Cut off for 1/2 ton vs 3/4

[benjamin09]

My wife and I just ordered our first TT. We grew up with them and have been talking of getting one for years and finally pulled the trigger on a 28bhs. I have towed trailers and wagons for years around my family farm with my fathers 1/2 ton 1997 ram, this includes pulling his enclosed car hauler loaded with his 64 Falcons and Fairlane to shows around the midwest region. I am guessing the combined weight when hauling a car in his trailer is probably around 6500-7000lbs. He has a weight distribution system but no sway control. I have to say that there are many times when I am white knuckling it while loaded with a car.

Not wanting to always borrow his truck to go on vacation my wife and I are looking to get our own truck between now and our delivery date in March. We agree we want a crew cab to haul people and a shortbed to keep the length down but I am convinced I want a ¾ ton or better truck while my wife (never towed, but will learn once we have the trailer), as well as my father and our long time family friend/Ford salesman (grew up with my dad) say a ½ ton is fine. I know my wife is looking at the price tags of the larger trucks and even in looking at 5 year old trucks anything with decent mileage still commands a hefty price, especially when thinking it would only be driven in limited fashion.

The truck would be used for severe winter driving (Mazda 3 gets great mileage but is weak in snow), pulling our camper on vacations and helping haul cars to shows. In other words it would be driven a little over a month or two every year. With my wife and I teaching our summers will be full of longer distance vacations. Which will mean the occasional mountain. Though I agree it would be fine pulling with a ½ ton I do expect this would fatigue me over time.

My questions are:
Using weight distribution and sway control at what size travel trailer do most people feel they want to go to ¾ ton trucks?

Have trucks improved enough in the last few years at pulling that a 2005-08 ½ ton will tow significantly better than a mid 90’s half ton?

Thanks in advance

[Quahog]

There's a great site on towing considerations that I found really good when I looked at my needs.

http://www.hitchinfo.com/index.cfm?e...ntpieceid=5143

What I would do is determine the pertinent weights for your 28BHS then get the real skinny on the truck(s) you're looking at. My own personal opinion is it's better to be conservative and have some headroom on the towing capacity than to be close to the limits.

Best luck

[1mtnman]

I tow a Jayco G2 23FB with my 2005 2500HD 6.0 410.1. My trailer weights 6000lb loaded including 2 6 volt golf cart batteries. My dry weight is approximately 1000 less than a 28BHS. I tow all over the country but the majority of our travels are in mountainous country (Rockies). I have towed with a 1/2 ton and a trailer weighing 5000lbs and it struggled in the mountains. The 3/4 ton does well at my present weight but would not want anything much heavier in this country.

[Rustic Eagle]

Benjamin,

Welcome to the Jayco forums.

Originally Posted by benjamin09

snip........
Using weight distribution and sway control at what size travel trailer do most people feel they want to go to ¾ ton trucks?

Tough question to answer "definitively" because we all have different expectations of our tow vehicles under similar towing conditions, and more importantly our loading habits differ. Not all 1/2 and 3/4 ton TV's are created equal, and not all TV Tow Ratings are accurate. The following thread will shed some light on this: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3866

Originally Posted by benjamin09

snip........ Have trucks improved enough in the last few years at pulling that a 2005-08 ½ ton will tow significantly better than a mid 90’s half ton?.....snip

IMO, yes.., but "significantly" depends on what is important to you. I think the newer 1/2 ton's are a more comfortable TV to drive, and depending on which model/configuration may also have little more towing capacity than an older 1/2 ton.

The biggest short fall in most (not all) 1/2 tons is it's limited payload capacity, because the loaded TT tongue weight must be subtracted from the TV's payload capacity. Based on the 28BHS GVWR of 7,500lbs (heaviest condition) the desired loaded tongue weight would be 975lbs to 1,125lbs (13% to 15% of loaded TT weight).

IMO, based on your stated use of the TV, I would look for a used 3/4 ton truck for the extra payload capacity (in lieu of a 1/2 ton), and I think would work great for the car hauler as well. I believe that a 1/2ton will tow the 28BHS, but one should confirm loaded weights to confirm proper weight limits and weight distribution are in place since we all have different loading habits. Ideally, a 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck with at least a 3:75 rear gear would be desirable.

Hope this helps .

Bob

[benjamin09]

Thanks for the info, Im going to look at the links and think hard on things. I really think I will find a way to get a 3/4 ton, but we are trying to find the impossible. I have trouble with the idea of paying more than 16 to 20Gs for more than about 75,000 miles and 4 or 5 years old. Since we are looking for crew cab with shortbed; but are not really too concerned with the trim level it means I have a chance at finding something. Im not one that needs the diesel, or v10 to prove anything, afterall most base level engines in the last few years are rated a lot stronger than even the largest engines just a few years ago. To me it is just the comfort of having a vehicle that does not feel the trailer when being passed by a semi or when trying to stop.

[benjamin09]

I am wondering if the Ford Superduty Supercabs are large enough to put a backward facing carseat? My wife and I were thinking that we would need a crewcab, however, the Supercabs would save us some money if they are able to have rear facing carseats in the backseat.

[JPBeck]

My 2009 F150 (5.4L) will tow 10K lbs easily. My trailer weighs 6K loaded and it tows it like it's not even there. Went over the Rockies 4 times since we've had it towing and I always had peddle left over and felt completely in control.
My last truck was a F250, I blew the turbos twice on it... towing the same trailer. So have they dramatically changed in the last few years? In my book they have.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by benjamin09

I am wondering if the Ford Superduty Supercabs are large enough to put a backward facing carseat? My wife and I were thinking that we would need a crewcab, however, the Supercabs would save us some money if they are able to have rear facing carseats in the backseat.

I think that the super cab will be a little short for car seats. Take a car seat to a dealer and check it out.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by clutch

I think that the super cab will be a little short for car seats. Take a car seat to a dealer and check it out.

Unless you plan on trading every few years, keep in mind those little ones in the car seats are going to grow like weeds and need more room.

[robo59097]

When I upgraded to my 28BHS I was towing with a 1999 1500 Suburban 5.7L, while it was adequate I felt fine towing within the state. However we were planning longer trips and I knew I needed something bigger. Don't forget it's not just the towing capacity. I was wearing out my front brakes alot faster and using more trailer brake. The WD hitch also made a big difference because of the lighter suspention in the 1500. So we bit the bullet and bought the 2007 2500 Yukon XL with the 6.0 3.73 gears. It was night and day between the two trucks. Body sway was reduced and the bounces on rough roads were smoothed out. I can now accelerate going up hill. A pick-up was not considered since we have 3 kids and to keep the driver sane everyone gets split up so there are no space violations! Just my 2 cents worth, never regreted it.

I bought it in 2010 with 65000 miles on it

[benjamin09]

Originally Posted by robo59097

When I upgraded to my 28BHS I was towing with a 1999 1500 Suburban 5.7L, while it was adequate I felt fine towing within the state. However we were planning longer trips and I knew I needed something bigger. Don't forget it's not just the towing capacity. I was wearing out my front brakes alot faster and using more trailer brake. The WD hitch also made a big difference because of the lighter suspention in the 1500. So we bit the bullet and bought the 2007 2500 Yukon XL with the 6.0 3.73 gears. It was night and day between the two trucks. Body sway was reduced and the bounces on rough roads were smoothed out. I can now accelerate going up hill. A pick-up was not considered since we have 3 kids and to keep the driver sane everyone gets split up so there are no space violations! Just my 2 cents worth, never regreted it.

I bought it in 2010 with 65000 miles on it

Thanks for the imput, after reading all of the links we are convinced we will be getting a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. We have found a few on autotrader that are in our range but tend to have a few more miles than we prefer or are older than we want. Then there are the ones that are perfect for us but 1000 miles away, it is just a matter of waiting and looking for one to turn up near to our location. We are not in a hurry as we have two months before the trailer is built and even then we are fortunate enough that we can borrow a truck from my father to pick it up. I think we will be waiting for a crewcab but as time goes on we will probably be more open to an extended cab as long as it can handle a car seat. I dont mind trading it in 4 or 5 years for a different vehicle if something else is better for our family at that time.

[Crabman]

Well benjamin, I tow a 28BHS with the half ton in my signature so I`ll give my insight. The truck will pull the trailer. The drivetrain is up to it. But the suspension is marginal with the relatively heavy tongue weight of the loaded 28BHS and the weight of gear in the truck and the occupants. If I had to choose I would prefer a 3/4 for more capable suspension and payload. That being said I love the great ride and reasonable mileage of the 1/2 ton when not towing. But If I were in a position to buy a truck today, it would be a 3/4 ton or a very heavy duty half for towing this trailer.

[clutch]

Just keep watching and the one you need will show up. My son looked for two months and finally found a real nice 3/4 chevy. It is about a 2004 and only had 30K and had extendable mirrors, Prodegy controller, and a class 4 hitch. The dealer put on 4 new 10 ply tires and new brake pads on the front.

[gilldawg79]

I got an '06 GMC 2500HD 6.0 Ext. Cab 4X4 W/T w/ 48K miles in 2010. I got a great deal. It was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted the plain jane truck for cost reasons, but what you are looking for will show up. I looked for about 6 months before it showed up, and when it did I went and bought it. If you have a reputable used dealer around have them look at auctions. We have a reputable dealer close by that keeps a few fleet trucks on the lot and they go quick. While looking, I came across a few GMC/Chevy's with the 8.1 and if they would have been the right config of what I wanted I would have gotten one of those. I only drive my truck on weekends (occasionally) and when I haul stuff. If it's primarily gonna be an every now and then truck, than one with that 8.1 will pull anything and it comes standard with an Allison tranny. The 6.0 is plenty adequate, but the 8.1 is a beast and mpg's arent much less......I love my truck though. Had a V10 too. It was a beast as well, and got 10MPG's no matter what.

[drfife]

My previous tow vehicle was a 2002 Chevy Suburban K2500 8.1, 4.10.

It was a towing machine. I towed 60K+ miles with it. 144,000 total miles. Went to Canada towing from Texas 3 times, and through almost every state in the lower 48.

Great tow vehicle for my 8,500+ lb trailer.

Just bought a 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLT Crew Cad, standard bed with Duramax. I have not yet towed with it, but it will dwarf the Suburban towing.

[Seann45]

You cannot go wrong with too much vehicle... BUT if you find you have too little vehicle... Thats a whole other story....

[canuckowner]

I have a 2011 28BHs and pull it with a 2011 F-150 Supercab with the 5.0L engine & towing package. I can honestly say i dont even feel that trailer behind me, even on steep grades. I have pulled it with full fresh water tank and lots of stuff for a week of camping and like I said it pulls like a dream. The new F-150s are really worth taking a close look at. The other thing I am really liking about the truck is the excellent fuel mileage I get, even when towing, which would be less with a 3/4 ton. You should talk to guys who pull with 2011 or 2012 F-150s and see what other responses you get; I hear good things about that 6cyl. eco-boost engine too. We also have a 2000 Expedition with a 5.4L engine but it is gutless by comparison and a total pig on gas (will eventually replace it with a second F-150; 2010 or newer at some point.

Anyway, dont be too quick to pass over the 1/2 ton option if you're looking at new trucks; if you're looking at later models then 3/4 ton might be better.

[kcconawa]

Originally Posted by benjamin09

I have trouble with the idea of paying more than 16 to 20Gs for more than about 75,000 miles and 4 or 5 years old.

Be patient and look around you'll find one.

Here is link to Trailer Lifes tow ratings. http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/