3/4 ton with least squat

[Slow Moon]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

I've had both and the Ram is a better hauler. Some folks just can't get over Ram being a Fiat. Its still a Ram I don't see Fiat label any where on truck. A proud Ram owner and was a die hard chevy guy for 60 years. Later RJD

Sorry to weigh in with only a grin, but I can't help sharing that after hearing the acronyms 50 years ago, I can't hear the name Fiat without recalling a Fiat is either "Fix It Again, Tony" or "Fart In A Tornado."

I'd agree a Ram is neither. I owned a few 60s era Fiats from 79-85 and loved these misunderstood and under-appreciated cars.

[Old codger]

Originally Posted by Smitty244

I have an xlr hyperlite 29hfs that is 7,300lbs and has 1,100lbs hitch weight. Imo this is not half ton towable. I have a 2019 ram 1500 with a 5.7 hemi and the hemi pulls it with ease however until I added airbags the rear squat was so bad it was practically bottomed out. I since put airbags on but it just doesn’t feel safe. Once my lease is up I’ll be getting a 3/4 ton but I’m wondering what brand has the best rear suspension so I don’t need to instal airbags again. I’ve never owned a ford but I’m looking to stick with a gasser so it’s between the ford 6.2 f250 and the ram 6.4 2500. The Chevy 6.0 specs just don’t stack up. Thanks

Reply to original message is that I do not argue vehicles anymore. Just know what I want and how it performs. I also don't like that the Ram is a Fiat, but I do like them and have had both 1/2 tons and 3/4. Liked both very well, but always felt like they were a little under sprung. I have finally went to Ford and will likely remain. As to the size of the truck, I don't want to pull anything with a 1/2 ton anymore so as to not have to worry about my load and holding it in the road. I bought a 3/4 ton Ford diesel the last time, like the guy earlier, because I wanted it. I have 1100-1200 tongue weight on toy hauler and felt the need to put Timbren's on to level out. Also I absolutely would buy the 1 ton as they appear to be same as 3/4 ton, but with higher weight ratings and same ride, same everything. This seems to all be a function of the laws in effect concerning registration, insurance and more regulations in some states from all I can tell.

[jrk341]

Originally Posted by MR.M

hey we are all entitled to our opinions . the 6.0 beat the 6.4 up the ike by almost a full minute . there is a reason it doesn't say fiat simply for sales . no really rams are fine trucks there just not chevys lol

They say that 95% of the chevys are still on the road and that the other 5% actually made it home.

[Tundra 2014]

If looking at new, I would take a look at Ford's 7.3 gas. It is $2K more than the 6.2 and $8.5K less than diesel. You get the 10 speed transmission. This engine was built to replace the V10 they have been using in motor homes and for commercial use. It would give you the ability to upgrade your trailer to a 5 th. wheel in the future w/ less weight watching. My only concern is, I try not to purchase anything in the 1 st. year of production.
Look at the door sticker, less options, more cargo carrying capacity. On my old Tundra, sunroof dropped CCC by 232 lbs. to 1320. We also had a nose heavy trailer, in mountains, it just was not enough.
If considering diesel, go 1 ton. The diesel's additional 700 lb. comes right off CCC.

[Palinduff]

If you can find an F150 with the HD payload you would be fine. With eco boost you’d pull that with ease and save money on fuel when you aren’t towing. With the HDPP you will also get the 3:73 ratio.

[AdamKam]

I have the one that doesn't stack up, but tow 10K plus with a tongue weight of 1350. No strain no pain no squat no sway. 2015 Silverado 2500 HDWT 6.0, 4:10, long bed.extended cab.

[CaptnJohn]

Neighbor pulls a 2018 Montana with a 2017 F250. No bags or other mods and it pulls level. Doubt he is good on any number but he puts lots of miles on it the rig

[Matheny9]

Sorry Mr M. I missed one important word in my post. I meant to say (and will edit my post if I can) I had no load or pulling power "problems" with either trailer.

[EdJunior]

I will give you my experience. I've had 4 F-250's. My first one, a 2003 with the 5.4L pulled my travel trailer very easily. And while it didn't really need it, I had a good weight distribution hitch. It was a great setup. I then moved up to a 5th wheel, about 10.5K as we tow it (about 1500 pin weight). I started with a 2008 6.4L long bed. This truck squatted a bit, but really bounced a lot. I put airbags on that and it towed great. I then moved up to a 2011 6.7L regular bed. Again, this one squatted a bit, but the bounce was really bad. So again, I put airbags on it. And again, it towed great with the right amount of air in it. But the engine crapped on me way too early.

I now have a 2019 F-250. I was prepared to put airbags on this one also, but it came with the camper package, which adds an extra leaf to the suspension. It sits pretty tall, and I was worried about how it would handle the load. But to my delight, it actually squatted just enough to level the truck perfectly. And it rides great, with only a very slight bounce, compared to the previous two trucks. So, no airbags required!

You say you want to stick with the gas, and for that trailer, you will probably be fine. But I will just say, you can't beat the diesel for towing. Really whether it's the 6.7L from Ford, or the others. It will put a smile on your face if you go with the diesel!

Good luck with whatever you go with.

[dbledan]

I agree with Bruce. Get a 1ton and buy for your next trailer.

I had a 2016 F150 that I was pulling a 7k lbs trailer that had 1100 tongue weight. I was over payload and slightly over rear axle unless I took stuff out of the trailer or moved it around a lot. I made it work for a few years until I was not taking a complete bath on the price. I had to install Timbrens and upgraded to LT tires. I cannot speak to a 2019 F150 but the tongue weight made the 2016 to much to drive comfortably and I had sway issues until I got a propride. As someone who had similar setup I agree you are just beyond half ton unless you find an HDPP truck.

Any 3/4ton would work. If you don't like the squat you could add a leaf Spring to them to stiffen things up a bit as a way to get to stiffen things up without changing trucks again. If you stick with gas you will get higher payload on the 3/4ton anyway but if you want less squat to begin with and don't mind a ride difference spend the extra $40 now on the 1 ton.

I upgraded to a 2019 F350. As others said the price delta was $40 between comparable equipped 250 and 350. I took diesel because I wanted it. I have less than an inch of squat with zero modifications to the truck and can load the truck and trailer anyway I want now.

The 3.5EB had no issues stopping or starting the trailer and I would expect the 7.3 would have no issues either.

[Jay2504]

I am a Chevy guy but don’t hate the other brands. To the OP, are you sure you need/want a 3/4 ton? If so, like someone else posted here, there should be a lot of almost new 3/4-1 ton trucks out there because people want the latest update. For myself I’d love to have a new 2020 Chevy with that new 400 cubic inch motor. FWIW, everyone I know with a 364 cubic inch Chevy the best gas mileage I have ever heard was 14.5. Jay

[pilotpip]

The ford will have leafs, the ram will have coils. I'm a ford fan, and wouldn't buy anything else but I will say that the rams have a very nice unloaded ride. Both will have plenty of payload and capacity in a 3/4 ton gasser.

[axleman]

My TT is a bit heavier than yours at around 1200lb TW and about 8600lb gross. I had a 13 F150 Ecoboost towing it for the first year and it was a lot of trailer for that truck to handle. I had plenty of power but not enough suspension. Recently I upgraded to an F250 diesel and the difference is night and day. I'll never tow a significant load with anything less ever again. Effortless towing experience. Even my wife was quite comfortable driving the rig on our last trip. The truck sits very level with no extra suspension enhancements.

[CincyGus]

I just got the 2020 Chevy 6.6 Gas 2500 in January and love it. Traded a 2015 GMC Diesel in that was giving me all kinds of DEF sensor issues that couldn't be resolved permanently, just for a week or two and then would come back. This went on for 3.5 months and $4k out of pocket and I realized I wasn't rich enough to own a diesel with problems.

Love my new truck. Plenty of power, rides nice unloaded and will do just fine with my 10.5k toy hauler with it's 3300 lbs+ of payload.

Any of the 3/4 tons will haul your trailer find with minimal squat. One tons too and the mileage between them will not be significant since mainly it's a suspension change from one to the other.

Good Luck finding the right one for you.

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by Smitty244

I have an xlr hyperlite 29hfs that is 7,300lbs and has 1,100lbs hitch weight. Imo this is not half ton towable. I have a 2019 ram 1500 with a 5.7 hemi and the hemi pulls it with ease however until I added airbags the rear squat was so bad it was practically bottomed out. I since put airbags on but it just doesn’t feel safe. Once my lease is up I’ll be getting a 3/4 ton but I’m wondering what brand has the best rear suspension so I don’t need to instal airbags again. I’ve never owned a ford but I’m looking to stick with a gasser so it’s between the ford 6.2 f250 and the ram 6.4 2500. The Chevy 6.0 specs just don’t stack up. Thanks

If your squat was as bad as you say, I guarantee that you were doing 1 of 2 things wrong to start with:
1) You had no proper weight distribution.
or...
2) You did not have your weight distribution set up properly on a set of truck scales to return the front axle weight to stock.

So because you were not following the manufacturers instruction on what equipment is needed to tow/haul out to the manufacturers rated max, you instead improperly applied air bags to lift the rear while leaving the front axle unloaded, lite, and dangerous for stability/steering/braking.

That I know for sure as I had a 2017 Ram 1500 and a 28' camper that was dang near the same as what you listed. The difference is that I had the WDH/Sway control properly applied and the truck sat level (no rake, but level).

[Smitty244]

The dealer set the weight distribution for me and it was the best they could get out of it

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Smitty244

The dealer set the weight distribution for me and it was the best they could get out of it

Herein lays your problem. Maybe you can get it right if you do it yourself.

Bruce

[Smitty244]

Here is what it looked like with weight distribution set to the max. I drove it home 9hrs like this. I put airbags on it after this trip and now it sits level but sways terribly with the airbags. The maker of the airbags said it’s my tires making it feel like that. My wife won’t even ride with me she follows me so until this lease is up I guess it is what it is.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Smitty244

until this lease is up I guess it is what it is.

Hopefully your lease is up before your luck runs out. Be careful.

Bruce

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by MR.M

hey we are all entitled to our opinions . the 6.0 beat the 6.4 up the ike by almost a full minute . there is a reason it doesn't say fiat simply for sales . no really rams are fine trucks there just not chevys lol

Well I get better mileage than you and yep use to be a chey guy but all good things come to an end. Later RJD