Probably been answered 200 times, but... what truck for Cherokee?

[turtlehead]

Picked up a 2018 Forest River grey wolf 22' (27 o/a)

Looking at trucks to pull with. I tend to just go overkill on things, but I'm trying to not break the bank.

Looking into used trucks, I'd LOVE to stay below 15k, but could get to 20k if it makes a HUGE difference.

I've been looking for diesel f250/350, or dodge/ram/chevy 2500/3500

BUT - it crossed my mind, a smaller truck "technically" would tow this within weight and have room.

Should I step up to a larger truck to save myself any concern/headache.... Or save some moey and go smaller??

I know this might be a personal decision, but I value opinions, differing or not, gives me more to consider/ponder and helps me make a better decision.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by turtlehead

Should I step up to a larger truck to save myself any concern/headache.... Or save some moey and go smaller??

It kind of depends on how tolerant you are of a concern/headache

My vote would be for the larger truck.... especially if you're going to be towning in mountains.

[5picker]

Few people ever say... "gosh, I wish I would have bought a smaller truck to tow my R/V."
Besides, most folks buy an R/V and then find they want a larger one.

[bikendan]

Without moore information on the trailer, like model number, dry tongue weight, GVWR, UVW, actual length, it's difficult to say if a 1/2 ton could be enough. But a 3/4 ton would easily be a better choice so you don't have worry.

[markcee]

Since you are looking at a 3/4 or 1-ton, going with a gasser instead of a diesel will save you a lot of money. At 27' overall length, can't see that trailer weighing anywhere near where a gas 3/4 or 1-ton will have issues - regardless of terrain.

[Chuck_S]

I've been looking for diesel f250/350, or dodge/ram/chevy 2500/3500,

You could get a Peterbilt tractor too but why?

A Google search for that trailer shows the GVWR -- the fully loaded maximum, legal weight -- is 7686 pounds which my Expedition can handle as can any real pickup.

-- Chuck

[AlaskaErik]

Gasser 3/4 ton for the win. I'm looking at a 8-9k lb trailer and I'm going with a Silverado 2500HD with the 6.6 gas engine and 10 speed transmission. That will be more than adequate for trailer that size.

[Oaklevel]

My vote would be for the larger truck, but in your price range a good shape 1/2 ton would be easier to find.

Personally I definitely would not go any smaller than a 1/2 ton.

[GolfingDave]

Originally Posted by turtlehead

Looking into used trucks, I'd LOVE to stay below 15k, but could get to 20k if it makes a HUGE difference.

Looks like you are looking for an 8-10+ year old vehicle? Hopefully more people with that year range of trucks chime in.

You can see in my signature what I use and pull and no problem. Highest I have been is 2400 ft up a somewhat winding road to a campground. Don't think I want to go much higher than that on two lane roads. Wasn't a problem but just do not want to push it.

My camper is same length and have never felt any push or pull by trucks passing by. I can feel when the wind gets to 20mph or so though from the side. Nothing bad but just know it is there. Have not towed yet in higher, actually stayed put the other day when gusts were supposed to be around 30 mph.

[Oaklevel]

Just my situation I had a 2003 Dodge Hemi and it was ok on flat ground. Terrible in small mountains with a 7000 lb camper.

My current 2005 3500 Dodge dually is fine would not go back to a 1/2 ton. My BIL borrowed it to pull his 22' cattle trailer and he said it towed like it was not back there but he could not say that for his 2008 F250.

Do not want to get into a Ram Ford Chevy discussion. Prices for trucks is crazy here.

[Chuck_S]

If you're towing something like this a 3500 diesel is a good idea. But the OP isn't.

Overkill always works of course.



-- Chuck

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

If you're towing something like this a 3500 diesel is a good idea. But the OP isn't.

Overkill always works of course.



-- Chuck

'

No Not talking about a 42 ft destination trailer. It weighs about 12,500 lbs. Sorry did not realize that my post was that unclear.

Never towed that. When I had my 2003 1/2 ton Hemi I was towing a 25 ft fifth wheel that weighed in at 7000. Terrible at 25 mph max. on hills (east coast mountains).

[Believer45]

I picked up my 2011 Ram 2500 Bighorn diesel rear wheel drive 18 months ago with 156,303 miles in really nice shape for $17,500. Not even surface rust anywhere, including the underside of the body and the frame. If I recall correctly, blue book at the time was over $20,000. If you are comfortable with rear wheel drive you can get a truck for significantly less than 4x4.

[Oaklevel]

Almost forgot my BIL had been looking at F250s recently and many on the dealer lots were coming out of New England with some serious rust on the frames and at 40K plus. We are in Virginia.

[Believer45]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Almost forgot my BIL had been looking at F250s recently and many on the dealer lots were coming out of New England with some serious rust on the frames and at 40K plus. We are in Virginia.

I am the third owner of my 2011. It was originally purchased in Louisiana. In 2015 the southern Ohio folks I bought it from had to go that far to find the truck they wanted. It does have certification that it has never been a flood vehicle. I bought it in 2022 and have kept it off the road once salt is used here.

[rwriley1053]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

You could get a Peterbilt tractor too but why?

A Google search for that trailer shows the GVWR -- the fully loaded maximum, legal weight -- is 7686 pounds which my Expedition can handle as can any real pickup.

-- Chuck

If I have the right TT it shows dry weight of 4,871 lbs, and hitch weight of 686 lbs. I my case, it is just DW and I, and we put about 750 lbs in the TT, so if you do about the same it would be 5,621 lbs total and maybe about 850 lbs on the hitch. Both are well within a typical chevy 1/2 ton for hitch weight, rear axle, GCWR, and GVW. My Chevy Tahoe would handle it just fine.

Having said all that, 3/4 ton trucks handle trailers much better than 1/2 tons. IMHO - I would go with a 3/4 for 2 reasons.

#1. It will probably handle your TT with no Problems.
#2. If you get a 1/2 ton - It may not handle your next RV. And There WILL be a next RV

[jlynn721]

Originally Posted by turtlehead

Picked up a 2018 Forest River grey wolf 22' (27 o/a)

Looking at trucks to pull with. I tend to just go overkill on things, but I'm trying to not break the bank.

Looking into used trucks, I'd LOVE to stay below 15k, but could get to 20k if it makes a HUGE difference.

I've been looking for diesel f250/350, or dodge/ram/chevy 2500/3500

BUT - it crossed my mind, a smaller truck "technically" would tow this within weight and have room.

Should I step up to a larger truck to save myself any concern/headache.... Or save some moey and go smaller??

I know this might be a personal decision, but I value opinions, differing or not, gives me more to consider/ponder and helps me make a better decision.

You can never have too much truck. Better to have a bigger truck than what you may need for a specific trailer.

[RamManMN]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

You could get a Peterbilt tractor too but why?

A Google search for that trailer shows the GVWR -- the fully loaded maximum, legal weight -- is 7686 pounds which my Expedition can handle as can any real pickup.

-- Chuck

Not necessarily. It depends on a lot of factors including what else you put in the truck. Our trailer is 7034 unloaded ( per a CAT scale), and 7600 ish as we load it. With the unloaded trailer hooked up, the weight of my truck increases by 1020# including 106# for the hitch and 914# for trailer tongue weight. 435# of people + 200# of gear in the bed and that's 1655 total payload before we load anything in the trailer. My previous Sierra 1500 6.2L, 10 speed, 3.21 rear end truck had a payload sticker rating of 1650# - 100# ish of add on accessories so about 1550 available. It would have been over loaded with my current configuration...before I started loading the trailer. Our trailer has limited outside storage so there is little opportunity to move weight from the bed to the trailer.

This is why blanket statements are so problematic.

[H2ohed]

I have towed with gas 1/2 ton, then went to Diesel 3/4 ton now I have a 3500 Duramax diesel. Tows anything. Mountains? No problem. Get the app Mudflap and get your diesel at a huge discount. The diesel is more $$$ to maintain, but no worries when towing.

PS the DEF for diesels is a pain, buy in 5 gallon jugs at truck stops (cheaper) and a gallon pitcher to make pouring easier.

Good luck truck hunting!

[Puma26RLSS]

I currently tow my 26-ft (32 OA) Puma with a 2020 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost. The Puma loaded for trips is about 7,900 lbs. with about an 800 lb. tongue weight. My F-150 has the max tow package so I am well within specs. Prior to this truck I towed with a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi V-8. I elected "half ton" trucks because I only use them for RV-ing about 1/4 the time. The rest of the time I enjoy the ride, ease of service, cost, and overall size for around town driving and parking. I towed my Puma across country from Florida to the West coast (even as far as Seattle once) four times and up to Michigan/Indiana four times. Roughly half of that with the Ram and half with the Ford. I do drive conservatively. With the Ram I got about 10-11 mpg (mostly premium grade) and the Ford gives me about 10-12 mpg (mid-grade) with excellent acceleration. That is my story, if it helps.