3/4 ton with least squat

[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

[nomad297]

Why not a 1-ton?

Bruce

[nomad297]

I suspect, like most people, you are concerned with the difference in the stiffness of the unloaded ride of a 1-ton versus a 3/4-ton. Some people will say they can tell the difference and others will say they can’t. I am one of those who can’t tell the difference in the unloaded ride of either.

Bruce

[67L48]

My 1/2 ton definitely couldn't tow your trailer. I only have ~1,300 lbs of payload, my engine is a dog, and I tow up 6% grades at 11,000'. However, a new 1/2 probably doesn't have any of those issues. 1,100 lbs on the tongue means that any 1/2 ton with ~1,800 lbs of available payload should be great to tow a regular sized family. Just get a WDH and, if necessary, air bags.

If I had your trailer and a 2019 1500/F-150, I don't think I'd be truck shopping. But, you state that it doesn't feel safe and you have a lease expiring. Fair enough. Towing when you don't feel safe isn't fun. It's stressful ... which is the opposite of what this hobby is meant to be!

1,100 lbs of hitch weight on a new HD truck won't be much to be concerned with. Ram, GM, and Ford will all laugh at that weight and you shouldn't see much sag with any of them. I'd still use a WDH to ensure proper balance and to get the sway control benefits of most quality WDHs.

If you're looking at diesel engines, then you might want to look at 1 ton vs 3/4 ton. Diesel engines are heavy and eat up 700-800 lbs of payload, which can be significant on a 3/4 ton truck. A gas engine will do just fine and will give you plenty of payload in a 3/4 ton. Having payload/GVWR buffer will allow you to grow your RV without having to go truck shopping again.

Living at altitude, I'm not a huge fan of normally aspirated engines. However, ignoring that for a moment, I'd take a look at the 7.3L (Gasoline) Ford F-250 if I were towing your trailer.

I got a diesel because of altitude and I wanted one ... not because I needed one. I got a 1-ton because in 2019, it was $40 difference to an identically equipped F-250 HD Tow, plus I wanted the GVWR/Payload to accommodate future RV upgrades (I keep trucks for decades). So, no brainer for me ... but might be different for others. My 1-ton is my daily driver and I really enjoy driving it. Others hate driving trucks because they are stiff.

Ram, GM, and Ford all make good trucks. They differ in size, interior layouts, cosmetics, and so on. Their towing performance is all pretty similar, though. Have fun shopping for a new rig.

[BigH]

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

I have the one that doesn't stack up in your mind and have placed about 1450 on the tongue with 9,500lb trailer...almost levels it out. Ford has a camper package that adds some rear on the F250.

I'd check out the receiver rating on your current Ram, you are very near the limit if not over. I would be nervous exceeding that rating.

[Smitty244]

I do have weight distribution but without airbags I didn’t even make a difference with them set to the max it still squatted the hell out of my truck. I think ram pretty much made the 1500 a car with the coil springs in the rear. I’ve always been a Chevy guy but my 5.7 makes more hp than that 6.0 and the torque is about 50lbs short of the other brands. How does the 6.0 handle pulling heavy loads? When my lease is up I’ll be looking to buy a used 3/4 ton and I’m not brand loyal at this point at all. My reason of 3/4 ton to 1 ton is mostly I’m not wanting to spend over 30-35k and I assume a 1ton eats way more fuel.

[Kimber45]

Ram 1500's are known to be squatty. Timbrens would of fixed your issue for a fraction of the price of air bags. With the right 1/2 ton your camper is within range of 1/2 ton. any 3/4 ton is going to handle with ease

[Smitty244]

Thanks guys

[aceinspp]

I have the Ram 2500 6.4 with the auto level rear suspension. This on trick system and when I was towing my V-Lite the truck set perfectly level and I had a 1150 tongue weight. Nice thing you can lower the tuck so you don't need to raise the trailer as much. I have a 3200 load cap. I now have a 5er and pretty much does the same for keeping rig level. The ride is very nice when unloaded. Later RJD

[BigH]

Originally Posted by Smitty244

I do have weight distribution but without airbags I didn’t even make a difference with them set to the max it still squatted the hell out of my truck. I think ram pretty much made the 1500 a car with the coil springs in the rear. I’ve always been a Chevy guy but my 5.7 makes more hp than that 6.0 and the torque is about 50lbs short of the other brands. How does the 6.0 handle pulling heavy loads? When my lease is up I’ll be looking to buy a used 3/4 ton and I’m not brand loyal at this point at all. My reason of 3/4 ton to 1 ton is mostly I’m not wanting to spend over 30-35k and I assume a 1ton eats way more fuel.

I'm not brand loyal to anything.

I've been up and down the Appalachians and only remember a couple of grades that dropped my speed to less than 60. There are some really good grades on northwest of Custer and I think I had one drop me to 50mph near the top. The truck will pull in overdrive (5th) most of the time on flat land. I have ran into some headwinds that required 4th gear.

I tested everything when I bought the Chevy. I liked the Ford but because they still have door lock issues on the aluminum bodied trucks in winter it was a no-go -I had one...it was a sucky situation that required a lawyer. I also liked the Ram but the transmission is geared poorly...In tests on the Davis damn the Chevy beat the Ram up the hill by over a minute -Same load/rear end/etc. I hear the new 8speed in the Ram is much better but might be newer than you want.

The 6.0 is no power monster but the history of the durability is unmatched.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Smitty244

My reason of 3/4 ton to 1 ton is mostly I’m not wanting to spend over 30-35k and I assume a 1ton eats way more fuel.

The difference in price between a 3/4-ton and a 1-ton is squat (pun intended) and the difference in fuel use is zero.

Bruce

[Smitty244]

Big h, I’m glad to hear that. I was always a Chevy guy growing up. I’m amazed with the way my 1500 runs with the 5.7 hemi. Feels more like a sports car than a truck sometimes. But now that I upgraded to my toy hauler I want a workhorse. I’ll probably look for the best deal I can and see what brand I end up with.

[BandJCarm]

The one with the least squat is the one you add air bags to.


I'm a 58 year Chevy man. But in the last few days, I'm starting to like Ford way better. I'm also noticing Ram ain't even being asked to help out.......cause Ram is actually Fiat.


And I hate it that those things matter...........but they do.


That said, I concur with the 1 ton. One ton SRW drive trucks are a bit harder to find.......but they exist. Also, I found out 4 years ago that many dealers don't even bother to stock/carry duallies.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by Smitty244

Big h, I’m glad to hear that. I was always a Chevy guy growing up. I’m amazed with the way my 1500 runs with the 5.7 hemi. Feels more like a sports car than a truck sometimes. But now that I upgraded to my toy hauler I want a workhorse. I’ll probably look for the best deal I can and see what brand I end up with.

Probably a good plan and considering recently updated HD trucks on the market in 2020 you might find a real gem because someone wanted the latest and greatest.

I had a 5.7 Ram with the 3.90 rear...it is a rocket compared to my Chevy 6.0.

Also the fuel mileage on the 6.0 is not very good. It won't be much different than your Ram when pulling but it doesn't improve much when empty.

I mentioned the receiver rating on yours because I think my Ram was only rated to 1100lbs but I'm not sure.

Good luck.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

The one with the least squat is the one you add air bags to.


I'm a 58 year Chevy man. But in the last few days, I'm starting to like Ford way better. I'm also noticing Ram ain't even being asked to help out.......cause Ram is actually Fiat.


And I hate it that those things matter...........but they do.


That said, I concur with the 1 ton. One ton SRW drive trucks are a bit harder to find.......but they exist. Also, I found out 4 years ago that many dealers don't even bother to stock/carry duallies.

I saw a sticker on a SRW Ford F 350 with 4600 CCC that is enough for my 18,000 landmark with 3600 lbs pin weight fully loaded. I would agree dallies are hard to find. The Ford dealer less than block from me has a F450 Dully just came in, $94,000 CAD Lariat and trailer packages.

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by nomad297

The difference in price between a 3/4-ton and a 1-ton is squat (pun intended) and the difference in fuel use is zero.

Bruce

I agree the purchase cost and fuel cost are minimal.

But the cost to provide vehicle tags could be extremely costly to some user in some states. There is also the insurance cost when you have a 1 ton vehicle which maybe higher as the vehicle is required to be registered as commercial vehicle in some states. Then there is the state inspection fees on a 1 ton and higher vehicle which adds another layer of cost in some states.

These are all things to consider when you purchase a truck, as you weigh way your needs. As these cost will occur every year if you purchase a 1 ton vehicle.

As an example my 3/4 ton (registered weight of 8,000LBS) vehicle never requires a state safety inspection or higher licensee fees. But if I had a 1 ton vehicle I would be required to have a state safety inspection done along with higher cost for tags plus the vehicle insurance would be higher. This would be a yearly cost increase in operating cost over my current truck.

[MR.M]

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

The 6.0 hauls the 29hsf great and is a better engine then the fiat 6.4 . the new chevy 6.6 is even better but i have experience with the 6.0 hauling the 29hsf at around 9300lbs loaded the 03 did great and the new 19 s/b better getting ready to hook up tomorrow for the first pull with the new truck

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by MR.M

The 6.0 hauls the 29hsf great and is a better engine then the fiat 6.4 . the new chevy 6.6 is even better but i have experience with the 6.0 hauling the 29hsf at around 9300lbs loaded the 03 did great and the new 19 s/b better getting ready to hook up tomorrow for the first pull with the new truck

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

[Matheny9]

I also have the one that doesn't stack up for you. I pulled a 9500lb tt with 950lbs tongue weight with 1" squat. Now I have a 11000 lb 5th wheel with 1700lb hitch weight with 2" of squat. I did not have any load or pulling power with either trailer.

[MR.M]

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

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