The best tow vehicle 3/4 or 1 ton?

[Peter1965]

Originally Posted by Sparky55

For the last 7 years we had a 1 ton srw. It wasn’t bad except in the mountains in t made me nervous because of winds. We now have peace of mind with our new 1 ton ram duelly. Enough said.

I like that "wasn't bad except..." Winds in the mountains are very similar to a semi blowing by at 85. My favorite saying is... It is always better to have too much truck than not enough truck. Last thing I am looking for is any debate on what is better. Everyone has their opinion and they are entitled to it.

I did get a good laugh from the post where they were joking about hitching to the top of a VW.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by mlh

I agree but the dually should be tested at the same speeds as the SRW trucks not slower as is the case now.
Lynwood

Yep its not really a fair test if they don't use the same speed. Not sure why they would do the testing at different speeds. Makes zero sense.

Likewise, if they don't conduct the tests with a trailer behind the trucks it is also useless information. I don't care which truck can win a drag race or stop UNLOADED in the shortest distance. I do care which truck will stop under full control going down a steep slope with a 5th wheel behind it. Test it under real world conditions!

[Peter1965]

I suppose it would be fair if they tested them at the same speeds and have no idea why they don't. Doesn't really matter to me. I have to ask...Does anyone really need any test to tell which would provide a more stability while towing a heavy load? Can pretty much just look at the two and figure that out. And here I said I didn't want this debate. Ha!

[Montana Man]

They are testing like vehicles. It shouldn't matter how a truck compares to a different class of vehicle. At least they are abiding to the same standards. Just like rating horsepower, the manufacturers had their own way of rating power. Ram used SAE for this, don't know if the others joined in on that one.

[mlh]

The Davis Dam test is done at 50 MPH I think. If a truck makes it up with no problems and then blow up it passed the test. But it really doesn’t matter. What we need to know is what weight and length camper can pull at interstate speeds and stop in a reasonable distance safely. These test do not tell us that.
These test were developed by engineers from the automotive companies. What would you expect these people to come up with?
Does anyone believe any of these trucks can safely pull a 30,000 pound camper at interstate speeds. If you don’t believe that why are we worried about a camper being a few pounds overweight. When Slowhand says he pulled his camper 30,000 miles and he believed it was safe I believe him.
Lynwood

[Bob and Jeannette]

Originally Posted by mlh

The Davis Dam test is done at 50 MPH I think. If a truck makes it up with no problems and then blow up it passed the test. But it really doesn’t matter. What we need to know is what weight and length camper can pull at interstate speeds and stop in a reasonable distance safely. These test do not tell us that.
These test were developed by engineers from the automotive companies. What would you expect these people to come up with?
Does anyone believe any of these trucks can safely pull a 30,000 pound camper at interstate speeds. If you don’t believe that why are we worried about a camper being a few pounds overweight. When Slowhand says he pulled his camper 30,000 miles and he believed it was safe I believe him.
Lynwood

The new dually max tow packages rate at 35k or more so 30k should be no problem but what would the payload be like? I like to hear the actual numbers and that it tows easily or not. I like ratings but to hear actual owners experiences is great.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by mlh

Does anyone believe any of these trucks can safely pull a 30,000 pound camper at interstate speeds. If you don’t believe that why are we worried about a camper being a few pounds overweight

I've done nearly 30k double towing (75' length) across the NV desert on I-80 last summer. My SRW did fine. Not great mileage @ 8-9mpg, but I didn't have any issues.

If I remember correctly, the SAE J2807 tests they use now for ratings wasn't implemented by Ford until the 2017 models. Hence the huge bump in tow ratings. The 2011-2016 6.7L have the same ratings even though they upgrade the turbo/injection system for more HP/TQ in 2015. They also upgraded the brake diameter in 2013, but nothing changed in the numbers. I can't imagine the frame change in 2017 was the reason.

[Bob and Jeannette]

One thing worth a mention regarding towing a trailer is disk brakes. What an amazing difference they make!

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Peter1965

I suppose it would be fair if they tested them at the same speeds and have no idea why they don't. Doesn't really matter to me. I have to ask...Does anyone really need any test to tell which would provide a more stability while towing a heavy load? Can pretty much just look at the two and figure that out. And here I said I didn't want this debate. Ha!

Yep, doesn't take much common sense to just look at a duallies wider stance and extra two tires and figure out it is a more stable tow platform. It might be as easy to drive around town when not loaded (although I think most folks that don't like them make way to much out of that, particularly since my wife drives ours all the time with ZERO issues). But that's the trade off you make when you buy a 40'+ 5th wheel. If you want to tow with a 3/4 ton SRW then you should be looking at smaller campers too!!!

[Mr Pachu]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

Yep, doesn't take much common sense to just look at a duallies wider stance and extra two tires and figure out it is a more stable tow platform. It might be as easy to drive around town when not loaded (although I think most folks that don't like them make way to much out of that, particularly since my wife drives ours all the time with ZERO issues). But that's the trade off you make when you buy a 40'+ 5th wheel. If you want to tow with a 3/4 ton SRW then you should be looking at smaller campers too!!!

I agree with Jim.
Just asking? Why do people have trouble driving an approximately 22' by 8' wide truck around by itself, but think nothing of towing a 40'+ by 8' Montana around? The dually and trailer are the same width.

[Bob and Jeannette]

Originally Posted by Mr Pachu

I agree with Jim.
Just asking? Why do people have trouble driving an approximately 22' by 8' wide truck around by itself, but think nothing of towing a 40'+ by 8' Montana around? The dually and trailer are the same width.

I don’t find it a problem. I keep my mirrors extended which keeps me centered on the road without thinking about it and use the camera to back in when I park. No problems at all.

[richfaa]

We have been driving dualies for a very long time. The Ford has a turn ratio of a bus yes it is long but does not take up two parking spaces. It is not our daily driver. Helen drives it and tows with it with no problems. It has 112K miles on it and we got it in 2007 when the 2008 models came out. That is about 8500 miles a year sometimes more sometimes less. It has been a very good trouble free truck and has pulled about every grade in the USA maybe not very fast we drive by the Tach and it will red lite at 1300.

[Captain#]

We are planning on buying a 3120RL for vacation use. on looking at GMC specs,
A 2500HD Duramax has plenty to towing(18,000). Also has a load rating of over 3500lbs. Pin weight of the 3120RL is about 2300lbs. Seems to me that the 2500HD has plenty of muscle. What do you think? BTW, just me, wife and 2 dogs in truck.

[dfb]

Originally Posted by Captain#

We are planning on buying a 3120RL for vacation use. on looking at GMC specs,
A 2500HD Duramax has plenty to towing(18,000). Also has a load rating of over 3500lbs. Pin weight of the 3120RL is about 2300lbs. Seems to me that the 2500HD has plenty of muscle. What do you think? BTW, just me, wife and 2 dogs in truck.

The hitch weight is too much...

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Captain#

We are planning on buying a 3120RL for vacation use. on looking at GMC specs,
A 2500HD Duramax has plenty to towing(18,000). Also has a load rating of over 3500lbs. Pin weight of the 3120RL is about 2300lbs. Seems to me that the 2500HD has plenty of muscle. What do you think? BTW, just me, wife and 2 dogs in truck.

The 3120 spec says it's a 16350gvw trailer. That's too much for a 3/4 ton IMO. You also need to find a 2500 Duramax and check the door sticker to see what the actual payload is....you might be unpleasantly surprised.

[dfb]

3500?,, subtract the weight of the people.. 3100 say.. then the hitch.. 100 3000, then whatever else.. I do believe this truck will be over the Rear Axle Weight rating and possible the GVW of the Truck.. May be over the 9000 lbs.. Pulling 18000 lbs is not the issue... Id be looking at a dually... IMHO...

[mashy]

I'm trying to decide on 3/4 or 1 ton Ram too. I'm finding the 3/4 has a payload of 2430 in the 3/4 equipped the way I want. The hitch weight of the 3121rl is 2350 with an empty trailer. That leaves only 80lbs for passengers fuel and hitch. Looks like a 1 ton for me.

[Bob and Jeannette]

My payload is about 4,100 pounds and I love towing with my dually. You have to add passengers, fuel, hitch, and cargo of the truck weights as well as all of the clothes and stuff your wife will bring lol.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by mashy

I'm trying to decide on 3/4 or 1 ton Ram too. I'm finding the 3/4 has a payload of 2430 in the 3/4 equipped the way I want. The hitch weight of the 3121rl is 2350 with an empty trailer. That leaves only 80lbs for passengers fuel and hitch. Looks like a 1 ton for me.

The drivetrain choices, body configuration and options will drive that payload up or down. On the 3121rl that is a 16350 gvw trailer which at 20% pin = 3270lbs. Well beyond a 3/4 diesel and probably a 1 ton diesel. If you want a diesel you should be looking at a dually IMO. My 1 ton gas has a payload of right at 4k. Subtract maybe 400 at least for the diesel and that puts you around 3600 (probably less). One could wind up like I used to be; load truck and trailer...weigh. Unload stuff from the truck and trailer....weigh, until you get to a manageable number. That is NOT the optimum way to try to travel.

Edit: Sorry, I think I'm repeating myself. I think this is the same question posed in another thread.

[Slow Hand]

Originally Posted by mashy

I'm trying to decide on 3/4 or 1 ton Ram too. I'm finding the 3/4 has a payload of 2430 in the 3/4 equipped the way I want. The hitch weight of the 3121rl is 2350 with an empty trailer. That leaves only 80lbs for passengers fuel and hitch. Looks like a 1 ton for me.

I would check the sticker on the trailer to see what it says.some folks say you cant go by the sticker on the trailer but swear the sticker on the truck is spot on. it's a sticker.