What weight or trailer size starts a 3/4 to squat?

[Model A Driver]

I am bumping to a 3/4 but have notice several around town squatting with trailers that are not that big. Before buying one, and in the case of Ram spending $1600 for air bags,I was wondering if anyone had experience on this subject. I don't think my trailer will but this a one time purchase. It is cheaper to get a 3500. I admit, I don't know squat.

[notanlines]

Model A, you will be getting a myriad of answers on that question of yours. But I would NOT be buying a new truck that I had to install air bags. Go for the 1 ton, any of the big three, and put the worries behind you.

[flight medic]

Originally Posted by notanlines

model a, you will be getting a myriad of answers on that question of yours. But i would not be buying a new truck that i had to install air bags. Go for the 1 ton, any of the big three, and put the worries behind you.

^^^^this^^^^^

[JRTJH]

It's impossible to argue with this logic. Get the 1 ton and don't look back. After the first year, when you start looking at larger trailers (and you will) the truck won't be a limiting factor for almost anything you'd want to choose to replace your current RV.

[Big Boy w/ Big Toys]

How does the saying go......"Go Big or Go Home".

1 Ton DRW 4x4 and Crew Cab should cover your bases for a few years.

[BlueThunder34]

I agree with what has already been said as well, go with the 1 ton. I recently just made the switch from a 1/2 ton to a one ton and could not be happier. The price difference between the 3/4 and 1 ton was minimal ($400) but the payload was over 1,000lbs more in the 1 ton. You should not need airbags on the truck if its towing within specs.

[nellie1289]

Get a 1 ton. Most are around $800-1000 more new.... you will never regret..... your payload goes up by 2,000 lbs + on newer models and you wont have to worry about the weight police EVER unless you go crazy big.

Sidenote. I noticed a travel trailer seems to sag the rear end of most trucks more than a much heavier pin weight fifth wheel. Im sure someone smarter will tell me why, must be physics of the angle of the weight distribution on the back? Educate me boys.

[CaptnJohn]

1860 # pin weight and my F250 does not even notice it....

[bsmith0404]

First, just about any 5th wheel on the market, even half ton towable, will make a 3/4 and even a 1 ton squat. The suspension is designed to squat when weight is added until they get to the overload springs. In the old days, a heavier rated truck had more springs and road really rough. Today, the trucks use fewer springs for a smooth ride when empty, but have overload springs that will come into contact with weigh as he truck squats.

Bottom line, know the load ratings for the truck you want buy as well as how much weight you plan to put on it and determine if it's enough truck. Typically (not always), a 3/4 is good for trailers that are under 35' long with a pin weight in the low 2k range. When you start getting up in the 35' and above trailers, you're getting into 1 ton DRW area. Some trailers in the mid 30' length are pin heavy and a 1 ton SRW would be a better option than the 3/4 ton. Some 40' trailers are light on the pin and will be okay with a 1 ton SRW. It's never a bad thing to get too much truck, it's a safety issue to not have enough truck.

[Model A Driver]

1 ton it is. Thanks everyone.

[1jeep]

why stop at the 1 ton srw, dually is only another $1200.

But on serious note I just made my purchase and went form a 3/4 to 1 ton drw, going from a 3/4 to 1 ton srw would only gain 1500lbs, but that was ford and im certain brands and equipment will vary.

Now if you had the 3/4 ton already and wanted to help level it air bags will help, but they wont make it a 1 ton.

[Barbell]

Our old TV was a 2500 with add-on airbags and had no squat problem with the Montana. The new truck (3500 DRW) comes with air suspension and it also has no squat. Add-on airbags cost around $4-500 installed; don't remember the cost of the system on the new truck but it is worth it.

[1jeep]

barbell ....did you really feel the need for air bags on the drw? im hoping now that I made the move to one myself I shouldn't need them with my trailers pin weight being just under 3k lbs.

[larry337]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

First, just about any 5th wheel on the market, even half ton towable, will make a 3/4 and even a 1 ton squat. The suspension is designed to squat when weight is added until they get to the overload springs. In the old days, a heavier rated truck had more springs and road really rough. Today, the trucks use fewer springs for a smooth ride when empty, but have overload springs that will come into contact with weigh as he truck squats.

Bottom line, know the load ratings for the truck you want buy as well as how much weight you plan to put on it and determine if it's enough truck. Typically (not always), a 3/4 is good for trailers that are under 35' long with a pin weight in the low 2k range. When you start getting up in the 35' and above trailers, you're getting into 1 ton DRW area. Some trailers in the mid 30' length are pin heavy and a 1 ton SRW would be a better option than the 3/4 ton. Some 40' trailers are light on the pin and will be okay with a 1 ton SRW. It's never a bad thing to get too much truck, it's a safety issue to not have enough truck.

X2. A couple inches of squat is normal. It's working as designed.

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[gearhead]

My opinion....be aware that 1 ton diesel SRW similarly equipped will vary quite a bit on cargo capacity between the manufacturers. Ford: 3100-3400#, Chevy 3500-3800, and Ram 4000-4300.

[spicercars]

Do your homework and make sure your truck is big enough to do the job. You see so many people with undersized tow rigs.

[Model A Driver]

The 1 ton will be a gross overkill. But as one poster put it, it buys me options if we choose to bump up.

[Barbell]

Originally Posted by 1jeep

barbell ....did you really feel the need for air bags on the drw? im hoping now that I made the move to one myself I shouldn't need them with my trailers pin weight being just under 3k lbs.

Sorry I did not make myself clear. The new truck comes with air suspension in the rear; essentially factory airbags. When you hook up, a minute or so after the weight of the trailer is on the hitch, the suspension adjusts itself to what looks like leveling the truck. Mine is 2X4 which is several inches lower than a 4X4 so both truck and trailer look to me to be level. Can't say how a 4X4 would do.

[Cabindweller]

I just went through the this last January. Was upgrading my half ton before pulling our TT to Glacier National Park. Almost bought a 3/4 until I looked at the difference in price and payload between 3/4 and 1 ton. I went with the 1 ton knowing that we would someday upgrade our camper.

Guess what... One day came quick and we now have a fifth wheel. I'm glad I bought the 1 ton!

[frankenstang]

I am 99% sure that the trucks you see squatting have had "leveling kits" installed in the front. It's HUGE in my area. The truck sits level when unloaded, but as soon as you put ANY weight on the truck, it looks like it's squatting.

My 2015 GMC 2500 sits at least 4 inches higher in back when unloaded. It looks like complete crap too. I tow way too much to level out the front. My idea was to get a set of lowering shackles for the rear and a set of bags like I had on the half ton truck. If I need to level it out with a load, I can inflate the bags a tad.

Yes, I am aware that the bags won't give me anymore loading capacity. No need to beat that horse anymore.

But on a side note, it took my 312bhs and an electric golf cart to lower the rear to level. Probably 1800 pounds between the two.