Is it worth upgrading the truck?

[imjustdave]

been so long sense I drove a 1/2 ton .... 3500DRW owner here and never feel uncomfortable towing or 4500lb in bed it just does it.

[3belkhunter]

Good luck!

[tuckerdog1]

I get amused when cars stretch a wheelbase an inch or so & reviewers rave about the the improvement in ride comfort. I have a '16 RAM 2500 crew cab long bed. The wheelbase difference between the short & long beds is 20 inches. That makes for not only a stable tow, but a very comfortable ride, towing or not. No matter what make you choose, consider the long bed.

[Finally Able]

I used to own a 2001 F250 crew cab long bed gasser -- towed equipment trailers for our landscape business, but it was also my personal vehicle. When we closed shop in '14, I couldn't wait to sell it -- parking that thing was a PITA, as the turning radius was so large with a large WB. We now own a '20 Silverado 1500 (which I use as my everyday vehicle and love it) and pull an SLX 287BHS -- am discovering it's probably a bit undersized for the pull, but I'd rather trade the camper in for a slightly smaller model than get a larger truck.

[Charlie G]

Originally Posted by Rickdicks

I have a 30-foot Jayco, towed with a Chevy 4WD 1500LT. Has enough horsepower to haul it but handling not great. I'm considering upgrading to a 2500HD.

Has anyone here had a comparable set-up that has towed with similar vehicles? If so, was the difference in handling noticable? I'm just looking for general guidance T this point, so anything somewhat similar could provide valuable info.

Thanks.

YES. I was pulling 33 feet and 8800 lbs with 1500 chev. I loved that truck but did not like handling especially when trucks passed Me. Felt like I was “up on the wheel” all the time. Stressful. I bit the bullet last August and purchased a Ram 2500. Gave up a few bells and whistles and tiny bit of comfort...but night and day difference towing. I am much more relaxed and able to start enjoying our trip much quicker.

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

One of the most valuable statements I have read on this forum was to the effect that you can never have too big of a tow vehicle. Certainly true with our little rig and seems it would fit any towable.

Along with sway and trucks passing, factor in head wind, side wind, and elevation. Get what you feel most confident with.

[P.Floyd]

I had an F150 Ecoboost and pulled a 30 foot trailer with it. It pulled like a champ but was easily pushed around by wind and passing trucks. Upgraded truck to 2500hd Duramax. As others have said these three things help, it has a longer wheel base, it has 80 psi tires, it is much heavier. All of them contribute to more stability.

[Rolexmd tridenttech]

Some folks just don’t want to pay 2022 F350 diesel prices even if it’s a plain XL model. Not to get on a rant but a tow vehicle purchase price shouldn’t exceed my annual income. This was something my grandfather told me and I guess the American truck market just forgot. I get if you use it for business but my application is solely for pleasure. Maybe when I retire.

[Rolexmd tridenttech]

Originally Posted by Hollander Mutthaulers

One of the most valuable statements I have read on this forum was to the effect that you can never have too big of a tow vehicle. Certainly true with our little rig and seems it would fit any towable.

Along with sway and trucks passing, factor in head wind, side wind, and elevation. Get what you feel most confident with.

Get what you can afford but you def don’t want to be towing on the line for sure. Overkill on all your gear and equipment is essential and I believe that means the TT as well. I would rather be stable and underpowered than have enough motor but be all over the highway.

[Jaycophil]

[QUOTE=Marcm157;963387]I traded my F150 with the 3.5 Eco for a 250 after my first year. The 150 had plenty of power and actually pulled better than the 250 but she just didn't handle the weight as well as I would have liked. I dearly miss my 150 but don't regret the swap...[/QUOTE

PFloyd. I too have the 3.5 Eco with max tie package. Pulling a Jayco 232 TT nominal wt about 4600 lbs. love the way it tows and handles most times as though TT is not even there. The issue I have is gas milage. Towing at 65-70 mph it’s typically 9 on flat roads and any terrain will bring it down to 8. Thank god for the 36 gallon tank. How does your mileage on diesel compare to Exo? Thanks.

[JT61]

I ran into the same issue with my 150 towing the camper. Truck was rated for it, just seemed to handle poorly. Started having brake and transmission issues - switched to Ford 250 and much happier with it. Can't even tell the camper is back there.

[Rex Newkirk]

If you go with the Cowboys around the Forums you should only pull an 18 footer with an F450 Long Bed and to them that may be too small. Don't know about the 5th wheel Monsters where you can only use your Truck for towing and nothing else.

I have a Jayco Towable, 38' Eagle HT, 11K Pounds, (Modified) that I pull with a short bed/extended cab, F150, 6 Cyl, Dual Turbo's and a Ten speed. I did put Bilstein Shocks on it and Air Bag Overloads because I also put a topper on and use it for our Pantry and tool box. Tows like a dream and get around 12 MPG. I walk off and leave the Diesels at a stop light with out putting a hole in the floor board. The reason for the shocks and OL's, the truck was built to ride like a Buick so it had no carrying capacity. Still rides pretty much like a Buick.

If you want to impress the Cowboys, buy a 450 or 4500 but to pull an RV be sensible and Learn How to Drive and load it! And, install those Bilstein's!

[Rex Newkirk]

Shoulda installed Bilstein's

[bamorris]

Originally Posted by Rex Newkirk

If you go with the Cowboys around the Forums you should only pull an 18 footer with an F450 Long Bed and to them that may be too small. Don't know about the 5th wheel Monsters where you can only use your Truck for towing and nothing else.

I have a Jayco Towable, 38' Eagle HT, 11K Pounds, (Modified) that I pull with a short bed/extended cab, F150, 6 Cyl, Dual Turbo's and a Ten speed. I did put Bilstein Shocks on it and Air Bag Overloads because I also put a topper on and use it for our Pantry and tool box. Tows like a dream and get around 12 MPG. I walk off and leave the Diesels at a stop light with out putting a hole in the floor board. The reason for the shocks and OL's, the truck was built to ride like a Buick so it had no carrying capacity. Still rides pretty much like a Buick.

If you want to impress the Cowboys, buy a 450 or 4500 but to pull an RV be sensible and Learn How to Drive and load it! And, install those Bilstein's!

Didn’t mean to quote this.

[Mikec557]

[/QUOTE]
PFloyd. I too have the 3.5 Eco with max tie package. Pulling a Jayco 232 TT nominal wt about 4600 lbs. love the way it tows and handles most times as though TT is not even there. The issue I have is gas milage. Towing at 65-70 mph it’s typically 9 on flat roads and any terrain will bring it down to 8. Thank god for the 36 gallon tank. How does your mileage on diesel compare to Exo? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

For what it's worth my GMC 3500hd Duramax, pulling 11,000 5er, had a worst MPG of 9 doing a lot of uphill at 65ish. Best is 12mpg pulling the 5er on the flats at 65ish (tow/haul and cruise control always on) I did notice that turning off the T/H on flats would drop my RPMs a little, I would guess it up shifted. But I like the responsiveness by having it on. That probably accounts some for my 9-12mpg towing. Without towing, city is 14-15, highway without t/h, but with cc on is 20-22.

And yes, thank gawd for the 36 gallon fuel cell. 😮

[saunterr44]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I traded my F150 with the 3.5 Eco for a 250 after my first year. The 150 had plenty of power and actually pulled better than the 250 but she just didn't handle the weight as well as I would have liked. I dearly miss my 150 but don't regret the swap...

I am considering the same upgrade of truck that you just pulled off. You mentioned that the F-150 pulled better, but didn't handle the weight as well.

Can you flesh that out for me a bit ?

[2021JayFlight28BHS]

Originally Posted by saunterr44

I am considering the same upgrade of truck that you just pulled off. You mentioned that the F-150 pulled better, but didn't handle the weight as well.

Can you flesh that out for me a bit ?

Did the same thing, f150 was just too soft in the rear to handle my 34’ 8550lbs trailer….. porpoises a lot and could really feel semi’s pass by…. F250 feels more solid, no porpoising, very little effect when semi passes by, plus I now have more payload to put stuff in the bed of my truck.

[Big1]

If you don't want diesel try to find a good use or new gas 250 or a 350.

[NewBlackDak]

[QUOTE=Jaycophil;965433]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I traded my F150 with the 3.5 Eco for a 250 after my first year. The 150 had plenty of power and actually pulled better than the 250 but she just didn't handle the weight as well as I would have liked. I dearly miss my 150 but don't regret the swap...[/QUOTE

PFloyd. I too have the 3.5 Eco with max tie package. Pulling a Jayco 232 TT nominal wt about 4600 lbs. love the way it tows and handles most times as though TT is not even there. The issue I have is gas milage. Towing at 65-70 mph it’s typically 9 on flat roads and any terrain will bring it down to 8. Thank god for the 36 gallon tank. How does your mileage on diesel compare to Exo? Thanks.

Slow down if you want better mileage. You are pushing a brick through the air, and every mph increase decreases your mileage.

[P.Floyd]

PFloyd. I too have the 3.5 Eco with max tie package. Pulling a Jayco 232 TT nominal wt about 4600 lbs. love the way it tows and handles most times as though TT is not even there. The issue I have is gas milage. Towing at 65-70 mph it’s typically 9 on flat roads and any terrain will bring it down to 8. Thank god for the 36 gallon tank. How does your mileage on diesel compare to Exo? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

For what it's worth my GMC 3500hd Duramax, pulling 11,000 5er, had a worst MPG of 9 doing a lot of uphill at 65ish. Best is 12mpg pulling the 5er on the flats at 65ish (tow/haul and cruise control always on) I did notice that turning off the T/H on flats would drop my RPMs a little, I would guess it up shifted. But I like the responsiveness by having it on. That probably accounts some for my 9-12mpg towing. Without towing, city is 14-15, highway without t/h, but with cc on is 20-22.

And yes, thank gawd for the 36 gallon fuel cell. 😮[/QUOTE]

Jaycophil, my mileage with the Duramax is much the same as quoted above. 10 mpg towing and best is 20 mpg on a flat.