Is my truck enough ?

[pdaniel]

Originally Posted by hornet28

I have a neighbor who for years believed in using small motor 1/2 tons for pulling his 33' Airstream triple axle. His wife told mine they didn't move if there was any wind because of the instability. I tried multiple times to convince him he needed a bigger truck but he wouldn't listen and he chided me for having larger trucks with big motors. Well in 07 he bought a Chevy CC 2500 diesel and after the first tow admitted he should've listened to me years before

After towing a 36 foot Cougar tongue pull with a 2002 Ram with the appropriate WD hitch and dealing with wind and turbulence from semis passing me I upgraded to a Ram with TSC. Now when I see people such as your neighbor with TVs that are clearly overloaded and should not be pulling the trailer they are I see disaster on the horizon.

[66joej]

Originally Posted by pdaniel

I had the same looks with my Cougar X-lite and a Ram 3500.

Had those looks pulling this 14' TT with the diesel. Rig next to us was indicative of the size of RVs in this park. Also had a 5er at the time but got tired of explaining so we laughed along with the others.

[linux3]

We stopped at Candy Hill campground in Va. They were having a Newmar RV gathering.
When we went for a walk even we thought "What's that little TT doing there".
We are pretty much the smallest trailer anywhere we go.
But it pulls nice.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by pdaniel

After towing a 36 foot Cougar tongue pull with a 2002 Ram with the appropriate WD hitch and dealing with wind and turbulence from semis passing me I upgraded to a Ram with TSC. Now when I see people such as your neighbor with TVs that are clearly overloaded and should not be pulling the trailer they are I see disaster on the horizon.

Your comments illustrate a point I've made several times in other threads about this topic. There are way too many "brand new RV owners" who, for the first time, sit in the driver's seat of a half ton truck with a 30+ foot trailer behind them. "Fight" the steering, constantly on edge because of the "wake effect" of passing trucks and sway from crosswinds. They come to realize that "it's just the way towing will be" as they arrive at their daily destination, "Exhausted and still have to set up their trailer"..... Over time, it becomes "accepted" for them as they have never known how easy trailering is with the proper equipment. They believe, "The dealer told me I had more than enough truck, so this must just be the way it's supposed to tow."

Then, they "buy up" in tow vehicles and make statements about "If I'd have only known" or "If I'd have listened when I first started towing."

I've said over and over, "You just don't know what you don't know." Some take that as "What did he say??????" while those who have experienced "bad/terrible towing" and "easy towing" know exactly what it means......

Trying to get someone who "thinks their rig tows great" to understand that it doesn't, when they have NO other towing to compare..... Well, it's an uphill battle to convince them, but eventually, a "little light starts to glow"......

YMMV

[GMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by hornet28

Well in 07 he bought a Chevy CC 2500 diesel and after the first tow admitted he should've listened to me years before

3/4 ton diesels seem to me to be the worst of both worlds. Limited increase in payload, limiting the weight you can pull, while being as expensive as a 1 ton with a decent payload.

I know they will tow easier than I can with my 1/2 ton, but with a payload rating over 2K, I'm pretty close to the payload limit of a 3/4 ton diesel.

Just my thoughts.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Originally Posted by GMcKenzie

3/4 ton diesels seem to me to be the worst of both worlds. Limited increase in payload, limiting the weight you can pull, while being as expensive as a 1 ton with a decent payload.

I know they will tow easier than I can with my 1/2 ton, but with a payload rating over 2K, I'm pretty close to the payload limit of a 3/4 ton diesel.

Just my thoughts.

This! I have been steering anyone who will listen to a 1 ton over a 3/4 ton when they are on the fence.

It will pull a ton better than a 1/2 ton and be much more stable, but the limited extra payload is a let down.

[notanlines]

I believe it was a now infamous Texan member who once asked "Aren't you tired of driving around the neighborhood making a sound like a diesel?"

[Logan X]

Originally Posted by GMcKenzie

3/4 ton diesels seem to me to be the worst of both worlds. Limited increase in payload, limiting the weight you can pull, while being as expensive as a 1 ton with a decent payload.

I know they will tow easier than I can with my 1/2 ton, but with a payload rating over 2K, I'm pretty close to the payload limit of a 3/4 ton diesel.

Just my thoughts.

I think there are other factors to consider besides payload. For example, my 3/4 ton weighs more than my 27 foot trailer so the tail is not going to wag the dog. Also, my 3/4 ton has a longer wheelbase than a 1/2 ton, making it more stable. The Diesel engine has a diesel exhaust brake that makes going down long grades very easy. My 3/4 ton is also my daily driver so I appreciate the softer ride, when empty, than a 1 ton would give me.

I am very happy with the size trailer I have, and I could easily tow a longer trailer. I have no desire or need to move to a 1 ton. I see your point, but I think a 3/4 ton is far superior to a 1/2 ton for towing. The only reason to get a 1 ton is if you are pulling a fifth wheel. And then you may as well get a dually.

Just my opinion.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Depending on the state as well, a 3/4 ton may not require the drivers license endorsements a 1 ton would due to the GVWRs - also property tax differences due to the same.

I am just glad there is a healthy market for 3/4 ton diesels, for when I sell mine and get a 3500

[JRTJH]

To add a bit of "humor" while expressing some thoughts, maybe this will make sense to the "1/2 ton/3/4 ton/1 ton" discussion.

Many people think that "upgrading" to a 3/4 ton is like "trading in your miniature poodle for a beagle" and "upgrading to a 1 ton is like "trading in your miniature poodle for a Doberman".... It's NOT !!!!!

A more accurate description would be "trading in your rabbit for a beagle" or "trading in your cat for a Doberman"....

While all the "examples" have fur, 4 feet, eat food and produce waste from it, they aren't the same, not made alike, don't "perform" alike and don't respond alike. Considering that 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks are the same because they have 4 wheels, rear axles and steering wheels is a similar comparison... They aren't the same kind of vehicle!!!!!

Things like "semi-floating axles" vs "full floating axles", heavier, stronger frames, different front suspension design and many other differences make 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks as different as cats and dogs (or rabbits).....

As previously stated, the "1 ton" designation, in many areas makes owning one difficult or costly. Many HOA's prohibit "1 ton vehicles" in driveways (classified as commercial vehicles) and many local government agencies, city, county and state, consider them as "extra revenue generators" and charge registration/licensing to match. Many insurance companies follow the "local government's lead" and "upcharge insurance rates as well.

So, there's a "niche" for 3/4 ton trucks and there's a market for them, depending on whether they will fit your needs and save you "operating expenses" while doing the job you need to do. It's not always about "bigger is better" (which in towing, is a relevant and accurate statement for most)....

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog

It was only meant to illustrate that I have plenty of truck to tow what I am towing with some to spare (and yes, we have ample payload capacity after all the necessary weight deductions based on our specific needs). As long as we have been doing this, we have always sized the truck to the trailer we were towing or intending to tow.

Also just making a point!
The "max tow" rating means nothing if the payload is exceeded, which WILL happen long before you reach max tow weight.

[GMcKenzie]

My next vehicle will likely be a 3/4 ton. But I'm not looking at a diesel. I'm sticking with gas as I can't justify the added expense of buying and running a diesel for what I do. So I'll be happy with a 3/4 ton. I guess if I found a 1 ton gas, I'd be happy with it as well. I had a 3/4 ton diesel, but won't do that again. It doesn't fit my non-towing need. I have a 3km commute and put on less than 10K a year (2015 truck has 33,000 kms on it).

So, my rant was just about 3/4 ton diesels, not 3/4 ton in general

[penra]

Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel

One issue that is often overlooked is the weight of the tow vehicle vs that which is being towed. Another is the cross sectional area of the trailer - this is important as the larger it is, the more it will be impacted by cross winds or other large passing vehicles. Any impact on the trailer will result in it pushing/pulling the tow vehicle as well if they are not well matched in size/weight. A 1/2 ton truck usually tops out around the high 5000s in weight. A 3/4 ton or 1 ton is usually 8000 pounds heavy. That difference in weight provides a lot of stability for the overall rig. Additionally, the 1/2 tons are available with a "short bed" which shortens the wheel base reducing stability compared to the HD/SD trucks that have the "standard" or "long" beds and accompanying wheelbase.

Really good points. Is the trailer pushing the tow vehicle down the hills? Not a good feeling.

[ctbruce]

Maybe I'm just different. I've been accused of worse in the past! I love my 3500 HD Diesel and use it as my daily driver. In my mind, I will never go back to anything else in the future. To each his/her own.

[Gegrad]

Originally Posted by GMcKenzie

My next vehicle will likely be a 3/4 ton. But I'm not looking at a diesel. I'm sticking with gas as I can't justify the added expense of buying and running a diesel for what I do. So I'll be happy with a 3/4 ton. I guess if I found a 1 ton gas, I'd be happy with it as well. I had a 3/4 ton diesel, but won't do that again. It doesn't fit my non-towing need. I have a 3km commute and put on less than 10K a year (2015 truck has 33,000 kms on it).

Ditto here, that is very similar to my situation. We will be getting a minivan in the next few months, so I will switch to commuting in our current car, and the truck will be used on weekends. (We had been previously employed together, so we could commute together in the car).

[Hideout77]

Any body have thoughts on using 2010 Nissan Armada platinum tow package E rated tires equipped cgvw 15,000lbs tow cap rated at 9,100lbs to tow a hideout 30ft weighing in at 5000 lbs.
Equalizers wd hitch

[cookinwitdiesel]

I have a hard time seeing how a 30ft Hideout is only 5000 pounds. My 28 footer is 7100 empty.

[Logan X]

Originally Posted by Hideout77

Any body have thoughts on using 2010 Nissan Armada platinum tow package E rated tires equipped cgvw 15,000lbs tow cap rated at 9,100lbs to tow a hideout 30ft weighing in at 5000 lbs.
Equalizers wd hitch

Just off of the top of my head, I think any SUV will have a hard time towing a 30 foot trailer.

My Hideout (24 foot box) weighs 5700 pounds dry and 7600 pounds loaded.

[Northofu1]

My 30.5' trailer is 5800# empty

[MarkEHansen]

Empty weights are irrelevant. You don't tow it empty.