Which of these two trucks would be a better tow vehicle for me?

[Cabinfever97]

I have a new body 2007 2500 Silverado. Has done fine pulling both TTs we have had with the truck. Well except for a new transmission at 128000 miles. TT 1 was about 9500LBS ready to camp and TT 2 is about 9000LBS. The payload for the truck is about 2800LBS full of gas, loaded to camp, and with two passengers. The total GCW is 16000LBS. We will be buying another truck this year. It will be a 2015/16 Ford F250. The reasons are weight related. The F250 has a payload around 3500LBS ready to camp and a GCW of 19000LBS. These ratings allow for more gear in the truck when pulling the TT and we will not be up against the GCW. Checking the 250 against 350 I found the payload goes up 1000LBS, however the GCW stays the same. Likely we will have a 250 but if a 350 came along that worked I would buy it as well then register as a 3/4 ton.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Librarianwhs

Just an update in my search for a tow vehicle. I went and looked again at the 2 2007 trucks I had originally posted about. Both of them had much more rust than I had originally thought. I don't want a rust bucket. I have decided I want to look at trucks newer than the 2 I've been looking at. This evening I drove a 2015 Siverado 3500 crew cab long bed 4x4. It has LT trim which is several nice options but not top of the line. The interior is cloth and the driver seat is 10 way power adjustable. This truck has the best service records of any truck I've looked at. It is one owner and he has been meticulous about changing all fluids including differentials, transfer case, engine, transmission and even power steering. The drawback is that the truck has 177K miles on it. The interior doesn't show it and it drives flawlessly. I really like this truck. Tomorrow I'm going to look at a 2014 Ford F250 XL. It is regular cab 4x4 and has 87K miles on it. This truck will be very different from the Chevy. It is much more plain, but it has less than half the miles on it. I've seen some of the service records on it and they're not bad but nothing like the care given to the chevy. We'll see how it goes. Again I Thank all of you for the wonderful advice you have given me.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

Don, one of the ironies of towing is that the vehicle with the lowest trim package makes the best tow vehicle because it has the greatest payload capability.

All that bling of the higher trim packages cuts into the vehicle's payload as reflected in the yellow sticker on the edge of the driver's door or door frame.

[Librarianwhs]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Don, one of the ironies of towing is that the vehicle with the lowest trim package makes the best tow vehicle because it has the greatest payload capability.

All that bling of the higher trim packages cuts into the vehicle's payload as reflected in the yellow sticker on the edge of the driver's door or door frame.

Larry, I agree with you about the extra bling. I'm pretty certain that either the 1 ton chevy or the F250 will have plenty of payload to haul what I need to haul. Same with towing abilities for both trucks. I think I'll be at about 60 to 70% capacity at the most. The GVW of my camper is about 9 to 9.5K. I can't see me upgrading that number more than maybe 1K and even then I would be in good shape with either truck. I think it's going to come down to what my dear wife likes the best. I value her opinion very much.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by Librarianwhs

Larry, I agree with you about the extra bling. I'm pretty certain that either the 1 ton chevy or the F250 will have plenty of payload to haul what I need to haul. Same with towing abilities for both trucks. I think I'll be at about 60 to 70% capacity at the most. The GVW of my camper is about 9 to 9.5K. I can't see me upgrading that number more than maybe 1K and even then I would be in good shape with either truck. I think it's going to come down to what my dear wife likes the best. I value her opinion very much.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

One of the perks of the extra bling is seat comfort. We had our Silverado in for service and the dealership gave us a very similar Silverado as a loaner. As soon as we sat down on the seat, we both noticed a stark difference in seat discomfort. If you are going to be driving any distance, that would make a difference.

[Librarianwhs]

We looked at and drove the f250 this evening. We were very disappointed. I felt that it had been rode hard and put away wet as old timers used to say about horses. There were quite a few dents and dings that were not apparent in the pictures we had seen (as is usual). The driver side door did not align correctly. The remote control for the mirrors didn't work. The vinyl seats were cracked in many places. The truck ran fine but there were far more rattles and creaking noises than there are in my 99 Dodge truck. For 87K miles it was not in the best of shape. In short, we were not interested. We called the dealer who has the Chevy 1 ton and we have a deal. I'll start paperwork tomorrow. Again, I thank all of you for the valuable advice and information.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

[Grapehound]

Post a photo, we want to see what truck you ended up getting. Be interested in seeing the cargo sticker too.

[Librarianwhs]

I will post a picture sometime Sunday if all goes well. The cargo sticker says 3986lbs.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

[Grapehound]

Originally Posted by Librarianwhs

I will post a picture sometime Sunday if all goes well. The cargo sticker says 3986lbs.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

Sounds like you have a great truck lined up! Congratulations! Anxious to see the photo!

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Librarianwhs

I will post a picture sometime Sunday if all goes well. The cargo sticker says 3986lbs.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

Great work Don. The 1 ton gives you lots of payload without worrying about it.

[Librarianwhs]

Sorry to take so long to upload a picture of my truck. It's not a very good picture but should give some idea of that the truck is like. I have ordered a toneau cover for it and hope to have it soon.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

[Grapehound]

Looks very nice, Don! Thanks for sharing. I think you made a really good choice! You can tow your trailer with ease...

[Chazman]

Congrats on the new truck. From the pic it certainly does look like it's in very good shape.

[Librarianwhs]

Thanks Grapehound and Chazman. I can't wait to get on the road and tow with it, but spring is a few weeks away. My sweetheart and I will be taking it to Salt Fork Lodge for Valentine weekend. It will be a time to get more familiar with the truck on a 2.5 hour trip.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

[Curly2001]

Go with the one with 4:10 gears. I just got rid of one with 135,000 miles on it that ran fine with my 30' fifth wheel. It did fine with a 7,600+ lb. load. Had one before that with a 4 speed and the 6 speed is miles ahead with performance. Very reliable engine and trans combo.
Curly

[67L48]

OP already made his choice and posted on his purchase 2 weeks ago ... but, sure, keep giving him suggestions on what he should buy.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 67L48

OP already made his choice and posted on his purchase 2 weeks ago ... but, sure, keep giving him suggestions on what he should buy.

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