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Old 01-06-2019, 10:05 PM   #1
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3/4 ton advice

Planning to upgrade my tow vehicle (2010 F150 SCrew 4x4 w max tow pkg) to 3/4 ton gasser. TT is 2014 Coachmen FE LE 31BHDS, 35 ft long, approx. 8000# as towed. I been fairly satisfied with even the old 5.4 as far as powertrain goes, so I am considering all 3 mfr.s trucks equally. I am wondering if anyone out there has experience towing a similar TT with two or all three of the 3/4 ton trucks (recent models) in terms of handling the trailer on the interstate with semis, crosswinds, etc. to see if they are going to be equal in that regard. Thanks,

David
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Old 01-06-2019, 10:18 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by dbctmc View Post
Planning to upgrade my tow vehicle (2010 F150 SCrew 4x4 w max tow pkg) to 3/4 ton gasser. TT is 2014 Coachmen FE LE 31BHDS, 35 ft long, approx. 8000# as towed. I been fairly satisfied with even the old 5.4 as far as powertrain goes, so I am considering all 3 mfr.s trucks equally. I am wondering if anyone out there has experience towing a similar TT with two or all three of the 3/4 ton trucks (recent models) in terms of handling the trailer on the interstate with semis, crosswinds, etc. to see if they are going to be equal in that regard. Thanks,

David
I have a GMC 2500 and tow a similar TT. New at this, but I cannot think of towing with lest than a 3/4 ton. I like my 8.1 Ltr and trans, but hear good things out the GM diesel and Allison tranny as well. I can accelerate up a hill while towing, so I’ve got that going for me. No experience with RAMs and F250s, but have heard good things about both.
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Old 01-06-2019, 10:56 PM   #3
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Thanks. With the Coachmen loaded properly and my Equalizer hitch, semis are not too bad with the 150 but when mother nature provides the crosswind it can be a challenge to keep it in the lane. The diesels are great when towing, but probably 95% of the time the truck will be driving me to work, getting groceries, etc. I have friends with diesels that use them similarly to me and they all have problems with the new emissions "stuff" on them. Plus, I live a pretty long way from the nearest station that sells diesel. I think the gas trucks will be my best choice. Thanks again!
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Old 01-06-2019, 11:43 PM   #4
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I have a 9500-pound 5'ver now, but used to tow a 28-foot TT (was 33-foot when adding in rear bumper and tongue) that weighed 8000-pounds when loaded with my 2015 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L gasser with 4.10 rear end through the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona and I could barely tell it was back there.

Even though I was told I didn't need the WDH setup I used it anyway.
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Old 01-06-2019, 11:59 PM   #5
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So my North Trail was about the same weight and length as your TT. I towed it with 4 different trucks ( wish I had good reason as too why I trade so often) first was a 2012 Ram 2500 diesel no problems going or stopping. Trailer sway was horrible at highway speed. So I bought equalizer 4 point WD hitch problem solved. Traded that on 2014 Tundra sagged real bad made me happy I had equalizer. Towed from West Texas to Oregon including trip to Lake Tahoe and dry camping close to Crater Lake and back felt like I could pass anything except gas station. Traded that in for 2014 F150 platinum 4x4 eco boost told myself better mileage and larger tank. Only towed to East Texas not as zippy as Tundra no mountains but think it would have been ok. Wife wanted 5th wheel so I upgraded to a 2016 f350 with power stroke pulled TT with it a few times East Texas Ft Davis and Ruidosa didn’t even know it was there but still needed sway control
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Old 01-07-2019, 12:42 AM   #6
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dbctmc:

My disclaimer: "I'm a Ford guy; however, my truck is no better or worse than any of the other manufacturers' trucks. It fits MY needs and others' needs will be different to dictate what vehicle they drive."

The swap from a 1/2 to a 3/4 ton is a big step but can be a very beneficial and wise one."

Here's my story:

The trailer in my signature is 7500 pounds while towing and is 30' ball to bumper. While it's a bit smaller, please read on.

When we bought the trailer, I towed it with my '11 Ecoboost, SuperCrew, 4wd, 5 1/2' bed & 3.55 gears. It was leveled on 33" tires that made the gear ratio drive like it had 3.43 gearing. Power-wise, the F150 towed the trailer with ease. I averaged 9 mpg and there was always enough pedal to accelerate. That being said, it was always happiest climbing long hills at 62mph in about 3rd gear and running at about 3500-3800 RPMs. Handling and stopping was adequate (safe and at or below each weight limit) but no matter how much I adjusted the hitch, moved cargo around in both the truck and trailer and weighed everything, the combo never really felt "planted" on the road.

Due to some mechanical issues with the Eco at relatively low miles (71k), I decided to part ways with that truck and upgrade to the one in my signature. My two deciding factors for upgrading were:
1. A growing family requiring more payload to better handle the human and camping cargo.
2. I wanted the simplicity of a standard V formation engine without turbos, emissions systems, and complexity of Ecoboost/diesel, etc.

Both the old and new trucks were of the steel body generation, XLT packages with nearly identical interior layouts. The newer F250 gained me an additional 1200 pounds of payload, an extra 15" of bed and 12" more wheelbase sans turbos. With the F250 able to tow more and handle more payload, the truck itself has room to spare rather than running at 100% capacity while towing the trailer.

This has led to a much pleasurable towing experience. The truck feels "planted" on the road and in control of the trailer at all times. In my case, while towing the trailer, the weight of the F250 is more than the trailer. The longer wheelbase, heavier front end and bigger brakes on the Super Duty really tow the trailer much better. And, acceleration is just as good as the F150 was (that was one of my biggest concerns).

The real downside to a 3/4 ton truck is they don't ride nearly as smooth as an F150.

That's my $0.02.

Also, watch both of the following youtube videos from Wandering Weekends. This family started with a F150 and now have a F250. See what they have to say. His opinion is real world and none of the "Gotta have a diesel or you're inferior" BS:

Towing with a Gas F250 or EcoBoost F150?? We've had both

EcoBoost to Gas F-250... 7 Month Update... Regrets??

And, for reference, here are both the trucks with the same trailer:

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Old 01-07-2019, 12:45 AM   #7
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Wondering why you are set on a gasser?

When we upgraded everything this past year, we went diesel. This was mainly to make fueling easier. You have a TT similar in length to yours, and finding RV friendly gas pumps can be difficult. Now I just pull in with the big boys and don't worry about fuel stops.

As far as pulling, with the 3/4, and towing about 7500 lbs all loaded up, with an e2 WDH, it's an easy pull. We're only about 2/3 of our total capacity, and the diesel just rolls. No sway and a stress proof drive.
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Old 01-07-2019, 12:53 AM   #8
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Wondering why you are set on a gasser?
1. If you're not pulling 10k pounds or more the diesel isn't needed.

2. The overall lifetime cost of a gasser is cheaper.

3. And, the gasser will have a higher payload compared to an identical, diesel powered truck.

Those were my reason.

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Old 01-07-2019, 01:42 AM   #9
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3/4 ton advice

My brother is pulling a heavier trailer with a Ram 3500 SB SWR CrewCab with the 6.4L. That motor is very strong. He has no trouble. I recommend getting the same truck 3500 instead of 2500. It will cost almost nothing to have the 3500 and you will be good for the future for payload. It may seem right now like you won’t go bigger but we all do and trading trucks ain’t cheap plus you won’t have to worry at all about payload. His is over 4000 lbs.

And I agree with Clarkbre the gasser is cheaper. Any of the big three trucks will do well but I love my Ram. The Uconnect radio is just awesome easy to use and it’s very helpful.Click image for larger version

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This is my brothers truckClick image for larger version

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ID:	194125 this is my truck exactly the same as my bothers except CTD , chrome strip on side and OWL tires.

Here’s one of my best friend’s new Ford 2500 gasser. Very pretty.

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Old 01-07-2019, 01:49 AM   #10
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....I recommend getting the same truck 3500 instead of 2500. It will cost almost nothing to have the 3500 and you will be good for the future for payload...
I agree with this as well. The step up from a 250/2500 to 350/3500 is usually a very minimal (if any) cost but the upgrade in payload capacity can be huge.

In my case, the configuration wasn't available in the F350. If my current truck had been a F350, I wouldn't have hesitated to buy it.
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Old 01-07-2019, 02:45 AM   #11
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Most people buy way too much truck just to feel safer. Look at the pull weight and trucks rating. As long as you setup correctly and arent over capacity it will work safely. Most of your concern should be in the setup of whatever you use. I pulled my 2715 5500 miles cross country this summer with a 17 silverado 1500 LTZ max tow 6.2l. Yes there were 50 mph gusts across the plains and semi's doing 85 blowing by creating some sway. But the airbags and bilstien shocks did the trick and it pulls confidently. Worst part are some of the bridge expansion joints.
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Old 01-07-2019, 05:18 AM   #12
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Most people buy way too much truck just to feel safer. Look at the pull weight and trucks rating. As long as you setup correctly and arent over capacity it will work safely. Most of your concern should be in the setup of whatever you use. I pulled my 2715 5500 miles cross country this summer with a 17 silverado 1500 LTZ max tow 6.2l. Yes there were 50 mph gusts across the plains and semi's doing 85 blowing by creating some sway. But the airbags and bilstien shocks did the trick and it pulls confidently. Worst part are some of the bridge expansion joints.
That is a misconception. Being under the TV capacities in no way guarantees sway stability and good handling (safety). While it’s a good start if a trailer has a high tendency to sway you can end up with a poor combination and be under the ratings. You see it all the time on the forums.
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Old 01-07-2019, 06:38 AM   #13
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I'm not brand loyal to anything. I've owned Ram/Ford/Nissan and GM trucks.
This last purchase I compared all three 3/4 gassers (and the Nissan HD but it didn't have enough payload).

I liked the Ford but my 2016 Ford was lemon lawed because they are having trouble with door locks and actuators with the new aluminum bodies in cold climates-they still don't have a fix for this yet so I ruled that truck out. Totally sucks having a truck you can't get into or the door won't latch closed if you do get it open.

I liked the Ram also...the storage ideas are great. The truck feels strong empty but I didn't care for the transmission ratios (very high speed before getting to the shift points even with the 4.10 rear). -This is probably why the much weaker on paper GM 6.0 out pulls it on the biggest grades.

GM...The 6.0 has the lowest hp and torque numbers. The motor is a solid as it gets, iron block, deep skirt and smooth as glass at any RPM. I read about a guy who delivers things for a living with his 6.0, he just passed 500,000 miles with only replacing a water pump and two alternators (it may have been two water pumps and one alternator).

I hauled my trailer (toyhauler) with two motorcycles in it (about 9,500lbs), two kayaks on the truck rack, two bicycles, generator, grill, chairs and everything else one doesn't need over 5,000 miles last year across the windy plains and on the eastern mountains. I went with the Chevy 6.0 and if I had to do it again today I would replace the truck with the same truck.

Good luck.
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Old 01-07-2019, 07:19 AM   #14
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For me i needed a 2500. Gas vs diesel for me, gas has won. I based this on fuel prices as i can run e85 and cost per mile was cheaper, now i break even vs 87. I live in a area where 80% of my driving is 100ft red lights. Payload is more on gas than diesel in the 2500. Could have gone 3500 but cant register it as passanger vehicle and 90% of the hwys i drive on are parkways and no commercial vehicles are allowed.

I have a 15 2500 silverado. She pulls my 10klb+ tt perfectly with equalizer 4 wdh and air bags. Wish my mpg was better but what ya gonna do. This year i bought a golf cart and we will see how she pulls tt with cart in bed. Might do a supercharger if she lacks the power in the mountains as i am maxing out payload.
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Old 01-07-2019, 07:36 AM   #15
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caution on the Ram

I had the ram 2500 with the 6.4 and Although I liked the motor, the package as a whole was not the best setup for towing HEavy IMHO. Now 8K will probably be fairly tolerable, but if you decide to go much more than that then you will definitley want the 4:10 rear end (almost any of the ones you find on the lot will be a 3:73 rear end). The transmission is geared fast, and the gap between 1st and 2nd is large and can show its ugly face in certain situations, like trying to take off on a long uphill where it screams it guts out in first, and then shifts into second and wont hold it and fals back into first and then you get that back and forth crap shoot until it levels out. I enjoyed mine pulling 6500 pounds, I did not enjoy it towing 10K pounds. This is all personal preference of course. If I were to get a new 3/4 ton gasser right now it would be the 2017 or newer f-250 hands down.
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Old 01-07-2019, 07:41 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbctmc View Post
Planning to upgrade my tow vehicle (2010 F150 SCrew 4x4 w max tow pkg) to 3/4 ton gasser. TT is 2014 Coachmen FE LE 31BHDS, 35 ft long, approx. 8000# as towed. I been fairly satisfied with even the old 5.4 as far as powertrain goes, so I am considering all 3 mfr.s trucks equally. I am wondering if anyone out there has experience towing a similar TT with two or all three of the 3/4 ton trucks (recent models) in terms of handling the trailer on the interstate with semis, crosswinds, etc. to see if they are going to be equal in that regard. Thanks,

David
Well I've towed with 2 of the 3 trucks. I have a 35 ft tt fully loaded weight 9000
#. I had a 2015 2500 Chevy with6.0 and 4:10 gear. Pulled the tt like a champ. could walk right up grades at 62mph high rpm but thats what they are made to do. Bugs some folks but thats the way it is. My new truck is a Ram 2500 6.4 with 3:73 gear and it also tows this tt just fine. It also will walk right up grades at 62mph and no issues. Here again the RPM may get a bit high. The trucks towed the tt with very slight say when 18 wheels pass but not that big issue. Cross winds no issues. The 2500s are good tow vehicles and my new Ram rides smoother than the Chevy did. Later RJD
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Old 01-07-2019, 08:28 AM   #17
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Most people buy way too much truck just to feel safer.
Dang right
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Old 01-07-2019, 08:35 AM   #18
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Old 01-07-2019, 08:55 AM   #19
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I can tell you that my previous truck was a 2013 F250 4x4 crew cab with the camper package and plow package 6.2 liter. For 10,000 pounds or less you can't beat the Ford with the 6.2 engine, keep in mind it is a short stroke block so it makes its power in the higher RPMs, but if you let her scream it's a power house. The only reason I traded to a Ram 3500 dually was my new trailer is 43' long and weighs 15,500 - needed that diesel power pulling through the mountains.
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Old 01-07-2019, 09:02 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by clarkbre View Post
1. If you're not pulling 10k pounds or more the diesel isn't needed.

2. The overall lifetime cost of a gasser is cheaper.

3. And, the gasser will have a higher payload compared to an identical, diesel powered truck.

Those were my reason.

While I agree with what you are saying, the overall lifetime cost of a diesel is higher for the first few years of ownership, but many guys put 300-400k miles on these trucks and many keep a diesel for a longer period. For the people in these two groups, the lifetime cost of the diesel is much lower. In my case, I would trade gas trucks every 2-3 years, but with my diesel truck I am planning to keep it for 10+ years.
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