1/2 ton or 3/4 ton???

[cuttingedgect]

I am looking to buy a new truck. I drive a 2001 1/2 ton sierra and am looking into a 3/4 ton. I pull a 7x14 trailer. It can weigh from 4k to 9k. Should I bump up to a 3/4 ton or stick with the 1/2 ton? thoughts??? Thanks in advance!!

[doverarjim]

To me it is a matter of how long you keep your truck. And if you even think that you will 'need' a larger trailer. I made the move from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton years ago and have not looked back. My first truck was a 1/2 ton Camper Special, that was set up more like a 3/4 ton any way, it had extra springs in the rear and the front springs were for a big block. I moved using that truck and went across the scales at 16,000 lbs the empty truck and trailer weighed 6500 lbs!!! Thank goodness gas was only $0.55 back then. I worked that truck for over 100,000 miles and when I went to trade I could not get a exact replacement so I stepped up then.

[cuttingedgect]

I hope to buy a new truck within the next year. My trailer size will not change. SO, to 3/4 or not to 3/4. That is the question.

[blackout07]

HD and never look back.

[brantjs]

Can't go wrong with a HD. How often do you tow the trailer, how far, and what kind of terrain do you live in?

[music]

It's not an easy question. I tow ~7k lbs (camper), and feel that the 1500 is the right truck for only towing ~10% of my miles, but the stock setup wasn't the best. A HD will be "right" for towing off the lot, but a 1500 really needs better/stiffer tires, a stiff WD hitch system, and maybe heavier shocks (depending on model). I tuned my transmission to perform the way I want while towing too, and didn't like the OEM programming at all. Overall, I really like how my truck tows, and cringe a bit at the idea of starting over with a new one.

 

If I towed a lot more often, or much more weight, then I'd go w/ the HD, as fuel mileage will be about the same when loaded down. When empty, there's a huge difference in mpg and handling between a 1500 and HD gas truck. The new 1500's appear to have higher payload ratings, and a little bigger rear axle, but the one I looked at yesterday seemed to be sprung lighter in the rear than mine (more flex in the springs).

[cuttingedgect]

I tow the trailer about 3 out of the 5 days a week. Up to 100 miles a week. I live in lower Michigan where it is pretty flat.

[music]

How often do you tow 4k lbs, vs 9k, or somewhere in-between? Honestly, I would stick w/ a HD for 9k lbs unless I had a good WD hitch system on the trailer, and if I were towing that much weight very often, I'd have the HD. Fuel economy is similar when towing, whether it's a 1500/5.3 or a 2500HD/6.0.

[SouthCo]

I have a 8.5x16 enclosed which I believe is around 3000lbs empty. My 1/2 gets the job done, but if I was to do it over again, I'd get the 3/4. And I only tow the trailer occasionally. As often as you're towing, I'd get the 3/4.

[brantjs]

I tow the trailer about 3 out of the 5 days a week. Up to 100 miles a week. I live in lower Michigan where it is pretty flat.

100 miles per week on flat ground isn't all that much. The HD would be a lot more confident and solid, but that workload is manageable with a 1/2 ton, and your everyday driving unloaded would be a lot more comfortable with better mileage.

[Chris]

The trailer I tow a couple times a year is 9300 pounds just sitting, More when we go somewhere. A half ton is fine if you do some small beef up like air bags or 2500 springs and the right gearing.

[Beer Belly]

HD and never look back.

+1

[ajcain79]

I was happy with my '07 vmax towing my 30' travel trailer. Then I traded for a '12 HD. I don't regret it one bit. As long as I own a trailer I don't see myself purchasing another 1/2 ton. With the 1/2 ton I felt pretty solid going down the road, but with the HD I KNOW I'm solid.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

 

[music]

I was happy with my '07 vmax towing my 30' travel trailer. Then I traded for a '12 HD. I don't regret it one bit. As long as I own a trailer I don't see myself purchasing another 1/2 ton. With the 1/2 ton I felt pretty solid going down the road, but with the HD I KNOW I'm solid. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

I'd be curious to hear a little more about your experience between the two. I may have asked before, and not remember? I've looked at HD's a few times, but have a hard time imagining driving one every day. If I were mostly towing, then I'd feel differently, but I usually drive unloaded for over 90% of the miles each year. My interest is more about the tow experience with the camper. The one in your sig looks similarly sized, if not a little lighter, than ours. Just curious about the feel/handling differences on the interstate in tow. I'm still running p-metrics on my truck, and the tires are where I feel motion the most, and are the only part that I feel should be upgraded (and will be when time).

[ajcain79]

I'd be curious to hear a little more about your experience between the two. I may have asked before, and not remember? I've looked at HD's a few times, but have a hard time imagining driving one every day. If I were mostly towing, then I'd feel differently, but I usually drive unloaded for over 90% of the miles each year. My interest is more about the tow experience with the camper. The one in your sig looks similarly sized, if not a little lighter, than ours. Just curious about the feel/handling differences on the interstate in tow. I'm still running p-metrics on my truck, and the tires are where I feel motion the most, and are the only part that I feel should be upgraded (and will be when time).

My trailer is around 7,500-8000lbs fully loaded with a 1,000lb tongue weight. Like I said, the 1500 VMax with 4:10s and the 6.0L and equilizer hitch handled the trailer fine, but on the interstate cruising 75mph you could feel it back there. It would push/pull and sway just enough to feel it in crosswinds or passing semis. I never had to white knuckle the steering wheel, however if I took it up to 80mph it felt a bit squirrely back there. Now with the HD, I feel nothing behind me. No sway, no push/pull, no bounce, nothing. Easily cruise at 80mph (...and watch the gas gauge drop). If you didn't look in your mirrors, you wouldn't know the trailer was back there.

The stiffer ride of the 2500 unloaded is a non-issue for me. I noticed it for the first week or so, but I got used to it pretty quick.

My advice is if you have the means to switch to a 2500hd, you won't regret it. Otherwise, save the cash and know you've got great setup as-is, especially if you swap out the P tires for a heavier load rating.