Thinking of getting a different truck

[Jukeboxfun]

I tow a 25 FC with my 2009 dodge ram 1500. It does a good job, but I keep running into issues with tow vehicle cargo weight. We like to take our electric bikes with us and are thinking of getting a couple of the honda generators. It all adds up and I am thinking of upgrading to a used Ford F250 or a Ram 2500. Diesel or gas.....???? mmmm? Buying a used diesel is my first inclination, however, payload capacity is actually higher in a gas model, so I read anyway. Opinions?

[KJRitchie]

I just upgraded from my 2010 Tundra Double Cab 2x4 (1465lbs capacity) to a 2015 Ram 2500 CTD CC Big Horn 4x4 (2089lbs capacity). I decided to go new since I'm a first time diesel owner and there wasn't much around me to chose from in the used market. The fuel tank on the Ram is 31 gallons not as good as the GM 2500HD (35) but better than the F250 CC with 6ft bed (26).

Payload would be higher on a gas version of these 3/4T trucks but felt the diesel would be better out west where we intend to travel extensively in a few years, the extra power and the exhaust brake would be useful.

Kelvin

[nrgtrakr]

Years ago thinking I might end up full timing in a 5th Wheel, I bought a 99 F250 Super Duty 4x4 short bed xtra cab with 4 wheel antilock disc brakes. The 5th Wheel never happened, but recently a 75 Overlander did. In preparation for relocating to another home base I was curious how much could be moved with this combination. The total after subtracting out tongue weight was approximately 4,000 pounds (with a camper shell). The truck gets 20 mpg solo, 18 mpg loaded and doesn't know it's towing a load. The motor will go for 500k miles before a major overhaul. Ours currently only has 130k, we're keeping it.

[dkottum]

A Ram 1500 is a good match to a 25' Airstream. We have one. It'll handle your electric bikes with ease and probably the generators if you have a good weight distribution hitch set up well. Load less stuff in the truck and more in the trailer if you have to, Honda propane generators don't stink.

[PaulnGina]

Yes, you need a used Ford F250 DIESEL.

[DHart]

Before you put your hard earned money down, make sure you include a good test drive in a Chevy Silverado 2500 and a GMC Sierra 2500, including the Duramax/Allison models. They are exceptional trucks... and were born to tow!

Also, no one else can tell you that a 1/2 ton by any truck maker has enough payload for your needs. No one else knows what your cargo capacity weight and space needs are! Only you can determine that. So... don't buy into what people tell you will work. Do your own analysis and draw your own conclusion.

We exceeded the cargo capacity of the 1/2 ton trucks with little more than tongue weight, my wife & I, and the dog. (Our tongue weight is higher than that of the 25 footer, but not by all that much.) Leaving no capacity left for generator, gen fuel, tool chest, camp recliners, BBQ, some campfire wood, the truck tonneau cover, hitch weight, and a couple of cargo containers with misc. camping items. And, we may want to take an inflatable raft/kayak and a small portable compressor with us in future.

Don't want to be maxed out from the get go!

Every individual's cargo needs are different. Yours is likely quite different from Doug's.

And... do you really want to have to try to pile all your stuff, including generators, into the Airstream every time you roll down the road, because the truck's cargo capacity is too low??? Didn't think so. That's a big PITA and get's old quickly! Get a truck that can handle it all with ease. My guess is that the 3/4 ton by any of the big makers will do the job well for you.

The 3/4 ton gave us the capacity we needed, with some to spare for future items. And the Duramax gave us exceptional pulling power for western mountains and brawny diesel exhaust braking for the steepest of descents.

You need to add up your cargo capacity needs (in both weight & space), including everything you'd want to take along with you (people, animals, hitch weight, tonneau cover or camper shell, and all the goodies you want to have with you), then compare that to the cargo capacity rating listed inside the driver's door jamb. My hunch is that no 1/2 ton truck is going to be enough for all of that, generators, your camping stuff, AND electric bikes.

BUT... I don't know for sure, and neither does anyone else!

Do the math for your cargo capacity needs, then you'll know what will work and what won't.

[dkottum]

Well maybe not if you already own a Ram 1500 and your concern is a couple of electric bikes and generators. The easiest way to gain payload is lighten the hitch weight of the trailer, and that can sometimes be accomplished by simply moving some stuff around when packing. There are other ways as well.

Our Ram 1500/ 25' Airstream's goal is 730 lbs (10% max trailer weight) on the truck's receiver which will probably add about 600 lbs to the truck after setting the weight distribution bars. We're not there yet because we don't need that much payload, but we're working on it. Loading heavy items over the trailer's axles and lighter gear at the ends gives a more stable Airstream, that's a worthwhile goal.

[DHart]

AS Adventures... BTW, thanks for the video on the fridge fan install. Have the fans improved your fridge's cooling, or just lowered the fan sound volume? And are they pulling air into the fridge and up the flue, or pushing air out of the fridge grill?

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by DHart

Before you put your hard earned money down, make sure you include a good test drive in a Chevy Silverado 2500 and a GMC Sierra 2500, including the Duramax/Allison models. They are exceptional trucks... and were born to tow!

I could not agree more. Please test drive all three Doge, Ford and Chevy/GMC. To me after owning Fords for twenty years the Chevy and GMC 2500HD are by far the best and most relaxing tow vehicle. I plan on putting half a million miles on the 2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2500HD Duramax/Allison Crew Cab Standard Box. It pull are 30' Bunk like a dream.

[Foiled Again]

I'm prejudiced. And I just bought a 2500 GMC Sierra diesel TODAY after dithering for a month. It's pimped out and will HAUL anything. I'm thinking of putting a winch on the front so I can sign myself


Wench with a Winch

[m.hony]

I am in a similar situation with a Tundra CrewMax.
I will not trade. I will make do with the paid for truck I already have.
The numbers on paper don't seem to affect the ride or handling at all.
I may be overloaded according to the numbers, but the truck doesn't seem to know or care.
5 years worry-free 1/2 ton towing-
Keep your truck and use the money you would buy another truck with to go campin'.

[ktgsmokey]

We just migrated to a 2015 Ram 2500 Longhorn MegaCab after decades towing with a Yukon XL. Very, very pleased with the change, and the Mega Cab offers a great and roomy cab space for our three pups or for passengers. Tows our 30' Flying Cloud like a dream. Only negative so far is a much wider turning radius than the Yukon XL.

[BillfromWI]

I'm towing a 2014 FC25FB with solar with at 2013 F150 Ecoboost with max tow and max payload. I'm using a Blue Ox with 1500 lb. bars. The drive axle is overloaded by 150 - 200 lbs. but this requires maxing out the Blue Ox adjustment and that makes the trailer ride unacceptably harsh.

As others have noted the truck feels like it doesn't care and the Ecoboost pulls like there is no tomorrow. But I'm going to upgrade to a 3/4 ton diesel, probably one of the GM versions. I've thought about taking a chance with this but we are going to Alaska next summer and I'm sure it will be heavier. The idea of being "out there" with what I know is an overloaded axle does not appeal to me.

I did what I thought was all the homework before we bought this rig but I relied on Airstream's tongue weight spec of 800 lbs. Unfortunately it came off the line in Jackson Center weighing 925 which went to 1250 loaded. Its total weight loaded is 6501 on Airstream's scale--well within its GVWR.

[m.hony]

I know people who have towed a 30' to Alaska with an EcoBoost and had no trouble.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[tjdonahoe]

Lighten the hitch weight? Take your batteries and propane tanks off, that will not help especially when you are under powered go with a diesel especially if you travel much, the 3/4 ton gas trucks have the same engines as the gas 1/2 ton pickups like I said before no such thing as too much horsepower or too much money.....

[carver 1]

[QUOTE=DHart;1684121]Before you put your hard earned money down, make sure you include a good test drive in a Chevy Silverado 2500 and a GMC Sierra 2500, including the Duramax/Allison models. They are exceptional trucks... and were born to tow!

AMEN!!!

>>ron<<

[Hans Grim]

We've had the 29' foot Excella for almost 10 years now and been towing it with a 2006 Ford Explorer 4 X 4 with the 4.6 litre V-8. The AS plate shows a weight of 6800 pounds, however going over scales fully loaded for the trips including a full freshwater tank nets out to about 8100 pounds. The built in Onan generator, the Hensley WD hitch and the full size 100V LG fridge probably have something to do with the weight discrepancy.
We've had it on the East coast of Canada, up through the Rockies into the Yukon and Alaska as well as throughout the flat land prairie provinces.
Although the Ford accomplished the task quite well, there where many times when I wished I had more oomph going up hills and more importantly bigger brakes on a heavier TV going down, especially after descending a multi-mile 8% grade and seeing the sharp corner at the bottom (white-knuckle event). This happened more than once but I learned very quickly to be a very careful driver and we never had any mishaps, although some folks behind me may have been a bit p-o'd).
Recently some problems with the Ford, like blown wheel bearings and a funny acting transmission led me to question the viability of using it in that towing capacity any longer.
So I switched to a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 HD with the 6.0 litre Vortec engine.
The difference is absolutely remarkable. I now understand what other folks were talking about when they referred to the 3/4 ton platform. On a recent shakedown trip along the North shore of Superior to Thunder Bay I could actually leave it on cruise control and tow/haul mode when ascending and descending moderate hills and it did the work of shifting down uphill as well as down, never exceeding 4000 RPM (Although I usually don't run in cruise control only because I'd rather conrol the situation). The extra payload capacity makes it a lot easier to take along the things we want without being afraid of overloading the combination.
When I towed with the Ford, it was hard to remember that there was an 8000# trailer behind me. The GMC feels it even less. And, surprising to me, was the fact that fuel consumption is now even less than the Ford (21 l/100km in the GM vs. 25 l/100km towing). (You guys figure out MPG!)
Although there are many proponents of smaller tow vehicles, as I was, I have to admit, I'm a convert. It really is more of a pleasure to tow now than it ever was before.
Just my two cents.

[merchantmm]

As expected. Always lots of long winded input on this topic.

Put your mind to ease on the payload and tow capacity. Go for a 3/4 ton diesel. You will never even get close to capacity with your rig.

Anymore would be long winded. Good luck but above all HAVE FUN!

[switz]

Check out Titan diesel fuel tanks:

https://titanfueltanks.com

I installed the 56 gallon tank in the same space to replace the stock tank under out 2012 Dodge 2500HD short bed. Similar tanks are available for Chevy/GMC and Ford.

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by Hans Grim

So I switched to a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 HD with the 6.0 litre Vortec engine. The difference is absolutely remarkable. I now understand what other folks were talking about when they referred to the 3/4 ton platform.

Another happy camper!!! Enjoy!