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Old 06-07-2016, 08:35 AM   #1
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1/2 Ton or larger

Hi there, I am writing this in the hopes that it will pop up immediately in the person's search that is wondering what to do for their TV.

I bought a Rockwood 8312SS (tongue weight 1150 when loaded) last year in spring and we fell in love with that trailer. At the time, we did not have anything large enough to tow it so off we searched for a new vehicle. We looked at all the 1/2 tons and landed on the 2015 Ford F150 Lariat Super Crew. The RV dealer of course said thats a "monster truck" and will pull it no problem.

Now let me be absolutely clear. I absolutely love that vehicle. Everything about it from a daily driver / weekend warrior perspective is DEAD ON. They will most likely continue to lead that segment and it seems every day that goes by, I see more and more of them.

Now onto reality. The truck PULLS the trailer just fine. However, I was getting close to my limits, VERY close on the rear axle, and I have to tell you, no matter how well you have dialed in your WDH, you cannot account for the fact that you are pulling something that weights almost double of the truck.

Again, the truck is awesome, I use it for my daily driver, and I know what you are thinking, it's only a couple weekends a month. That's what I thought too, and then found myself going every other week and these trips are not getting shorter. They are hundreds of miles away and there is nothing "fun" about white knuckling it all the way to and from your destination. I would be watching like a hawk for trucks and also for trees ahead to see if gusts of wind are coming. It just isn't worth it. Don't be at your limits. So here is what I did.

I got out of my Ford and into a GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali. Nothing against Ford versus GMC, I was just used to servicing a Duramax in my past so I went this direction again. I cannot tell you what a difference this past weekend made. AND the trailer wasn't even set up properly. My WDH shank doesn't go down far enough because of the raised truck to have the trailer sit level, and here was my experience.

No white knuckles, enjoying the drive I am on, conversing with my wife and kids versus worrying about tree movement, no more truck watching, and this last one which I didn't realize I was doing, watching people's faces as they passed and seeing the F150 pulling this trailer instead of a bigger 3/4 or 1 ton like it should have been. I'm now getting head nods instead of head shakes. That last one you can laugh about, but I felt it, and it is real. I knew I was playing with fire and I felt it wasn't going to end well for me.

So that is my story. Yes it is a large trailer and yes if you have a smaller TT or hybrid, I wouldn't think twice about a F150. It's probably best suited for something less than 7000 gross (my opinion of course).

This thread would be worthless without pics I suppose. Thanks for reading and if you are in the market for a truck and you read this and want to pick my brain, PLEASE by all means do. I'm just a normal guy who thought I was doing the right thing. Don't get caught up in my situation. Do it right the first time and ENJOY the travel to get to and from your destination.
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Old 06-07-2016, 08:45 AM   #2
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I think you will find that your trailer will out weight any truck you find in 1/2, 3/4 or 1T size until you get into semi tractors.
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Old 06-07-2016, 09:00 AM   #3
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Maybe? But even adding 25% to all figures listed below, and you are still fine with a 1 ton.

DRY WEIGHT 7285 lbs
GVWR 8761 lbs
HITCH WEIGHT 961 lbs

Point being, you can ALWAYS buy something bigger, just don't go so small that you are causing worry instead of enjoying.
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Old 06-07-2016, 09:38 AM   #4
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I agree with you 1000%... I loved my 1/2ton did a GREAT job as a daily driver, comfortable and very reliable. It did a good job, as well, pulling my trailer. I was with you, happy and getting by, but not happy with the high engine revving while climbing hills, being pushed by big trucks and box trucks... Now with a 3/4 ton I did not realize what I had been missing all along. Rides are much more enjoyable now, no high engine revving, and no longer being pushed around the highway by bigger vehicles.
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Old 06-07-2016, 11:35 AM   #5
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x2 ram 1500 hemi great truck ram 2500 diesel better
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Old 06-07-2016, 11:40 AM   #6
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Great post and I agree all the way. I down sized my trailer because of what you are referring too. I really liked my Salem but it was just too much for my truck. I looked at the 1 tons and almost passed out at the price. Then I looked at the 3/4 tons and they were not much better than the 1/2s. Not being a wealthy person I decided to change trailers. Worked out great. Truck and trailer are a spot on match.
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Old 06-07-2016, 11:42 AM   #7
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Great choice on the GMC!!!
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Old 06-07-2016, 11:56 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Stormrider151 View Post
Great post and I agree all the way. I down sized my trailer because of what you are referring too. I really liked my Salem but it was just too much for my truck. I looked at the 1 tons and almost passed out at the price. Then I looked at the 3/4 tons and they were not much better than the 1/2s. Not being a wealthy person I decided to change trailers. Worked out great. Truck and trailer are a spot on match.
That's funny, around here 3/4 tons are 500 less than one tons and often cheaper than the 1/2 tons with similar trims. Guess it's supply and demand.

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Old 06-07-2016, 11:57 AM   #9
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I have been posting this all along. If you know what you want in a trailer make sure you have the truck to match. We have an 829FKSS trailer and it is 1/2 ton towable all day long. When we had our 5th wheel, I had a 3/4 ton Ford. Dropped back down to 28' tt and went back to a 1/2 ton. Great daily driver and still more than capable to tow what we have. Why would anyone want to spend the extra money to buy a truck that is overkill for the job it needs to do.
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Old 06-07-2016, 12:21 PM   #10
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Agree 100% with OP !
I experience the same thing before I bought my current trailer.
You did the right thing...happy camping, happy driving.
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Old 06-07-2016, 12:39 PM   #11
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I went from an Avalanche with 5.3 to a GMC 2500 Duramax. What a difference. Promptly went out and bought a 5er.
My mechanic at the dealership commended me on making a good decision. Heavier frame, stronger suspension and much larger brakes. Far better towing vehicle than 1/2 ton chassis. Gas or diesel.
By the way, I have a never used 9 1/2 inch drop shank that I will gladly sell for half-hearted original cost plus shiping.
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Old 06-07-2016, 12:42 PM   #12
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hidee ho

Great post; thanks for being candid and the photos.

Our 2012 Ram 1500 hemi tows our 2013 Surveyor 220 just fine; the truck is rated to tow 8500 and the trailer weighs 5000 loaded so I have quite a reserve left in safety, braking and power. Our WDH is dialed in and it's a pleasure to tow it. Any trailer longer or heavier and I would get a larger truck for sure.

Happy Camping!
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Old 06-07-2016, 02:04 PM   #13
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I tow with a 2500HD Duramax. My trailer weighs about 5500 lbs loaded. Sure the truck is overkill but all of that extra towing capacity equals safety. Safety for me and my wife and safety for the other people on the road. I upgraded from a 2500HD gas with Allison transmission and there was a huge difference in stability and braking performance.
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Old 06-07-2016, 03:44 PM   #14
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I'm with ya. Pucker factor goes way down with a 3/4 ton or heavier HD diesel.


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Old 06-07-2016, 04:00 PM   #15
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I'm pulling a 9100 lb 27RKSS and didn'want to be "Brody: You're gonna need a bigger boat" so I went with a 2500HD Duramax and couldn't be happier.
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Old 06-07-2016, 04:48 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stormrider151 View Post
Great post and I agree all the way. I down sized my trailer because of what you are referring too. I really liked my Salem but it was just too much for my truck. I looked at the 1 tons and almost passed out at the price. Then I looked at the 3/4 tons and they were not much better than the 1/2s. Not being a wealthy person I decided to change trailers. Worked out great. Truck and trailer are a spot on match.

We just took in a 2015 f350 srw lariat fx4 blah blah blah with 39k miles. Saw his sticker in glove compartment and pooped. Think we are retailing at 40k.

Eventually we will get a different unit and upgrade truck with it but putting that off as long as possible


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Old 06-07-2016, 06:08 PM   #17
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Had an Avalanche 5.3 pulling Mini Lite 2502ks. Great little unit for short trips. DW didn't like it in the hills of NW Arkansas. Didn't like the idea of pulling it thru the mountains going to Virginia Beach. I took the forums advise and bought for the next upgrade. Bought GMC 2500 Duramax, overkill for the Mini Lite.
Went to the spring RV show and she liked the idea of the extra room in a 5er. Low and behold, traded the Mini Lite for 5er. Now we're ready for the longer month to two long trips.
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Old 06-07-2016, 06:09 PM   #18
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Don't know what to say about your story but DUH !
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Old 06-07-2016, 08:21 PM   #19
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What HAZMAT91180 said. Great perspective!
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Old 06-08-2016, 01:05 AM   #20
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156" wb f-150

The longer wheel base F 150 is what you need for the towing capacity & stability. 156 ". I tow a 8526FKWS 8000 lbs dry..rock solid towing.
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