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

[DJ252]

I agree with others, as to the hows and whys of it and that a 150 / 1500 class truck, properly equipped and loaded, will be ample.

The properly equipped and loaded part could get sticky though.

You'll want at least the mid sized engine of that issue and toward the top, of the rear end gear ratios. A 2.7L engine, coupled with a 3.31 rear end, probably won't do.

Also, not necessarily "loaded". Such things as moonroofs, power tailgates, non stock wheels and tires etc. all weigh something, will make a big difference and enough of them on the same truck, can otherwise cripple a 150 / 1500 class truck for heavy towing.

In that regard, buying an existing truck, new or used, is much easier than ordering new. Check the capacity and window stickers, go to the tow guides for that year and you'll have a definitive answer at that moment.

And just to drive it home, the published towing capacities on trucks are a bit of smoke and mirrors. They're real, in the sense of pulling and braking power but in practicality, payload, will be the primary limiter.

And you don't necessarily want or need the "max tow" but you will need at least the basic tow package.

I don't know about others but from 2021 on, F150 max tow, actually costs 20lbs. of payload and has a high failure rate of a critical bolt on that axle. For them, the basic tow package, is the better choice.

 

[jjscsix]

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.

After owning my TT for eighteen months i went to a Cat Scale yesterday. A friend who has dine it before went with me, and I did a lot of homework. With the APP it is simple and you don’t even need to go inside the store.

I am very analytical and am also a card carrying gear head going back nearly 60 years. I felt certain that I would come in with acceptable numbers but also knew my tongue weight was a concern. But over the past several months I took extra steps to move things around in the trailer to better balance the weight. I also don't keep much, if any water in the tanks while on the road.

One of the more enlightening things I found was the axle weights on my tow vehicle. Be sure to weigh the tow vehicle with the trailer hooked up and again without the trailer. That will tell you about how well set up your WDH is.

 

[GolfingDave]

I don't know about others but from 2021 on, F150 max tow, actually costs 20lbs. of payload and has a high failure rate of a critical bolt on that axle. For them, the basic tow package, is the better choice

Looks like there is a recall on them. "2021–2023 F-150 trucks with Trailer Tow Max Duty package and equipped with 9.75-inch heavy-duty axle with a ¾-float axle design."
I have no idea if the heavy-duty axle is on all Max Tow Packages.

My max tow package included the 35 gallon fuel tank. That is worth a bit of weight in my book.
Going to guess some weight is in coolers and associated hardware also???

 

[DJ252]

Looks like there is a recall on them. "2021–2023 F-150 trucks with Trailer Tow Max Duty package and equipped with 9.75-inch heavy-duty axle with a ¾-float axle design."
I have no idea if the heavy-duty axle is on all Max Tow Packages.

My max tow package included the 35 gallon fuel tank. That is worth a bit of weight in my book.
Going to guess some weight is in coolers and associated hardware also???

Yes, that particular axle, is only on the max tow package and perhaps, the HD 150. Can't recall for certain on the latter.

As for the weight, its a heavier hitch bracket and an extra spring.

The Powerboost, already comes with a different (trouble free) HD version of the 3.73 axle and the extra spring. So, for mine, tow package but not max tow, was the way to order it.

 

[GolfingDave]

Looks like the recall is only on the 3.73 axles. If I am reading this chart right? Not all Max Tow packages have the Heavy Duty Payload. Looks like two different options.

Just in case OP thinks about an F150

From a 2021 brochure.

Interesting article on the axles.

News: These 2021 Ford F-150 Trucks Have a 3/4-Floating Axle & It May Be Delaying Your Truck

 

[DJ252]

Correct, it is 2 different options but the bad bolt is only on the max tow. There is another 3.73 axle without any troubles.

 

[flyflotrtim]

If you cant get the trailer to a scale, try one of these. I like mine

https://www.amazon.com/Sherline-LM-1000-Trailer-Tongue/dp/B007REJTGI?crid=3O7751RTPJCUH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jMaZaEJ5rCW69pYk8PcDdk7VQ3Hp7XRMuOq-nRe-zqpVmVDO4gtNA_c9ypuaqtvuxuK48XQdRUDZ8hqiLzx5PJHvkPftmodvveSuilPOHy8UP-jqRiH0pLKp8Opj4tsKxoD96UpN3HG40kcBPr-KbN4jf1I93dj6r9hq0uyIl2jerETxTfojQvDLsVfmogNG5NGkW8HnnH6aYo4w2_736BUsLLma0khYrFBm6TAtMImd0HuEoyBehtT6nNFyCb2F6rz3EPPKevhIQmqCHqEiqeg4PMn1BO2nMJydFhyQYBewWxsOb0LfIfQRAZn8IWjkoHsf7MkWV7mVrzp0JW2VyxjLd15r5GlqIFWwxvbd_pQ3OuIARPwYz7jwM3l56765d-jlmGsxyhZCpMm9dhEfDTdJmMUYuJ6mguuiOf81BDRGAh2wjQron-_u3u5eHwt7.AeippOIXTlbLntlPKiQjq9yx2cFglxMfL7Q28G6nTm4&dib_tag=se&keywords=trailer+hitch+tongue+weight+scale&qid=1738986609&sprefix=trailer+hitch+scale%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-8

 

[bikendan]

Love my Sherline!

 

[ppine]

A half ton pick up would work. People like the Ford 3.5 liter turbo for pulling.

 

[Jim34RL]

For the most part you cannot go wrong with the information provided for your current size trailer.

But my question is how long you will keep this current trailer? Will the truck you purchase to pull this trailer today will it be enough to pull the next trailer tomorrow.

I know in the last 18 years I have owned three different 5er's and the last one I am currently in, was purchased in 2016. They all have grown in weight from a light weight 5er to my current unit that has a gross max weight of 16,173LBS, a 2016 Cedar Creek 34RL.

So, I would suggest that you pick a truck that can pull the current unit with and maybe a larger trailer in the future. I would look at a 3/4-ton model truck with a sufficiently decent tow rating. It might be over kill for the current trailer, but you than do not need to go and purchase another truck plus the new trailer.

And it does happen for the most part we have all bought a trailer what we thought would last several years only to find our first unit wasn't big enough.

 

[jimmoore13]

I have a 2006 half-ton Dodge Ram ... see my signature.
It will pull that easily, as will any 1/2 ton of that vintage and later that is setup to tow. Setup to tow doesn't mean a receiver hitch. It means that the transmission cooler and engine cooling capacity is tow rated, and other chassis components, final gearing, and so on are also rated for towing. See the sticker on the driver's door frame.

I don't know many people out there willing to buy something as old as my truck, but, of late, manufacturers have been engaged in tow rating wars...especially after Ford introduced its turbo V-6 engines and half-ton tow ratings over 12,000 pounds. The umpteen speed transmissions help a lot, too.

So that's the slam dunk answer. Are you thinking of going smaller? Because, if you are, there aren't many Taco/Frontier trucks that are good for 6000 #GVWR, and the same goes for SUVs...other than body on frame full sizers like the Tahoe or Expedition.

There's plenty of stuff out there that can handle 5000# and related tongue weight. But that's kind of the magic dividing line between the wannabe trucks and "real" trucks. Your rig needs a "real" truck to be safe, comfortable and not be frustrating.

 

[TitanMike]

A half ton pick up would work. People like the Ford 3.5 liter turbo for pulling.

I don't just like my F-150 3.5 ecoboost, I love it. Since I drove it home from Dealer last Feb I taken it from coast to coast, several short trips, am now 1/2 way through a 3,000 mile trip.

All with truck loaded to ~ 6900# and towing my 25' MicroLite weighing right at 6400#

Fuel mileage is great.

 

[bikendan]

I don't just like my F-150 3.5 ecoboost, I love it. Since I drove it home from Dealer last Feb I taken it from coast to coast, several short trips, am now 1/2 way through a 3,000 mile trip.

All with truck loaded to ~ 6900# and towing my 25' MicroLite weighing right at 6400#

Fuel mileage is great.

I hear ya Mike! Love my Ecoboost too.

 

[AlaskaErik]

And you don't necessarily want or need the "max tow" but you will need at least the basic tow package.

I don't know about others but from 2021 on, F150 max tow, actually costs 20lbs. of payload and has a high failure rate of a critical bolt on that axle. For them, the basic tow package, is the better choice.

The max tow package has a number of advantages. On my Sierra it includes a beefed up rear axle and suspension, a 3.73 axle (3.23 is the only axle on non-max tow trucks), a 220 amp alternator and enhanced engine and transmission cooling. It also increases max tow rating to 12,500 lbs on my truck, GVWR to 7300 lbs (7200 lbs is standard) and GCWR to 19,000 lbs. The reason this is important is that max hitch weight is 10 percent of max tow weight on half ton trucks. With a max hitch weight of 1250 lbs I'm still in limits on trailers that are over about 7000 lbs. You get a truck with an 8000 lb max tow weight it will have a max hitch weight of 800 lbs, which isn't enough for a trailer getting close to that max tow weight.

 

[DJ252]

The max tow package has a number of advantages. On my Sierra it includes a beefed up rear axle and suspension, a 3.73 axle (3.23 is the only axle on non-max tow trucks), a 220 amp alternator and enhanced engine and transmission cooling. It also increases max tow rating to 12,500 lbs on my truck, GVWR to 7300 lbs (7200 lbs is standard) and GCWR to 19,000 lbs. The reason this is important is that max hitch weight is 10 percent of max tow weight on half ton trucks. With a max hitch weight of 1250 lbs I'm still in limits on trailers that are over about 7000 lbs. You get a truck with an 8000 lb max tow weight it will have a max hitch weight of 800 lbs, which isn't enough for a trailer getting close to that max tow weight.

It was the blanket statement / recommendation of max tow, I was cautioning against.

And only for F150s from 21 - 23/24. I hear they have a fix for the problem bolt now but none the less, it still costs 20lbs. of payload and that is where we usually bump our heads first, towing RVs.