Tow Vehicle 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton

[hehbr]

Towing a larger trailer, is there any advantage in towing it with a 3/4 ton vs a 1/2 ton tow vehicle? Assume we are carrying nothing in the truck bed and are within the capacities of the tow vehicles.

I am asking because the Chevy 1500 can tow 9600 pound trailer and the 2500 can tow a 9500 pound trailer. This is for a 4x4, extended cab, standard bed, gas powered model.

[wyo700]

Not sure where you got your info but according to Chevys web site a 1500 in that model with the 6.2 liter v8 and 3.73 rear end can have a max trailer weight of 10300 lbs. And a 2500 hd with 6.0 and 4.10 can have a max trailer weight of 13000 lbs. max 5th wheel of 14000 lbs. the advantages are obvious more weight and higher payload with a 2500hd. Unless you don't have a trailer that big and only need a half ton.

[Dave_Monica]

When it comes to camper towing, the limiting factor is almost always payload, not the maximum towing weight. The true payload capacity available for tongue weight (or pin weight) of most half ton trucks is around 1000 lbs once you have passengers, fuel and gear in the truck. For 3/4 ton trucks that available payload capacity may be closer to 2000 lbs. The tongue/pin weight of the camper helps to decide what you need.

The other advantage of a 3/4 ton TV would be the upgrade to diesel power if desired. There's no dispute that diesel trucks make towing easy and have better fuel mileage.

You should also give some consideration to your future needs. People tend to change campers more frequently than trucks so you may want to consider the next camper purchase.

Dave

[ng2951]

Yeah, the GMC 2500 Duramax handles a lot more than 9500 pounds. I agree, buy your TV for the next camper you are going to own, not the current one you own...

[hehbr]

I think I did a poor job of posing the question. I know that a 3/4 ton TV can handle a lot more weight and diesel engines have a lot more power than gas engines. My real question is regarding stability of the truck and trailer. For the same trailer (say a 34' travel trailer with 800 pounds hitch weight and 8000 pounds loaded weight) will a 3/4 ton TV be more stable for some reason? I can't think of any but am asking those with much more experience than me.

[MC9]

I have done both. When you get up in the 8K range the lightweight of the half ton shows. My 3/4 weighs 2K more than the 1/2, Believe me, you will know it's back there. If you are going to drag it out to the lake or campground once in a while you live with it.

[Dave_Monica]

To answer your rephrased question, the 3/4 T truck will feel more stable. I'd think of it in terms of % of payload capacity...80% for the 1/2 T, 40% for the 3/4 T. I'm not saying that the 1/2 T truck at 80% payload capacity isn't acceptable, it probably is.

Dave

[MillerTime]

My 2500 hd has a lot less body roll than my wifes tahoe on sweeping curves, I would atribute that to the stiffer susp. And my truck sits about 6-8" higher. I just don't think that 1/2 tons have enough"lead in their butt". My 5er is probably about 10.5k loaded and I don't really like how hard it pulls and I have a d-max. I usually haul a lot of equipment and hay and my 1/2 ton Z71 I had a few years back, you really had to watch how you loaded it- easy to do with equipment,watching how much it squats the truck, hard to do with a 5er. Plus 1/2 tons seem to buck more easily(to me).

Maybe it is just me, but I hate seeing squatting vehicles towing a trailer. I like being the one nobody notices when I tow cause my truck sits normal(& I don't use bags).

[Sirsea]

I towed our first camper (8,500# bumper tow) with a Toyota Tundra rated for 10,500# and it struggled on the slightest hill. Upgraded to a Dodge 2500 Cummins Diesel and the difference was astounding...plus a 50% increase in fuel mileage. One our second fiver which is about 12,500# and still get 12.5 MPG! If it's within your budget, go for the 3/4 diesel of your choice. Never heard anybody say they wish they had a smaller truck...

[Rod Johnson]

I gotta agree...

I have a Chevy 1500 with all the tow goodies, and tow a 6500# trailer. It'll do it, but I'd hate to try anthing bigger, and still have plans to upgrade to a diesel 2500 when funds allow.

Right now I get 7-9 MPG when towing, but I do tow through some mountains...

[wyo700]

I guess a big part of it for me is how else the truck will be used. I am currently pulling a 26 foot toy hauler that weighs 6800 lbs loaded with a Nissan Titan. My truck does well. I was considering a diesel but could not justify having it the other 8 months out of the year when I will not be towing anything. Now if I had weeks planned over long distances I would probably get a diesel. I also use my truck all winter to ice fish and occasional cruising around in the hills. Which these newer diesels are not made for. Something else to think about.

[crasher]

Originally Posted by wyo700

I guess a big part of it for me is how else the truck will be used. I am currently pulling a 26 foot toy hauler that weighs 6800 lbs loaded with a Nissan Titan. My truck does well. I was considering a diesel but could not justify having it the other 8 months out of the year when I will not be towing anything. Now if I had weeks planned over long distances I would probably get a diesel. I also use my truck all winter to ice fish and occasional cruising around in the hills. Which these newer diesels are not made for. Something else to think about.

What does that mean, "not made for"? I use my truck just like any other car/truck. Range is over 700 miles on a tank. So in those snowy winter months, when it's 15 degrees outside, I only have to fill it up every other week.

[buckeyefan]

I think what WYO might be talking about has to do with the DPF (thanks EPA) on the newer trucks. I loved my 2010 F250 6.4L truck, but when I am not pulling and just driving around town for short distances (10-20 miles) under 50 MPH 80% of the time, the DPF is not getting hot enough to really burn off. I would purposefully have to drive 20-30 miles to burn the DPF off after killing it a few times. The truck was awesome on the highway and towing. It was much better suited for that use than short mile commuting.

[JFM-jr]

I can give some usefull input on this subject as I just went from a 1/2 ton Dodge Ram to a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram. Stayed with a gas motor same quadcad based 6 foot bed so apples to apples here. The 3/4 ton truck handles the camper with more authority on the highway. My travel trailer has a high tongue weight 980lbs dry (total of 6400 dry) and the 1/2 ton payload was evaporated in short order. True tongue weight with gear,batteries,and filled propne tanks is probably north of 1,200 lbs. The brakes on the 3/4 ton are HUGE in comparison to the 1/2 ton. The frame rails I measured myself with the trucks side by side and the 3/4 ton has a 1 inch wider rail. The 3/4 ton is also 900 lbs heavier than the 1/2 ton. Don't look at tow ratings as gospel my buddies Titan is rated to tow 92 or 9400 pounds vs my new 09 Rams rating of only 8800 and there is no doubt after watching him pull his camper wich truck is a better TV for an 8K pound camper.

[dretired]

Towing in the mountains at all ?? Ever going to a larger TT or 5th wheel ?? AND.. What does the wallet say ???

[jeeplj8]

To answer the OP's question, even in the theoretical situation where a 1550 and a 2500 had the same trailer tow ratings etc, same engine etc., the 2500 is ALWAYS going to tow better.

The 2500 will start out heavier, which means the trailer will push it around less. That counts when you on the highway.

The 2500 running gear will be heavier duty, which means the suspension will cycle less and of shorter duration, affording you more control of the TV and trailer.

The 2500 running gear will be designed to operate at heavier weights, so you will see less alignment issues, less tire wear, and typically less wear on rotating parts.

As has been pointed out, this theoretical situation does not exist. Because of the way that trucks are rated, the 2500 always has beter payload capacities than a similarly rated 1500 anyway. But even with that taken out of the equation, the 2500 will still ALWAYS pull better.

The 1500 may ride better though.

[CHD Dad]

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

I can give some usefull input on this subject as I just went from a 1/2 ton Dodge Ram to a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram. Stayed with a gas motor same quadcad based 6 foot bed so apples to apples here. The 3/4 ton truck handles the camper with more authority on the highway. My travel trailer has a high tongue weight 980lbs dry (total of 6400 dry) and the 1/2 ton payload was evaporated in short order. True tongue weight with gear,batteries,and filled propne tanks is probably north of 1,200 lbs. The brakes on the 3/4 ton are HUGE in comparison to the 1/2 ton. The frame rails I measured myself with the trucks side by side and the 3/4 ton has a 1 inch wider rail. The 3/4 ton is also 900 lbs heavier than the 1/2 ton. Don't look at tow ratings as gospel my buddies Titan is rated to tow 92 or 9400 pounds vs my new 09 Rams rating of only 8800 and there is no doubt after watching him pull his camper wich truck is a better TV for an 8K pound camper.

Curious how your MPG compares with the gas 3/4 T vs. the gas 1/2 T.

I am also at my payload right now and we are looking at possibly upgrading to a 3/4 or 1 T in the near future. We tow around 4-5 times a year with two longer trips. One is about 400 miles round trip, the other is around 1000 miles round trip. Other than that it will be a daily driver for a 40 mile commute round trip. Trying to decide if the diesel option is worth the $7000 - $9000 premium over gas. Part of me is just saying to get the motor if I am going to upgrade the other part is saying it would take me forever to get that money back with the type of driving I do. Only drive around 12-15K miles per year. I know diesels hold resale better but I dont plan on selling anytime soon so have to figure in years of gas and maintenance costs between the two motors.

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by CHD Dad

Curious how your MPG compares with the gas 3/4 T vs. the gas 1/2 T.

I am also at my payload right now and we are looking at possibly upgrading to a 3/4 or 1 T in the near future. We tow around 4-5 times a year with two longer trips. One is about 400 miles round trip, the other is around 1000 miles round trip. Other than that it will be a daily driver for a 40 mile commute round trip. Trying to decide if the diesel option is worth the $7000 - $9000 premium over gas. Part of me is just saying to get the motor if I am going to upgrade the other part is saying it would take me forever to get that money back with the type of driving I do. Only drive around 12-15K miles per year. I know diesels hold resale better but I dont plan on selling anytime soon so have to figure in years of gas and maintenance costs between the two motors.

In real world out the door pricing, is the diesel really that much more? I was looking at a local Dodge dealer's add, and the difference looked closer to 2K, depending on the truck. At that amount, it is a no brainer. When I bought a new 05 the difference was less than 1K with rebates.

[CHD Dad]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

In real world out the door pricing, is the diesel really that much more? I was looking at a local Dodge dealer's add, and the difference looked closer to 2K, depending on the truck. At that amount, it is a no brainer. When I bought a new 05 the difference was less than 1K with rebates.

We just shopped two weeks ago. Selling price on two almost identical 2012 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Big Horn 4x4's - one was a 5.7 Hemi, the other the Cummins. The Cummins was $46,000, the Hemi - $38,000. Those were just quick and dirty internet quotes, but that was what we got back. Options on both were near identical, even the same color inside and out.

If I could find one that was only $2K in difference it would be a much closer contest! Still have to factor in diesel gas prices and maintenance but it would be a close call.

[donanddona]

I have an 08 I-Force Tundra 5.7 to pull my 30' super lite 5er. I stay away from mountains untill the deisel tundra comes along. I do love my tundra but like the great Clint Eastwood said "A man should know his limatations". lol