Grey Wolf 23DBH - Buying a TV for it - Get away with 1/2 Ton?

[Watarski]

After much research I am about to purchase my first camper, a Grey Wolf 23DBH. My wife wants to take our family (2 young kids) camping across the country, so I'm making it happen. The 23DBH TT is 29', has a dry hitch weight of 619lbs and an unloaded vehicle weight of 5,385lbs. I will be purchasing a TV - will be used as a daily driver as well as be 2-3 years old - can't afford to buy brand new. I've read a ton about payload weight really being the killer. That said, I'm not sure which way to go - F150 with EcoBoost and HD tow package (including a WDH), or just go ahead and step up to a 3/4 ton diesel. I plan on towing at least one long distance camping trip out West a year, along with 6 or so trips in the 2-10 hr range. I'm pretty sure the F150 will be capable, I just don't want to feel undergunned when I'm towing in mountains and/or long distances. Opinions welcome!

[gsjp1989]

Go big! You won't regret it. Started w/ a Ford Exploder w/ a Jayco Kiwi. Then move up to a Greywolf 28BH w/ a Nissan Titan. As long as it was a flat run all was good. As soon as you hit the hills the tranny would heat up. Sold the Nissan and stepped up to an F350. Now we have a 10,000lb + 5ver. Truck does not know the trailer is back there. Good Luck!

[sammonilla]

You want at least a 2500, And a diesel would be the best option. If you are going to camp around your home and just do short trips the 1/2 ton would be "OK". If you are going to do a long trip, (especially out west) then you want the bigger truck. Lots of passes from Colorado to the pacific!! I would go With a GM Duramax but I work for a dealer so I am biased. Any of the Domestic 2500-3500 would work good for you. Big brakes, big engine and big transmission will make you happy!!

[ChooChooMan74]

Most properly equipped 150/1500 series trucks should handle it pretty well. One thing these trucks usually come with, except in a few trims, are P rated tires. When you start towing close to the limits, it makes you feel like you are towing on marshmallows. LT tires are a way to go. Also, do not skimp on hitch setup. Get the best you can afford.

[bradw661]

Last summer I pulled a V-Cross 26VBH up into Colorado with a 2012 F150 ecoboost with 3.55 gears. My weight and length was very similar to your Grey Wolf. The TV pulled better than I expected. I easily maintained speed on the gradual grades and was able to maintain 45+ mph on the not so gradual grades.

I have now upgraded to a Flagstaff V-lite that is 6400lbs dry and I am confident that I would be able to traverse CO with it.

[Watarski]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm torn - both have their pros and cons. I'm leaning more towards a 3/4 ton, but the daily mileage and the recent issues with some of the late model motors makes me worry a bit. I know maintenance is also going to be more with the diesel and god forbid if something major breaks out of warranty. I've always been a prepare for the worst, hope for the best - I'd rather have plenty of truck than not being comfortable on the road.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by Watarski

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm torn - both have their pros and cons. I'm leaning more towards a 3/4 ton, but the daily mileage and the recent issues with some of the late model motors makes me worry a bit. I know maintenance is also going to be more with the diesel and god forbid if something major breaks out of warranty. I've always been a prepare for the worst, hope for the best - I'd rather have plenty of truck than not being comfortable on the road.

I am kinda in the same boat. I am torn between a Ram 1500 diesel and Ram 2500 diesel. I tow 6 to 8 times a year, and for me, being a tad over my GVW and having to take it slower on hills is the sacrifice that I will make for a better riding truck that gets way better fuel mileage empty.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using the FRF mobile app.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by Watarski

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm torn - both have their pros and cons. I'm leaning more towards a 3/4 ton, but the daily mileage and the recent issues with some of the late model motors makes me worry a bit. I know maintenance is also going to be more with the diesel and god forbid if something major breaks out of warranty. I've always been a prepare for the worst, hope for the best - I'd rather have plenty of truck than not being comfortable on the road.

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

I am kinda in the same boat. I am torn between a Ram 1500 diesel and Ram 2500 diesel. I tow 6 to 8 times a year, and for me, being a tad over my GVW and having to take it slower on hills is the sacrifice that I will make for a better riding truck that gets way better fuel mileage empty.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using the FRF mobile app.

I forgot to add to my previous post, the $10k difference in price for similar equipped trucks, then then more for registration (commercial vs passenger, yearly vs bi-yearly, 10kgvw vs 7kgvw), more for sales tax, excise tax, yearly inspection for over 8.5kgvw vs bi-yearly inspection for under 8.5kgvw. It all adds up. Although your situation may be different where you live.

[steepgrade]

I recommend go diesel. I get 18.5 avg (drive to work on hi-way and home on back roads). Towing so far I get 12.3 (4K lb TT).

The maint is basically the same AFAIK (3 oil changes for Gas = 1 oil change for Diesel)... when I had my F-150 - I changed the oil every 5K miles. Dodge Ram 2500 6.7L CTD 3.42GR - oil will get changed at 15K.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

If you're going to stay at that camper weight for a long time (most of us don't), IMO a well equipped 1/2 ton would be my choice...Most likely an ecoboost, otherwise...3/4 ton diesel

[kandl]

Originally Posted by Watarski

I'm pretty sure the F150 will be capable, I just don't want to feel undergunned when I'm towing in mountains and/or long distances. Opinions welcome!

A suitably equipped 1/2 ton will lug the Grey Wolf just fine. We've been tugging a bigger TT with a 1500 Dodge for going on four yrs and that includes a half dozen trips through the Rockies to and from the prairies to the west coast. Just remember one of the golden rules of RVing... don't be in a hurry.

[Orion]

Why all the must have more than a 1/2 ton for a 6,000 pound trailer? Really???

A properly equipped 1/2 ton will do just fine. Check the payload numbers along with all other numbers and take your time.

[prof_fate]

Depends on the 1/2 ton...many have tow ratings in the 5-7500 range unless properly equipped then you can get 9500 area.

Which sounds like a lot...we have a sliverado 1/2 ton properly equipped...payload is 1500lbs give or take 50 depending on how full the gas tank is.

My, wife, kids, dog are 600 lbs. tongue weight is 750-800. Guess what that adds to? We're at the limit...now put bikes, firewood, grille, etc in teh truck and we're over.
And this on a TT that FR markets as 'mid-size SUV towable'

Our TT is ~6300lbs rolling down the road. So yeah, a 1/2 ton is close to the limit.

Remember that power isn't the issue - it's braking, handling, wear and tear, safety margin, comfort while towing.

I CAN tow my 6x12 cargo trailer with my subaru outback...and my boat is under the limits for it too...but why would I want to try that? Just to brag that I can do it?

If I'm gonna spend $40k on a TV and 25k on a TT why not spend $3k more and get a 'better' TV?

Originally Posted by Orion

Why all the must have more than a 1/2 ton for a 6,000 pound trailer? Really???

A properly equipped 1/2 ton will do just fine. Check the payload numbers along with all other numbers and take your time.

[davel1971]

a properly equipped 1/2 ton will be fine with that setup. Since you will probably find yourself upgrading like the rest of us do, get the bigger truck for that reason so you aren't replacing truck and trailer at the same time.