Would a F-150 or Chevy 1500 Be big enough to tow?

[Epoweredrc]

So right now I own 1971 Keystone Sandpiper its like a 19 foot, and i own a Mustang, v6. But I might be buying a pick up when I get income tax back. I want to buy a F150 or a Chevy 1500 or something, it will be a ext cab. I am sure it be plenty of truck to pull this camper but if we keep living in a camper one day we hope to buy at least a 30 foot one and just want to make sure I have enough truck to do so.. Thanks for your input.

Merry Christmas

[GaryWT]

There are a number of things to look at on both the truck and trailer to determine a good match. The things I look at mostly is tow capacity and payload of the truck and loaded weight and tongue weight of the trailer. If you stay within these items then you will most likely be good. Try to avoid smaller engines unless it is an ecoboost. Until you actually look at trucks and trailers it is hard to say what will work.

I had a 2009 150 that I bought before I towed, when I decided to tow I got a 2010 150 to increase the tow capacity from 5700 to 8600 to I could get a trailer we liked. After a life changing event, we upgraded to a 2014 350 which I love although it is nice that gas prices are going down lol.

[jkohler70]

There are too many variables to answer this question. Amongst 30' campers, there can be a variance of several thousand pounds in weight, and 1/2 pickups within a particular model only share the chassis. Tow capacity changes with the model year, engine, driveline (4X4 vs 4X2), bed length, and cab configuration.
For example, a 2011 F-150 has a tow capacity range of 5,500# - 11,300#.

[hankaye]

Epoweredrc, Howdy;

If you are planning on "Movin on up" to something longer and
heavier, you might want to set your truck sights into the F-250
or 2500 series trucks, or perhaps even to the 3500, F-350 series
instead of having to purchase both Rv and truck again later.
Something to think about...

hankaye

[Desert185]

E:

Buy as much truck as you can afford with the minimum being a 3/4 ton. There are a lot of good options out there in the used market. Then, when buying another trailer, you will have to buy one with weights within the limits of your truck. This may be the backwards way of doing it, but your situation may require it, and in the end, the results could be very suitable to your needs.

[Festus2]

I am sure it be plenty of truck to pull this camper but if we keep living in a camper one day we hope to buy at least a 30 foot one and just want to make sure I have enough truck to do so.. Thanks for your input.


Epowerdrc:
If you are planning to purchase an RV of "at least 30 feet" then I'd echo the suggestions above and think about something bigger than a 1/2T. A 1/2T will be certainly adequate for your present RV but when the day comes for you to start looking at 30ft+ RV's, it probably won't be sufficient.

Plan for the future and shop around for a larger tow vehicle.

[Ken / Claudia]

A bigger truck purchased now can pull a small trailer but, a small truck cannot pull a bigger trailer. Plan ahead get more truck now, maybe it will be paid for by the time you get that 30 ft trailer. I have found in RVs, boats and trucks to pull them many people change their minds on what is wanted or needed after a few trips or seasons. That usually means wanting bigger rvs and boats and that my friend means bigger trucks. If it can be afforded go big, 3/4 or 1 ton.

[GmaPaTime]

If you think that you may want a toy-hauler down the road, I'd recommend you think long and hard about getting a 350/3500. Even at the 250/2500 level, you'll be limited to the lower half of 5ver's regarding safe weight capability. IMO :)

[commish]

We started with a 1962 Chev wagon and a 1966 Chinook 16 ft TT. After many changes in our camping needs and wants we now have a 2 ton TV and a 36 ft Montana 5er. My thought is :)You cannot get too big of a truck. Happy Trails :)

[pakuma]

Don't ignore the Ram 1500 Hemi with trailer tow package. I tow my 5er. Just weighed the trailer and it comes in at 8880 lbs. My towing capacity is 9950 lbs.

[pakuma]

I forgot that the hitch weight is 1660 lbs.

[Epoweredrc]

Thanks everyone, well one thing is i am not going to be able to spend 10,000 on a truck more in 1000-3000 range n its going to be my daily driver if the wife gets a job so i dont want to get really bad gas milege

[chuckster57]

Thanks everyone, well one thing is i am not going to be able to spend 10,000 on a truck more in 1000-3000 range.

Thats not much truck to tow a trailer IMO. I hope you find what your looking for.

[eddarde]

I just today sold my 2000 f150 5.4 for 3000 that we used to haul our 29 ft zeppelin. we were at max but it worked ok. Upgraded to ecoboost max tow.

[audio1der]

Thanks everyone, well one thing is i am not going to be able to spend 10,000 on a truck more in 1000-3000 range n its going to be my daily driver if the wife gets a job so i dont want to get really bad gas milege

That is a big ask of any vehicle. I'm not a dealer and am not trying to have you spend more $, but from first hand experience, a 1/2T doesn't have the "bones" (frame, weight, "heft/bulk")to control a 30'+ trailer. If that 30 footer is heavy you'll likely be over capacity. If it is light, you'll have a lot of white knuckle moments. Weight is the first thing that comes to mind but length, with all its side area to wind and passing vehicles, is another oft forgotten.
We just want you to be safe and enjoy yourselves :)

[Epoweredrc]

I just today sold my 2000 f150 5.4 for 3000 that we used to haul our 29 ft zeppelin. we were at max but it worked ok. Upgraded to ecoboost max tow.
Yeah, that kinda my thing, you can find deals if you look around. I am sure those ecoboost and other trucks are nice but those are not in my realistic world. I work at walmart i just need something.to move my camper a few miles when i need to move it rest time it just be pulling a 6x10 most likly sized inclosed trailer with RC stuff inside and hauling trash off thanks for everyones input. Maybe i look for at f250 and chevy 2500s

[Goingfor9]

My trailer is 35ft and I used to pull it with 2010 f150. It towed okay, I never felt like it was pushing except going down long steep hills. You can get 30ft trailer thst your truck will yow you just need to be looking at the ultra lights. My trailer also weighed in about 8500lbs. I would also recommend going a real good trailer hitch like a propride or hensley. They completely eliminate sway and can make toeing with a border line truck feel much better

I just recently traded my f150 for a f250 and the new truck is a major differance. If possible I would get a bigger truck if you could

[Epoweredrc]

Thanks everyone, what is with the chevy HD and fords super duty, do thEy have better everything or is it just there desil

[chuckster57]

I don't really pay attention to Chevy products other than they are on my driveway lots of times for me to work on them :p

"Super Duty" was a name that Ford adopted years ago, may have been in response to Chevy using Heavy Duty. You can buy a super duty in gas or diesel.

There is also the "class" of truck based on GVWR I believe

Light duty, medium duty and heavy duty. I don't know the cutoff criteria for each.

[Epoweredrc]

Lol Im mostly ford person lot more fords then others but.my chevy blazer gave me 6 yrs of service and never had any mayjor issues. They all have there problems most time its due to how there getting treated... I really cant decide more on a ford truck or a Chevy. Some out there both look nice even if i had 25,000 to buy a newer one it would still be hard guess i need look more into the yr and specs of towing and such.