Is it worth upgrading the truck?

[saunterr44]

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!

which model Bilstein ?

[85vf500rr]

Typically the 4600 on a 2wd and the 5100 on a 4wd. I went with the 4600 on my 2wd F150 and the ride is great. Much more controlled than the originals, especially after logging a bunch of miles.

[57gasser]

Pulling a 24RBS jay flight with a '15 Silverado, 5.3, ext. cab, 6.5 bed, 3.42's. Truck has zero issues with the 7500# trailer, but got pushed around somewhat more than I liked, esp. in a cross wind. We have just returned home from our first trip, 400 miles, since adding a second friction stabilizer. Problem is all but solved. Big difference! Next upgrade is a set of Timbrens. I'll post on them after install.

[crl]

My DW and I have a 28RL 2019 White Hawk. We originally towed it with a 2018 Tundra Crew Cab with both the tow and off-road package. The truck had plenty of HP to pull the trailer, even in the Rockies, but it did not have quite enough cargo capacity. I added air bags and that did away with the squat unless I hit a pretty good bump. I could feel a bit of movement with the TT, especially in windy conditions or when a semi passed. At the end of the drive day I could certainly tell I had been stressed during the drive.

Then came a time when I had to shut the rig down quickly. I was unable to get it shut down as fast as I needed and had to hit the shoulder. Lucky for us it was a solid shoulder.

All that said, we decided to upgrade ro a 2020 Chevy 2500HD gasser. More HP and a significantly more solid towing platform. I can just set the cruise on 63 and enjoy the drive. Still can’t shut down on a dime, but maybe on a quarter, lol.

Opinions vary greatly on this and I’m not to say right or wrong. I’ll just say the upgrade was definitely worth it to me. I feel I have a much more enjoyable and safer towing experience. Money is always a factor, but if it is within your budget, an upgrade is certainly worth consideration.

Best of luck.

[Zuidy]

Yes the upgrade makes for a very comfortable towing experience. Even though you may be under the tow rating of the pickup, you are probably over payload. I was 2800 pounds under my f150 tow rating, and 2600 pounds under the gross combined, but was 400 pounds over gvwr on the pickup. I switched to gas f250 with 3150 payload and could not be happier. Even the wife noticed the difference in handling.

[2021JayFlight28BHS]

Originally Posted by Zuidy

Yes the upgrade makes for a very comfortable towing experience. Even though you may be under the tow rating of the pickup, you are probably over payload. I was 2800 pounds under my f150 tow rating, and 2600 pounds under the gross combined, but was 400 pounds over gvwr on the pickup. I switched to gas f250 with 3150 payload and could not be happier. Even the wife noticed the difference in handling.

This…. I was under by 4000lbs, but with tongue weight, human weight, weight of hitch and stuff I put in bed of truck (which was very little), I was close or over by a tad…. 2018 f150 crew cab had a payload of 1730lbs and 2020 f250 crew cab has a payload of 3041lbs.

I imagine the advertised tongue weight for the trailer is prob under what it truly is, mine was under by about 170lbs…. And then once you add anything in front of the wheels in the trailer you are adding more tongue weight.

So as long as you can stay under payload you’d be ok, but any size trailer over 7000lbs is going to be close….7000 * .13 is 910lbs.

[Formulaone]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

. I called Chevy and found out that the only difference between a 1 ton and a 3/4 ton is 18 inch wheels (which I have) and upper 2 leaf helper springs in the rear. The frame, axle, brakes, and front suspension/springs are the same. The new truck rides surprisingly well empty. Hope this helps. Jay

For diesel trucks (at least from 2020 onwards) that’s incorrect from what my research tells me...the 3500 Silverado has the additional leaf but also gets a 12 inch differential (versus 11.5) as well as no torque limiter in first gear. This is for the Duramax, for the gas the differential is 11.5 for both and I don’t know about the torque limiter.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by NewBlackDak

I went from a Titan to a RAM 2500. The Titan had plenty enough power, but even after using scales to setup the WDH it wasn’t super stable. Tractor trailers and big fifth wheels passing would suck the whole rig in. With the 2500 I didn’t even notice someone passing.

I traded my '17 GMC 2500HD Duramax for a '21 Nissan Titan XD 5.6L gas and the Titan handles our trailer as good, if not better than the 2500. We can hardly feel semis passing.

Of course the torque isn't in the same league, but it's so nice not having to worry about DEF, regens, fuel filters, etc. and unloaded the Titan is hands down better than the 2500 was.

The biggest thing I miss about the 2500 was the fuel range....a 26 gallon tank on a gas burner isn't good.

Our trailer is only 4,550 lbs loaded with a 670 lb TW and 22' long so that may be the difference. Using the same Andersen No-Sway hitch, the Titan XD handles our little trailer great.

I can say that if I ever decide on a heavier truck it will be a 1-ton and likely gas. I'll never own another 3/4-ton and not sure if I'll ever own another diesel for what we pull.

Was your Titan an XD?

[Jay2504]

Formulaone, I only asked them about gasoline powered trucks. My understanding is that all diesel trucks got the 12.5 rear axle. Jay.