Which Tow Vehicle ?

[NOREASTRV]

I have done all the research and now would like your opinions please. I have a 2015 Rockwood 2703W Ultra Light 6,000 lbs plus dry and 7,000 lbs plus loaded. I looked at a GMC Sierra 1500 I was ready to purchase and found the rear axle ratio is 3.08 which I was told won't do the job not to mention I would be at the max tow capacity from what I can determine. I was told 3.42 is the way to go which I found in a Silverado. My question is should I be looking at a 2500 instead of a 1500 ? What are you using and how does it tow? Thanks is advance. Tom

[Todouble]

You'll be ok in a 1500 with the bigger rear. Get a good weight distribution hitch setup and things will go well. Doesn't hurt to go to a bigger truck if you see a bigger rv in the future though.

[captnrick3]

Originally Posted by NOREASTRV

I have done all the research and now would like your opinions please. I have a 2015 Rockwood 2703W Ultra Light 6,000 lbs plus dry and 7,000 lbs plus loaded. I looked at a GMC Sierra 1500 I was ready to purchase and found the rear axle ratio is 3.08 which I was told won't do the job not to mention I would be at the max tow capacity from what I can determine. I was told 3.42 is the way to go which I found in a Silverado. My question is should I be looking at a 2500 instead of a 1500 ? What are you using and how does it tow? Thanks is advance. Tom

I have owned a number of tow vehicles over the years and I'll offer you my two cents. In the the case of the 1500's you will be happier with the lower gear (higher numerical) ratio rear end for sure. However, with a 7000 lb. trailer in tow, at 2500 truck will offer far better brakes and handling stability. A number of years back I made the mistake of ordering a 1500 truck that had plenty of rated capacity for my trailer and never liked it. Have not made that mistake again, it's a costly one. The 2500 will also come with higher load rating tires that will last much longer.
Just my two cents.

[dannyabear]

I towed my 2703ws with a 1500 a few trips, was not plesant, uped to a 2500, and can drive with 1 finger, no more worry about sway or passing 18 wheelers.

[EdJunior]

As they said, a 1500 with the higher (lower) gear will do, but I think you will be much happier with a 2500. It is built heavier and sturdier, and you will feel better. If you can afford it, I would certainly go for it.

[Stormrider151]

Somewhere in my future is 5th wheel. While I may not need it now I'm going 1 ton. No worries after that. Look to the future.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Stormrider151

Somewhere in my future is 5th wheel. While I may not need it now I'm going 1 ton. No worries after that. Look to the future.

Yes!
Ah, heck YES!

[donniedu]

Personally 1500's are more grocery getters than serious work vehicles. A 2500 will get you a stouter frame, better brakes, tires, wheels, axles to name some. Downside a bit harsher ride. While a 1500 will work, it will leave you no room to upgrade trailers in the future.

[fishrprice]

NOREASTRV, are you looking at new trucks or used trucks? A new 1/2 ton is rated at what used 3/4 ton trucks were rated at just a few years ago. I had a 2004 F250 that was no where near as good a tow vehicle as my 2013 F150 Eco Boost is.


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[dj-Harry]

I would go with the Ford F-150 with EcoBoost, 3.73 rear and max Trailer Tow Package. (Limited to 9,600 pound towing without). The 2014 tows 11,300 pounds and has a 2,000 pound payload. The 2015 tows 12,000 pounds with a higher payload (~2400 pounds).The 3.5 liter V6 with twin turbo boosts outperforms the big V8s with 365 HP and 420 ft-lbs torque. It's solid and a smooth ride with lots of extras designed for towing. I have the Equilizer 12,000 sway control hitch with weight distribution and 4 point friction. The truck also has a built in trailer sway control. I pull 10,000+ pounds with no power or control issues. It goes up steep hills at low RPMs, with plenty of power to spare, and it's not affected by tractor trailers. You hardly know you're towing anything until you look in the rear view mirror. Best of all, my 4x4 gets 15 to 21 mpg. I get 16 to 18 mpg for everyday local driving. On long trips driving reasonably, it could easily get the advertised mpg. Towing in the mountains doing 60-65 mph on the highway I was getting 6-7 mpg, which is as good or better than what I was getting with my Silverado 1500 5.3 liter V8 pulling 6,500 pounds (max tow was ~7,700 pounds). My nephew in CO has the same F-150 truck, as well as, an F-250 with the 6 liter diesel and he is in construction. He says he can't tell the difference, pulling 10,000 pound trailers and heavy equipment, between the two in the CO mountains. In my opinion, I think it's definitely worth looking into.

[R&J Silverback]

if price isn't the big thing I would go with a 2500 or 3500 diesel, you won't need to wonder again. I say go big it cheaper in the long run. big hills in the northwest and I am happy with 11-12 mpg 13800 loaded

[NOREASTRV]

Originally Posted by fishrprice

NOREASTRV, are you looking at new trucks or used trucks? A new 1/2 ton is rated at what used 3/4 ton trucks were rated at just a few years ago. I had a 2004 F250 that was no where near as good a tow vehicle as my 2013 F150 Eco Boost is.


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I was going to go new then realized a 2 or 3 year old truck with low mileage is a huge savings

[Canonman]

Originally Posted by NOREASTRV

I have done all the research and now would like your opinions please. I have a 2015 Rockwood 2703W Ultra Light 6,000 lbs plus dry and 7,000 lbs plus loaded. I looked at a GMC Sierra 1500 I was ready to purchase and found the rear axle ratio is 3.08 which I was told won't do the job not to mention I would be at the max tow capacity from what I can determine. I was told 3.42 is the way to go which I found in a Silverado. My question is should I be looking at a 2500 instead of a 1500 ? What are you using and how does it tow? Thanks is advance. Tom

We have a 24" Wildwood with the same weight numbers as your Rockwood. We pulled with our '03 f150 5.4L w/3:73 gears and standard factory tow package for two seasons. The F150 got us there and back but that said we felt like we were stressing things especially in the mountains. We were able to upgrade to a Dodge 2500 and really noticed the difference. Instead of working hard in the hills, we just set the cruise control and sit back and watch the "movie". Our suggestion, if a 2500 is too costly look at something "pre-owned". We got lucky and found exactly what we wanted for a price we could afford. Couldn't be happier with the decision to upgrade!

[Pitcrew18]

Get the 2500 with a diesel and your towing worries will be over, until you decide to upsize your camper.

[thebrakeman]

The type of camping you do should also be considered. Do you do 1 or more long trips each year? If no, then why suffer with the downsides of the heavier truck for the other 95% of non-towing use?

This is essentially why we get by towing 5200 lbs with a Mountaineer. The only long trip we have done is a single 1900 mile round trip 2 years ago. We never left Michigan (pretty much flat). If we were doing that every year, or intended to do a camping trip into the Smokies, I'd want more.

[thebrakeman]

By the way, I think my BIL's Silverado has the V8 with 3.42, and his tow rating isn't anything close to enough for your camper. I think he's only around 5000 or so. Does GM offer multiple V8's?

[dsjohns71]

Not sure if they do or not as I am a RAM 1500 owner, but it the gears in the rear end that make most of the differences.

[Mountndream]

We recently looked at new trucks and decided to go with a Ram 2500. We bought it new because i worked out better financially for us. Trucks hold thier value so well that buying used is no longer the best deal. (if you plan on owning for extended length)

What pushed us over the edge was payload. The rear gears didn't make a difference on payload. We needed more and the 2500's had it. While we were very interested in the Eco boosts, but there weren't deals out there when we were looking.

In the end, buy what's best for you and your family. But as others have said, be aware that you may want to upgrade again and rarely do people go smaller

[elind]

I had a 2013 Silverado 1500 that I pulled a 7000# dry weight 35' TT. It had a 5.3 Lt, 6 speed tranny, and a 3.42 rear end and rated to pull over 9,000#. I was happy with the way it drove and pulled, but fifth wheel fever hit out house. Within 8 months of buying the new Silverado we were trading up to a GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax. Granted I do love the GMC for towing but it does have a rougher ride. The bottom line is: the 1500 did good for the TT but if you are even thinking about a fifth wheel it might be better off to go all the way and be ready with a 2500.

[saltyman]

If you can afford it, go diesel, period..............