Hi Dick, as 2air noted, the published numbers are estimates, loaded weight will be much different. Many of us like to load up; bikes, firewood, full H2o tank, etc. A ½ ton (any ½ ton) may mean the difference between having all your stuff, or not…your choice really. Me? I don’t like to decide what we can’t bring. We travel with a variety of paddle toys, boats, bikes, and full tanks. Oh yeah-beer too.
Of course there are those who insist on playing the odds, and may get away with it. Many of us have found the relaxed driving, and safety is well worth having a ¾ ton. White knuckle rides are VERY stressful. Do a quick search, there are a few folks here that have wound up upside down in a ditch…some of them horrific accidents; look for gardenofjoy (I believe) had a terrible accident with a ½ ton, was very lucky to survive. No one said you need a diesel. Gas or diesel is your choice (I am really hooked on diesel now myself, our next car will be diesel also!). It is the chassis, brakes, and suspension of a ¾ ton that make the difference, not what is under the hood. We are not trying to scare you. We are trying to educate you. Have the right combination of truck and camper. Be safe. You already own the ½ ton, if upgrading is not an option, in a nut-shell you would be much safer with a 23’, borderline with a 25’, and really pushing it with anything larger/heavier.
There really is no cost difference in ½ ton versus ¾ ton, so why not play it safe?
All the “stuff” must be subtracted from the vehicle payload. Others are soon to chime in with GVWR, GCWR, and GAWR. These all must be checked. Or play dumb, get the ¾ ton, and not worry about all the math. AS doesn’t make anything that will overload a ¾ ton.
Let’s run some guesstimates on your payload;
Payload
?
Tongue weight
1000
Passengers
400
LP
50
Gasoline
150
Dog
?
Bikes
?
Kayaks
?
Lunch
?
Overweight
300# min
You can refine this, but as you see, even best case (no water, no lunch) you will be very close with a ½ ton and a 27’er. All the ½ tons will have about the same payload.
You can look at my evolution with RV’s here; http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238/02-worth-towing-advice-28886.html
You will be much happier, relaxed, and safer with the right combination. Whatever that may be.
Bill
__________________
Life is Good-Camping all around New England
Good people drink good beer-Hunter S Thompson
You found the right internet site to give you a diverse set of opinions from real world Airstream owners without commercial interest.
Your 1/2 ton will pull the size trailer you are looking to buy. The big however is that if you are towing your traler up interstate hills, you will be under powered. You will be "grandpa" put-putting up a hill below the speed limit, slowing everyone else down.
I tried towing a 24' Airstream with a 1/2 ton PU with a big V8 engine and I hated it, I was the guy blocking everyone else.
After two trips I had had enough. I bought a new 3/4 ton extended cab truck with a big honking V8 diesel..and have been very happy since.
If I'm a "grandpa" it's because I'm doing 65 up steep mountian grades and that is the speed I wish to drive. It's not becaues my 1/2 ton will only do 45 up grade floor boarded and everyone is giving me nasty looks.
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