Tip Wanting to get travel trailer what is most reliable half ton for towing

[Gary63]

Wanting to get travel trailer what is most reliable half ton for towing will match trailer to truck

 

[ThomasB]

Wanting to get travel trailer what is most reliable half ton for towing will match trailer to truck

Most of that depends on how you drive and care for your vehicle. Get a vehicle suitable for the task and keep the maintenance up, drive sensibly and you should get good service from any of the brands.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

How many people have opinions? The question is unanswerable!!!

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I would strongly suggest buying the trailer first and then buying a truck capable of pulling the loaded trailer. Don't trust the RV salesman because he'll assure you you can pull a 40-foot fifth wheel with a 6-cylinder half-ton pickup.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Good point Tex! Heavy metal makes the best tow vehicle.
20ft lite trailer is acceptable with a half ton truck. Biggest limit will be weight capacity and the tongue weight needed for safe travel. If small is enough to keep you happy, then don't be talked into more, but be sure small will keep you happy. As you know, trucks are to expensive to throw money at till you get it right.

 

[Rosy]

The most reliable halfton is definitely the 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra. That being said, as discussed above, you need to be sure your trailer can be handled safely by the truck before buying either truck or trailer. In particular, you should be aware that the Tundra's payload can be lower than some of the competitors', which limits the tongue weight of trailer that you can safely tow and how much stuff you can bring with you.

 

[GTS225]

Gary, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't even consider a 1/2 ton for the purpose, unless you're going with a small fold-down or short hardside camper. Getting a 1/2 ton with travel trailer towing in mind is really going to limit you on trailer choices to fit the load capability of the 1/2 ton.

(Sidebar); My definition of a "camper" is a fold down, or hardside of no more than 14 ft. to 16 ft. in length. A "travel trailer" starts at 16 ft. and gets longer and heavier from there. (Although you might be hard pressed to find a 16 or 18 ft. "travel trailer" nowadays.)

My '04 F150, (with factory tow package) has a 7050 GVWR, and it was a bear to find a 5er light enough to stay at least marginally within the weight specs.

Start with a 3/4 ton, and your choices for "living" quarters will vastly improve.

Roger

 

[BD Nomad]

I've been towing with a half-ton for 13 years with two different travel trailers. One had an empty weight of 3,400lbs. The other, I currently use, has an empty weight of 4,800lbs. Fully loaded with water and cargo it weighs 5,400lbs.

I tow with a 2010 Toyota Tundra with a tow rating of 11,300lbs. As others have mentioned, everybody has an opinion. My personal preference is to cut 50 percent off whatever the vehicle manufacturer says I can tow and use that number as my guide.

I've never had a problem in the 13 years I've owned my truck. I attribute it to good maintenance and having a lot less wear and tear.

hope this helps!

 

[Rosy]

Gary, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't even consider a 1/2 ton for the purpose, unless you're going with a small fold-down or short hardside camper. Getting a 1/2 ton with travel trailer towing in mind is really going to limit you on trailer choices to fit the load capability of the 1/2 ton.

(Sidebar); My definition of a "camper" is a fold down, or hardside of no more than 14 ft. to 16 ft. in length. A "travel trailer" starts at 16 ft. and gets longer and heavier from there. (Although you might be hard pressed to find a 16 or 18 ft. "travel trailer" nowadays.)

My '04 F150, (with factory tow package) has a 7050 GVWR, and it was a bear to find a 5er light enough to stay at least marginally within the weight specs.

Start with a 3/4 ton, and your choices for "living" quarters will vastly improve.

Roger

Consensus among most reasonable halfton owners is that you should be able to go up to a ~25 ft travel trailer and still be within the capability of your truck (obviously depending on the specific truck and trailer and how much gear you have).

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Consensus among most reasonable halfton owners is that you should be able to go up to a ~25 ft travel trailer and still be within the capability of your truck (obviously depending on the specific truck and trailer and how much gear you have).

You don't listen to Tim the tool time Taylor.

 

[sanda]

I've been towing with a half-ton for 13 years with two different travel trailers. One had an empty weight of 3,400lbs. The other, I currently use, has an empty weight of 4,800lbs. Fully loaded with water and cargo it weighs 5,400lbs.

I tow with a 2010 Toyota Tundra with a tow rating of 11,300lbs. As others have mentioned, everybody has an opinion. My personal preference is to cut 50 percent off whatever the vehicle manufacturer says I can tow and use that number as my guide.

I've never had a problem in the 13 years I've owned my truck. I attribute it to good maintenance and having a lot less wear and tear.

hope this helps!

I prefer the Ram trucks. Great running and the interior is 2nd to none. I towed 7500# loaded for many years with the half ton-no problems. I moved up to the 3/4 ton Ram when I purchased a heavier trailer.

 

[Rosy]

You don't listen to Tim the tool time Taylor.

Not sure he would meet the definition of "reasonable".

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Not sure he would meet the definition of "reasonable".

Glad you got it! I once went to a campground that had a 24ft camper limit, I went with a 32 ft MH. I fit but 24 would have been better!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

My point is is it better to get a hyway tractor to pull a 16 ft trailer, or a half ton truck. Honestly! I have a half ton truck to pull my 26 ft fifth. But my family has always been conservative.
I pulled my 21 ft with a Dakota, and it did fine. When asked about being overloaded I said no because I knew the numbers. I was in the Rockies when I was asked! What about the braking? they asked. I explained my trailer has brakes. They asked wasn't I worried about stressing my little truck? And I told them the truck had 230000 miles on it with more than 50% towing miles without major repairs. I was asked about engine braking? And I told them what I was taught while learning to drive! You select the gear you would use to climb the same grade, and save the brakes for if you need them.

I truly am not a Tim's son.

 

[GTS225]

Consensus among most reasonable halfton owners is that you should be able to go up to a ~25 ft travel trailer and still be within the capability of your truck (obviously depending on the specific truck and trailer and how much gear you have).

Don't mis-understand.......I'm not saying a 1/2 ton won't do the job. Shoot, I pulled a 24' Jayco travel trailer from Iowa to Arizona and back without incident. The following year, it went up into Michigan, again without incident.
I now have a Coachmen 5er that just nudges up against the tow capacity of my 1/2 ton, and I've had it out twice. Got plans to pull up into South Dakota this fall.

All I'm saying is that by kicking the tow vehicle up a notch, one opens up the possibilities for a mobile "residence", and gains some additional safety margin.

Roger

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Don't mis-understand.......I'm not saying a 1/2 ton won't do the job. Shoot, I pulled a 24' Jayco travel trailer from Iowa to Arizona and back without incident. The following year, it went up into Michigan, again without incident.
I now have a Coachmen 5er that just nudges up against the tow capacity of my 1/2 ton, and I've had it out twice. Got plans to pull up into South Dakota this fall.

All I'm saying is that by kicking the tow vehicle up a notch, one opens up the possibilities for a mobile "residence", and gains some additional safety margin.

Roger

Thank you for this! It helps the poster get the picture he wanted help with

 

[Bigblockyeti]

The most reliable halfton is definitely the 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra.

^ This.

Be sure to get the 5.7L engine and not the 4.6L. The 4.6L burns almost as much fuel as the bigger engine but doesn't have nearly the towing capability.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

^ This.

Be sure to get the 5.7L engine and not the 4.6L. The 4.6L burns almost as much fuel as the bigger engine but doesn't have nearly the towing capability.

Does the Toyota 5.7 utilize multi displacement???
Don't expect great mileage while towing, it won't happen. The average overall will depend on the mpg epa ratings.

5.7 is a 350c.i. engine, for us old folks. With multi displacement my RAM achieves 21 mpg at 50% tow ratio. Is it reliable? Not everyone gets the same results! My truck is trouble free at 110k, but that is break in mileage for a truck. If you have trouble with a truck with less, than get a real truck!!!

 

[Rosy]

Does the Toyota 5.7 utilize multi displacement???
Don't expect great mileage while towing, it won't happen. The average overall will depend on the mpg epa ratings.

5.7 is a 350c.i. engine, for us old folks. With multi displacement my RAM achieves 21 mpg at 50% tow ratio. Is it reliable? Not everyone gets the same results! My truck is trouble free at 110k, but that is break in mileage for a truck. If you have trouble with a truck with less, than get a real truck!!!

I've talked to guys who tow their travel trailers with the Toyota 5.7, Dodge/Ram 5.7, GM 6.0 and Ford 3.5EB and they all get 10 mpg or less when towing. The others might do better unloaded than Toyota's (as you say, no displacement on demand system) but it's a stout motor that will run forever.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I've talked to guys who tow their travel trailers with the Toyota 5.7, Dodge/Ram 5.7, GM 6.0 and Ford 3.5EB and they all get 10 mpg or less when towing. The others might do better unloaded than Toyota's (as you say, no displacement on demand system) but it's a stout motor that will run forever.

I get 13 towing. It boils down to preference!!!