Tow Vehicle Ideas

[LongIslandCamper-JAY]

Currently towing a 2013 26rls with a 2013 Ram 1500. The whole setup works for a couple but now with two toddlers it’s time to upgrade and we’ll start with the truck. Eventually we’d like to upgrade to a larger TT or fifth and it will be pulled by whatever vehicle we purchase next.

I really don’t want/need all the bells and whistles as I’m mostly concerned with a safe towing experience. All I’m looking for is something with a larger backseat for the kids, AC, and is Apple car play capable. I’m open to 2500 up to a 1 ton drw.

With that said, what other options should I be looking at for towing? What are some must have features, if any.

 

[craigav]

I would give a lot of thought regarding what you would like to upgrade to RV wise. If your plans are for an RV that could be easily towed by a 2500 then getting a DRW 3500 would certainly work but it is a bit larger (wider) than most prefer when not towing as well as when not towing a larger RV that needs a DRW 3500 truck. ~CA

 

[Lake Huron]

My $.02, go big or go home. Lol! How many times you want to upgrade your truck? Say you upgrade to a 2500 crew gasser. Good amount of room for the kiddos when they are young, but time flies and before you know it 10 years had passed and they got big on you. Your trailer is WAY too small so you find your dream trailer at a great price but your truck is too small.
Biggest back seat room truck I've ever been in is a Ram Mega Cab. Unfortunately they only come with a short/standard box and not a long box.
Realistically, any of the big three crew cabs have a good amount of rear seat room. I pull with a 3500 crew DRW diesel and don't regret any part of it. My first DRW was a daily driver for a few years. You just have to adjust a little bit for it. Drive thru's are almost impossible, forget car washes unless you pull into one and get out and do it yourself, parking becomes the farthest away from the door and most of us can afford to take a few extra steps anyway. Better to have too much truck and not enough trailer that the other way around.
We had our house built on 02 and had someone told me back then 10 years in the future I'd have a 34' 5th wheel parked at my house I'da said no way and 4 years after that and 2 more 5er's later I'd have a 44' one, I'da said they were on some bad drugs. But, here I am.

 

[RoadieWingZ]

We just upgraded from a 2015 Silverado 1500 to a 2024 Silverado 2500HD SRW gasser. Both crew cabs, but the larger 2500 and newer generation interior adds quite a bit more rear seat room. We’re towing a 2023 26RL with a max rating of 7500lb so the new truck is more than needed for the trailer, but it’s equipped with a goose neck/5th wheel prep package as we may want to upgrade the trailer in a few years. We got an LTZ trim level because the wife needed her power passenger seat with adjustable lumbar support. Lower trim levels are every bit as capable in functionality and will save sime money. We also got the safety oackage with 360 camera views and trailering package which is awesome for hooking up and driving down the road.. The larger side mirrors make a huge difference in observing the rear of the rig once we’re all hitched up. As has already been stated, bigger is better and we definitely feel the improvements in towing with the larger truck.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

We just upgraded from a 2015 Silverado 1500 to a 2024 Silverado 2500HD SRW gasser. Both crew cabs, but the larger 2500 and newer generation interior adds quite a bit more rear seat room. We’re towing a 2023 26RL with a max rating of 7500lb so the new truck is more than needed for the trailer, but it’s equipped with a goose neck/5th wheel prep package as we may want to upgrade the trailer in a few years. We got an LTZ trim level because the wife needed her power passenger seat with adjustable lumbar support. Lower trim levels are every bit as capable in functionality and will save sime money. We also got the safety oackage with 360 camera views and trailering package which is awesome for hooking up and driving down the road.. The larger side mirrors make a huge difference in observing the rear of the rig once we’re all hitched up. As has already been stated, bigger is better and we definitely feel the improvements in towing with the larger truck.

I've had Subaru Outbacks with the higher trim level lumbar power seat and loved them. I bought my current truck at a lower trim package level for the sake of $$ and thought I was going to hate the basic, non-power seating that lacked any other adjustment, besides back angle.

I am very pleased to find and report. I have a 2023 Ford F150 and the seats: BASIC LEVEL SEAT, is amazingly comfortable and supportive. I never find myself having to adjust for comfort and the seats DO NOT cause me to have sciatic nerve pain. I tweaked the seat the day I bought it and have never touched it again. IT has been perfect. Supportive, soft enough for comfort, firm enough for support, tall back with lumbar support without having a special mechanism.

My husband has a Nissan Murano Platinum (or something like that) and that friggin' car??? I sit for more than 30 minutes and I'm scooting my backside all over the place trying to get comfortable and trying to avoid the onset of my sciatica.

I can report, the seats in the Ford are VERY GOOD even at the lower trim levels.

 

[Camp CA]

......With that said, what other options should I be looking at for towing? What are some must have features, if any.

Suggest a entry level , e.g., Ford XL superduty, 1 ton, crew cab, long bed with a fifth wheel prep package. Way less expensive than a Lariat, Platinum or King Ranch.

 

[LongIslandCamper-JAY]

Any reason to avoid a Silverado 3500 work truck? Being labeled a work truck, does that mean it doesn’t have something as simple as the latch points for car seats?

Trying to visit a dealer this week to get some ideas on pricing.

 

[doublea]

I just upgraded from a 2018 1500 Silverado to a 2024 3500 LTZ Short box SWD. It's overkill for my 26' Travel Trailer, but I am looking at fifth wheels now. The 3500 gasser gives me 4000 lbs. payload which creates a lot of options. In Minnesota the license tab fees for a 1 ton are way cheaper than for a 3/4 ton.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

I just upgraded from a 2018 1500 Silverado to a 2024 3500 LTZ Short box SWD. It's overkill for my 26' Travel Trailer, but I am looking at fifth wheels now. The 3500 gasser gives me 4000 lbs. payload which creates a lot of options. In Minnesota the license tab fees for a 1 ton are way cheaper than for a 3/4 ton.

Congratulations. Excellent truck.

 

[markb5900]

My .02
Every brand, every model have good points and bad.
Make a list of what is important to the driver and what is important for ALL the passengers.
Buy the biggest you can afford and still have money to go out and enjoy your trailer.
Keep in mind, is this going to be a daily driver or just for traveling. Maintenance cost of gas vs diesel.

 

[gunafulltime]

I've had Subaru Outbacks with the higher trim level lumbar power seat and loved them. I bought my current truck at a lower trim package level for the sake of $$ and thought I was going to hate the basic, non-power seating that lacked any other adjustment, besides back angle.

I am very pleased to find and report. I have a 2023 Ford F150 and the seats: BASIC LEVEL SEAT, is amazingly comfortable and supportive. I never find myself having to adjust for comfort and the seats DO NOT cause me to have sciatic nerve pain. I tweaked the seat the day I bought it and have never touched it again. IT has been perfect. Supportive, soft enough for comfort, firm enough for support, tall back with lumbar support without having a special mechanism.

My husband has a Nissan Murano Platinum (or something like that) and that friggin' car??? I sit for more than 30 minutes and I'm scooting my backside all over the place trying to get comfortable and trying to avoid the onset of my sciatica.

I can report, the seats in the Ford are VERY GOOD even at the lower trim levels.

I agree. We have a car nice sedan with all the seat do-dads. Our Ram seats are totally non-automated. We are more comfortable in the Ram. We also loved our '71 C-10 seat. It was from a '94 Chevy truck.

 

[TowPro]

first see if your employer has a list of discounts you can get that might include trucks. Than look to see if you can get discounts from the manufactures. look up your employer, your church, any organizations you are in, etc. check each manufacture, some offer like $500 additional for stuff like farm bureau membership, etc.

For Ford, search internet for X plan partner companies and you will find a list. check several lists as they might not be up to date. Members of mustang club of America can get xplan pricing (must be a member for 90 days before X plan is active).

for Ram (list changed since 2018) Try this list as seems like a live list.

Here is GM's list. wait for it to load.

once you know what company gives you a discount shop those vehicles.