Best gas 3/4 ton TV to pull 7000lb TT

[youroo]

I think the most important thing in regards to 3/4+ trucks is Color! Youroo!!

[blujay40]

I picked up a GMC 2500HD Sierra gasser with a 4:10 rear this year to pull our new Coachmen Freedom Express 322RLDS.




Just pulled our trailer from Michigan to Florida down I-75, which will probably be the worst terrain it will get for me, and had a very nice trip with the cruise control set at 65. With a tongue weight of almost 1200 lbs (w/full fresh water tank) using a Equilizer WDH and a gross trailer weight pushing 10,000 lbs, there were only a couple of times where the truck downshifted to maintain the set cruising speed. The rest of the time, the truck stayed in 6th gear and I hardly knew the trailer was back there. The onboard electronics for automatic grade braking in tow/haul mode with the cruise set made any concerns I might have had before the trip and how the truck would handle that weight up and downhill, completely and totally irrelevant. On flat terrain, got right around 9 mph and around 7-8 during the steepest climbs. I usually get around 16 during usual "daily driver" usage. So at least for me, paying the extra 7-8 grand for a diesel in addition to higher daily fuel and maintenance costs, just didn't justify the "get a diesel, you won't be sorry" comments I heard from all sides. YMMV.

[ryand]

X2 ^^^^^^^^


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[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by youroo

I think the most important thing in regards to 3/4+ trucks is Color! Youroo!!

i was told I could have whatever truck I wanted as long as it was safe to pull the trailer and it was blue. She never checked the numbers though

[Mountndream]

We shopped around for trucks before we settled on the 6.4 hemi 2500. Felt like they weren't making deals at the time on the Fords. The wife didn't feel comfortable in the seat in the Chevy. The Ram felt right (and it was Blue) and the budget was manageable.

THe best word i can use to describe the difference between hauling with the 2500 vs the 1500 is stable. Its not a measurement just a feeling. I will never go back.

The DW and I do 1 to 2 big trips a year. For us the gasser is our current best choice. I am sure that diesels pull more etc, but if that is not what you need, then you will be happy with the Hemi.

Also, if you do get the 2500 in 4x4, get yourself one of those folding steps from Walmart or camping world. Trust me you will need it for getting in and out of the bed.

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by youroo

I think the most important thing in regards to 3/4+ trucks is Color! Youroo!!

EXACTLY!

DW said RED or no truck. Truth is, I like it too.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

We shopped around for trucks before we settled on the 6.4 hemi 2500. Felt like they weren't making deals at the time on the Fords. The wife didn't feel comfortable in the seat in the Chevy. The Ram felt right (and it was Blue) and the budget was manageable.

THe best word i can use to describe the difference between hauling with the 2500 vs the 1500 is stable. Its not a measurement just a feeling. I will never go back.

The DW and I do 1 to 2 big trips a year. For us the gasser is our current best choice. I am sure that diesels pull more etc, but if that is not what you need, then you will be happy with the Hemi.

Also, if you do get the 2500 in 4x4, get yourself one of those folding steps from Walmart or camping world. Trust me you will need it for getting in and out of the bed.

Not sure about the others but my chevy has STEPS in the STEP bumper... Why did it take 30 years of pickups to finally think that a "step bumper" should actually have a USEABLE step! LOL

[youroo]

Originally Posted by doc73

Not sure about the others but my chevy has STEPS in the STEP bumper... Why did it take 30 years of pickups to finally think that a "step bumper" should actually have a USEABLE step! LOL

Thats why years ago they started making (Step Sides)! Youroo!!

[doc73]

Yeah but you do not seem to see them as much any more. And you lose some bed width.

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[wrvond]

One of my campers weighs about the same as yours, and my F250 has the 6.2L with 3.73 e-locker and 4wd.
I live in West Virginia and pull over a lot of mountains. What I have found is that the truck does spend a lot of time shifting between 6th and 5th gears. While the 4.30 rear would eliminate that, it hasn't bothered me enough to want to change it. I simply lock out 6th gear or engage tow/haul mode and forget about it. I'm not worried about fuel mileage much, if I was, I'd tow a much smaller camper much shorter distances.
My truck is driven about 120 miles per day unloaded (commuting), and I prefer my engine to operate in the lower RPM's.

[ccsvolsfan]

My F350 has the step ladder and hand rail built into the tail gate. Great for us old folk.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by doc73

Not sure about the others but my chevy has STEPS in the STEP bumper... Why did it take 30 years of pickups to finally think that a "step bumper" should actually have a USEABLE step! LOL

I laugh every time I see those steps. I recall a Chevy commercial poking fun at Ford for having the tailgate step. Basic idea they were conveying was that real men don't need a step to get into the bed of a truck. Here we are a few years later with Chevys steps in the bumper!!!!!! The current bash on Ford from the Chevy fan boys is the use of aluminum. How long do you think it'll take for Chevy to follow the lead and make the change??????

[ccsvolsfan]

Real men get old too.

2011 Ford F350 fx4
Coachman Catalina 303rls

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

I laugh every time I see those steps. I recall a Chevy commercial poking fun at Ford for having the tailgate step. Basic idea they were conveying was that real men don't need a step to get into the bed of a truck. Here we are a few years later with Chevys steps in the bumper!!!!!! The current bash on Ford from the Chevy fan boys is the use of aluminum. How long do you think it'll take for Chevy to follow the lead and make the change??????

How many other Ford models are Aluminum? Probably a little early to see how that metal works out. If it does others will take a look i am sure.

[mike.t]

ccsv. You are correct sir. Ever notice how many hearing aid ads you see in the paper along with the ones to get your mule started.

[CWSWine]

When the F150 went from steel to aluminum bodies the GVWR dropped from upper end in 2014 of 8200 to 2015/16 down to 7850 so not much for increase in payload. Hopefully the aluminum bodies works out because I looking at upgraded to 2017 at the end of the model year unless Ram makes one that will fit my garage.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by blujay40

I picked up a GMC 2500HD Sierra gasser with a 4:10 rear this year to pull our new Coachmen Freedom Express 322RLDS.




Just pulled our trailer from Michigan to Florida down I-75, which will probably be the worst terrain it will get for me, and had a very nice trip with the cruise control set at 65. With a tongue weight of almost 1200 lbs (w/full fresh water tank) using a Equilizer WDH and a gross trailer weight pushing 10,000 lbs, there were only a couple of times where the truck downshifted to maintain the set cruising speed. The rest of the time, the truck stayed in 6th gear and I hardly knew the trailer was back there. The onboard electronics for automatic grade braking in tow/haul mode with the cruise set made any concerns I might have had before the trip and how the truck would handle that weight up and downhill, completely and totally irrelevant. On flat terrain, got right around 9 mph and around 7-8 during the steepest climbs. I usually get around 16 during usual "daily driver" usage. So at least for me, paying the extra 7-8 grand for a diesel in addition to higher daily fuel and maintenance costs, just didn't justify the "get a diesel, you won't be sorry" comments I heard from all sides. YMMV.

X3

Bruce

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

When the F150 went from steel to aluminum bodies the GVWR dropped from upper end in 2014 of 8200 to 2015/16 down to 7850 so not much for increase in payload. Hopefully the aluminum bodies works out because I looking at upgraded to 2017 at the end of the model year unless Ram makes one that will fit my garage.

I personally believe that is nothing more than a marketing scheme. They lowered the GVWRs but increased payload slightly. Now, when Ram or GM has a higher payload, Ford can simply increase the GVWR back toward where it was with no mods. And there will be droves of people gullible enough to believe that the new year model is more capable because the little sticker says so that it'll boost sales.

[Abby Master]

Originally Posted by ryand

I went from a 1500 ram and towed 7100# for about 4 years. Moved up to the 3/4 6.4L hemi and could not be happier. Nearly the same MPG as the smaller truck. Our 1500 was overloaded on payload nearly every trip. Granted, I never had major issues but we asked too much of it. Sure you can buy a 1/2 ton that will fit the numbers...but there is no comparing the stability of a HD platform regardless of engine type. If you think you need a larger truck, you likely do. 100K warranty on the ram power train and honestly it can be had cheaper than most current 1/2 tons that are properly configured for towing what you need.

Either the ford or ram would fit your needs.

Ryand,
What's the gear ration on your 3/4 6.4L hemi? Have similar weight TT and want to upgrade from my Tundra 5.7L.
Thank you.

[ryand]

My truck has the 3.73. I had slim pickens as i bought a 15 that was being cleared out. I personally am happy with the way it pulls, however if you were getting into the higher end of the towing cap, the 4.10 might be a better choice. it has no issue pulling my 7K trailer to highway speeds.