So I guess a 1/2-ton truck is enough

[Kalashnikov]

Official test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T728x3Gkg98

Conclusion: You don't _need_ to spend 10k more on that 3/4 ton truck if you're towing 9k pounds or less.


That should cover most AS owners

[brad1]

This ought to be a good thread ‘cause I know that some think that them’s fighting words!

[out of sight]

Yes, you can tow a 9000 lb trailer with a 1/2 ton truck, but you can't safely travel at highway speeds. For that you will need a larger truck. One rule of thumb is that the truck should weigh more than the trailer.

[kscherzi]

Based on that rule of thumb there's no way to tow a 9,000 lb airstream without a massive F550 or something like that. How on earth do all those large fifth wheels get towed?

[jcl]

Originally Posted by out of sight

Yes, you can tow a 9000 lb trailer with a 1/2 ton truck, but you can't safely travel at highway speeds. For that you will need a larger truck. One rule of thumb is that the truck should weigh more than the trailer.

Thanks, we need some comic relief in these times.

[smithcreek]

Originally Posted by brad1

This ought to be a good thread ‘cause I know that some think that them’s fighting words!

Hopefully it will be better than the last twenty exact same threads over the past twelve months because those were all really lame by the second page.

[AKNate]

Payload, per the actual door sticker, is almost always the limiting factor. Lots of numbers elsewhere claim all sorts of things.

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by kscherzi

Based on that rule of thumb there's no way to tow a 9,000 lb airstream without a massive F550 or something like that. How on earth do all those large fifth wheels get towed?

A fifth wheel is an inherently more stable configuration. Aside from that I do see a lot of 40 footers being towed that should never be allowed on the highway.

[jcanavera]

Gross weight of my 3/4 van is 7,300 lbs, and my Classic slide out is 9,100 lbs so you can't use the theory than the tow vehicle should weigh more than the trailer logic. I towed with both 1/2 ton vans and 3/4 ton vans and typically the benefit of that 3/4 ton van was larger and stronger components. Brakes, wheels, transmission options, engine choices, and suspension rated components were real found to be a real plus. For me that meant better handling, stopping capabilities and truly a more stable vehicle to pull with.

Quite honestly a lot of half ton vehicles built today carry some components that probably more HD related in nature, so in many cases depending upon how you tow and where, the half ton vehicle may be up to the challenge. It's a matter of doing your homework and if your manufacturer has a towing guide, get one. Many dealers are not aware of these specialized documents and you may have to call a customer service person from the Manufacturer to obtain these. I got one from GM which gave me a lot more specifics about towing and capacities of their various trucks.

A good example was that my 2003 GMC Savana van with the 6.0 liter gas engine came with an HD transmission. This transmission is rated to tow in overdrive. The equivalent transmission in the half ton was not rated for that task. That in itself is gas saving plus knowing that that tranny is especially built with an external auxiliary transmission cooler and stronger components for example.

You can tow with lighter rated vehicles but the amount of safety factor is directly related in your towing locales, how fast you travel, and your driving techniques. I never forget that I have a very heavy vehicle behind me and I certainly drive much differently when towing than if I were driving solo (limiting speed, following distances, weather conditions and how they affect stopping and handling). I've never regretted moving to a 3/4 ton vehicle from my previous 1/2 vehicles and moving up from a 28' Safari to a 31' Classic Slide out.

Jack

[overlander63]

The sheer amount of false logic on the 'net is truly astounding.

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by out of sight

Yes, you can tow a 9000 lb trailer with a 1/2 ton truck, but you can't safely travel at highway speeds. For that you will need a larger truck. One rule of thumb is that the truck should weigh more than the trailer.

A Class 8 day cab twin screw tractor weighs right around 16,000 LBS. It pulls up to a 53' trailer weighing up to 74,000 LBS including cargo. Your logic of the truck having to weigh more than the trailer is just not correct.

One more point. If folks want to stay with a 1/2 ton instead of a 3/4 ton pickup Ford offers a HDPP (Heavy Duty Payload Package) that in conjunction with the Max Tow Pkg greatly increases the payload rating of a half ton. It is available on the XL and XLT trim levels and requires certain cab and bed lengths. FWIW.

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by uraljohn

A Class 8 day cab twin screw tractor weighs right around 16,000 LBS. It pulls up to a 53' trailer weighing up to 74,000 LBS including cargo. Your logic of the truck having to weigh more than the trailer is just not correct.

Yes, that's a 5th wheel trailer. A bumper pull trailer is completely different. If the trailer is too big for the tow vehicle it will push the back of the tow vehicle around.

I've posted this chart from the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers before. It may be worth posting it again.

[ROBERT CROSS]

No it's not.
Bob
🇺🇸

[uraljohn]

I might be crazy for asking this question, and I am sure others that monitor this site would agree, but here goes.

You have a 2019 28' Airstream. What do you tow it with? Maybe post some CAT Scale weight slip illustrating the proper towing setup. By your way of thinking that the weight of the tow vehicle exceeds the weight of the trailer, there are a whole bunch of folks towing incorrectly. No disrespect intended, just want a clarification on your process to determine what vehicle to tow with.

Stay safe in Florida. We left Melbourne, Fl. a month early to head back to N.Carolina and we are glad we did. Happy Travels someday.

[out of sight]

I tow with a Ram 2500 diesel, base weight 8000 lbs. My loaded truck to loaded trailer ratio was 117%. It feels pretty good.

I would suggest that you calculate your weight ratio and plot it against the hitch weight percent and mark that point on the chart to see where you are.

Bear in mind that the chart is an approximation and represents only one engineer's idea of what defines stability. The main thing missing from the chart is speed. You can compensate for instability by slowing down.

[Ronyx]

Yup, payload is the limiting factor

[Profxd]

Originally Posted by Kalashnikov

Official test:

Conclusion: You don't _need_ to spend 10k more on that 3/4 ton truck if you're towing 9k pounds or less.


That should cover most AS owners

I don’t know why they even sell 3/4 tons anymore. All you need is a good WDH and make it really tight.

[Daquenzer]

This confirms to me that unless you are towing an awful lot a 3/4 ton diesel isn’t worth the price. If you need a 3/4 ton for towing an airstream then a gas 6.2 liter makes total sense if payload is an issue. Otherwise my 3.5 Ecoboost with max tow package will do me wonderfully which it has.

[vintageracer]

PULLING a trailer is EASY!

It's that STOPPING part that can be a REAL PROBLEM!

I suggest you all hook up your truck/trailer go out and do a some of PANIC STOPS on a deserted road to understand the real braking capability of your tow vehicle/trailer combination & how to handle that situation when it arises. A couple HARD STOPS from 30 MPH and a couple from 40 MPH. Git on the brakes HARD, HARD, HARD & HOLD ON!

At that point you can then step back and make a real evaluation and truthfully answer that question that gits asked ALL THE TIME:

"Is my tow vehicle CAPABLE OF SAFELY PULLING & STOPPING my tow vehicle/trailer combination"?

I would suspect a lot of you will git the schidt scared out you when you find out how LIMITED your tow vehicle/trailer combination BRAKING ABILITY really is!

Oh and just remember that "Weight Distributing Hitch" you love so much transfers more of that total weight of your rig to the front brakes which typically already provides 60-70% of your tow vehicles braking ability WITHOUT a trailer hooked up and to the rear trailer brakes if you have them thereby limiting even more the braking capability of the tow vehicles rear axle brakes.

That makes things git squirrely much quicker under HARD BRAKING when that tow vehicle rear axle unloads do the limited weight it still has holding it to the ground as the WDH redistributed all that weight to the front tow vehicle axle and rear trailer axle/axles.

You might be in for a fun ride at the worst time!

[sb55]

I’m on of those crazies who tows a 2018 FC 30rbt with a 1/2 ton. But, my 2017 Silverado has the Max Tow package and the 6.2 motor, so it’s beefed up somewhat. My payload is 2054, which is more than my neighbor’s Chevy 2500.
I’ve towed over 30k miles and don’t worry that my truck weighs less than my trailer.
I get about 12.5 mpg towing and have gotten up to 25 mpg not towing on the highway. For me, this truck is a keeper.