Posted 2015-09-03 10:06 AM (#164608) Subject: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Florida
Hi, I am looking for a new tow vehicle for my trailer. It is a 3 horse slant BP. My trailer & horses all together weigh about 6000 lbs, and I'm not sure what I should go for, so here's what I need: ~ Has to be able to tow 6000 lbs SAFELY ~ Needs a back seat ~ Good MPG (is 17+ city possible?) ~ and not something overly large! I love the Chevy Avalanche, Colorado, and similar to that size. I understand that probably isn't enough truck, though!So I need your best ideas! Thanks :)
Posted 2015-09-03 9:08 PM (#164614 - in reply to #164608) Subject: RE: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Most of the newer half ton pickups will easily pull your trailer. For a more secure towing vehicle, I would stay away from the smaller, mid sized pickups. Pulling a three ton trailer with a live, moving payload, is much different than towing a dead weight, lower center of gravity, construction equipment. Bigger is better.
Posted 2015-09-04 8:22 PM (#164620 - in reply to #164608) Subject: RE: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I would seriously look into the small diesels found in Dodge/Nissan trucks. They pull better than a standard 1/2 ton truck but not as much as a 3/4 ton truck. I think this would be the perfect mix of tow rating and fuel efficiency for your needs.
Posted 2015-09-06 10:55 AM (#164623 - in reply to #164608) Subject: RE: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
The only problem I see with the 1/2 ton diesel trucks is they cost only a small amount less than a heavy duty. For that kind of money, you might as well go heavy duty and have more towing capacity, less depreciation and better resale value. The Dodge salesperson we spoke with also told us he would not buy the 1/2 ton diesel just yet. He felt the engine has not proven itself yet. It is not a Cummins, but a European engine.
Posted 2015-09-06 1:18 PM (#164624 - in reply to #164623) Subject: RE: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by cutter99 on 2015-09-06 10:55 AM
The only problem I see with the 1/2 ton diesel trucks is they cost only a small amount less than a heavy duty. For that kind of money, you might as well go heavy duty and have more towing capacity, less depreciation and better resale value. The Dodge salesperson we spoke with also told us he would not buy the 1/2 ton diesel just yet. He felt the engine has not proven itself yet. It is not a Cummins, but a European engine.
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 comes to these shores courtesy of VM Motori, a longtime Italian marine-diesel-engine builder and former affiliate of Fiat. Ownership is now, interestingly enough, split 50/50 between Chrysler/Fiat and General Motors. Yes, GM. Industry sources tell us that a version of the EcoDiesel was originally being developed for use in the Cadillac CTS, which makes sense, as any company that wants its luxury sedans to be taken seriously in Europe needs to offer an oil burner. The Caddy version bit the dust in GM’s 2009 march to bankruptcy, but today you can buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the engine.
Posted 2015-09-17 10:09 AM (#164724 - in reply to #164608) Subject: RE: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Woodstock, GA
F150 or 1500 trucks won't do it here. These trucks have a payload capacity usually limited to 1600# or less. This is regardless of what the towing capacity of the truck is. Gooseneck loads downward on the bed of the truck are typically about 1/4 the weight of the trailer. With a 6000# trailer this comes to 1500# on the bed of the truck. In addition to this 1500# you add any passengers or stuff you have in the truck. If you have a couple of passengers and some stuff you can be up another 400#. 1500+400=1900# > 1600#. So it's a no go and you're up in the 250/2500 range or better.Remember, if later you decide to add any living quarters in the gooseneck the loads can easily add another 1000# onto the bed of the truck.A thought about the 250/2500's. The new ones can handle this well with or without the living quarters. If you're looking at one of the 250/2500 that are about 10 years old the payload capacity was often down around 2000# which would still put you on the bubble of acceptability unless you add living quarters and then you're toast.Another thing to remember with a gooseneck is the width of the trailer. If it's wide you'll need an 8' bed. This is ok if you're using the truck primarily for towing but trucks with 8' beds and a crew cab are a pain around town since they're so long.Last thought, if you must step up to a 250/2500 always go to a single wheel 350/3500. They look the same, the cost difference is marginal, the truck will always be worth more and the ride is the same until you put about 1500# into the bed. No brainer but it's hard to find used SRW 250/3500's for that very reason.Last, last thought. Since the cost of diesel is now typically about 20% greater than regular, it makes more sense to stay with a gasser unless you get up over 10,000# of trailer weight. The mileage in gassers are pretty good today and the cost of adding a diesel is pretty steep. Take this from one who owns both.
Posted 2015-09-23 2:55 PM (#164806 - in reply to #164608) Subject: RE: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
New User
Posts: 1
Would anyone weigh in on the turning difference between a long bed and standard bed truck. I have a 3500HD crew cab standard bed (6'6") that has pulled my 4h slant aluminum gooseneck "okay" as long as I am careful to not jackknife the cab on a turnaround. Years past I had an 8' bed with different trailers, and would like to get back to an 8' bed - but - our current driveway entrance is fairly tight. I "make it" with the current configuration - but unsure if a slightly longer truck will make the turn (and don't have the luxury of going out and borrowing someone's 8'bed truck to hook to my trailer) - anyone have experience with both and can compare?
Posted 2015-09-23 7:52 PM (#164810 - in reply to #164608) Subject: RE: Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
It's been a hot minute since I had my crew cab 250 short bed an d my new crew cab 350 long bed, but I can't really tell until I get in a tight spot. The 250 was my everyday driver and the 350 is my farm truck, so I don't have to get it in the same situations as my 250 was in daily. I would say you will learn to drive it but I wouldn't head into a mall parking lot for Christmas shopping.
Best tow vehicle for this trailer?
I love the Chevy Avalanche, Colorado, and similar to that size. I understand that probably isn't enough truck, though!So I need your best ideas! Thanks :)
