A pickup to tow a 10K lb TT or 5er

[Reformed_Stockbroker]

The 1st I'm considering, is a new 2500 Reg Cab, Long Box WT RWD, 6.0L V8 (360 hp & 380 ft-lb torque) Curb Weight 5817 lbs, Max Payload 3534 lbs, Max GVWR 9.3K lbs. W/Conventional tow rating of 14.5k lb w/4.10 rear gears.

The other is a Toyota Tundra, 2WD Reg Cab, Long Box, w/5.7L V8 (381 hp & 401 ft-lb torque). Curb Weight 4940 lb, Max Payload 2060 lb, GVWR lb 7K &
Max tow cap is 10.5K lb (w/4.3 rear gears & towing package).

10K is the GVWR of the RV. It should way more like 8.5K loaded. I'm wondering why with more torque & a higher axle ratio, the Tundra is rated so low on towing. Anyone have any ideas why this would be the case. I'm staying away from turbocharged gas engines. I don't believe they are worth the loss of dependability they cause. The Tundra has an all aluminum block, I doubt it last as long as an iron block.

Any idea which of these two work work better and be the better buy?

[whj77372]

The 2500 hands down! You can't compare a 1/2 ton with a 3/4.

[BandJCarm]

If 5'er, depends on the pin weight of the loaded camper. The 2060 of the 1/2 ton will make you upside down before you start. The 3534 of the 3/4 ton might give you a little room for cargo, depending on pin weight. Those two numbers must be equitably satisfied before you discuss tow capacity numbers.

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by whj77372

The 2500 hands down! You can't compare a 1/2 ton with a 3/4.

you will run out of payload quickly on the Tundra with a 5'er

Go 3/4 and consider Diesel if you ever think you may upgrade

[Big Red and 30WR]

If your going to pony up to a diesel , then get a one ton DRW . Better to have to much truck , then not enough.

[CWSWine]

I also agree, the 1/2 ton going to come up short at 10,000 and the gas 3/4 will handle it nicely.

[aceinspp]

Here we go again. Bring on the pop corn Later RJD

[Ford Idaho]

I see the 3/4 tons and raise a 1 ton.

More play room now and perhaps latter in the event a bigger trailer follows you home one day.

[GSD_Gunner]

Having just gone through this after weighing with my 1500, not 2 weeks ago, I traded for a used 2500 Diesel. Slight difference was both crew cabs vs reg cabs and didn't go with an 8' bed either. Good luck!

[davel1971]

you can get a single rear wheel 1 ton for basically same price as 3/4 ton. MUCH more payload and same ride quality. I had one before I went dually and it would handle a mess of weight.

[CaptnJohn]

Forget the Tundra, not even close! You are into 3/4 ton territory. I'd prefer a Ford but the 2500 will be fine. I'd also prefer a diesel but that gasser will do the job OK. Look hard at the 5ers,,, much nicer to tow. I traded up from TTs to a 5er then to a class A MH. Traded UP to a 5er again.

[northstar1960]

forget the tundra not enough truck , need a 3/4 ton go Chevy as i prefer them over the others all though the ford would be ok the diesel is ok but the 6.0 will handle it very well , easier to maintain , less cost for services and good for 300,000 miles

[breezyhillfarm]

We got a Ford F450 dually diesel that will tow about anything towable. Why not have all the truck you'll ever need?

[Maron]

The question is is that your loaded weight or empty?
We have a 2013 Tundra Limited 4x4 towing a Rockwood 8329ss empty at 7600 lbs. loaded I would guess close to 10,000 lbs. been doing it for 3 years and very happy with the performance but even happier with the ride. The Tundra is like riding in a limo. We love it!

[hdmtnrider]

Might even want to look at a "PETERBILT or a KW"! Then you can pull any thing and probable want even know it's back there! LOL<

[NMWildcat]

I'll repeat what I've read and experienced: Once you get into toy haulers and fifth wheels, a 1/2 ton is never enough. I tried really hard with my first few RVs to pull them with my gas 1/2 ton. When I finally gave up and went to a 3/4 diesel I kicked myself for waiting so long. You won't believe the difference in towing experience.

And seriously, forget the Tundra. My son has one and so do several of his friends. They all experience the same thing: does a good job towing smaller trailers but the gas mileage is horrendous. When their Tundras are empty (not towing) they get the same mileages as I do towing! Not even an exaggeration. And when they are towing, they can't pass a gas station. So I would research that if you are really considering the Tundra.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by davel1971

you can get a single rear wheel 1 ton for basically same price as 3/4 ton. MUCH more payload and same ride quality. I had one before I went dually and it would handle a mess of weight.

This didn't hold true for me. When I bought, there were great incentives on the 2015 models- to the tune of several thousand dollars MORE than the 2016's. Dealers typically stock dozens of 3/4 ton for each 1 ton SRW. So there was still a very good selection of 3/4 tons and almost no 1 tons. If I'd had no preference for color and was very flexible on options- which I wasn't'- I could have bought the SRW 1 ton. But I would have still paid a significant amount of money for options I didn't really want. With that being said, I saved ~$3K going with the 3/4 ton even though the 1 ton is only $1K or so higher per the sticker. On top of that, mine has the camper package, so it's actually IDENTICAL to the 1 ton SRW. I just couldn't justify spending an extra $3K for an IDENTICAL truck with a bigger number on a sticker, so I have an F250. For much of the year, however, you are correct.

[Bpenn]

We started out with a Tundra. It was great towing a 19' toy hauler. Then we moved up to a 24' toy hauler. The Tundra pulled it, but the hills in Arkansas made it scream. Then moved to a Ram 2500 diesel and pulled it like it was nothing. We now have a 36' toy hauler and the truck does great. I learned the hard way should have started out with a 3/4 ton diesel.

[D. J. Schuler]

There's too many blogs on TVs. Go to your favorite dealer and ask to see TVs with payloads over 3,000 if your looking at a 5er, look at the driver door post sticker (just cause it's a diesel doesn't mean the payload is over 3,000). 10,000 5er pin could be 1,400 to 1,800 pin and hitch 150 - 300, so you're looking at 2,100 before you, family and loads of stuff (up to 900) before you get going.

[mike.t]