The best tow vehicle 3/4 or 1 ton?

[mhs4771]

We do not take up two parking spaces, I can fit between the lines, granted in some lots with narrow spaces I'm touching each line, but we don't have to part right in front we park towards the rear and walk.
I've seen more small compact cars taking up several spaces than I have Duallies.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

We do not take up two parking spaces, I can fit between the lines, granted in some lots with narrow spaces I'm touching each line, but we don't have to part right in front we park towards the rear and walk.
I've seen more small compact cars taking up several spaces than I have Duallies.

I'll second that. If I go to a place like Walmart or Home Depot or whatever I'll park way out in the lot. I will on occasion purposely take up two spaces out there in an attempt to keep people from parking right next to me. Some people just don't care about other people's property they'll open their car doors and slamming into yours. I will do anything possible to keep you from damaging my $70,000 truck. If for some reason I have to take it to work I get there super early and get an end spot which is much bigger than any others

[Montana Man]

I have a SRW and still park away and walk. Even if a dually fits in the lines it may as well as take up two, or three spots. A large vehicle isn't going to park next to one. But hey, they provide the space so use it up? Whenever I see duallies my habit is to find the damage to those fenders. Surprising how often you see it. But, if I needed one to safely haul the load, I would get one.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

I actually take up four spaces as our crew cab, long bed, DRW, is not only too wide for the average parking space but also so long it hangs out of most parking spaces so far that it blocks the road. But like others I always park in the "north forty" where nobody else wants to park and walk. We can use the exercise anyway.

[mhs4771]

I've had a Duallie since 2005 and so far have kept all my fenders intact.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I've had a Duallie since 2005 and so far have kept all my fenders intact.

You don't count. You have doing this for a while and take care of your stuff!

[Ram Montana High Country]

Originally Posted by uhftx

This is probably the worst advice you can receive. A sales man or woman has zero clue. They are on the dealer lot to sell something and make their drawer positive every month to prove their worth.
Yes they will upsell and tell to to buy the biggest and baddest truck on the lot. If they do not have it on the lot they will not tell you to go elsewhere. So I have a triple axle 30K dry weight and my black beauty on this lot will tow it.

I downgraded 2 levels. I had a 1 ton dually for a daily driver pre DEF fluid. My commute is 22Miles each way with no time for regeneration for the cat. So I went even further and downgraded to a gas motor.
MY diesel was rated at 250hp and about the same for torque. The newer gassers were rated higher.
I went from a ford limited edition to a chevy with rubber floor mats bare bones in today's standards.
The differences in towing were not noticeable by the seat of the pants.
You get the same chucking and push / pull when leaving an intersection or approaching.
My 3255 is older. My weights are within limits 12,5?? max and a High 9K on the low side. The new truck has a 14K tow rating.

The only difference with chevy between a 3/4HD and 1ton is the rear springs. One less leaf. I did add air bags though. Tired of hitting a pot hole and feeling the leafs bottoming out.

You have to make a decision based upon your camper and being legal going down the road.

Be safe and many happy miles ahead.
Chris

"The only difference with chevy between a 3/4HD and 1ton is the rear springs. One less leaf." IMHO is FALSE - the GVWR is different! GVWR/GCVWR are most important when pulling a fifth wheel, NOT TOWING capacity. Take your rig and get each axle weight and see if you are within limits. AIR BAGS do not change GVWR.

It is only if there is a wreck that there could be an issue - then it could be your future flushed. Again, IMHO

[mhs4771]

The new 2020 GMs the 3500 Dullies use a bigger rear axle than the 2500/3500 SRW versions.

[Eagleback]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

We do not take up two parking spaces, I can fit between the lines, granted in some lots with narrow spaces I'm touching each line, but we don't have to part right in front we park towards the rear and walk.
I've seen more small compact cars taking up several spaces than I have Duallies.

Or park away from the store. but you will get some idiot that will park right next to you anyway.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

My F250 can handle that weight. I know because i have towed my 5er 30,000 + miles without a single issue. I have a 03 32380 RL for those who want to look it up. We only take 3 month trips and we have to empty the home refer of all the food in there. We carry enough cloths for 2 weeks between washing. I also travel with my water tank completely full.

People here who drive DRW trucks always take 2 parking spots. How courteous of them. So ya you don't need a DRW truck but if you buy one think about the rest of us who seem to be able to park our 5er in between the lines.

"Without a single issue"----famous last words until you do have an issue. You know like when you kill that family of 4 because your truck was overweight and you couldn't control it going down that mountain pass...…

Since someone has already went the "Semi Truck" overkill. Let me go the other way and say you could potentially put a hitch on top of a Volkswagon Bettle and get the wheels rolling on one of our monster trailers. Anyone care to be the idiot that tries that???? Its not about getting the wheels to roll, its about stopping them and handling that load SAFELY!!!

Let me put this another way, we should give someone asking, honest true advice and if anything ERR ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY. YOU may have driven a million miles with an undersized truck (although I suspect the transmission will fall out of it at about 100K). That does NOT mean you should recommend doing the same to someone who may not know better. It has nothing to do with saving money. It's all about SAFETY!!!!

To me that dictates recommending the next size larger truck than the specs absolutely say is the bare minimum. If you need a 3/4 ton at a minimum get a 1 ton SRW. If you need a 1 ton SRW opt for the dually. That isn't radical advice or suggesting that anyone spend an excessive amount of money. And to be honest I really don't get why anyone would have an issue with it!!!

[Stix]

One ton gives you everything you need.

[Garymyro]

We pulled a 3121rl with a 3\4 ton and was ok, close to the limit. Upgraded to a GMC 1 ton single wheel and a noticeable difference in stability and handling. In my opinion a dually is overkill and a pain to drive around when not hooked to the trailer.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

Run the numbers on the truck. Not the payload but the GVWR. Weigh the loaded truck then you know what it can do. One cannot just say get a 1 ton unless you don't want to buy intellegently. The numbers will determine what is needed. No reason to kill a fly with a shotgun if you don't have to.

Ditto. A one ton swr will be more than fine.

[Mark N.]

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

I
had a 3400RL and a brand new 3/4 ton short-bed Ram diesel. For one month. Traded it in on a 1 Ton. Everything else remained the same. Loved it for towing the 3400RL for 5 years. I wasn't willing to deal with the downsides of a dually. Glad I made that decision. I'm still using the same 1-ton short bed, but on my second 5th wheel now.

[fftim29]

I pull my 2016 3160RL With a 2014 Ram 2500 w/ 6.7 diesel. It works just fine and have never had a days problem. This being said... IF I had a choice though, I would upgrade to the 1 Ton DRW. I am right on the edge with my current situation and would really love that piece of mind knowing I could hook up to just about anything and pull away. My $0.02

[dfb]

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

2350 hitch and 12000lbs empty.. we have nearly the same with our 3610.. 12200 empty.. we had a 17 ram 3500 mega cab 4x4.. the trailer put us about 300 lbs over the rear axle weight rating.. traded the 17 in on a 17 ram longhorn 4x4 DUALLY, AISIN, 4:10s, auto level..we did not want to have to buy another truck in the future. What ever you decide, if it were I, get the tow monster. The highest rated truck they sell.. on the ram 3500 its the cummins, aisin transmission, 4:10 gears, auto level...

[jpwhite]

I recommend the 3500. Equivalently equipped 2500 and 3500 Chevy Trucks are priced within a couple hundred bucks of each other. The 3500 has so much more capacity. The ride is the same. I would make the same choice every time.

The kicker was the door label of the 2019 2500 I was buying indicated the 2500 would be over max payload with my 3120 hooked up empty! What fun is that? The brochure said otherwise, but does not factor in the actual as delivered weight of the vehicle (i.e. diesel, accessories etc.).

The advantage of the 2500 is availability on dealer lots. You can buy one the same day (I almost did). Not too many dealers stock nicely equipped 3500's. The ones they do have are usually long bed duallys. I ended up ordering a 3500 SRW, standard bed with the options I (my wife) wanted. It was a bit of a wait, but we absolutely LOVE IT! It is perfect for the 3120. (if going larger / heavier .. go Dually).

[Graham]

I have a 2010 Ram 3500 diesel that pulls just fine. I was a bit naive when I bought as it had a key option I bought by accident...a jake brake. Not sure if they all come with that now or it’s still an option? Whether its a 3/4 T or a 1 Ton I wouldn’t buy or tow anything without it. The three options of gearing down, putting it in trailer mode and having a jake break gives me more comfort than if it’s a 1 Ton. I find I’m more nervous/concerned going downhill than uphill. The 6.7 L diesel has no problem getting me up any hill.

[dfb]

Been there, done that.. yep, the previous truck had all yhe numbers.. except for the axle . Had to get a dually..

[Theo]

I Pull a 2018 40 ft Montana with a 1 ton SRW diesel no problems
Had a 2011 3/4 gas an had to add air bags drop about 9 inches when hook up
No issues with 1 ton