lets put this to rest 1/2 can handle it

[mack1roc]

I have a 2010 8265s it weighs in at 7200 lbs loaded ready to camp. I tow it with a 2008 silverado 1/2 ton I am rated at 7500 lbs. up until I got my trailer all I had to here is that I will struggle towing this combo and I need to invest in a bigger truck to tow a 5er. well lets put it to rest I have gone on 4 camping trips now ranging from 15 to 200 miles and there are no problems. I have made a few mods I have the air ride suspension( easy to install by the way) and I got a better intake. now I will say gas mileage is not the greatest I am getting about 9-10 mpg. but the trucks handles it fine, I get off the line ok and with tow haul mod engaged I ride down the interstate at 65 just fine.

[eandsphotography]

And I'm betting that you live someplace that doesn't have hills or at least not many.
My dodge ram 1500 pulled my flagstaff 831krss that weighs in right at 7000 lbs Which is just what the towing capacity was of the truck was with the 4.7 v-8 it had in it. Did it pull it? Yea. Did it like it going over the smoky mountains where I live? Heck no. I now have a chevy 2500 and actually just towed it today and am in Nashville right now and I can honestly say I now feel I could say I'll take it anywhere now and feel comfortable.

[fivecodys]

I was told the same thing about my rig too.
We do great! And no we don't just travel on flat land.
Every where we go is either in the mountains or we have to cross the mountains to get there.
There is so much prejudice against 1/2 ton trucks.
I just don't get it.
If I'm under my weights, and I'm telling them that it pulls really well, why can't they just accept it?

It really is sad.

Bill

[dezolen]

I agree with all the 1/2 ton owners out there. If you can tow in control keep it. 1/2 ton sure makes a better daily driver which I imagine most people do more of.

[Dave_Monica]

I'll stir the pot a bit more...
It doesn't make sense to me to upgrade from a 1/2T to 3/4T where both trucks have the same drive train. Granted the 3/4T will have a higher payload, but the tow rating is hardly different. With the truck weighing 500 to 1000lbs heavier, the 3/4T will not pull the trailer up hill any better...probably worse.
All I'm saying, if you feel you need to upgrade to a 3/4T, better get the upgraded drivetrain too, otherwise you going to be disappointed.

Dave

[midnightpumpkin]

Dave,

I humbly disagree with your assessment.

My Dodge 2500 has heavier duty tires, rims, brakes, axles, frame, suspension components than does a 1500.

The items I list are what gives me a margin of safety when I need it on the highway. I can recall several times when this truck was able to control the rig where a 1500 may not have. Those load range E tires aired to 70psi, don't squirm around much! I also like the idea that the truck slightly outweighs the trailer in terms of actual weights on the scale.

Either truck has plenty of power, that's not the issue.

Just my biased opinion.

John U

[TulsaSteve]

The last 10 years of wacky credit and manufactures eager to cash in resulted in every truck builder purposefully perverting folks understanding of need vs. want.

Today's base F-150 or Silverado has more HP and Torque than pretty much every truck used to build America and win 2 world wars.

Buy what you need to get the job done. Buy it used. Spend your money on maintenance and minor mods to dial it in to your driving habits / location.

For less than $20K you can easily have a sweet tow vehicle.

[LadyWindrider]

Hate to disagree with Dave Monica, but 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton do not have the same drive train. Go to the parts counter and ask for a transmission, or a rear differential, or better yet a set of springs. Also Mac1roc, you may tow it just fine, in flat Florida, with no side wind. The real deal with a 1/2 ton is Gross Combined weight of the truck and trailer, which Mac1roc is probably over. He told us the trailer weight, but not the truck weight, ready to go with wife and dogs and children, etc. Add that to the trailer weight, and check against gross combined. Even if under, there may not be enough margin for one more adult. Now add to that the the safety factor if something goes wrong, like your brake controller blows a fuse and you loose trailer brakes. You'll wish you had those bigger brakes on the 3/4 ton. It's not that a 1/2 ton won't do it when all is well, it's the extra margin that a 3/4 ton offers. This was written by a guy towing 7000 pounds with a half ton, in the mountains of North Carolina, where Mt. Mitchell (6,864 ft) is the highest peak east of the Rockie Mountains, and I have pulled my trailer up it.

[Don and Elaine]

windrider, I agree with you, this is pretty much why I just upgraded my TV from a 2005 Dodge Ram Quad cab 1500 3:92 rear with the hemi to a Dodge 2008 Ram Quad cab 2500 3:73 rear with the Cummings turbo diesel. I now have plenty of safety margin where as before I was right at the hairy edge. I also tow often up to the Addirondak Mts. in upstate NY, I can't wait for the 2010 season to begin...Better tow and from everything I've read about the cummings turbo engine, better gas milage! BTW, I am towing a Flagstaff 831FKBSS travel weight at 7450lbs.

[Dave_Monica]

The point that I was trying to make was that changing from a 1500 with a 5.7L to a 2500 with a 5.7L is a marginal improvement at best, if you're already within the 1500's tow ratings. Granted the 2500 has more payload capacity and bigger brakes (it better as it weighs about a 1000lbs more).

Windrider, both use the same 5 speed auto trans, a 545RFE. Also in your example of the brake controller failing, its not going to matter what you're pulling it with...you're in big trouble.

What I'm saying, if you feel you need a 3/4 ton tow vehicle, you got to get the more powerful engine too as in a diesel or V10. Then you're making dramatic changes to the towing capacity and pulling power.

[midnightpumpkin]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

The point that I was trying to make was that changing from a 1500 with a 5.7L to a 2500 with a 5.7L is a marginal improvement at best, if you're already within the 1500's tow ratings. Granted the 2500 has more payload capacity and bigger brakes (it better as it weighs about a 1000lbs more).

Windrider, both use the same 5 speed auto trans, a 545RFE. Also in your example of the brake controller failing, its not going to matter what you're pulling it with...you're in big trouble.

What I'm saying, if you feel you need a 3/4 ton tow vehicle, you got to get the more powerful engine too as in a diesel or V10. Then you're making dramatic changes to the towing capacity and pulling power.

All I can say is that my Dodge Ram 2500 with the 545RFE trans and 5.7L engine has all the power I need and is very capable of towing my 7500 pound trailer.

[rockwood06]

I have a 2008 Chevy HEAVY DUTY 1/2 ton, in 2007 it called the 1500 HD and for 2008 it is called the VORTEC MAX. I was talked out of a $50,000 2500 HD by the dealer. I told him what I was towing and he said why buy more truck then what you need. In reading all the threads that have been posted about this topic there are some things that were not mention that makes a difference. The box size for one. In front of me I have a book for Chevy spec's on box sizes, drive train and engines for 2008 models. From what I see there is a fine line between the HEAVY DUTY 1500 and the 2500 HD gas models, but you can up grade the 2500 HD models.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the HEAVY DUTY 1/2 ton and this is what I have:
Vortec Max 6.0L V8.
(1500 4x4 Extended Cab- MAX TRAILING PACK) (6.5 BOX )MAXT RAILER @ 10,500lbs (REQUIRED AXLE RATIO 4.10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the same truck but in the 2500 HD model:
Voctec Max 6.0L V8.
(2500 HD Extended Cab 4x4) (The trailering package is standard on 3/4 tons)
(With a 6.5 foot box and a 3.73 rear MAX TRAILER @ 9,900lbs)-(With an 8.0 foot box and a 3.73 rear MAX TRAILER @ 9,700 lbs)---Now if you change the rear and the box size the mumbers change.
( 6.5 foot box and a 4.10 rear MAX TRAILER @12,400 lbs) (8.0 box and a 4.10 rear MAX TRAILER @12,200 lbs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
With a max of 10,500 rating on my Heavy Duty 1/2 ton and a Max weight on my camper @ 7,910 lbs I feel good about the job my truck is doing. When it is time to up grade my camper then I may up grade the truck but for now with the prices of trucks to buy a $50,000 3/4 ton to do what the Heavy Duty 1/2 ton can do in my mine is a little crazy for me, but if you have it then spend it, it's good for the economy. Remember the wheel base makes plays a big part of this as well. My wheel base is 143" just one 1" short of the 3/4 ton model of the same cab and box size, the stardard 1/2 ton wheel base is just a little shorter. The HEAVY DUTY 1/2 ton has it's oun frame , it is nothing liks the standard 1/2 ton or the 3/4 ton.

[edman87k5]

I thought the max was kind of a takeoff from the ss? A guy at work has one but I never paid much attention to it. I didnt think it was anything like the 1500hd. Does it have 8 lugs?

[dezolen]

Originally Posted by windrider

Hate to disagree with Dave Monica, but 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton do not have the same drive train. Go to the parts counter and ask for a transmission, or a rear differential, or better yet a set of springs. Also Mac1roc, you may tow it just fine, in flat Florida, with no side wind. The real deal with a 1/2 ton is Gross Combined weight of the truck and trailer, which Mac1roc is probably over. He told us the trailer weight, but not the truck weight, ready to go with wife and dogs and children, etc. Add that to the trailer weight, and check against gross combined. Even if under, there may not be enough margin for one more adult. Now add to that the the safety factor if something goes wrong, like your brake controller blows a fuse and you loose trailer brakes. You'll wish you had those bigger brakes on the 3/4 ton. It's not that a 1/2 ton won't do it when all is well, it's the extra margin that a 3/4 ton offers. This was written by a guy towing 7000 pounds with a half ton, in the mountains of North Carolina, where Mt. Mitchell (6,864 ft) is the highest peak east of the Rockie Mountains, and I have pulled my trailer up it.

And what if 4 tires blow on your dually? What if you loose tow vehicles brakes? What if some a ---- cuts you off the road it won't matter what you are using to tow with.
Being a little sarcastic here.............

[rockwood06]

Originally Posted by edman87k5

I thought the max was kind of a takeoff from the ss? A guy at work has one but I never paid much attention to it. I didnt think it was anything like the 1500hd. Does it have 8 lugs?

No, it has 6 lugs this is the way GM design it. With it being heavy duty one would think it would have 10 ply tires on it like the 2500 hd but it is not needed. This is the first time this Summer I have towed with it and it has done a great job, But next Summer I am going to put 10 ply on it. I have noticed a slight sway with the factory tires.
The ss you are taking about maybe that of the Z71 off road model and from what I understand the Z71 is a 1/2 ton.
The other thing is that the heavy duty 1/2 ton comes with a class 3 receiver and on the 2500 hd that has a class 4 receiver.I wanted to replace my class 3 with a class 4 but no one makes it for the heavy duty 1/2, not even GM.

[edman87k5]

The 1500hd was in all reguards a heavy 3/4 ton. The max is a half ton with the big motor and stiffer spring rates from what I understand. I think calling it heavy duty might be a bit of an overstatement. WHat rear axle and trans is in it?
Everyone has been stating that the engines are the same and that is not entirely true either. The engines in the hd trucks usually run a different cam and a few other things. Call the dealer and order a engine for a 8600gvwr truck compared to a 7600 and there is a difference.
My wife drives a yukon denali and I dont go aroung touting it as being heavy duty because it has the6.0 or able to move the world because it has air ride. Will tow? Yes But I do pull the tt with my 3/4 ton instead of the yukon.

[LadyWindrider]

Let's face it, the discussion between 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton will never be put to rest, no more than the discussion on which motor oil is best.
Enough said.

[grhodes50]

I always felt my 1/2 ton pulled my tt, loaded approx 7,200/7,500 lbs, with plenty of power. I was under my max on all the numbers but close on payload capacity. The truck towed very good until I had to drive in rain and gusty winds. At times that could be a little scary.

I recently purchased a new to me '08 F-250. I towed the tt this weekend for the first time. Man what a difference. I could feel I was pulling the weight but other than that the truck drove and handled the same as it does without the tt. I didn't drive in rain but the wind was gusting up to 25 to 30 mph.

As rockwood06 mentioned, the longer wheel base has a lot to do with it, but I believe the heavier suspension and the "E" rated tires had as much or more impact.

Dave, as far as the 5.4 in both the F-150 and F-250, I didn't experience much difference. The F-250 doesn't have as much get up and go but I didn't expect it to. The heavier F-250 did pull the tt up the same small Eastern Oklahoma hills just as well as the lighter F-150 did. The truck just did it at slightly higher rpms since it has the tow/haul mode where the F-150 didn't. If I lived in the Smokies or the Rockies I probably would rather have the V10 or a diesel. But I upgraded to the F-250 because I needed better handling capabillties, not more power. I did improve my towing capacity by 1,700 lbs. and my payload by 1,800 lbs.

There is a world of difference in the brakes as well. Especially when towing. The truck has the in-dash brake contoller and braking is very smooth.

I towed for a lot of years using a 1/2 ton. My F-150 always did the job and even though I didn't feel it towed safely in rain and high winds, I always made it home in one piece.

The heavy duty 1/2 tons may do the job and maybe my 3/4 ton is over kill, but after towing with the F-250 I don't believe I'll ever go back to towing with a 1/2 ton.

[rockwood06]

Originally Posted by edman87k5

The 1500hd was in all reguards a heavy 3/4 ton. The max is a half ton with the big motor and stiffer spring rates from what I understand. I think calling it heavy duty might be a bit of an overstatement. WHat rear axle and trans is in it?
Everyone has been stating that the engines are the same and that is not entirely true either. The engines in the hd trucks usually run a different cam and a few other things. Call the dealer and order a engine for a 8600gvwr truck compared to a 7600 and there is a difference.
My wife drives a yukon denali and I dont go around touting it as being heavy duty because it has the6.0 or able to move the world because it has air ride. Will tow? Yes But I do pull the tt with my 3/4 ton instead of the yukon.

Check post #12, I posted the spec's between my heavy duty 1/2 ton and it is equipped as stated with a 4 speed heavy duty trans and then the spec's on a comparable 2500hd with the same engine, two different rears and box sizes selections. You will find that the heavy duty 1/2 ton falls between the two box sizes on the 2500hd for tow capacity.

[aintgotnun]

Originally Posted by windrider

Let's face it, the discussion between 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton will never be put to rest, no more than the discussion on which motor oil is best.
Enough said.

Yup, and if you want to hash it out go to a different RV forum. I can think of a few where folks like to argue all the blasted time.

I'm tired of reading this "mine is better than yours" crap.

thread locked