Tow vehicle recommendations

[surprising]

Currently tow a 22 ft 6000 lb max weight travel trailer with a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. We've outgrown the small trailer and are looking to go bigger. Most likely will be getting something with 10000 lb max weight. The Ram is pretty much at it's limits with our small trailer so looking for something with bigger tow capacity. We really like the Ram. It's super comfortable, has 4 corner air suspension that auto levels when attaching the trailer, and gets great mileage. I just started looking at 2500s and worried we're going to suffer on comfort. Looks like 2500s have LT tires instead of passenger, and I haven't seen any with air suspension, just leafs in the rear so I'm worried about stiffer suspension. Any recommendations for something that can comfortably tow 10000 lb and is comfortable to drive?

 

[FI_RElater]

with that weight, a F-250 or 2500 series would work

I had an F-250 crew cab long bed (just over 22ft from front to the stinger, so you can't just park it anywhere) and it was a 6.2 gasser but it had no problem with a 26 ft at about that weight. (...and yes no problem; if you have ever towed up the pass from Jackson into Idaho, some 10% grades with switchbacks, when I said no problem that's what I mean.... and there aren't many tougher passes)

BUT you must get a very good hitch, load correctly, probably upgrade tires on trailer to C's versus the lower grade B's that some come with, and know your rig.

As far as suspension--- yep it IS stiff and you will know it is a TRUCK (and means business; even long haul truckers on the road or at rest stops knew it was set up correctly). I don't know of any when I got it that had air suspension systems (remember under load conditions are different than empty)

 

[skyking1]

You can mitigate some of the ride issues with tire pressures. They are specific to the load you are carrying.
No need to air up for maximum load with a light trailer, just as much as is actually recommended in the owner's manual.
My 3500 Ram diesel has LT tires but I never have 80 PSI in them.

 

[frank05]

You can always do an aftermarket conversion to air suspension if you really like the ride.

 

[old medic]

Don't get me started.... We have a 22 Baby Duramax 1500 pulling 32 Ft/ 7500 Lbs toyhauler like its not there, But most forum folks scream we need a 2500. Ours is rated around 9500 Lbs, but the newer ones with the Tow Package are rated for 13500 Lbs. Tires... I would be wanting the LT tires even with your current trailer. Suspension.... The worse thing to ever happen to trucks was trying to make them ride like cars... I added Timbren helpers and its great ride with the trailer, still a car type ride with small bumps empty, but only an inch of travel before it rides like a real truck.
Are you looking at a 5th wheel or bumper pull? I defiantly would be considering a 2500 for a 5th wheel, but if staying a bumper pull I would try to find something to fit the current truck.

 

[skyking1]

I think your baby Duramax is fine and I would like to have one soon. I'm going to build a lighter trailer.

 

[surprising]

Don't get me started.... We have a 22 Baby Duramax 1500 pulling 32 Ft/ 7500 Lbs toyhauler like its not there, But most forum folks scream we need a 2500. Ours is rated around 9500 Lbs, but the newer ones with the Tow Package are rated for 13500 Lbs. Tires... I would be wanting the LT tires even with your current trailer. Suspension.... The worse thing to ever happen to trucks was trying to make them ride like cars... I added Timbren helpers and its great ride with the trailer, still a car type ride with small bumps empty, but only an inch of travel before it rides like a real truck.
Are you looking at a 5th wheel or bumper pull? I defiantly would be considering a 2500 for a 5th wheel, but if staying a bumper pull I would try to find something to fit the current truck.

My 2015 ecodiesel is rated at 8500 lb or so, but struggles with our small trailer. I've read that the ecodiesel settlement ECU reprogramming really hurt the overall power of the truck, so that may be why. We haven't yet decided whether to go fifth wheel or bumper.

I see the GMC Sierra 1500 starting with 2023 model that the 3L duramax can do 13200 lbs. That's impressive. Hmm, even the newer Ram 1500s are similar. So say I get a 10K lb trailer, that's about 1500 lb tongue weight which is bumping into the max payload for the half tons. Is that something I should worry about?

 

[skyking1]

Yes, that's pretty much the problem. The higher tow capacities are based on a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer that lands in the middle of the bed and put some of that load on the front axle. You can study the numbers and see what they say, but 1500 lb on the hitch is a problem with the half ton.

 

[Gallaher]

I’d find an rv towing forum and ask there. Speaking from experience, this is an early retirement and peps will prognosticate on anything.

 

[old medic]

I’d find an rv towing forum and ask there. Speaking from experience, this is an early retirement and peps will prognosticate on anything.

I agree in part... like any forum you will get tons of answers and opinions.
I'll jump back in in a few days.... I'm all hooked up for a 4 generation trip to Atlanta...

 

[skyking1]

Yes, but occasionally you get a guy like me who has a commercial driver's license and tows all sorts of heavy stuff. We try to retire early too LOL!
This is today. My little Swiss army knife set up weighs about 67,000 lb going down the road.

Wednesday I saw the most appalling trailer combination at the truck stop.
Yes, I think that tractor is being held in by one 4,000 lb ratchet strap.

 

[Hyper]

Off-grid in the mountains for over three years now but have always recreated in the mountains along with cutting our firewood, etc.
F250 diesels for years dIdn't cut It.
I went to an f550 4x4 about 15 years ago because I was sick of riding wheelies from the weight and braking reasons.
I'm huge on overkill.
I load the f550 and never think twice about having too little of truck.
We currently have an f150 grocery getter rated around 12k lbs I believe.
The f550 is rated at 40 k gcvw lbs.
We hauled everything, even all our house logs into our remote land in the mountains.

 

[38Chevy454]

While a 1/2 ton class truck can tow the 10000 lb trailer, it is better with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. Bigger brakes, heavier duty suspension that won't wear out as fast, better cooling systems, and possibly bigger engine choices.

You can't have cushy passenger car ride and heavy duty towing together. So if you want a bigger trailer, it requires a bigger truck. Towing at max capacity is hard on the truck, having some margin on towing capacity is good.