tow" numbers that manufacturers put on based on a unicorn truck you will never buy and a mythical trailer you will never tow.


Dave

[Dave Pelletier]

...as far as your other questions go, are you looking at a brand new truck? the best choice really depends on budget and there are many choices and decisions out there; all three manufacturers make a good HD pickup and there are pros and cons for each......but any good 3/4 ton will work.

If you can, an 8spd or 10spd is better than a 6spd for towing. gear ratio will depend on gas vs. diesel. An F250 7.3/10spd would be a great match for that trailer IMO. The HD trucks typically come standard with a tow package, integrated trailer brake, etc.

Dave

[tuffr2]

I agree with a 3/4 ton truck or the same size 1 ton truck for that size travel trailer.

Diesel or gas? I would say diesel will tow 25% better but the gas engines have been improved.

The new Ford 6.8 and in 2020 the 7.3 gas engines would be a good match and both engines have the 10 speed transmission. I think I would want the 10 speed transmission. I have read Ford has the 10 speed dialed in - as if that is hard to do with a 10 speed.

GM has an improved 6.6 litre gas engine and in 2023 I think will be paired to the 10 speed transmission. Prior to 2023 it was paired to a 6 speed.

If you think you want a diesel engine then just say so. I would say a modern diesel engine has 'gobs' of power. Maybe double the power as a gasoline engine.

[john1981]

3/4 ton vote here, but, the 1 ton is the same size and pretty much the same truck depending on configuration and wouldnt cost much more than a 3/4 ton. an f250 with 7.3 will be just a desprung version of the same f350, but the 350 will legally be able to carry more. id go minimum 3/4 ton, prefer 1 ton.

[Doss]

My TT is just slightly longer and 300 pounds heavier.
I have a Chevy 2500HD 6.6 Gas and it pulls it nicely.
Granted it drinks gas while pulling compared to a diesel, but I prefer the gas engine the other 99% of the time I am driving the truck.

[carybosse]

My trailer is a foot shorter, has a dry weight 1200 pounds lighter, a hitch weight 100 pounds lighter, with a similar cargo capacity.

I would not tow anything larger than my trailer with my truck - that is definitely 3/4 ton territory.

I am rated at a towing capacity of 9800 pounds, payload capacity of 1924 pounds. A pretty decent set of specs for a half ton truck.

[MCCOHENS]

Welcome. So at this point you know that is too much trailer for a half ton. More bad news, unless you have experience driving big stuff that is also too much for a beginner. Look at trailers under 25 feet, twin axles. I am guessing the group is 2-3 people and maybe a pet or two. Should be enough room. If the crew is bigger than that rent a class A for a weekend and see if you all get along in small quarters. Happy camping!

[scrapperjohn]

Completely ignore dry weight. It's meaningless. Look at GVWR of trailer.

[tuffr2]

Dry weight might not include propane or battery. That will be about 125lbs added to that dry weight figure.

You can try a little 1/2 ton truck then trade it for the 3/4 ton or better yet a single rear wheel (SRW) 1 ton truck which is the exact same size as the 3/4 ton truck.

A 1/2 ton truck is only good for 6,500lb trailers that are 28' long.

[TXiceman]

Forget the dry weight and use the GVWR on the trailer and use 12% to 15% of the GVWR for the hitch or tongue weight when loaded. For the dry weight you are looking at, you really need a 3/4 ton truck, but go ahead and get the 1 ton truck.

Ken

[Old-Biscuit]

Length: 33 ft 4 in
Dry Weight: 7082 lb
Payload Weight: 1718 lb
Hitch Weight: 830 lb

830 (dry hitch) divided by 7082 (dry weight) equals 12% tongue weight ration

12% of 8800 (dry plus payload) equals 1056 wet tongue weight

Numbers add up to 3/4 ton truck

[JMitchell]

+1 to a 2500

I'm using a vintage 1500 suburban to tow my 6900lb GVWR trailer and it is JUST BARELY enough in flat terrain.

My Tow max is 7900Lbs with my option packs and it is straight up scary trying 65Mph up hill in the Adirondacks.

Since this is my dedicated Tow/Vacation rig I'm not worried.. but I wouldn't put this stress on my 20K/yr daily driver.

[sahively]

Some of us are more comfortable stretching the limits of a 1/2 ton than others. Your trailer though is a bit beyond what even the most daring of us would try and pull. Sorry brother.