Need help with a purchasing a vehicle to tow my camper.

[broncohog]

Hi everyone,
Brand new to the forum so thank you in advance for any help you can provide. I've probably put the cart before the horse but I purchased my camper now I need a vehicle, preferably a truck to pull it. I'm attaching the weight info. Can you give me some advice on what size engine or any other suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks Stephen

 

[bikendan]

Moved thread from the Dollars and Cents sub-forum to the Towing, Tow Vehicles and Hitches sub-forum since the OP's questions are specific to that particular sub-forum.

OP, since your RV is not a Forest River product and is over 20 years old, you'll need to provide more information.
Your sticker shows no information on what model number it is nor what the dry tongue weight is, which is the more important number. All you provided was a 2004 Pioneer trailer.
The truck's payload capacity and hitch receiver's max capacity, are more important than the trailer's weight.

 

[broncohog]

Moved thread from the Dollars and Cents sub-forum to the Towing, Tow Vehicles and Hitches sub-forum since the OP's questions are specific to that particular sub-forum.

OP, since your RV is not a Forest River product and is over 20 years old, you'll need to provide more information.
Your sticker shows no information on what model number it is nor what the dry tongue weight is, which is the more important number. All you provided was a 2004 Pioneer trailer.
The truck's payload capacity and hitch receiver's max capacity, are more important than the trailer's weight.

Ok. Thanks!

 

[broncohog]

Moved thread from the Dollars and Cents sub-forum to the Towing, Tow Vehicles and Hitches sub-forum since the OP's questions are specific to that particular sub-forum.

OP, since your RV is not a Forest River product and is over 20 years old, you'll need to provide more information.
Your sticker shows no information on what model number it is nor what the dry tongue weight is, which is the more important number. All you provided was a 2004 Pioneer trailer.
The truck's payload capacity and hitch receiver's max capacity, are more important than the trailer's weight.

The sticker say its a Pioneer Conv 18 T6 Its a Fleetwood.

 

[bikendan]

The sticker say its a Pioneer Conv 18 T6 Its a Fleetwood.

Found a brochure for 2004 Pioneer. The fictional dry tongue weight is 426lbs. It has tandem axles.
Using 12% of the trailer's GVWR for a ballpark loaded tongue weight, gives you around 720lbs.
So add the weights of driver & passengers, trailer cargo, WDH weight and the 720lbs loaded tongue weight.
Find a truck that has a payload capacity sticker, with at least that total.
Of course, the truck needs to have the full factory tow package. The hitch receiver should have a max hitch capacity of at least 720lbs.

 

[flyflotrtim]

There are a large number of tow vehicles that would do the job for you. You will find most of us here like our vehicles. A lot depends on how often you will tow and how you plan to use the tow vehicles when not towing. My truck is my daily driver, very comfortables, decent mileage and would tow your trailer easy peezy.

 

[Minthillbill]

In 2018 i decided to move up from a pop up to a hard side. I had a 2008 Ford Ranger which did a great job on the pop up. So i did my research and found that the 2018 F150 with regular Tow package would pull 7000 lbs and handle 750 lbs tongue weight with 3.5l V6 turbo. I went to the local dealer an gave them my specs, color and wanted a supercab version. They called the next day as they had one at another of their dealerships. 2 days later we went to look at it and bought it. I then bought a used trailer 19bh, 5000 lbs GW, 600 lb tongue. Had a Reese WD hitch with camper. Last Sept upgraded to a 265dbsle. 6500 Gw, 700 lb tongue. Bought a new WD hitch for it and the truck handles it just fine. So, pick something you like and go for it.

 

[Odyknuck]

I suspect any 1/2 ton pick up will suit your needs. IMHO based on my experience, your trailer is about the max on a 1/2 ton truck. I had a tag toy hauler that weighed about 8K loaded with offroad car and yes the F150 towed it fine however it was always downshifting and running at high RPM.
Even with trailer brakes stopping the rig was a challenge at times. A couple of trips later I bought an f250 diesel. So much better.

 

[emugel]

According to a VIN search, that's a 2004 Fleetwood trailer.
With the numbers shown, I would be fine towing it with any 1/2 ton truck.

Several for sale with a quick google search. Here are two.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2004-Fleetwood-PIONEER+18T6-5033956298#sid=425928

DeMartini RV Sales - New and Used Motorhome Dealer | Detail | Vehicles

DeMartini RV Sales, RV Dealer in California, New and Used motorhomes, Huge Inventory and Great Prices on the best brands! Newmar, Dynamax, Forest River, Thor, Jayco RV.

demartinirv.com

 

[broncohog]

The sticker say its a Pioneer Conv 18 T6 Its a Fleetwood.

Found a brochure for 2004 Pioneer. The fictional dry tongue weight is 426lbs. It has tandem axles.
Using 12% of the trailer's GVWR for a ballpark loaded tongue weight, gives you around 720lbs.
So add the weights of driver & passengers, trailer cargo, WDH weight and the 720lbs loaded tongue weight.
Find a truck that has a payload capacity sticker, with at least that total.
Of course, the truck needs to have the full factory tow package. The hitch receiver should have a max hitch capacity of at least 720lbs.

Hey Dan, thanks so much and I'm feeling like I'm asking a dumb question but how do I come up with that total with going to a weigh station or is that what I should do? The camper is being stored at the original owners since I don't have a a vehicle yet.

 

[broncohog]

According to a VIN search, that's a 2004 Fleetwood trailer.
With the numbers shown, I would be fine towing it with any 1/2 ton truck.

Several for sale with a quick google search. Here are two.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2004-Fleetwood-PIONEER+18T6-5033956298#sid=425928

DeMartini RV Sales - New and Used Motorhome Dealer | Detail | Vehicles

DeMartini RV Sales, RV Dealer in California, New and Used motorhomes, Huge Inventory and Great Prices on the best brands! Newmar, Dynamax, Forest River, Thor, Jayco RV.

demartinirv.com

Thank you!

 

[broncohog]

There are a large number of tow vehicles that would do the job for you. You will find most of us here like our vehicles. A lot depends on how often you will tow and how you plan to use the tow vehicles when not towing. My truck is my daily driver, very comfortables, decent mileage and would tow your trailer easy peezy.

Thanks, yes it will also be my daily driver so great info.

 

[broncohog]

I suspect any 1/2 ton pick up will suit your needs. IMHO based on my experience, your trailer is about the max on a 1/2 ton truck. I had a tag toy hauler that weighed about 8K loaded with offroad car and yes the F150 towed it fine however it was always downshifting and running at high RPM.
Even with trailer brakes stopping the rig was a challenge at times. A couple of trips later I bought an f250 diesel. So much better.

Awesome, thanks for the info.

 

[broncohog]

According to a VIN search, that's a 2004 Fleetwood trailer.
With the numbers shown, I would be fine towing it with any 1/2 ton truck.

Several for sale with a quick google search. Here are two.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2004-Fleetwood-PIONEER+18T6-5033956298#sid=425928

DeMartini RV Sales - New and Used Motorhome Dealer | Detail | Vehicles

DeMartini RV Sales, RV Dealer in California, New and Used motorhomes, Huge Inventory and Great Prices on the best brands! Newmar, Dynamax, Forest River, Thor, Jayco RV.

demartinirv.com

Cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[bikendan]

Hey Dan, thanks so much and I'm feeling like I'm asking a dumb question but how do I come up with that total with going to a weigh station or is that what I should do? The camper is being stored at the original owners since I don't have a a vehicle yet.

On most trucks, the payload capacity number will be be on the driver's door Tires and Loading sticker. It'll say "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". On GM trucks, It'll be on the driver's door silver sticker.
A real 1/2 should be fine if it has the full factory tow package. I'm very happy with my F150 XLT 3.5 Ecoboost truck. It has the Max Tow package with 1828lbs of payload capacity. Pulls like a diesel.
The hitch receiver's max capacity number should be on the receiver.
These numbers require you to look at each vehicle. Payload capacity is specific to each vehicle when it leaves the factory. The receiver's max capacity number rating would be more standard. But for my 2014 f150, there were 3 or 4 different hitch receivers, each with different weight capacities, depending on the towing package.

 

[broncohog]

On most trucks, the payload capacity number will be be on the driver's door Tires and Loading sticker. It'll say "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". On GM trucks, It'll be on the driver's door silver sticker.
A real 1/2 should be fine if it has the full factory tow package. I'm very happy with my F150 XLT 3.5 Ecoboost truck. It has the Max Tow package with 1828lbs of payload capacity. Pulls like a diesel.
The hitch receiver's max capacity number should be on the receiver.
These numbers require you to look at each vehicle. Payload capacity is specific to each vehicle when it leaves the factory. The receiver's max capacity number rating would be more standard. But for my 2014 f150, there were 3 or 4 different hitch receivers, each with different weight capacities, depending on the towing package.

Wow, great info. I'm learning!!!

 

[RobbieH]

I really think you went about this in the CORRECT order. Find the trailer you want, then find the correct vehicle to tow it with. I see all the time people either buy the vehicle they want or already have a vehicle, then try to shoehorn the trailer they want onto the back of it, usually with poor results.

Heck, I'll even pick on myself, after many years have having HD trucks, we switched to a Ram 1500 with the EcoDiesel 3.0 since at the time we had a motor home, the numbers looked good, 420 ft lbs of torque, and it towed my 7,000 lb flatbed and Jeep just fine (this is a rock crawling Jeep, no top, no windshield, etc, so very little wind resistance) then put our new trailer behind it, and it just didn't work.

 

[TitanMike]

Hey Dan, thanks so much and I'm feeling like I'm asking a dumb question but how do I come up with that total with going to a weigh station or is that what I should do? The camper is being stored at the original owners since I don't have a a vehicle yet.

Going to a "weigh station" is always better than an estimate or guessing.

CAT Scales are pretty much everywhere. Around $13 for first weigh and only $4 for second weigh within 24 hrs and ticket # from first weigh.

After loading truck, trailer, and hooking up WDH I go to a CAT Scale less than 10 miles away. Get first weigh and if needed adjust loading and/or WDH.

Really only necessary for first time out with new truck and trailer combo, or if significant change in loading of truck/trailer ( like for me when heading out for an extended trip ).

Very cheap insurance.

 

[bikendan]

But the OP has to buy the truck first, in order to take it to the scales.
You still have to gather the truck's specific capacities in order to choose one.
Never heard of any dealer willing to let you take the truck off the lot, hook up your trailer and take it to the scales, without buying it first.

 

[TitanMike]

But the OP has to buy the truck first, in order to take it to the scales.
You still have to gather the truck's specific capacities in order to choose one.
Never heard of any dealer willing to let you take the truck off the lot, hook up your trailer and take it to the scales, without buying it first.

Today's "door stickers" and stickers on the trailer are fine for making a purchase. Scales are highly recommended after the purchase and vehicle is loaded.

I'm with you on F-150's with tow packages. Should easily tow the trailer discussed.

BTW, dealer i purchased my trailer would allow me to weigh a truck before purchasing. Scales near and I'd need to have sales person with me. You'd be amazed at what they'll do in irder to close a sale.