New Truck Buyer Needs Help

[Texsinbad]

In the process of buying a Rockwood 2205S trailer, UVW 5004# CCC 1686# for a total of 6690#. Now, I need to buy a tow vehicle—properly equipped half-ton truck.

Not being mechanically inclined, I usually buy new for the warranty, but new prices for trucks are too high for me. I doubt that I could find anything less than $37,000.

For that reason, I am looking for used in the $20,000 range, but not being a “truck” person, I am not sure where or how to look. I have looked on Craigslist, carmax and other internet sites, but not sure how to make sure that I find a truck that has the capability to tow.

For instance, how do I know what the axle ratio is?

Any comments/suggestions for a new truck buyer would be appreciated.

Thanks

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by Texsinbad

In the process of buying a Rockwood 2205S trailer, UVW 5004# CCC 1686# for a total of 6690#. Now, I need to buy a tow vehicle—properly equipped half-ton truck.

Not being mechanically inclined, I usually buy new for the warranty, but new prices for trucks are too high for me. I doubt that I could find anything less than $37,000.

For that reason, I am looking for used in the $20,000 range, but not being a “truck” person, I am not sure where or how to look. I have looked on Craigslist, carmax and other internet sites, but not sure how to make sure that I find a truck that has the capability to tow.

For instance, how do I know what the axle ratio is?

Any comments/suggestions for a new truck buyer would be appreciated.

Thanks

Payload capacity would be the critical factor for you when shopping.
If you want a 1/2 ton, be extremely careful. Some have very low payload. Especially higher trims.
A 3/4 ton gasser would be perfect for you. I think you may get a new base model with suicide door cab for around $37000. If not, many used are around $20000.
Overall, now isn’t a good time for buying trucks, not many deals out there, regardless new or used.

[alias100]

For Ram trucks, you can go to https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html and put in the VIN to see the payload and towing ratings. Remember that these numbers don't include aftermarket additions like shells.
I agree with you, the price of new trucks is silly high.

[Cumminsfan]

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/trave...ite/2205S/5173

Dry hitch is only 530 lbs. Add 150 for batteries and propane = 680 lbs. Add 100 for weight distribution hitch and another 150 lbs for gear in the front storage and under the bed.
Total= 930 lbs added to your trucks weight. Add in people and other gear in the truck.
Speculative 1300 lbs added to your trucks UVW. So you need to look on the trucks door jamb to see what the yellow/white sticker says you have for cargo carrying capacity.
You'll want something in the 1500 lb range.

Other than that a 1/2 ton would be perfect for that size TT if you can find the right one.

Used trucks are fetching high dollars right now because new ones are getting hard to find. So like mentioned above be prepared to pay more for less.

[CIDE]

The first rule of travel trailers - buy enough truck. For that reason alone I'd go with a 3/4 ton - 'just enough' is rarely enough. IMHO A 3/4 ton is the same size, corner to corner, as a 1/2 ton but everything is heavier duty like the brakes. It might not ride as plushly but you can adapt to that, it's what humans do best.

[tuffr2]

I pulled a 26.5' overall 5,500lb travel trailer really nice with a 2011 F-150 5.0 V8. Really nice means no sway and enough power to go uphill. It had a 1,552 lb payload. It was a Lariate trim with sun roof. Also had 3:55 gears and 6 speed.

This same truck in the one trim lower 'XLT' would probably have a 1,800lb payload.

The point is you can go back to 2011. That was a good year for trucks. I looked at all the trucks in 2007 - they were ok at best with weak underpowered engines. I looked again in 2011 and all trucks were very nice and more powerful. Especially Ford. The 2011 Chevy 1500 rides like a car. Rear, back up cameras were in a lot of trucks.

Although trucks started to get nice in 2011 every few years they got better. F-150 redesigned in 2015. That would be a really good year to buy a Ford F-150. But Ram and Chevy were nice also. GM and Ram redesigned the 1500 to match the F-150 in 2019. The expensive 2019 Ram is super nice with a great interior.

But older trucks I would buy another 2011, 2012, 2013 F-150 5.0 liter. I think I would stay away from the old Eco-Boost (Turbo Chagred) engines.

Better if you could swing for a 2015 F-150.

[move on]

I would be looking at a 3/4 ton truck, not a half ton. You won't have to think about loading and it will feel a lot safer on the road. It will cost a little more but you can save a little because you won't need a weight distribution or sway control hitch. If you get a shortbed it will still be a reasonable daily driver as it can fit into a standard parking place.

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by move on

I would be looking at a 3/4 ton truck, not a half ton. You won't have to think about loading and it will feel a lot safer on the road. It will cost a little more but you can save a little because you won't need a weight distribution or sway control hitch. If you get a shortbed it will still be a reasonable daily driver as it can fit into a standard parking place.

1. You still need a WDH if the tongue is over 600-800 lbs. Otherwise your low beam will blind incoming drivers. Sway control is highly recommended.
2. No, 3/4 ton SB doesn’t fit into standard parking space lengthwise. It’s either your head out or taking some space behind you.

[Alpine36]

Just had this conversation with a good friend yesterday.
He currently tows a 22' 2018 Outback TT with his older Chevy 1500, no issues. His truck is now old enough to legally drink, so he's in the market for a new half ton. Turns out his wife really wants a full queen bed model with an actual bedroom. That puts him into the 24'+ trailer category. He's now searching for a 2500 series gasser truck. Point is, why buy a new 1/2 ton truck that will just get the job done when two foot'itus may be a reality in your RV'ing future? It happens.
And certainly don't buy some RV manufacturers "half ton series" hype.
Test drive that 2500 compared to the 1500, you'll be surprised how nice today's 3/4 or 1 tons drive.

[move on]

You should not use a WD hitch unless your rear axle is overloaded. If it is, the best solution is to get a bigger tow vehicle. WD hitches tend to destabilize the tow vehicle. As for sway, a properly loaded 7000 lb trailer will not sway when pulled by a 3/4 ton truck as long as you don't use weight distribution. Taking weight off the rear axle is not recommended.

[nicky8668]

Originally Posted by move on

You should not use a WD hitch unless your rear axle is overloaded. If it is, the best solution is to get a bigger tow vehicle. WD hitches tend to destabilize the tow vehicle. As for sway, a properly loaded 7000 lb trailer will not sway when pulled by a 3/4 ton truck as long as you don't use weight distribution. Taking weight off the rear axle is not recommended.

Try load 700 lbs to a 3/4 ton tongue and see how much the rear squat.

[move on]

An unloaded truck is higher in the rear than in the front. If you put about 800-900 lbs on the hitch it will become fairly level.

[tuffr2]

moveon - I don't believe what you posted is actually 100% true. Not even 50% true and maybe zero %.

[move on]

Research it. You'll see.