Half ton or 3/4 ton for these trailers?

[Half Ton Heavy]

Originally Posted by koribustard

The GMC 2500 HD has a GCWR of 27,500 lbs. I calculated that with a fully loaded truck (maxed) and a fully loaded trailer (maxed) I would be at 22,700 lbs. But I don't think I'd ever actually be that heavy but having nearly 2.5 tons of "leeway" appeals to me.

What does the yellow door jamb payload sticker say the payload is?

[Half Ton Heavy]

Originally Posted by rdimatteo

Go with the 3/4 ton gas. I had a 1/2 ton Ram and payload was issue. Been trailering for almost 30 years. 3/4 ton can haul many fifth wheels up to 33 feet without payload issues.

Only if they’re gas.

[rdimatteo]

GCWR includes weight of truck and trailer. Payload on my 2019 Silverado CC 2500 4x4 is 2505.

[dodgemark]

Originally Posted by MT Biker

Seeing as you will be using it as a secondary vehicle and not a daily driver go with a 3/4-ton gas (take your pick on MFG, they all have there issues).
This way no matter what you end up buying you will have nothing to worry about and it will tow it with ease.

I agree as well, go 3/4 ton gas and you will be fine even if you go with a little longer / heavier trailer. 1/2 ton would do it , but close to max weight

[dodgemark]

Originally Posted by Half Ton Heavy

What does the yellow door jamb payload sticker say the payload is?

I agree, something don’t sound right what he’s saying

[corn18]

I towed with a 1/2 ton maxed out for many years. Never had an issue. Now I have a 3/4 ton maxed out and it's about the same. I will say that there is nothing on a 1/2 ton that is built as tough as a 3/4 ton, suspension wise. I drop my 5er on the back (2,200 lbs pin weight) and it sags a grand total of 1 1/2 inches. If I put that much weight in the back of the 1/2 tons I owned, they would bottom out and might break.

Check your weights and if you are within limits, enjoy your 1/2 ton. They sure ride a lot nicer than my 2500HD. And get way better gas mileage.

[dm6]

I am in the same boat and really leaning toward a Ram 2500 gas. I suppose I could track down a Silverado 1500 with the max tow package and have over 2,000 pounds of payload capacity, but those are in the mid $50ks. I can get a lower level Ram 2500 or build a decent mid level one for cheaper and it would be a much more heavy duty truck. I don't know if the gas mileage would be that much difference between the GM 6.2 and the Hemi 6.4 either. Plus, I still am not sure if I like the look of the Chevy or hate it!

[IvoryHemi]

Originally Posted by dm6

I am in the same boat and really leaning toward a Ram 2500 gas. I suppose I could track down a Silverado 1500 with the max tow package and have over 2,000 pounds of payload capacity, but those are in the mid $50ks. I can get a lower level Ram 2500 or build a decent mid level one for cheaper and it would be a much more heavy duty truck. I don't know if the gas mileage would be that much difference between the GM 6.2 and the Hemi 6.4 either. Plus, I still am not sure if I like the look of the Chevy or hate it!

Problem with the crew cab Silverado 1500 is their tiny 24-gallon gas tank.

Ram 2500 would get you a 31-gallon tank with the 6’4” bed and optional 50-gallon tank with the 8’ bed

[Bhrava]

F250 with the 7.3 outpaces and out pulls the others. Strongest gas engine in the market, and simple old school technology for better reliability. If going 3/4 ton, thats the one to get.

[2019 Cherokee]

I just went through this two years ago. I had a 2013 Shasta revere in 2013 I bought new. I had a 2004 gmc 1500. The Shasta weighed in at a hefty 6300lbs dry. I bought the equalizer hitch and put in air bags in the back of the truck. I towed one season 4 times and was convinced I was either going to have a major accident or break the truck. The truck made my decision easy and broke the transmission. I bought a pre owned 2011 Ram 1500 outdoorsman. It had a 10500 tow capacity. It towed fantastic when it only had 35000 miles on it. I towed with that truck for 5 almost 6 seasons. I had to replace the entire suspension. Front and rear two times in that five year span. Springs were so soft by the time I hit into my second season I had to do all of it new springs and shocks airbags. Right before 2019 I had to do it all again. I did the supension a second time and it broke the front sway bar on a trip. I decided it was time to upgrade. I bought a preowned 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 hemi. I will not own another 1500 for this size camper I now have a 2019 274rk Cherokee. It is about 7000lbs and the 2500 doesn’t even know it’s back there. Best decision I ever made. So in my opinion do yourself a favor and buy a 2500 you will be glad you did. Oh and I use my 2500 as a daily driver. I get decent gas mileage and when towing is when it shines. With the two other trucks towing I was getting 9-10 mpg with the 2500 I am getting 11-13 mpg depending on where I am towing.

[Bugs Off Pads]

I agree with a lot of the posts above. Buying more than what you need right now gives you more options should your towing situation change and, from experience, it's better to be overpowered than under powered.

[Mod man]

i pulled a 30ft rockwood for 2 years with a 04 tundra had power to pull hills but strong wind made it unstable just bought a 2021 ford f250 7.3 gas its night and day pulling the same camper you dont know its back there i would never go back to 1/2 ton anybody that tells you a 1/2 ton will do the same as a 3/4 donsnt no what there saying the ford is a beast go for the big truck youll be glad you did much safer and stable

[JimMorrell]

This question will never be answered satisfactorily! Yes, I pulled a 7,400# (MT), 32' Wildwood with a 2011 F 150, 5.0L Super Cab 4WD. Most travel was over the California Sierra and coast range in wind and not in wind. It was a very comfortable drive. When not in tow mode, the truck road like a large sedan and gave me up to 23 mpg. What ever you choose, will be "the best". As I've said B4, check out hitch weights, tow capacities and load carry weights. Then decide! Bigger is not always better.

[FrankH35]

I have a Salem 263BHXL. The loaded weight is about 7000 pounds. I recently upgraded from a Ram 1500 with 1439 pounds of payload and 11k max tow to a Ram 2500 with 3089 payload and 14,300 max tow. I have been surprised at the fact that it doesn't seem to "feel" that different to me when I tow. In hindsight, my 1500 towed the camper just fine.

I was just tired of constantly having to worry about being overloaded. With more than 3k of payload, I can now load the whole back end with gear, plus the whole family including the dogs in the cab and not have to worry about it anymore. I will say I hate the truck as a daily driver. It rides rough. Very rough. You need to decide if it's worth it for that. To me I just wanted to put safety first. I'm learning to deal with the rough ride and more spartan features on my 2500 tradesman.

[dm6]

Originally Posted by FrankH35

I have a Salem 263BHXL. The loaded weight is about 7000 pounds. I recently upgraded from a Ram 1500 with 1439 pounds of payload and 11k max tow to a Ram 2500 with 3089 payload and 14,300 max tow. I have been surprised at the fact that it doesn't seem to "feel" that different to me when I tow. In hindsight, my 1500 towed the camper just fine.

I was just tired of constantly having to worry about being overloaded. With more than 3k of payload, I can now load the whole back end with gear, plus the whole family including the dogs in the cab and not have to worry about it anymore. I will say I hate the truck as a daily driver. It rides rough. Very rough. You need to decide if it's worth it for that. To me I just wanted to put safety first. I'm learning to deal with the rough ride and more spartan features on my 2500 tradesman.

Wow, I am surprised to hear that it rides that rough. I figured with coil springs, it would have a somewhat decent ride compared to other HD trucks without them. I will have to check that out.

[FrankH35]

It's my first ever 3/4 ton truck, so maybe I'm just too used to the smooth ride of the half ton. But man when you hit a bump or a pothole you really feel it. My wife despises driving it.

[jbflag21ds]

Things to consider:

Higher purchase price of diesel over gas truck
Higher insurance, maintenance and repair costs of diesel over gas truck
Higher cost of diesel fuel over gasoline
Additional cost of DEF (as needed)

Now, factor the amount of time you are actually towing with the truck each year and for how many miles? You can estimate the additional costs per mile and then decide if that amount is worth the :

Easier puling
Fewer pit stops
Better braking
Less "tail wagging the dog" due to often extra weight
Often better ride once loaded

over all those miles each year

If you tow a lot of miles or in very mountainous terrain often then it may be worth the extra cost. If a few times a year you drag the trailer to the local reservoir 40 miles away then it may not be worth it

and as stated many times prior, consider a possible future trailer upgrade to something larger

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by Ruggybuggy

This is a good read for those trying to decide between a half ton or 3/4 ton. Sometimes a half ton is the better choice.

https://www.tundras.com/out/?url=htt...D&post=2181095

As for payload there are some 3/4 tons that have worse payloads then half tons so chose wisely.

Here's an interesting excerpt from your linked article:

...The Ram 1500 described above was connected to a 33’ travel trailer that has 1,075 pounds of hitch weight. The truck had the customer’s normal gear in the box and 3 adult passengers. On the road the combination drove very nicely, with no feeling of being overloaded and the truck was perfectly level. The rear axle of the truck was carrying 3780 pounds and the front axle carried 3660. So neither axle was overloaded, and the tires were rated for 4370 pounds per axle so they had plenty of leeway. So even though the truck was 640 pounds over its GVWR nothing was overloaded, and the truck was stable with plenty of leeway on any item that matters....

[tucson]

I tow a APEX 288BHS, right at 5000# dry, obviously heavier with water, gear, grey and black tank levels. Primarily tow with my 2007 Ram 1500 megacab but also with a 99 Suburban 1500 FWD. I'd seriously consider staying with a half ton if I were you

[lloyds]

Originally Posted by tucson

I tow a APEX 288BHS, right at 5000# dry, obviously heavier with water, gear, grey and black tank levels. Primarily tow with my 2007 Ram 1500 megacab but also with a 99 Suburban 1500 FWD. I'd seriously consider staying with a half ton if I were you

I am just curious what your payload capacity is on your Ram. If you have a chance, can you let me know what the yellow sticker on your door says about the payload?