Any good sites to compare Truck Towing Capacities?

[Radioherd]

Hey all! *first time poster alert*

We know the GCVW we need is likley to be around 16832 - now we are trying to find the perfect truck. My research suggests we prob need an F350 (or equivalent RAM/GMC/Toyota) - are there any good resources or websites that just list all manufacturers and their standard towing/payload capacity so we can find the sweetspot?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Radioherd]

Hey all! *first time poster alert*

We know the GCVW we need is likley to be around 16832 - now we are trying to find the perfect truck. My research suggests we prob need an F350 (or equivalent RAM/GMC/Toyota) - are there any good resources or websites that just list all manufacturers and their standard towing/payload capacity so we can find the sweetspot?

Thanks in advance!

And another question - are there ANY Hybrid trucks that can tow this weight yet? Seems like the answer is no at this time....

 

[Rich W.]

Since you are towing over 10,000lbs, I’d concentrate on power and braking capability, and not economy. Until recently I towed just under 14,000lbs (equipment and trailer) with my 2017 F250 6.7. The power was nice but braking was even better. It has an exhasut brake that actually works and greatly contributes to slowing and control. Towing that kind of weight I wouldn't want to compromise on those two parameters. Also my truck, a Lariat crew cab, is the perfect balance of capability and driving comfort for me. If you are going to be putting in long days that matters too.

 

[Rosy]

When you say GCVW, what are you referring to? Total loaded weight of truck and trailer combined or just of the trailer?

 

[Radioherd]

When you say GCVW, what are you referring to? Total loaded weight of truck and trailer combined or just of the trailer?

Yes sorry I meant GVWR of 16, 832 - here's an example or the 5th wheel - want to make sure we have plenty of payload and tow capacity spare but also don't want to break the bank so trying to find the sweetspot

New 2023 Forest River RV Sierra Luxury 384QBOK Fifth Wheel - ON ORDER​

Forest River Sierra Luxury fifth wheel 384QBOK highlights: Bath and a Half Dual Entry Bunkhouse Suite Kitchen Island Pass-Through Storage Exterior Kitchen You can create the perfect summer getaway...

We will probably but a 2022 model or a lightly used one if we can find one (again, to find the sweetspot)

 

[Fish]

I think you're in dually territory although lots of people disagree with me going by what I see on the highways.

 

[Gizmo]

On average, depending on the floor plan the pin weight will be between 20 and 25%. You can plan on pin weight between 33,666 and 4,208. Taking the middle and using 22.5% the payload 3703. Now figure the weight of your hitch, stuff in the truck and people in the truck. Normally a rear living room is closer to the 25% because the most of the storage is in front of the wheel. Remember the web specs are no option and this most payload possible. My 2017 GMC web specs said it had 4200 pounds of payload but the door tag said I had 3722 pounds of payload. Check out this site before you buy.

TowingPlanner - towing capability calculators

 

[Rich W.]

Agree with Fish and Gizmo here for a 16,000lb trailer. My truck has a max cap of 27,000 on goose neck hitch, but I would never tow that much. And with the added weight on a 5th wheel hitch (4,000 lbs ?) I‘d want duals to distribute the weight and avoid tire failures regardless of what the specs say. I’ve always advised against towing to your max capacity and having witnessed many tire failures on 5th wheels, my feeling is it’s best to have extra capacity.

 

[Radioherd]

I think you're in dually territory although lots of people disagree with me going by what I see on the highways.

Kinda what i've been thinking too - Ram seems to have the best price for a dually i can see, but i know Fords are the most popular, anyone have experience of Ram dually versus Ford/other?

 

[Radioherd]

On average, depending on the floor plan the pin weight will be between 20 and 25%. You can plan on pin weight between 33,666 and 4,208. Taking the middle and using 22.5% the payload 3703. Now figure the weight of your hitch, stuff in the truck and people in the truck. Normally a rear living room is closer to the 25% because the most of the storage is in front of the wheel. Remember the web specs are no option and this most payload possible. My 2017 GMC web specs said it had 4200 pounds of payload but the door tag said I had 3722 pounds of payload. Check out this site before you buy.

TowingPlanner - towing capability calculators

Thanks for the link!

 

[Radioherd]

Agree with Fish and Gizmo here for a 16,000lb trailer. My truck has a max cap of 27,000 on goose neck hitch, but I would never tow that much. And with the added weight on a 5th wheel hitch (4,000 lbs ?) I‘d want duals to distribute the weight and avoid tire failures regardless of what the specs say. I’ve always advised against towing to your max capacity and having witnessed many tire failures on 5th wheels, my feeling is it’s best to have extra capacity.

Right - want to have some extra capacity for sure - what truck do you have atm?

 

[Fish]

Kinda what i've been thinking too - Ram seems to have the best price for a dually i can see, but i know Fords are the most popular, anyone have experience of Ram dually versus Ford/other?

I've always been Chevy but when I needed a dually they insulted me with price so I ended up with a 2018 Ram cummins aisin 4x4 crew cab. It did everything I needed it to. The air suspension I didn't think I needed turned out to be great. I gave 51,000 for it new and sold it last year for 51,000 when I sold the fifth wheel and went motorhome.

 

[Radioherd]

I've always been Chevy but when I needed a dually they insulted me with price so I ended up with a 2018 Ram cummins aisin 4x4 crew cab. It did everything I needed it to. The air suspension I didn't think I needed turned out to be great. I gave 51,000 for it new and sold it last year for 51,000 when I sold the fifth wheel and went motorhome.

Ok very cool yes I found a couple articles suggesting you get the most capacity for your $ with the RAM so this makes sense - love the resale value too but the used market is crazy atm

 

[Rosy]

As others have said, I think you're into a 3500 with dual rear wheels. I'm partial to the GM Duramax/Alison combo.

Ford is popular but everyone I know personally who's had one has had lots of problems with them. The Cummins engine in the Rams is stout - make sure you get the high output engine and the Aisin transmission - but the rest of the truck is liable to fall apart around the powertrain.

 

[Rich W.]

Unplanned review of my 2017 F250 (does atm mean “at this moment”?):

Im driving a 2017 F250 6.7 PSD CC 4x4 Lariat which I bought it new and it has had no issues other than the junk OE batteries which lasted just over the 3 year warranty period and vented a lot causing corosion. I bought AGMs and that ended that issue. Also added a BW hitch for 5th and goose neck towing. Also the price tag was a bit steep for a pick up.

I’d be interested to hear about problems people have had with this combo as I havent heard of any and it has proven itself hauling an industrial tractor on an equipment trailer as well as a 5th wheel across the country. I compared the Alison they put in chevy pickups with this ford trans and the Aisin the put in dodges and there is very little difference - each is little better in one category or another, but essentially they all share the same engineering and construction. I’d be a bit nervous about the 8 or 10 speeds the use now - they might be fine but I’m a bit skeptical.

The 6.7 PSD is an in-house Ford designed and built engine that replaced the international 6.0 and the earlier 6.4. Lots of problems as we all know with the 6.0 and I’ve heard of some random discontent with the 6.4, but no complaints with the 6.7. One nice thing is it has the extra power that people pay for with aftermarket tuners on other trucks. 450/935 makes for a good pickup power train. After it broke in it started routinely chirping the tires in 2nd. Actually have to keep my foot out of it. Fuel mileage is just ok at around 14.5 for routine local driving - probably better on the highway but I don’t do that enough to know.

For the most my truck just hauls hay and the occasional farm and construction stuff now and seems like more truck than I need but I like the semi-luxury of the Lariat package, crew cab for the grand kids, and 4x4 since its off pavement a lot (farming), although I don't do any intentional four wheeling. Just nice to have when I need it. Other than oil changes, tires, and batteries, its needed nothing. Also the rear hitch is supposedly weight distributing because of the design (not sure I believe that) and they say its rated at something like 17k lbs - another thing I‘m skeptical about, but it can certainly handle what I use it for (the pin that came with it is stamped 21,000lbs). Its a 3” so it requires an adapter for normal ball mounts.

If I was planning to tow a heavy 5th wheel, I’d want a long bed and duals. The long bed for cab clearnance and the duals for extra capacity and stability. Towing a 30’ 5th wheel made me nervous a few times when the front of the trailer got close to the rear of the cab. Also my truck is stock height but it is almost too high for towing a 5th wheel - the bottom front of the trailer came to within an inch or less of the bed several times. Something to check when truck shopping for this purpose. But for what I do, I like the maneuverability and convenience of this size truck. Towing a goose neck stock or equipment trailer was a breeze. And my RV is a Class A.

 

[Radioherd]

Ok so i'm in Dually territory - towing capacity probably needs to be 16k +

- when it comes to long or short truck beds, where does everyone stand on the slider 5th wheel hitches? Will they work if a short bed come up, or better with a long bed?

 

[rudyyoko]

I bought a 2022 ram 2500 cummins 6.7, 4x4, 3.73, short bed. I tow a 34 foot, 9k 5th wheel. The truck came with a rear air suspension. I bought it though I was hesitant because of the air suspension. To my surprise the first time i hitched my trailer, the truck maintained its stock height all the way around. But the best surprise of all was the way the truck towed. It was so comfortable that at times it seemed like I was not even towing something. My wife was surprised as she did not feel much difference between towing and going unladen. Granted this is a 3/4 ton truck. But the towing experience was amazingly comfortable and stress free. I had to keep reminding myself that I was towing something that was 34 foot long. In your case, I would definitely go with a dually. Might even consider them rear air bags if you go with a Ram. I got about 13 miles to the gallon on flat roads, and 11 mpg on the mountain roads. This was mainly at towing speed of 60 mph. I typically get about 22 mpg when I dont tow and its just highway miles. I drive around 65 mph when I am on the highway empty. By the way, this truck is my daily driver. I hope this helps, good luck.

 

[Gizmo]

Ok so i'm in Dually territory - towing capacity probably needs to be 16k +

- when it comes to long or short truck beds, where does everyone stand on the slider 5th wheel hitches? Will they work if a short bed come up, or better with a long bed?

I never personally had a slider hitch and always had a standard(short) bed. You have to watch for trees, tree limbs, rocks, fence posts, and picnic tables, and not taking out your windows in sharp turns is just one more thing to watch for. I didn't think it was worth the cost nor the weight of the hitch when I need to take it out of my truck bed. Others will say it is one less thing to worry about.

 

[Rosy]

Ok so i'm in Dually territory - towing capacity probably needs to be 16k +

- when it comes to long or short truck beds, where does everyone stand on the slider 5th wheel hitches? Will they work if a short bed come up, or better with a long bed?

I thought you could only get DRW on long beds...

 

[Gizmo]

I thought you could only get DRW on long beds...

I have been out of the truck market since 2017 but did or does RAM make a Mega Cab with the short bed?