The best tow vehicle 3/4 or 1 ton?

[Bob & Nona]

Hello,

We are planning on buying a 3121rl. We have had good luck with our Ram, so we will be sticking with that Brand for our tow vehicle. What are you folks using, 3/4T or 1T for your 3121rl and what factors affected your choice?

Thanks,
Bob & Nona

[DutchmenSport]

I've been towing with 1 ton Dualy's for quite a while now. The last 2 I had were diesel and wouldn't consider any thing less than that. Granted many folks successfully tow with 3/4 ton single's and say they have no problems (and they probably do not). But, if you have any reservations (and just the fact you asked this question tells me you have reservations about the 3/4 ton), then just bite the bullet and get the truck you never have to question or out-guess again. Peace of mine is priceless. And with a 1 ton, you'll have peace of mind.

About weights, My 375FL dry factory dry weight is 530 pounds heavier than yours. But yours has a carrying capacity 1560 pounds more than mine.

If you add the dry weight, plus the carrying capacity:

Yours total max is: 16,350
Mine total max is: 15,550

If you maxed out your total weight on the trailer, you'll be pushing it with a 3/4 ton truck.

Reasons for my choice of truck?

We started with a Mini Van towing a pop-up.
Mini Van was replaced with a 1500 suburban.
Pop-up was replaced with an 18 foot Dutchmen travel trailer, and that burned out the transmission on the Suburban. Replaced the transmission and never drove right again. I said, I wanted a truck that was capable of towing ANYTHING and I'd never have to worry about weights again. So, traded.

Next was a 3500 gas dualy. (used) (When traded, the frame was rusted so back it was unsafe to tow with, but the engine and transmission were beasts!)

Next came the 31 foot Springdale travel trailer

Next came the 3500 diesel dualy (used) (when traded, the fiberglass body spider cracked out so bad, I was afraid it would simply fall off. But the engine and transmission were still towing beasts).

Next came the Outback Travel Trailer at 35 feet.
And then came the NEW 3500 dualy diesel which we've had ever since. Although we had a travel trailer then, we had already toiled with the idea of getting a fifth wheel. So getting new and big and powerful has been nothing but smooth sailing ever since, especially since 2 year ago

Next came the Fifth Wheel.

And what a sweet ride it is!

After dualy 1 ton ownership for the last 20 years, I'd never go backwards. The power in deep mountains, never ... and I'm not exagerating ... never any sway with any trailer, and the peace of mind I can tow anything, (within reason of course) is why I've stuck with the 1 ton diesel dualy.

FYI, all mine have been Chevy Silverados, 3500, crew cab, long bed, dualy's. 1 gasser, 2 diesels!

[mazboy]

a new 3/4 ton by gmc will work just fine for that trailer.

[shorthauler]

We sold our 3/4 ton Ford and bought a 1 ton just so we could purchase a Montana. I don't know what the specs are on a chevy or dodge but we are right at our safety limit with the 3120 and that's the lightest Montana they sell with the lightest hitch weight. A 3/4 ton will pull it but you might regret your decision later. Also if you can, get the legacy package. The disc brakes are worth it.

Ralph & Nadine
2020 3120 Legacy
2016 F350

[Ron & Beth Montana 3121RL]

We want to trade our 3/4 ton Ram gas truck for at least a 1 ton. We have a 3121RL Montana. We also have an Andersen steel hitch and we get a lot of shucking. We are going to remeasure for possible repositioning of the king pin cover as this was installed by the dealer. We may even go to a traditional slider hitch as we are not sure about the Andersen. Rather be safe than sorry.

[Slow Hand]

Bob is that Windsor Ca? If so than you may not want a DRW. I have a 15 SRW and my registration is $650 last year. I would suspect a DRW would be in the range of $1,000 or more. You can get both 1 and 3/4 ton trucks in the 10,000 payload. You can also get a 1 ton in the 11,500 payload. Registration will be higher for the latter payload but less than a DRW. Another thing to consider is how you are going to use the truck. If a daily driver than a DRW may be to much and a SRW would do the job just fine. I tried to look up the RV but it was slowwwww LOL

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

Bob is that Windsor Ca? If so than you may not want a DRW. I have a 15 SRW and my registration is $650 last year. I would suspect a DRW would be in the range of $1,000 or more. You can get both 1 and 3/4 ton trucks in the 10,000 payload. You can also get a 1 ton in the 11,500 payload. Registration will be higher for the latter payload but less than a DRW. Another thing to consider is how you are going to use the truck. If a daily driver than a DRW may be to much and a SRW would do the job just fine. I tried to look up the RV but it was slowwwww LOL

KEY SPECIFICATIONS - 3121RL FIFTH WHEEL
Shipping Weight 11999

Carrying Capacity 4351

Hitch 2350

Length 35' 4"

Height 13' 4"

Since I've got a dually now and drive it everywhere I go I won't pull a fifth wheel again without one. No need. No problem driving and parking the dually anywhere I go. No I don't go through bank drive through windows.

One thing that influence my decision when I decided not to keep my 2500hd duramax to pull my current trailer was the picture of the rollover of an F250 and a fifth wheel on Interstate 57 north of me when the F250 had a rear tire blowout.
More stability was another thing.

[jsb5717]

A blowout causing that kind of accident could happen with a 1 ton as well. A dually may have prevented that. The real issue is payload. That should be the driving focus of the decision you're making. They will both pull the trailer the same, but they will manage the overall hitch weight differently.

[Theunz]

I would definitely go with a 1 ton SRW or DRW. A SRW is not much more than a 3/4 ton and you probably won’t feel any difference in the ride. If you are not adding more than a couple thousand pounds of gear then a SRW will be fine. If you are taking everything you own then go dually.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Bob & Nona

Hello,

We are planning on buying a 3121rl. We have had good luck with our Ram, so we will be sticking with that Brand for our tow vehicle. What are you folks using, 3/4T or 1T for your 3121rl and what factors affected your choice?

Thanks,
Bob & Nona

We just upgraded from a class C towing a car to a 3121rl. Went with a dually because I wanted enough margin to not have to think about it.

We are full timers that sold everything except what's in the rig almost three years ago so we're hauling virtually everything we own. And because we prefer boon-docking we almost always carry a full load of fresh water.

Over the years we have seen lots of big 5th wheels behind 3/4 ton trucks.

[DQDick]

Our 3/4 ton ram maxi cab was fine for our 2010 but when we switched to our 2017 the hitch weight increased enough that we started having tire problems on the truck. Bulge in sidewall and a cracked bead and we couldn't find a tire that could handle the weight. Since we needed the maxi cab we went to a dually and are happy with the ride particularly with strong side winds.

[mlh]

Before this is over probably in many pages someone will say you must have a semi. To answer your question if I were you I would buy a 1 ton and I would compare all three. That way when you buy you will know you have the best truck for you not for someone else.
Lynwood

[sourdough]

I wouldn't say you need a semi but I would say you certainly need more than a 3/4 ton. With that much weight a 3/4 won't be able to handle the pin weight (32-3300lbs. at gvw), people, gear and provide an adequate safety cushion. Also, in any emergency maneuver the 3/4 is just not up to the task of controlling that much weight.

To me the answer is pretty easy. You can get a 1 ton srw with something in the range of 4k - 4200 lbs. payload or so. That would be a gas engine generally. A diesel would provide significantly less payload so it's back to the "carry the load and have a cushion" kind of thing. "Towing" 16k+ is out of the realm of a gas engine IMO so the choice will be diesel. A 1 ton srw diesel will not have the payload to carry that trailer so.....if it were me, I would be shopping 1 ton drw trucks - and yes, Ram would be my choice as well as I've had nothing but great luck since I switched to them in 2001. Good luck on the search.

[brooks340]

The payload numbers should drive your decision. And remember nobody ever says “I wish I had a smaller truck”

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by mlh

Before this is over probably in many pages someone will say you must have a semi. To answer your question if I were you I would buy a 1 ton and I would compare all three. That way when you buy you will know you have the best truck for you not for someone else.
Lynwood

Nobody is saying you need a semi!! Lets stop playing that game!

What we are saying is there is value in a piece of mind of knowing you for sure have enough truck. That simply means buying the next size larger truck than is at a minimum called for. There isn't that much difference in the price between a 3/4 and a 1 ton. Many (not all but many) would say that the difference in price is justified by the considerably more secure feeling of knowing for absolute certain you have plenty of truck.

Same can be said for things like diesel or DRW options. When your coming down a steep mountain pass with 1000' drop offs on either side you will know how important that piece of mind is!!

With my 1 ton diesel dually, I am confident (not overly confident to the point of being dangerous) that I can drive ANY road safely that doesn't have some mitigating factor (like length or height limits). I am more than happy to pay a little extra for that comfort factor and NO I DON"T THINK I AM SPENDING MORE MONEY THAN I NEED TO!!!!!

[jeepjrn]

Originally Posted by mlh

Before this is over probably in many pages someone will say you must have a semi. To answer your question if I were you I would buy a 1 ton and I would compare all three. That way when you buy you will know you have the best truck for you not for someone else.
Lynwood

Everything you say mlh would be exactly my thoughts, my as well just go to the Freightliner and Kenworth dealers before all is said and done. But to answer honestly from many years of towing and truck driving with the past 2 years specifically towing a 3121RL 20th anniversary Montana. Last year I still had my 2011 2500HD Duramax and I towed the Montana about 5,000 miles with many being in the Smokey and Blueridge mountains. To be truthful I never had a problem nor did I ever feel unsafe. Last winter I bought a leftover 2019 3500HD Duramax and I probably have over 4,000 miles on it, with one trip down south through the mountains, to be totally honest I don’t notice much of a difference moving to a 1 ton. Yes, it was a more refined ride but I think that more due the 8 years of improvements and technology. Now I can’t specifically quote the weights, nor each wheel weight, nor hitch weight and not really my truck’s towing capacity. But I probably should after joining MOC and reading all these somewhat scary horror stories, but I guess I’m not that concerned as I’ve never been prompted to feel the least bit unsafe. I’ll keep the scales for weighing my 48 foot flatbed trailer I pull behind my K-Whopper. As mlh suggested for the couple dollars difference buy the 1-ton and drive all 3 to get a feel for which one you like and fits your pocketbook. Good luck and wishing you safe travels

[mlh]

Originally Posted by jeepjrn

Everything you say mlh would be exactly my thoughts, my as well just go to the Freightliner and Kenworth dealers before all is said and done. But to answer honestly from many years of towing and truck driving with the past 2 years specifically towing a 3121RL 20th anniversary Montana. Last year I still had my 2011 2500HD Duramax and I towed the Montana about 5,000 miles with many being in the Smokey and Blueridge mountains. To be truthful I never had a problem nor did I ever feel unsafe. Last winter I bought a leftover 2019 3500HD Duramax and I probably have over 4,000 miles on it, with one trip down south through the mountains, to be totally honest I don’t notice much of a difference moving to a 1 ton. Yes, it was a more refined ride but I think that more due the 8 years of improvements and technology. Now I can’t specifically quote the weights, nor each wheel weight, nor hitch weight and not really my truck’s towing capacity. But I probably should after joining MOC and reading all these somewhat scary horror stories, but I guess I’m not that concerned as I’ve never been prompted to feel the least bit unsafe. I’ll keep the scales for weighing my 48 foot flatbed trailer I pull behind my K-Whopper. As mlh suggested for the couple dollars difference buy the 1-ton and drive all 3 to get a feel for which one you like and fits your pocketbook. Good luck and wishing you safe travels

My brother and I have had the same experience. He had a 3500 DRW Dmax. Great truck. I have a F250 Ford with 20 inch wheels. We pulled my camper with both trucks. We couldn’t tell any difference in the trucks. My brother was a diehard Chevy fan and if he said he said he couldn’t see any difference you could take it to the bank.
Go google J2807 tow limits. See what you find. For example why are the DRW trucks tested at 30 MPH while the SRW trucks tested at 35 MPH. and why is brake performance done at Walmart parking lot speeds. Why wasn’t they tested at real world speeds. I would like to know how they performed at interstate
speeds.
Lynwood

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by mlh

Go google J2807 tow limits. See what you find. For example why are the DRW trucks tested at 30 MPH while the SRW trucks tested at 35 MPH. and why is brake performance done at Walmart parking lot speeds. Why wasn’t they tested at real world speeds. I would like to know how they performed at interstate
speeds.
Lynwood

Keep researching the SAE standard. They have several tests including a steep grade in AZ to NV at highway (or whatever speed) they can achieve.

[mlh]

Nobody is saying you need a semi!! Lets stop playing that game.

Someone will tell him before this thread is over they have a semi. No need to pretend they wont. If you read I said he should get a one ton.
Lynwood

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by mlh

Nobody is saying you need a semi!! Lets stop playing that game.

Someone will tell him before this thread is over they have a semi. No need to pretend they wont. If you read I said he should get a one ton.
Lynwood

Your overplaying your hand. NOBODY is going to tell him to get a semi period!!


We are simply suggesting that the next size larger truck will give you additional safety cushion and is in many folks eyes worth the relatively small additional cost. IT IS REASONABLE ADVICE.