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Old 10-31-2019, 02:02 PM   #1
Klondike
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3/4 Ton or 1 Ton? Long Box or Short Box?

I am purchasing a 2019 High Country 320MK with a hitch weight of 2,160 lbs and shipping weight of 11,085 lbs. Add in another 1,000 lbs of gear and the total weight of the 5th wheel will add up to about 12,085 lbs. I am now planning on purchasing the truck to haul it. I am looking at a 2016 to 2018 GMC 3/4 Ton or 1 Ton, Crew Cab 4X4. Both have a towing weight of between 13,700 and 14,000 lbs depending if it is a long box or a 6’6” std box. The payload of the 3/4 Ton is 2,943 lbs for the std box and 3,186 for the long box, and the 1 tons is 4,058 / 4,074 lbs.

So all trucks should be legal to tow the unit but what do you think is best? And is pulling with a long box smoother than a short box? I will purchase a sliding hitch so no worries there!
 
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Old 10-31-2019, 02:08 PM   #2
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First of all if you figure only 1000# of extra stuff your going to be lighter than many of us. You have to remember that there is going to be propane and water in your water tank etc. Choice of truck depends first on weight and you seem to have that under control. After that it's how you see yourself using it, both when towing and when not. In our case we have to have a Dodge Maxi Cab which means its got to be a short bed and so we have a pullrite hitch. All that extra space in the back is because we have a playpen back there for our three cats and all their gear.
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Old 10-31-2019, 02:44 PM   #3
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Welcome aboard, I really like that floor plan. However, I wouldn't haul it with less than a 1 ton truck. I pull mine, similar to yours, with a 1 ton short box. If you do some searches you can find a lot of info both of trailer weights/trucks as well as short vs long bed and the different hitches. Both are discussed often and at length and are full of diverse opinions.

For the trailer, you are wise to forget the published pin weights. Start with the GVWR (around 14k lbs for towing consideration) and figure 20-25% as pin weight. Then add people and other stuff in the truck. Play it safe and get the 1 ton. Short or long bed? That's a personal preference.
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Old 10-31-2019, 03:47 PM   #4
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First, a 3/4T will do the job as well as a 1 Ton as long as it's properly equipped as is mine. BUT!! There is that 'B' piller sticker on each and every 3/4 T that says 10,000 GVW, That's the truck, hitch, wife, kids, toys, etc, etc. When I say properly equipped, my truck has the camper and the 5er packages and by actual part number is capable of 13,100#. But there is that sticker.


The sticker on that new 5er - is a joke. Our HC 343RL empty weighs almost what the max weight ticker says - empty.


I guess what I'm saying is to spend a few more bucks and buy the 1T. Also buy it ith the max payload.


Short vs long bed trucks - I prefer the long bed as it will give you a bit better ride as well as storage space. It also may not need a slider hitch. The LBs need a lot more space to turn and also may present a problem in some CGs. We have had to go 'elsewhere' a couple times because of that long turning radius.



Try both out at a dealer. Most dealers have plenty of SB trucks but few LBs. Your choice as both will do the job well
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Old 10-31-2019, 04:22 PM   #5
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Thanks for the info!
Now I am wondering, do I have to add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch, tool box, jerrycans and anything else in the truck to the hitch weight of 2,160 lbs? With a payload limit of 2,943 lbs with the 3/4 Ton that would only leave 783 lbs of extra weight in the back of the truck??? But the 1 Ton would not be a problem!
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Old 10-31-2019, 04:38 PM   #6
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The price of the 3500 is only a little more than the 2500. Definitely the 3500.
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Old 10-31-2019, 04:48 PM   #7
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Recheck your numbers. Your pin weight isn't 2160. That's the empty weight without propane, batteries, etc. Also doesn't count your loaded stuff in the trailer. Add washer/dryer? 2nd AC over bedroom? All adds to pin weight. Your loaded pin weight will likely be closer to 2800 minimum. Then start adding the hitch, people, and other truck stuff to figure payload. 1 ton min.
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Old 10-31-2019, 04:55 PM   #8
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If you already had a 3/4 ton truck I would say use it, but that isn’t the case. Since you haft to buy a truck get the one ton SRW. Some people would have you buy a Peterbuilt but you really don’t need to.
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Old 10-31-2019, 04:55 PM   #9
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yes Jeff, that's just the Montana rating, so with all the extras it will probably go over the 3/4 Tons rating
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Old 10-31-2019, 05:50 PM   #10
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It's very difficult to find a nice used 1 ton SRW, but that is the truck I would buy if I were in your shoes. I think that the payload ratings that you mentioned will be only for a base model and most likely, in reality be in the 2,500 lb range unless you are looking at a gas engine. Go look at some 3/4 tons optioned to your desires and look at the load sticker, that should help drive your decision. Happy Shopping!
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Old 10-31-2019, 06:06 PM   #11
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It's very difficult to find a nice used 1 ton SRW, but that is the truck I would buy if I were in your shoes.
I think it depends on where you live. There are usually quite a few in Oregon. You've got to watch, though, for Canadian imports that have a lot of rust. Just buy from an area that doesn't salt the streets.

I actually found mine in Idaho
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Old 10-31-2019, 06:18 PM   #12
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No one on here is going to recommend that you buy twice the truck you want but some might suggest you go with one that is borderline to small. Common sense says get a little more truck than you need as in the next size larger particularly if the 3/4 ton would be really close to maxed out. Using a truck well within its limits is simply easier on the equipment that's just common sense. You don't use regular sockets with an impact wrench. Get the right tool for the job.


I can say from experience with both you won't be able to tell the difference in the ride if your not a princess. Heck I can barely tell the difference between my 1 ton dually and our previous 3/4 ton SRW.


As for the long bed vs short bed that is up to you. Upside of short bed is fits in a garage downside is you must have a slider preferably an automatic slider (you can guess how I know). Upside of the long bed is no slider and you can carry 4x8 sheets of building materials with the tailgate up (that's a big deal if your the handyman sort) downside is you might have an issue if you have a small garage.


I know you didn't ask but I sure would look at diesels for any truck. They are more expensive for sure but the exhaust brake alone is worth the $$ most especially if you tow in the mountains. And having pulled with gas and diesel I can say the torque of the diesel is amazing compared to gas. After towing with both I personally will never tow heavy with anything but a diesel. You won't find but one or two folks on here that will argue with that one.
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Old 10-31-2019, 08:29 PM   #13
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Been in your position. My last Montana had almost exact dry and PW as yours. When said and done the hooked weight was near 13K and the PW was almost 3100#. I had a 2016 F350 that just barely made numbers. Pulled fine and did not need bags but was near max on everything. Wifey had to have a new and heavier Monty so I had to have a new F350 Dually.
You really are in 1 ton territory!
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Old 11-01-2019, 05:08 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondike View Post
Thanks for the info!
Now I am wondering, do I have to add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch, tool box, jerrycans and anything else in the truck to the hitch weight of 2,160 lbs? With a payload limit of 2,943 lbs with the 3/4 Ton that would only leave 783 lbs of extra weight in the back of the truck??? But the 1 Ton would not be a problem!

Anything you add to that 3/4 ton truck adds up to that magical 10,000 pounds max GVW - from a piece of paper to an 80 gallon aux tank.


As Lynwood said, if you already have a decent 3/4 ton, 10,000 pound rated truck, you can make it work with air bags, maybe the next step up in springs, a sway bar and better tires - which may be less then a new truck payment if financed.
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Old 11-01-2019, 06:30 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondike View Post
Thanks for the info!
Now I am wondering, do I have to add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch, tool box, jerrycans and anything else in the truck to the hitch weight of 2,160 lbs? With a payload limit of 2,943 lbs with the 3/4 Ton that would only leave 783 lbs of extra weight in the back of the truck??? But the 1 Ton would not be a problem!
Yes, anything you add to the truck subtracts from the 2943 lb payload. I would recommend the 1 ton.
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Old 11-01-2019, 06:50 AM   #16
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They will both do the trick, I would suggest though that you go with a 2017 or up GMC or Chev as they changed the engine in 2017. More Torque, more HP, redesigned Duramax and also changed the fuel pump and system. If you are buying used you might just as well get the newer engine... The other option is finding a new 2019 on the lot as GM is offering amazing discounts and rebates... Traded my 2015 on a new 20107 and the difference was night & day. I was going to trade my 2017 in on a 2020 that I test drove and loved the new transmission but without any incentives or rebates it just wasn't worth it although the new 2020's are amazing. Good luck truck hunting...
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Old 11-01-2019, 07:17 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondike View Post
Thanks for the info!
Now I am wondering, do I have to add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch, tool box, jerrycans and anything else in the truck to the hitch weight of 2,160 lbs? With a payload limit of 2,943 lbs with the 3/4 Ton that would only leave 783 lbs of extra weight in the back of the truck??? But the 1 Ton would not be a problem!
Yes, anything that puts weight in or on the truck counts ass payload, including fuel, hitch, passengers, dog, anything in the bed, firewood. You get the idea.
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Old 11-01-2019, 07:22 AM   #18
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Unless GM changed something, you can not get e short bed dually. They are all long beds
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Old 11-01-2019, 07:53 AM   #19
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One ton!
Long bed, short bed, your choice.
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Old 11-01-2019, 11:46 AM   #20
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If you get a short bed consider the B&W Patriot slider. I now have a long bed dually and kept mine in case I ever go short again. Best 18k slider. Only needed 4 times but glad I had it.
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