Max tow or regular?

Knepp1bj · 09-21-2014, 02:46 PM

Looking at new GMC 1500....35 foot (37 with hitch) trailer weighs 7,300 lbs loaded down as per cat scales. Might add 100-200 more lbs when the baby is born here in a few weeks....

so the big question, a regular 1500 at 9,600 lbs where i can get a screaming deal on a 2014 or wait and order a 2015 with max tow and get over 11,000 lbs?

I am getting rid of a 2500 and am not interested in any weight police telling me I need a 2500, we tow a few times a year and most of the time park the trailer at the wife's family's cottage for a few months so really looking at a nicer ride and better MPGs again

Ford Idaho · 09-21-2014, 03:08 PM

Why not keep the 2500 and buy a car to make the commute?

Just about any car can beat the MPG's of a PU.

crunchman12001 · 09-21-2014, 04:24 PM

"I am getting rid of a 2500 and am not interested in any weight police telling me I need a 2500"

Well... Since you came here looking for advice but refuse to hear the truth... I will give you my opinion since you asked for it.

A 35' trailer with a 1/2 ton pickup?

You may pull it but in an emergency, you'll have trouble stopping it. Keep the 3/4 ton and keep your new baby safe!
crunchman

00buck · 09-21-2014, 04:35 PM

I use a Silverado 1500, also rated at 9600 lbs, to pull my 21 FBRS. I travel pretty light. I haven't weighed myself in a while but I'd guess about 4300. I can't imagine towing something at 7300 lbs with my truck (5.3L, 3.48 rear end). That said, I doubt that the extra rating is worth giving up a good deal. Unless your limited towing involves a lot of hills, I'd go for the 1500.

OldCoot · 09-21-2014, 04:41 PM

If the trailer brakes are adjusted correctly, he shouldn't have a problem stopping.

B and B · 09-21-2014, 04:42 PM

Towed a 32 ft 2703ss Rockwood with my half ton 5.4 l F150. No issues. Bought a 13 EcoBoost with 11300 capacity walked all over the 09 5.4 l F 150. I too use the truck as a daily driver and want a smother non towing ride. Not going to say you/ shouldn't tow with a half ton. That's your business and your money. I felt safe, currently feel safe with my Fiver and am under legal capacities. It is ultimately up to you.

grayfox · 09-21-2014, 04:49 PM

DO the math...

Tow Vehicle Sizing

Knepp1bj · 09-21-2014, 07:55 PM

Crunchman, I appreciate the opinion and you are correct this is a public board and i asked for opinions. But here is the thing, one i am not going to buy a car, i dont have room for a 3rd car nor do i feel like paying for insurance. 2) I hate when people say "good luck stopping"! c mon man its the 21st century, a good brake controller or the factory controller will stop the truck/trailer combo just fine.

i did not mention this because i was looking for opinions but i towed it home and a few hundred miles with a 2012 half ton rated at 9600 before i upgraded. length has no difference on weight which is 7,300 lbs per the CAT scales.

asquared · 09-21-2014, 08:23 PM

My question is the payload factor for both trucks. You will get more payload with the max tow. I would go with the max tow as you will likely struggle less with tranny temps and hills. For sure good deal see if the dealership can find you a 2014 with max tow. They might just 've able to do so.

MillerTime · 09-21-2014, 08:33 PM

Max tow should have the bigger 6.2 engine, heavier transmission, and axles and brakes, and I believe different gears also available with it. I'd defiantly go that route if you need a new truck with a trailer that size.
Good luck!!!

crunchman12001 · 09-21-2014, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knepp1bj

Crunchman, I appreciate the opinion and you are correct this is a public board and i asked for opinions. But here is the thing, one i am not going to buy a car, i dont have room for a 3rd car nor do i feel like paying for insurance. 2) I hate when people say "good luck stopping"! c mon man its the 21st century, a good brake controller or the factory controller will stop the truck/trailer combo just fine.

i did not mention this because i was looking for opinions but i towed it home and a few hundred miles with a 2012 half ton rated at 9600 before i upgraded. length has no difference on weight which is 7,300 lbs per the CAT scales.

Just so we are on the same page....
You did not buy the 8000 pound Salem 31QTBS because it was wayyyy to heavy for your 1/2 ton (9600) so you bought the much lighter 7300 pound Swadow cruiser. (Add 200lbs per baby)

You asked for advice regarding your sway issues with 2 friction sway bars but you sold them after your first trip and bought your existing 3/4 truck?

You had not asked for additional advice regarding towing due to your 3/4 truck doing a great job towing?

Now that you are a comfortable towing you want to go back to the 1/2 ton but still not sure how low you can go and still get away with it?

Well, guess that sums it up...Good luck to you and your decision.
crunchman

doc73 · 09-21-2014, 10:05 PM

I think towing with the 1/2 ton is just fine....

Not all of us want to or need to have a big truck with crappy MPG as our DD. I would wait for the 15 max tow if it was me. I keep my vehicles a long time (or at least try to) so if it was my truck I would make sure it would able to tow something I may buy in the future. I have not priced a new truck in a while but will it really cost you that much more to just do the 15 and max tow?

EDIT: although I read above the max tow has a 6.2 engine probably the same as your 2500? SO will you really get any better MPG? Ride will probably get better with the lighter suspension on the standard 1500 but probably stay the same with the max tow as the 2500.

goduc · 09-21-2014, 11:43 PM

F150 3.5 Eco with the Max Tow, which gives you 1800-1900lbs of payload. Better MPG as well. The 3.5 Eco will tow circles around the chevy.

Knepp1bj · 09-22-2014, 05:23 AM

Well Crunchman just because I don't ask the questions here doesn't mean I didn't figure it out....there are other forums, other places on the internet to research.

The 2500 doesn't tow really any better than my 1500 did plain and simple, top that off with a rougher ride and worse MPG as a DD than yeah it doesn't make much sense to keep it. I am positive I would have seen different results had I bought a diesel but I do not want one so back to a 1500 I go. Different strokes for different folks I guess but I weighed and did everything to make sure I am properly within the weight standards.

Knepp1bj · 09-22-2014, 05:25 AM

Thanks for the responses, I think I will wait for a max tow. Local dealers cant find me a 14' with the options I am looking for within 500 miles

doc73 · 09-22-2014, 06:57 AM

Still curious if it will be any better than the 2500 for ride and mpg since it will pretty much be a 2500 in the 1500's size?

MillerTime · 09-22-2014, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knepp1bj

Thanks for the responses, I think I will wait for a max tow. Local dealers cant find me a 14' with the options I am looking for within 500 miles

Sweet!!. I've always wanted to order a truck. I've ordered 2 5ers, but never a truck. That would be sweet, and you know you'd have a one-of-a kind for your area!
Good luck!

OldCoot · 09-22-2014, 07:25 AM

Don't understand why others are trying to change Knepp1bj mind when he's pretty well stated what he wants and why.

RollingDownTheHighway · 09-22-2014, 07:31 AM

I'm towing a 32' with my 1500 and it tows just fine, stopping is no issues, hills are no issues, etc. I have the max tow package on mine and it tows just fine. The only I'm going to upgrade to a 2500 is when we upgrade our TT to a 5'er in a few years.

dustman_stx · 09-22-2014, 07:48 AM

I always get a kick out of the "You won't be able to stop it" crowd!!! This crew has no problem with a 10,000 pound truck stopping a 15,000 pound camper (150% of it's weight) but you put a camper weighing 9000 behind a truck that weighs 7000 (129% of it's weight) and all of a sudden you are a menace to society.

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