Picking a truck. Very confusing.

[Micah.TX]

I'm a newbie getting ready to buy a 26RLS Hideout (31' Wt 6535). I've had a chance to look at the 2015 Tundra 5.7L V8, 2014 F150 V6 Ecoboost, and 2014 F150 V8, 5.0L. Each has pro and cons. Of course, the Tundra being 2015 (no 14s around) is the most expensive. I want a TV that can handle this TT on long trips across the country, but still give us decent mpg both towing and not towing (when compared to other TVs). My wife and I are recent retirees and are conservative highway drivers. (We got all the crazy stuff out of our system during the 60s! :-)) I've read a lot from the so called experts online and can't seem to come up with a consistent winner. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[GaryWT]

The weight you list is the dry weight, once loaded it will be on average 1,000 more making the tongue weight somewhere in the 925 to 1,000 pounds. Look at the payloads of the 3 trucks and see what has the most or at least 1000 tongue weight plus 100 hitch weight plus weight of everything you plan on carrying. Pick one that has a payload higher than that. Next look at what it can tow, the loaded weight of the trailer could be up to 7,800 pounds, pick the truck that has room to spare for this number. With any luck it is the same truck and at the least you might eliminate one or the three. Good luck.

[michael_h]

the hitch tongue weight on my 2011 F150 eco is 1,050. I've learned from reading these forums that that is what I need to consider first before getting into any other weight measurements.

So I wanted to upgrade to a Premier 26 which the dry tongue weight is 835, add full propane bottles at 75 lbs, the battery @ 50 lbs and that = 960 lbs. then adding the weight distribution hitch (101 pounds) I'm now at 1061 over by 11 pounds, and I haven't even added any items to the trailer.

So this is just my advice, get under the truck and read the hitch label first to have an idea how much weight the weakest point of the pull can withstand before considering any other measurement factors

[Dave-Gray]

Here is a webpage showing realistic tow ratings for four 2015 half-ton brand trucks. Half-ton Trucks

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by Micah.TX

I'm a newbie getting ready to buy a 26RLS Hideout (31' Wt 6535). I've had a chance to look at the 2015 Tundra 5.7L V8, 2014 F150 V6 Ecoboost, and 2014 F150 V8, 5.0L. Each has pro and cons. Of course, the Tundra being 2015 (no 14s around) is the most expensive. I want a TV that can handle this TT on long trips across the country, but still give us decent mpg both towing and not towing (when compared to other TVs). My wife and I are recent retirees and are conservative highway drivers. (We got all the crazy stuff out of our system during the 60s! :-)) I've read a lot from the so called experts online and can't seem to come up with a consistent winner. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Well, I would go with a 3/4 ton diesel. Towing anywhere would never be a problem and mileage would be good (discounting paying more for diesel fuel). If you think you would ever upgrade to a bigger trailer, then a 1 ton would be in order.

[cospilot]

let me make it easy for you. get a GMC/Chevy I got a 1500 all terrain edition with the 6.2l and installed an edelbrock supercharger. with the price of diesel and the fact I get 23 mpg highway you cant find a better value for everything you get.
my trucks makes 624 hp and I can pull my 6,000 lb trailer up a 8% grade with ease.
the tundra is a great truck but it needs an engine update.
I don't care for ford and I don't like the fact it will be boosting the entire time im towing.

[notanlines]

It kind of put a smile on my face when you mentioned buying a 1500 truck and then adding 10K to it so it still won't do what a 2500 will.

[gtsum2]

Skip the half ton and get a 3/4 ton. Mpg with any gasser is likely going to be around 8-9 while towing. Unless u can find a hd max payload f150...but at that point it likely rides like a 3/4 ton.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by cospilot

let me make it easy for you. get a GMC/Chevy I got a 1500 all terrain edition with the 6.2l and installed an edelbrock supercharger. with the price of diesel and the fact I get 23 mpg highway you cant find a better value for everything you get.
my trucks makes 624 hp and I can pull my 6,000 lb trailer up a 8% grade with ease.
the tundra is a great truck but it needs an engine update.
I don't care for ford and I don't like the fact it will be boosting the entire time im towing.

I'm not sure your solution is the "easy" one. Installing a supercharger is not "cheap' and it usually voids the factory warranty. While it may be a solution for some situations, if it does void the warranty, it's not an avenue for the average RV'er to embrace.

[sourdough]

Looks like the trailer you're buying weighs 6335 from the Keystone website. Hitch is 835. 1501 payload.

So, max trailer weight (fully loaded) should be less than 7850. Hitch weight of the trailer will be 950 or so (maybe more) loaded.

Each of the trucks you listed will be very close to their max trying to pull the trailer. The configuration of the truck makes a world of difference in their towing capacity. You need to pull all of the towing/payload numbers for the truck you're interested in and compare them to the above. Pay particular attention to truck payload.

[therink]

Everyone will offer various opinions so here is mine: I personally (through my own experience) don't recommend towing more than 6500 lb loaded trailer with a 1/2 ton. Short distance once or twice a year, maybe. If you want to tow annewRV over 6500, a larger truck (3/4 or one ton) will make your RV towing experience so much more enjoyable and comfortable. Not to mention safer. With 1/2 tons, payload (or lack of) is the biggest shortcoming when it comes to heavy tongue weights. Many 1/2 ton truck hitches are rated max 1,000 lbs. All things to consider.
As far as gas versus diesel, it is a personal choice. My past truck 6.0 gasser did fine for my 12k fiver but I didn't do any serious towing.
If you plan lots of long trips, diesel is always the best.

[talk2cpu]

Under NO circumstances should you believe the TV salesman. Research the vehicle you are looking at and verify the numbers. Use the maximum loaded trailer weight, figure 15% of that for hitch weigh, then double that for your truck payload. This should get you reasonably close to a great towing experience. Of course don't forget the WDH, sway control and a nice adult beverage when done traveling for the day.
Tom