Do I have Enough Truck. A rant

[linux3]

Do I have enough truck.
Pretty tired of reading these posts.
If you have to weigh the TT and listen to the RV sales person you don't.
4 times I have crossed over and back through the Cumberland Gap and more times than not I have been behind a TV that just doesn't make it.
I love my Silverado 1500 but I'm pulling a 4.5K TT.
If you want a TT that is over 6~ 7K buy a 2500 / 250.
My light weight grocery getter is good for under 6K lbsd.
F150 / 1500 is a light weight truck!
My wife and I are thinking about a GD 240RL (Sorry about Keystone people).
Their website says 1/2 ton towable but... If we upgrade it will be also to a 2500HD.

[ewbldavis]

This is a fair statement.

You should at least have an idea before you pull trigger...while brochure information isn't exact, it should get you in the ballpark. Empty weight, GVWR, and hitch/pin weight in brochure should at least tell you if you are close...and if you're so close that you need to weight it before you buy it, you're too close.

I weighed mine once after the fact just to know I know. Never would have purchased if I didn't at least know I was "well" within limits on pin weight and GVWR vs. Tow capacity.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by linux3

Do I have enough truck.
Pretty tired of reading these posts.
If you have to weigh the TT and listen to the RV sales person you don't.
4 times I have crossed over and back through the Cumberland Gap and more times than not I have been behind a TV that just doesn't make it.
I love my Silverado 1500 but I'm pulling a 4.5K TT.
If you want a TT that is over 6~ 7K buy a 2500 / 250.
My light weight grocery getter is good for under 6K lbsd.
F150 / 1500 is a light weight truck!
My wife and I are thinking about a GD 240RL (Sorry about Keystone people).
Their website says 1/2 ton towable but... If we upgrade it will be also to a 2500HD.

Hey Rob, you realize that GD was started by 3 ex Keystone execs and built around the Keystone models. The Reflection 1/2 ton is a mirror of the Cougar 1/2 ton, the regular Reflection a mirror of the Cougar etc., but with about a 10k premium and a whole lot fewer dealers. We just went through that. Good luck on your choice but keep that in mind - and you can still hang out here if you make the switch.

[travelin texans]

And if you're spending the $$ for 2500 anyway just go straight to the 3500, very little difference in price, ride, or mileage & looks exactly the same but a good increase in payload, may save you another TV swap when you upgrade after the GD.

[Alpine]

The majority of folks that ask "Do I have enough truck".... already know.... they don't!!!

[flybouy]

I agree that I believe many who ask already know the answer. I have encountered many folks in my lifetime that "ask when they already know" and do it for various reasons. Most often it's so they can point blame for their actions, typically an action taken BEFORE they asked the question.

[linux3]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Hey Rob, you realize that GD was started by 3 ex Keystone execs and built around the Keystone models. The Reflection 1/2 ton is a mirror of the Cougar 1/2 ton, the regular Reflection a mirror of the Cougar etc., but with about a 10k premium and a whole lot fewer dealers. We just went through that. Good luck on your choice but keep that in mind - and you can still hang out here if you make the switch.

I didn't know that. Thanks.

But, all this is still in the discussion stage.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by linux3

I didn't know that. Thanks.

But, all this is still in the discussion stage.

And in that discussion should be a TV upgrade, a 1/2 ton towable fifth wheel is a myth, actually a sales gimmick that gets lots of folks in trouble with weights.

[flybouy]

1. "This won't hurt" , or "You'll feel a little discomfort" - Dentist or doctor
2. "This only a temporary tax", along with anything else said by a politician
3. "Guaranteed for life"
4. "This product will save you money"
5." Your truck can pull anything on the lot" and anything else the RV salesman says
6. "Half ton towable" by any RV company
7. "Polar pkg, 4 season insulated, etc." By any RV company
8. "Deep cycle battery with a CCA rating" by any battery manufacturer
9. "I only drank 2 beers officer" by every drunk
10. "It was on sale honey" by every wife
11. "I was working late honey" by every husband

All of the above said in jest, except lines 1-9.

[amsoiltek]

So the only difference between an SRW 2500 and 3500 on the Chevy line is one more leaf spring. I just went compared all the part numbers.

I laugh every time when someone says the 3500 has more power than a 2500, this is true if you compare it to an earlier model.

If you are really concerned about having enough truck look at the MDT or HDT Class 6 on up to class 8. many times you can buy a really good used class 8 for far less than a 3500 or 4500 new and still have many miles of life left, plus they have a better turning radius.

Good thread, keep them coming.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by amsoiltek

So the only difference between an SRW 2500 and 3500 on the Chevy line is one more leaf spring. I just went compared all the part numbers.

I laugh every time when someone says the 3500 has more power than a 2500, this is true if you compare it to an earlier model.

If you are really concerned about having enough truck look at the MDT or HDT Class 6 on up to class 8. many times you can buy a really good used class 8 for far less than a 3500 or 4500 new and still have many miles of life left, plus they have a better turning radius.

Good thread, keep them coming.

Don't recall anyone mentioning a 3500 has more power than a 2500, but there's quite a bit of difference between the 2 in payload, unlike the differences between 1500s & 2500s where there's not so much.
Now if you're talking gas & diesel, then yes, considerable power difference.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by linux3

Do I have enough truck.
Pretty tired of reading these posts.
If you have to weigh the TT and listen to the RV sales person you don't.
4 times I have crossed over and back through the Cumberland Gap and more times than not I have been behind a TV that just doesn't make it.
I love my Silverado 1500 but I'm pulling a 4.5K TT.
If you want a TT that is over 6~ 7K buy a 2500 / 250.
My light weight grocery getter is good for under 6K lbsd.
F150 / 1500 is a light weight truck!
My wife and I are thinking about a GD 240RL (Sorry about Keystone people).
Their website says 1/2 ton towable but... If we upgrade it will be also to a 2500HD.

don't read them...

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by linux3

I didn't know that. Thanks.

But, all this is still in the discussion stage.

And GD was bought by Winnebago.

[Bill-2020]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

And GD was bought by Winnebago.

Cha-Ching!

[Rocketsled]

Originally Posted by amsoiltek

So the only difference between an SRW 2500 and 3500 on the Chevy line is one more leaf spring. I just went compared all the part numbers.

Close...I believe Wheels and Tires are different, too. Same engine, tranny, cooling, brakes and stereo.

[dutchmensport]

Them: "Do I have enough truck?"
Me: "No"
Them: "What! What do you mean 'No'! You don't know what you are talking about. You're an idiot!"
Me: "You asked, I'm just sharing from my own experiences and knowledge."
Them: "Your opinion doesn't matter. Your off your rocker!"
Me: "OK."
2 months later:
Them: "Will air bags improve the performance of my truck? Will new tires help the performance of my truck? Will boosting the engine somehow improve the performance of my truck? How do I remove some of the weight from the overall payload of my truck when towing? How do I get rid of trailer sway? Why is my fuel mileage so horrible? Why do I need a new transmission?"

or:

Them: "Do I have enough truck?"
Me: "I don't know, what do you think?"
Them: "Thanks, I'm good."

It doesn't matter how you answer, "They" already have their minds made up and no matter what you say, won't change them. They are looking for validation for their decision they have already made, and when they don't get it, they get angry at you. It isn't until they, themselves, experience costly and disappointing tow vehicle failure they will finally realize what they were warned about.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Rocketsled

Close...I believe Wheels and Tires are different, too. Same engine, tranny, cooling, brakes and stereo.

Well obviously if it has the same radio it must have the same towing capability.

[flybouy]

"It doesn't matter how you answer, "They" already have their minds made up and no matter what you say, won't change them. They are looking for validation for their decision they have already made, and when they don't get it, they get angry at you. It isn't until they, themselves, experience costly and disappointing tow vehicle failure they will finally realize what they were warned about."

I agree with everything but the above statement. That's when they will complain that the truck was a POS lemon because the tranny was constantly burning up. I mean, obviously, it couldn't have their fualt for overloading it.

[Rocketsled]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Well obviously if it has the same radio it must have the same towing capability.

"I say, well I say, that's the joke, Son!" - Foghorn Leghorn

[Rocketsled]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

It doesn't matter how you answer, "They" already have their minds made up and no matter what you say, won't change them. They are looking for validation for their decision they have already made, and when they don't get it, they get angry at you. It isn't until they, themselves, experience costly and disappointing tow vehicle failure they will finally realize what they were warned about.

Feels like my ears are burning. I opened one of these topics a day or so ago...In my case, everything was in spec except the payload sticker and I was over...by a little.

And there wasn't much more to say. I'm playing with the weights and balances, but a 1-ton just isn't in the cards at the time, so it's make the 3/4 ton work or stop camping.