Truck payload question

[jejeosborne]

If your worrying about the weight of a 1/4 tank of fuel you need a larger truck. Gasoline weighs about 6.5 pounds a gallon so say a 20 gallon tank you have 32 pounds, so if your fretting over 30 pounds you need a better truck

Again, not fretting. It is more difficult to type "3/4" than "full" so I assumed there was a logical reason but have now learned that to be false. I have plenty of truck and payload capacity to tow 11,300 with my family of 4 so no fretting here.

 

[BrandonR]

Kansas, Oregon, Wyoming, Missouri require no brakes on trailers. I am sure there are a few other states that don't require brakes also. Not smart but legal.

Chris

Oregon doesn't technically require brakes, but has a stopping distance standard. Good luck convincing the highway patrol that you can stop that fast with a heavy trailer without brakes.

4) Do I have to have brakes on my trailer?

Answer: Oregon law requires that any vehicle or combination of vehicles weighing less than 8,000 pounds must be able to stop within a travel lane in 25 feet from 20 miles per hour. If the vehicle or combination of vehicles weighs over 8,000 pounds, the vehicle must be able to stop within a travel lane in 35 feet from 20 miles per hour. Check your owner's manual of the tow vehicle to see what the manufacturer recommends. Most manufacturers recommend trailer brakes if the trailer and load weigh 1,000 pounds or more. (ORS 815.125)

 

[RandyBell]

Trucks, guns, politics, HST vs Gear, orange vs green... some very interesting comments here.

I traded up to GMC 2500 to get better towing for my 7000 lb travel trailer. My old tow rig was 1500 class, had P metric tires, very nice ride, but was not as comfortable towing as we wanted. We had tried to do both daily driver for my wife and towing and it just didn't work as well as we had hoped. We have had the truck for almost 3 years now and I enjoy towing with it. We even take it on trips without the trailer, but we have a small SUV for daily driver around town..

I tell everyone I know that is truck shopping to get the highest number (lowest gearing) rear end you can. It ups you tow rating usually and will only help gas mileage. All the trucks you are looking at probably have at least 6 speed transmission. You have plenty of overdrive in transmission and by running the lower gears (wish I had gotten 4.10 instead of 3.73) you get more use out of the 6 speeds in the transmission.

I recommend 250/2500 series for your 8500 lb trailer, unless you are also commuting with it. If you commute daily with your truck and only tow a few times per year (and not in the mountains), then you might be happier with the 150/1500 series.

I don't know about it with the six speed trans, but with the 700R4 that was in my 88 GMC 1500 3:42 gears really made a big improvement on both towing and fuel mileage.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I don't know about it with the six speed trans, but with the 700R4 that was in my 88 GMC 1500 3:42 gears really made a big improvement on both towing and fuel mileage.

3.42's and a 4 speed would be great for mpg but gutless for towing. 3.73 gears or 4 .10's are needed with those 4 speeds.

Chris

 

[RandyBell]

3.42's and a 4 speed would be great for mpg but gutless for towing. 3.73 gears or 4 .10's are needed with those 4 speeds.

Chris

I had plenty of power with the 3.42's I went from 3.08 to them and the difference was night and day!

 

[timswi]

Trucks, guns, politics, HST vs Gear, orange vs green... some very interesting comments here.

I traded up to GMC 2500 to get better towing for my 7000 lb travel trailer. My old tow rig was 1500 class, had P metric tires, very nice ride, but was not as comfortable towing as we wanted. We had tried to do both daily driver for my wife and towing and it just didn't work as well as we had hoped. We have had the truck for almost 3 years now and I enjoy towing with it. We even take it on trips without the trailer, but we have a small SUV for daily driver around town..

I tell everyone I know that is truck shopping to get the highest number (lowest gearing) rear end you can. It ups you tow rating usually and will only help gas mileage. All the trucks you are looking at probably have at least 6 speed transmission. You have plenty of overdrive in transmission and by running the lower gears (wish I had gotten 4.10 instead of 3.73) you get more use out of the 6 speeds in the transmission.

I recommend 250/2500 series for your 8500 lb trailer, unless you are also commuting with it. If you commute daily with your truck and only tow a few times per year (and not in the mountains), then you might be happier with the 150/1500 series.

Actually I have a 2013 GMC Denali 1500 and tow my 7800# (empty) TT and probably 8500# gross into the PA mountains...No problems at all. 6.2, 6 speed and 3:42's...Not arguing, just sayin'.