What Size Trailer

[LBrown59]

1/2 - 3/4 - 1 ton means nothing. You need to read the specs and go from there. Some 1 tons are rated less than a 3/4 because they weigh more. Different packages on a truck change the towing or hauling capacity.

So what truck do I want to get the specs and package on?
1/2 3/4 or 1 ton?

 

[Kfbeal]

I have a 2005 GMC Z71, 1/2 ton, crew-cab, 5.3L V8 with 3.42 rear end, that I pull a 30' Terry filberglass bumper pull travel trailer with at 60-70mph. I use the leveling kit and sway bars. I believe the travel trailer weighs 8000+ but could be wrong.

I also pull on a 18' low-boy trailer 7000#, a JD 5103 with FEL and 6' bush hog shredder with no problems.

One difference between 3/4 and 1 ton may be fuel economy, especially between 1/2 ton and 3/4 or 1 ton.

I much prefer to slow down with the load rather than pay extra for the 3/4 ton diesel, although we don't travel more than 60 miles with either the camper or tractor it doesn't pay for me to own the diesel or 3/4 ton.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a 2005 GMC Z71, 1/2 ton, crew-cab, 5.3L V8 with 3.42 rear end, that I pull a 30' Terry filberglass bumper pull travel trailer with at 60-70mph. I use the leveling kit and sway bars. I believe the travel trailer weighs 8000+ but could be wrong.

I also pull on a 18' low-boy trailer 7000#, a JD 5103 with FEL and 6' bush hog shredder with no problems.

One difference between 3/4 and 1 ton may be fuel economy, especially between 1/2 ton and 3/4 or 1 ton.

I much prefer to slow down with the load rather than pay extra for the 3/4 ton diesel, although we don't travel more than 60 miles with either the camper or tractor it doesn't pay for me to own the diesel or 3/4 ton.

8,000# with a 5.3 and 3.42's must be interesting? My buddies dad bought one like that and it was not much for towing. It was a 2006. He died 4 months after he bought it and they had a hard time getting rid of it because of the 3.42. Most people around here want nothing but 3.73 or 4.10 rear ends.

Chris

 

[LBrown59]

I have a 2005 GMC Z71, 1/2 ton, crew-cab, 5.3L V8 with 3.42 rear end, that I pull a 30' Terry filberglass bumper pull travel trailer with at 60-70mph. I use the leveling kit and sway bars. I believe the travel trailer weighs 8000+ but could be wrong.

I also pull on a 18' low-boy trailer 7000#, a JD 5103 with FEL and 6' bush hog shredder with no problems.

One difference between 3/4 and 1 ton may be fuel economy, especially between 1/2 ton and 3/4 or 1 ton.

*I much prefer to slow down with the load rather than pay extra for the 3/4 ton diesel, although we don't travel more than 60 miles with either the camper or tractor it doesn't pay for me to own the diesel or 3/4 ton.

*I'd prefer enough truck rather than do that.

 

[Kfbeal]

For as little as I pull things, my truck is more than enough. I've owned 4 - Z71's within the past 10 years and all but 1 had 3.42 rear ends. To me, there wasn't a great deal of difference.

I didn't want to sacrifice daily fuel mileage for a little more pulling power because less than 5% of my time I pull heavy items.

 

[Diamondpilot]

For as little as I pull things, my truck is more than enough. I've owned 4 - Z71's within the past 10 years and all but 1 had 3.42 rear ends. To me, there wasn't a great deal of difference.

I didn't want to sacrifice daily fuel mileage for a little more pulling power because less than 5% of my time I pull heavy items.

Sounds like you have the right truck for you. I pull 75% of the time so a 3.55 gear Ford offers actually cost me more to operate the truck then a 3.73. I had a F-150 with 4.10 gears back in 2001 and it probably did better overall for me because it spent 10,000 miles of the 12,000 miles per year I had it with a 8,000# load behind it. I picked up a Saturn cheap to take car of the millage issues. It gets 32 city and 38 highway. It paid for itself in 6 months back when the gas was $4.25 per gallon. Only cost me $280 per year to insure and just got the plates renewed for under $30.

Chris

 

[kevinj]

So what truck do I want to get the specs and package on?
1/2 3/4 or 1 ton?

You simply have to look at the GVW & GCWR and see what the maximum towing & hauling capacity is. As stated here by others the gearing and engines alone give huge range to the half tons and 3/4 tons. You can spec a 1/2 ton heavy and a 3/4 light. When I got my last truck (2008 Chevy K2500 Gasser) a one ton with similar equipment had a tow rating 300# less as it was heavier. I got mine to tow up 14K GVW. With the diesel and different rear gearing that can be up towards 20k. So you see it is all about the specs not the ton rating. Decide what you need to pull and buy a truck to meet the your towing needs. To haul your little tractors and mini trucks I would think any good half ton with a small V-8 would be plenty.

 

[jd2320]

Does anyone know where I can find the correct towing capacity for my Dakota...It's a Quad cab 4wd with the v8 it says 3.55 axle as standard but it also has the factory tow package so I don't know if that changes the axle ratio or not..oh it's a 2007..

 

[wushaw]

Does anyone know where I can find the correct towing capacity for my Dakota...It's a Quad cab 4wd with the v8 it says 3.55 axle as standard but it also has the factory tow package so I don't know if that changes the axle ratio or not..oh it's a 2007..

Try here http://www.trailerlife.com/images/towratings/07towratings.pdf

 

[jd2320]

Perfect says 5800 if I still have the 3.55 or 7000 if I have the 3.92 not sure if that changes automatically with the factory tow package or not..?

 

[wkpoor]

When making a purchase decision I know you have to pretty much go on the factory ratings but I have a scenario that kinda goes against the grain. Both my brothers 1/2 ton PU and my 1 ton van are both rated at 10K towing. So we hooked to the same load and both drove each others truck to see how they felt. Well I can tell you the 10K rating on the 1/2 ton is bogus. And the same rating on the 1 ton is bogus. His truck feels taxed at that level and mine feels like give me more. Both have same 3.73 gears. He has the 5.3 and me the 5.7. Oh and the 5.3 supposedly has more power. Another bogus figure.

 

[Bruce-4310TX]

Its not about horsepower its the torque that does the hauling, i agree my new ford 2008 f-150 is rated at 9800lbs no way would i do it, a panic stop and the trailer brakes go out etc etc and its over that weight is for the 1 ton and up trucks.

 

[kevinj]

Does anyone know where I can find the correct towing capacity for my Dakota...It's a Quad cab 4wd with the v8 it says 3.55 axle as standard but it also has the factory tow package so I don't know if that changes the axle ratio or not..oh it's a 2007..

Doesn,t Dodge put a towing section in the owners manual?? GM has a multi page chart showing the tow ratings for various packages.

 

[LBrown59]

1*You simply have to look at the GVW & GCWR and see what the maximum towing & hauling capacity is.

1*Pretty simple if you are going new.
Simply go to a dealer and spec out a 1/2 3/4 and 1 ton for what you are wanting to haul and tow.
Then compare and chose.

Buying used is another matter :
Where do you find 3 trucks to compare . I.E. A 1/2 3/4 and 1 tone all with the same specs that you can compare with each other.?
===========================
This is what has me confused / puzzled.

 

[kevinj]

1*Pretty simple if you are going new.
Simply go to a dealer and spec out a 1/2 3/4 and 1 ton for what you are wanting to haul and tow.
Then compare and chose.

Buying used is another matter :
Where do you find 3 trucks to compare . I.E. A 1/2 3/4 and 1 tone all with the same specs that you can compare with each other.?
===========================
This is what has me confused / puzzled.

The same applies to used. The specs are on the door plate and/or in the manuals. If a used vehicle has the capacity for your needs I do not see why there would be any confusion. It is either rated for the need or it is not. I have had several used ones and never had any issues getting the tow/haul specs. Seems pretty simple to me.

Have you truly defined your towing needs???? This is the first step.

 

[jd2320]

Doesn,t Dodge put a towing section in the owners manual?? GM has a multi page chart showing the tow ratings for various packages.

I found the section about towing but didn't see a chart maybe I have a sticker under the hood that tells the axle ratio I have..?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Best thing to do is crawl under the truck. If 3.55 or 3.92 is the only available look for something with those numbers in it on the axle. It may say only say 55 or 92 but you will figure it out.

Chris

 

[kevinj]

I found the section about towing but didn't see a chart maybe I have a sticker under the hood that tells the axle ratio I have..?

Worst case, have your dealer run the VIN or axle code. If you bought it new it is proabably the standard ratio and tire size. A lot of people around here put over size tires on when they replace which alters the final ratio and reduces power. Tire size can easily make up one gear ratio change.

 

[crbr]

I'm in the market for a trailer to haul my B7510 with FEL and Back Hoe I was thinking a 16' would work fine any suggestions I'm limited as I only have a Dakota with the v8 to pull with??

I trailer a B7800 with a mid-mount mower or a loader, on a 16' tandem axle (2-3500s). No problems. It fits the application quite well. The V-8 will do the job.

 

[crbr]

Does anyone know where I can find the correct towing capacity for my Dakota...It's a Quad cab 4wd with the v8 it says 3.55 axle as standard but it also has the factory tow package so I don't know if that changes the axle ratio or not..oh it's a 2007..

Tow package does not change gear ratio. It adds a tranny cooler and an extra bearing.

The 3.55:1 will serve you well within the truck's capacity range as a 1/2T.

Check your driver door or glovebox for specs posting, or the manual.