Do I need a 3/4 ton?

[mikerr24]

hey all, new to forum. i have been on the fence of whether i need another truck, preferrably a 3/4 ton this time. i drive approx 25000 miles a year and now have a 5000lb TT that ill be towing frequently in the summer. i can tow the TT with my current 1/2 ton but it does not feel comfortable AT ALL over about 50mph (08 5.3 4x4) sways and does not feel stable/safe. someone told me that a set of helper springs may help the issue but i've always "thought" i wanted a diesel "just because." and from what ive read on the various forums, the operating costs are about the same between diesels and gassers all things considered.

if for no other reason, would the diesel be a better option for me since i drive alot of miles? i know the diesels dont typically get worn out as fast as the gassers unless theyre abused with mods. however, to counter that, in just over 90k miles on my truck all ive had to do is 1 set of front brakes, on my 2nd set of tires, change oil and add gas (knock on wood).I really cant complain about that.

not looking to get bashed, just like to have different opinions .... thanks

[Lt CHEG]

Truthfully, I think a 3/4 ton truck for a 5000 pound travel trailer nowadays is way overkill. As far as diesel running costs being similar to gas trucks, maybe with respect to fuel cost, but a diesel will still cost more as far as maintenance and wear and tear. I just traded in my 2010 Ford power stroke diesel for a 2011Silverado HD gas and I am actually saving money. The difference in fuel economy of the diesel wasn't enough extra to cover the higher cost of the diesel and I will be paying $30 for oil changes instead of $80, plus I won't be changing an $80 fuel filter every 15,000 miles. I upgraded from a half ton a few years ago when I bought my tractor and backhoe. I just didn't like the amount that the suspension squatted with a 10,000 pound load behind. I was plenty happy slowing down up hills towing with my 5.3 v8 but felt a lot better with the extra suspension with that heavy of a load. If I could get a 5.3 3/4 ton I would have because I drive without towing heavy more often than not. I would have no problem towing way more than is recommended as long as the frame and suspension can handle it, as I can always slow down when I tow. For me, unless I was towing all the time there's no way I would buy a 3/4 ton just for towing a 5000 pound travel trailer.

[djmercer1]

diesel maintanence vs gas maintanence is essentially a wash-->i dont understand this urban myth..... if considering the gm 2500hd, the only maintanence difference is fuel filters (can be bought for $25 from suppliers for a dyi(everyone driving a diesel should be able to swap a fiuilter and you should keep a fresh one in the cab for emergency swaps due to bad fuel) or installed at dealer for $150) and there is more oil required per oil change, but the oil changes are good for longer intervals, so that is effectively a wash.... as for the rest of the truck, it the same as the gasser version--get a good one and you set, but a lemon will make you poor...

 

with a 5klbs trailer you wont tax even the 1500, do you have sway control or weight distribution hitches? however, the dmax will do a better job towing 5klbs, and is a much better truck if you work it than either the 1500 of 2500hd gasser...

[mikerr24]

yeah, i have the WD hitch and sway bars. engine power wise the 5.3 really dont break a sweat unless on a decent grade then she's really working (4spd). its not power im concerned with, its safety for my family (and yours). does the fact the trailer is a big wide parachute and weighs within a few hundred lbs of the truck pulling it have anything to do with why im white knuckled rolling down the highway? granted, the dmax capabilities on paper would probably be overkill for a mere 5000lb trailer(empty) but for safety and comfort, overkill, in my mind would be better. i cannot imagine my 1/2 ton at max towing capacity. it would not be safe. these manufacturers have way inflated capabilities these days. sure my truck(engine) would probably move a house but the frame and everything else would be lucky to make it any amount of time. jmo. as a side note, im in pennsylvania with alot of twisty roads and hills, the above has been my experience with my TT on a recent 300 mile tow.. I also own an enclosed utility trailer and when loaded at a similar weight to the TT i do not have nearly the trouble pulling it so obviously the size of the TT is the issue here, not the weight.

[music]

I'd stick with a 1500. I'm pulling closer to a 7000 lbs camper (fully loaded weight), and the only thing I kinda wish I had was the 6-spd auto or 4.10 gears when doing a long highway drives through rolling hills. The 2500HD would handle the load better as-is, but would only be "justified" in my mind if I towed a lot more often.

 

Your primary complaint of "sway" has little to do with the truck, and lots to do with camper weighting. What tire pressure do you run when towing, as that can also matter. The tongue may well be too light for the length, so the first step is to "get more weight to the front of the camper". I've seen discussions over again about folks worrying about tongue weight and trying to keep weight off the truck. Personally, I'd rather be a little on the heavy side of payload with *plenty* of tongue weight. Our camper is nearly 32 ft bumper to tongue, has a heavy tongue from the factory (870 lbs empty), and there is zero sway at any speed I've hit. Semis have minimal effect too. I'm using the Reese dual cam WD hitch system with integrated sway control, but that's less of a factor than the heavy tongue.

[07 CC Sierra]

hey all, new to forum. i have been on the fence of whether i need another truck, preferrably a 3/4 ton this time. i drive approx 25000 miles a year and now have a 5000lb TT that ill be towing frequently in the summer. i can tow the TT with my current 1/2 ton but it does not feel comfortable AT ALL over about 50mph (08 5.3 4x4) sways and does not feel stable/safe. someone told me that a set of helper springs may help the issue but i've always "thought" i wanted a diesel "just because." and from what ive read on the various forums, the operating costs are about the same between diesels and gassers all things considered.

if for no other reason, would the diesel be a better option for me since i drive alot of miles? i know the diesels dont typically get worn out as fast as the gassers unless theyre abused with mods. however, to counter that, in just over 90k miles on my truck all ive had to do is 1 set of front brakes, on my 2nd set of tires, change oil and add gas (knock on wood).I really cant complain about that.

not looking to get bashed, just like to have different opinions .... thanks

 

 

It sounds to me like something isn't right with your set up. Like mentioned above, check the tire pressure and weight up front. Is your WD hitch set up properly? Mine is 35' in total and probably 8-9000 lbs, and before buying the 2500HD, I had a 1500 (08 5.3 4x4) with a 6" lift and towing/sway wise it did fine, but going over an overpass it sounded like the motor was gonna blow and the trans temp got high. The 2500 does feels alot more stable but with both trucks, if I'm driving into the wind, I have to stay below 60 to minimize sway. At 5000 lbs, I don't think you should have any problems at all.

[Lt CHEG]

I agree with others that the sway is likely in large part a function of trailer weighting. Also there will virtually always be a little suction when passing semis. Heck my buddy tows a similar weight travel trailer with an F350 diesel that he got a great deal on and he still gets suction around semis. I would certainly try getting more tongue weight on your trailer and try towing tha way to see how you feel. After owning a 2009 1500 Silverado, a 2010 Ford F250 Powerstroke and now a 2011 Silverado 2500HD in the last couple of years and towing heavy with all of them, there is no way that I would buy a 3/4 ton unless I really needed one, and to me for a 5000 pound travel trailer a modern 1/2 ton is more than adequate.

 

Also as far as maintenance cost on diesels, I will have to respectfully disagree with djmercer. With the older non egr, non diesel particulate filter and non selective catalytic reduction equipped diesels I would agree. However on the modern diesels, in my Experience if you truly want to experience the longevity benefits of diesel engines, this is no longer the case. My 6.4 Powerstroke had recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 10,000 miles, but if you didn't change at 5,000 miles then it was grounds for denying warranty coverage as virtually nobody fit the non extreme use category. I changed the oil at 3,000 miles and it was as black as tar. Also I live in the Northeast with heat, cold and humidity and with all the condensation that the fuel filter would see there's no way I would not change the fuel filter at at least 10,000 mile intervals. The emissions equipment has really turned the modern diesel into a finicky machine and accordingly requires significantly more maintenance. That maintenance in my experience just costs more money.

[mikerr24]

ok, thank you all for your input. i will see if i can get a little more tongue weight today, i will be towing it to where im storing it for the rest of the winter (about 30 miles from here) so it should give me an idea if more weight on the tongue helps.

thanks again

 

 

but diesels just seem so cool................ and i have the wife onboard for upgrading to an HD.... oh well.... wants and needs are definately two different things!

[music]

If you *want* a 2500HD, and the cost/ride/parking differences are acceptable, then don't let any of us stop you!

[doverarjim]

Like Music said if you "want" a 2500 get one. I worked the tail off of a 76 1/2 ton and when it had a problem I used a 3/4 ton to pull the trailer I had at that time. I like you had many white knuckle trips and when using the 3/4 ton truck that feeling went away. So my next truck was a 2500 and I have not looked back since then. I still will over load my 2500 from time to time but it has not been so bad that I thought I "needed" a 1 ton (Yet). I decided to go diesel this time and have not had it long enough to make a good call on cost but do I ever have a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel.

[rotti]

I just went through the same decision making process that you are going through now.

 

After a lot of research my choice was a new 2500HD with the gas engine. I am light also, but I keep my trucks a long time and I can only for see loads getting heavier not lighter and then there is the safety factor. I would rather have too much truck rather than just enough.

 

Diesel, no way for me. I think the only justification left is if you are HEAVY and you need that torque. The fuel costs more and the maintenance costs more. In my opinion, there is no real advantage to a diesel unless you are pulling full GVWR 80% of the time. There is also that up front $9,000 cost. Also, if you have problems, it will be expensive!!!

 

But.....if you really want one....buy a big 5th wheel, retire and then you can justify it.

[mikerr24]

i think i may of found a reason why towing feels so sketchy. i watched a few videos on youtube today on a proper setup. i think my issue is the ball height on my truck. i realize this is something for another forum but i will share. according to what i learned on youtube, my ball height needs to be appx 17 inches, it is nearly 21 at its lowest setting. once i lower the TT onto it, it sags enough to make the TT sit perfectly level. then i have to attach the WD bars which in turn take weight off the tongue as they are supposed to, however, i really don't need them to since its nice and level without them. so i think i need a WD reciever that will allow me to lower my ball height a couple more inches so the bars can effectivly do their job. i could have this all wrong but that is the theory i came up with.

And to add one more little "pro" as to why i think i want a 3/4 ton. this is our first TT. i can already forsee an upgrade in a few years plus when i bought my reg cab it was for a little business i had. now that i went back to work for the man the ol' work truck has become my daily driver and quite honestly riding three deep (son and wife) is quite inconvenient. need an ex cab or crew regardless on which truck i buy..

thank you all for the advice.

[brainpause]

1. Take your truck (only) to a scale. Get the axles weighed separately.

 

2. Take your truck/trailer lashup to a scale. Get the axles weighed independently.

 

3. Your truck's front axle weights should be the same, maybe slightly more with the trailer. If not, adjust your weight distribution setup.

 

I went through a similar dilemma, although I was comfortable at a little higher speeds. I tried several things, aside from the above steps, including replacing all my shocks and upgrading OEM hitch to a Putnam Class V (less flex).

 

However, the thing that helped the most, by far, was going to 10-ply BF Goodrich tires. I truly believe the OEM Bridgestone Duelers rolled too much side to side. They had an odd wear pattern, too, and wore prematurely anyway.

 

If you check all these things, and are just itching to spend some money, get the ProPride hitch. The owner guarantees it will fix your issues. I was ready to get one but git mine dialed in finally, and then we had unexpected expenses crop up.

 

http://www.propridehitch.com/

 

Larry

[Shaners]

A good set of tires will help you greatly! The "P" rated tires have too soft of side wall.

[cfeiring]

I have 08 2500 duramax / ally truck.

It will tow a house, That said a hd diesel truck will easily pull your trailer.

The costs associated with the care of feeding of a diesel truck can be higher than a gas truck as noted above, do your home work.

I have never had second thoughts about my purchase of my truck.

If your thoughts of ever wonder to a bigger trailer a 2500 hd with the diesel truck would most likely be able to handle a bigger trailer within limits.

If after your home work is done and you still think you need a new truck get one, you will not be unhappy so long as you have done your homework an educated consumer is a happy consumer.

My thoughts are get at least a crew cab truck based on your coments of the regular cab truck.