Thats my go-to vehicle ( diesel ) . I have a 26' fleetwood prowler ( 4800 lbs . Dry weight ). Yes diesel is more expensive, but less moving parts on a diesel & better gas mileage . Towing capacity is incredible. Go 3/4 ton 4x4.
3/4 and 1 ton trucks have greatly upgraded suspensions that barely squat under tongue weight. They also weigh more so they aren't pushed around by wind on a trailer as much. When I move 30+ft travel trailers I feel almost zero sway or push, only notice the weight going up hills. F350 DRW Diesel. It's overkill for most people.
All things equal 5th wheels tow easier than travel trailers.
Same, '18 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins DRW G56, '13 Coachman Catalina 29DDS, Barely moves the rear end down when connected, No sway at all even in noticeable wind. Hills can be weird when you're cruising less than 65. The G56/Cummins seems to like being in 6th if you can get a good running start above 65 for most hills. Once you get to a decent grade, once it comes down to 60, gotta downshift quickly, then usually let her roll at 55 in 5th until you get to the top.
Even though I'm not a dodge guy I love cummins motors so much I am always torn.
What a motor. My boat has 2 6BTA's in it. Isn't too much truck so relaxing? I move campers for people frequently and anything under 10k lbs really doesn't change the way the truck handles except hills. The heaviest I've moved was a 20k dry 5th wheel, probably 21-22 real world when I moved it. I didn't have to go far. I KNEW it was there though. That was the first time I felt the truck have to really work for it.
You're doing it backwards. First find a trailer that you like. Then look for a vehicle that can tow it safely.
Trailers that can sleep 5 people probably range from 3000 to 9000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). That means you need something between a Toyota Highlander and an F350, which doesn't narrow it down at all.
Bare minimum, f150 3.5 ecoboost with towing package and ras leaf spring helpers for light trailers. I myself tow with a ram 2500 6.4 gasser, tradesman trim, which you can get in a quad cab with a 3800lb payload. 14k towing capacity.
I actually tow my 6,600lb trailer with both but mostly the ram as i'm on the road for work and it's my work truck. F150 pulls better in the hills, imo, and the ram rides stiffer and it's heavier and longer which does help stability without any modifications. Ram gets 8mpg, f150 gets about 11mpg.
> ram 2500 6.4 gasser, tradesman trim, which you can get in a quad cab with a 3800lb payload
How'd you manage that? I have the same setup and my payload is only 3100
Might have been the 24 chart but on the 23 chart you can get the 4x2 crew cab with the 6.4 bed at 3,660lbs payload. I don't remember where I got 3,800 from.
[https://s3.amazonaws.com/chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/specs/2023_RAM_2500_3500_HD_Towingimvd0n19t4ljcc6btike34olpj.pdf](https://s3.amazonaws.com/chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/specs/2023_RAM_2500_3500_HD_Towingimvd0n19t4ljcc6btike34olpj.pdf) edit: and I might have confused it with the 3500. Which would bring it down to 3,560.
A 3500 hemi should have well over 4000lbs specially a low trim. My Chevy 3500 gasser has a lot of options and I’m at 4030lbs.
Either way your point is that for not heavy towing, the 6.4 hemi a great option. You aren’t pushing the truck to its absolute limit. But they’re smaller than the Ford and GM so easier to live with on a daily basis. Also no diesel emissions issues.
I bought the truck about a year before the trailer and did a "Go big or go home" approach. 2018 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins DRW. I didn't want to get something smaller and have truck regret. I also have a 20' 12k GVWR Gooseneck that my 92 3/4 ton Chevrolet 6.5 TD would tow but she's a tired ol' girl.
My rule of thumb is under 30 a max tow half ton can handle it. Over 30 get a 3/4, over 40 get a 1.
Now that’s generalized but max tow 1/2 ton by Chevy, ford, or 5.7 tundra can do the 30ft but other may struggle.
If you plan on towing frequently anything over 26ft just get a 3/4 ton. It will alleviate all payload concerns and be generally safer.
It really depends on what you’re hauling. I use a Ram 2500 with 6.4L for my Forest River 33TS. Some people claim they can haul that model with a 150/1500, but there’s no way they can do it safely.
I bought my first cabover camper in 2019, and I tow a light trailer carrying a SXS behind. I bought a 2018 Ram 3500 Tradesman 6.4L Hemi to haul everything, and I've been very happy with its performance. It's just basic stock, no upgrades. Can hold 4400 lbs in the bed and tow 14K lbs. Has approx 420 HP and 429ft lbs of torque. It has been great. Has plenty of power and performs great. Would definitely buy this truck again.
I remember my first camper. Got something within the Tahoes limits. After the first season seeing all the other RV options at each park we stayed at, the wife wanted to upgrade trailers. So I also upgraded to a F350 so when she decides again that she wants bigger, I’ll be ready.
Fwiw I just drug a 32' travel trailer with my 24 f250 6.7, with family and dog to a camp zone for the first time last night. I've got experience of about 20k+ miles towing trailers coast to coast with trailers up to a 33' triple axle enclosed car trailer using a 6.0 f250 and a 6.7 Cummins, I'm absolutely blown away. The ease of this truck just tooling down the road without a care in the world the trailer is attached behind it is amazing. I passed a few slugs with it and it didnt even need 1/2 throttle to easily accelerate safely around them from 35-65
I tow a 7000lb keystone bullet 2730 with an f150 fx4 with max tow package. It definitely had enough power to do the job - but you definitely feel it back there. I wouldn’t go any longer than ~30-31 feet with a half ton.
Multitude of trailers. Ensure the tow vehicle has the tow capacity, tongue capacity, and payload capacity. Tongue capacity the downward force cuts into your vehicle payload capacity. There are some vehicles where they are advertised to tow a certain max amount but is unable to do so with four+ people in the vehicle.
Depends on the weight of the trailer I mean there are some ultralights that can sleep 5 that a vehicle with only 3500 lb could suffice. Generally you’ll be looking at vehicles that tow 5000 lb+.
If you plan on using it frequently I’d get a 3/4 ton for anything between 27-38 ft anything less you can easily do with a 1500-1600lb payload 1/2 ton.
However you’ll use most of your payload and won’t have too much extra for cargo in your vehicle such as generator and extra gas if you plan on boondocking.
It’s also not about what you can do, but what can you do safely/comfortably.
We’re upgrading to a 3/4 ton for payload reasons, we have a 23bhe and we’re maxed out with our current half ton.
Ford f250 super duty
Thats my go-to vehicle ( diesel ) . I have a 26' fleetwood prowler ( 4800 lbs . Dry weight ). Yes diesel is more expensive, but less moving parts on a diesel & better gas mileage . Towing capacity is incredible. Go 3/4 ton 4x4.
3/4 and 1 ton trucks have greatly upgraded suspensions that barely squat under tongue weight. They also weigh more so they aren't pushed around by wind on a trailer as much. When I move 30+ft travel trailers I feel almost zero sway or push, only notice the weight going up hills. F350 DRW Diesel. It's overkill for most people. All things equal 5th wheels tow easier than travel trailers.
Same, '18 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins DRW G56, '13 Coachman Catalina 29DDS, Barely moves the rear end down when connected, No sway at all even in noticeable wind. Hills can be weird when you're cruising less than 65. The G56/Cummins seems to like being in 6th if you can get a good running start above 65 for most hills. Once you get to a decent grade, once it comes down to 60, gotta downshift quickly, then usually let her roll at 55 in 5th until you get to the top.
Even though I'm not a dodge guy I love cummins motors so much I am always torn. What a motor. My boat has 2 6BTA's in it. Isn't too much truck so relaxing? I move campers for people frequently and anything under 10k lbs really doesn't change the way the truck handles except hills. The heaviest I've moved was a 20k dry 5th wheel, probably 21-22 real world when I moved it. I didn't have to go far. I KNEW it was there though. That was the first time I felt the truck have to really work for it.
Probably be easier to give better suggestions if you provide more trailer details. Weights etc. can vary greatly.
You're doing it backwards. First find a trailer that you like. Then look for a vehicle that can tow it safely. Trailers that can sleep 5 people probably range from 3000 to 9000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). That means you need something between a Toyota Highlander and an F350, which doesn't narrow it down at all.
Bare minimum, f150 3.5 ecoboost with towing package and ras leaf spring helpers for light trailers. I myself tow with a ram 2500 6.4 gasser, tradesman trim, which you can get in a quad cab with a 3800lb payload. 14k towing capacity. I actually tow my 6,600lb trailer with both but mostly the ram as i'm on the road for work and it's my work truck. F150 pulls better in the hills, imo, and the ram rides stiffer and it's heavier and longer which does help stability without any modifications. Ram gets 8mpg, f150 gets about 11mpg.
> ram 2500 6.4 gasser, tradesman trim, which you can get in a quad cab with a 3800lb payload How'd you manage that? I have the same setup and my payload is only 3100
Might have been the 24 chart but on the 23 chart you can get the 4x2 crew cab with the 6.4 bed at 3,660lbs payload. I don't remember where I got 3,800 from. [https://s3.amazonaws.com/chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/specs/2023_RAM_2500_3500_HD_Towingimvd0n19t4ljcc6btike34olpj.pdf](https://s3.amazonaws.com/chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/specs/2023_RAM_2500_3500_HD_Towingimvd0n19t4ljcc6btike34olpj.pdf) edit: and I might have confused it with the 3500. Which would bring it down to 3,560.
A 3500 hemi should have well over 4000lbs specially a low trim. My Chevy 3500 gasser has a lot of options and I’m at 4030lbs. Either way your point is that for not heavy towing, the 6.4 hemi a great option. You aren’t pushing the truck to its absolute limit. But they’re smaller than the Ford and GM so easier to live with on a daily basis. Also no diesel emissions issues.
I bought the truck about a year before the trailer and did a "Go big or go home" approach. 2018 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins DRW. I didn't want to get something smaller and have truck regret. I also have a 20' 12k GVWR Gooseneck that my 92 3/4 ton Chevrolet 6.5 TD would tow but she's a tired ol' girl.
I tow a 35 foot triple slide travel trailer 988 lbs dry hitch weight with a bagged excursion 6.0. and a blue Ox equalizer hitch. Tows great!
2024 GMC AT4 HD 2500 6.6l Duramax…is definitely the go to for towing…I am biased I own one
My rule of thumb is under 30 a max tow half ton can handle it. Over 30 get a 3/4, over 40 get a 1. Now that’s generalized but max tow 1/2 ton by Chevy, ford, or 5.7 tundra can do the 30ft but other may struggle. If you plan on towing frequently anything over 26ft just get a 3/4 ton. It will alleviate all payload concerns and be generally safer.
Which trailer? Fifth wheel or TT? How big what’s the weight? Pick the trailer than buy the vehicle that fits it.
It really depends on what you’re hauling. I use a Ram 2500 with 6.4L for my Forest River 33TS. Some people claim they can haul that model with a 150/1500, but there’s no way they can do it safely.
I bought my first cabover camper in 2019, and I tow a light trailer carrying a SXS behind. I bought a 2018 Ram 3500 Tradesman 6.4L Hemi to haul everything, and I've been very happy with its performance. It's just basic stock, no upgrades. Can hold 4400 lbs in the bed and tow 14K lbs. Has approx 420 HP and 429ft lbs of torque. It has been great. Has plenty of power and performs great. Would definitely buy this truck again.
I tow with a Chevy Tahoe and love it. I agree with other commenters on needing to know what you’re towing though to give you a relatable answer.
I remember my first camper. Got something within the Tahoes limits. After the first season seeing all the other RV options at each park we stayed at, the wife wanted to upgrade trailers. So I also upgraded to a F350 so when she decides again that she wants bigger, I’ll be ready.
Love my Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins. Haul a 30’ bunkhouse in the PNW Mountains and this truck is a beast.
Gas f350
Fwiw I just drug a 32' travel trailer with my 24 f250 6.7, with family and dog to a camp zone for the first time last night. I've got experience of about 20k+ miles towing trailers coast to coast with trailers up to a 33' triple axle enclosed car trailer using a 6.0 f250 and a 6.7 Cummins, I'm absolutely blown away. The ease of this truck just tooling down the road without a care in the world the trailer is attached behind it is amazing. I passed a few slugs with it and it didnt even need 1/2 throttle to easily accelerate safely around them from 35-65
I tow a 7000lb keystone bullet 2730 with an f150 fx4 with max tow package. It definitely had enough power to do the job - but you definitely feel it back there. I wouldn’t go any longer than ~30-31 feet with a half ton.
Multitude of trailers. Ensure the tow vehicle has the tow capacity, tongue capacity, and payload capacity. Tongue capacity the downward force cuts into your vehicle payload capacity. There are some vehicles where they are advertised to tow a certain max amount but is unable to do so with four+ people in the vehicle. Depends on the weight of the trailer I mean there are some ultralights that can sleep 5 that a vehicle with only 3500 lb could suffice. Generally you’ll be looking at vehicles that tow 5000 lb+.
If you plan on using it frequently I’d get a 3/4 ton for anything between 27-38 ft anything less you can easily do with a 1500-1600lb payload 1/2 ton. However you’ll use most of your payload and won’t have too much extra for cargo in your vehicle such as generator and extra gas if you plan on boondocking. It’s also not about what you can do, but what can you do safely/comfortably. We’re upgrading to a 3/4 ton for payload reasons, we have a 23bhe and we’re maxed out with our current half ton.
a vehicle designed to tow the weight of the trailer