I'm looking to buy a tow vehicle and I'm trying to decide if I need a 3/4 ton or not. I would be using the truck to trailer tow a Jeep CJ7 at least 10-15 times per year and possibly the Jeep/trailer in combination with a cab-over camper or slide-in pop-up camper 2-3 times per year on extended trips.

I realize that a 3/4 ton would handle the load much easier, but would a 1/2 ton do the job without overstressing the truck?

Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks...

I've towed with a 1/2 ton. Hated it. So much so that I now have a 1 ton dually. I'd say go 3/4 between the two.

I've towed my vehicle with a 1/2 ton as well. Just didn't cut it. If you don't have a 1/2 ton already(which I did), then definitely go 3/4 with the biggest motor you can find.

Definetly go with at least a 3/4 ton if not a 1 ton they pull a lot better and can handle the load, 1/2 tons can just plain be a scarly ride down the road pulling a trailer thats loaded. I prefer a 1 ton.

As a rule, a half ton truck is going to have a smaller motor, lite duty trans, smaller brakes. Dont forget softer springs and a lite duty axle and if its a semi floater rear end, all the load bearing is going to be carried on the axle bearings which are smaller than spindle/hub bearings in a full floater and tend to wear out fast when towing.

In short, 1/2 ton trucks arent the best choice for draging around 5k to 6k pounds.

Thanks. That's pretty much the response I was expecting. The truck will be my daily driver, so a 1 ton would be a little too much... fuel, that is - probably a little too hard on the spine as well.

dont even use a 1/2 ton. its too hard on the rear end and tranny.
remember a little stationwagon is a 1/2 ton too. you will be much happier with a 3/4.

1 tons aren't that bad as daily drivers, I drive my 85' F350 diesel as a daily driver and and fuel consumption isn't that bad (15 mpg in town, 20 mpg out of town) and it rides smooth.

1/2 ton is like a car with a truck body

we got two 3/4 GM vansin our family with towing packages and they rock. Huge ass brakes in the rear

Originally posted by Red Chevy Girl
1 tons aren't that bad as daily drivers, I drive my 85' F350 diesel as a daily driver and and fuel consumption isn't that bad (15 mpg in town, 20 mpg out of town) and it rides smooth.


Yep, my 1 ton dodge cummins is more comfortable and gets MUCH better gas milage than my 1/2 ton GMC ever did (and my wifes grand cherokee too). I average 17 to 18 mpg driving mostly city (say a 60/40 split). I thought it'd be a pain at first too. But my sister, who has a miata, decided after driving it for 15 minutes that her husband can get one.. and she'll steal it ;) Oh... and passing cars up the Sunol grade on 680 with a 1/2 ton pickup on a trailer behind ya is just bonus ;)

i have towed with 1/2, 3/4, and 1ton trucks. i by far like the 1ton over the others.

I just picked up a GMC 2500HD, which is what they're calling their 1-ton SRW trucks these days. Drives & rides better than my '90 Z71 did (and that truck was WORLDS above my old SFA '78). In fact, my wife was kinda sad to go back to her "low rider" Malibu after having the truck for a couple of weeks as her DD. Downside is 13 MPG (Vortec 6000 engine), but that's only about 1 MPG worse than the older truck did around town. Upside is no more white-knuckle rides while towing my trailer around with a marginal tow vehicle (my old 1/2 ton).

TEX

Originally posted by TEX
I just picked up a GMC 2500HD, Downside is 13 MPG (Vortec 6000 engine), but that's only about 1 MPG worse than the older truck did around town.
TEX


Cool. Bought a 2500HD Crew Cab for those road trips. Much along the same lines of the of being able to tow 6500# without white knuckles. 6000 Vortec, 2WD, LS trim. Locking rear. Avereaged 13.6 last weekend (round trip, first half with an
empty tow dolly, back with 3000# behind in... blown engine in
a project vehicle. One of those "buy cheap, fix, sell reasonable...
buy a welder projects)

The 1500HD Crew Cab was my other thought, but glad I went with the 2500HD. You get a trailer behind you on a down hill section, it is darn nice to have the heavier suspension and brakes! ;)

Tom :usa:

Originally posted by Red Chevy Girl
1 tons aren't that bad as daily drivers, I drive my 85' F350 diesel as a daily driver and and fuel consumption isn't that bad (15 mpg in town, 20 mpg out of town) and it rides smooth.

I agree. I like my 1T.

Towed with my 1/2T "wagon" Travelall.. do-able, but required me to pay attention.

This with a ~2000lbs trailer and 3700lbs Scout.

I couldn't be inattentive with this setup. It worked.. but bad roads made for a nightmare, and I was always afraid of the semi-float D44 axle shaft bearings.. it was a battle between enough tongue weight to make it stable, and not-enough tongue weight to smoke the bearings (I've already lost a rear axle bearing while towing with my SII)

The 1T 4dr? Doesn't care. Tongue heavy isn't a problem. Bad roads, no problem.

It's nice for a DD, too.. tho' I'm not driving it right now because it's 2wd, and the heater isn't working yet.. and I live in Montana. :)

Only downside to the 166" WB is the 40 acres it takes to turn around..

Ride is firm but it feels good with the front and rear HD sway bars.

I can't go back to using a 1/2T. :-)

Most I've towed with a 1/2 ton is flat towing a jeep, for that it was fine but the rear did sway a little more than I would like. Any more then that (4000lbs) I would not even look at 1/2 tons. Personally I like 1 ton ford with V-10, it seems to get a little worse milage then the Gm 6.0 but has more power. I would like to get behind the wheel of a chevy HD but don't know anyone who can afford one. Basicly I wouldnt look at anything less then a 3/4 HD, a regular 3/4 ton is just a 1/2 with bigger rear axle.

Originally posted by JeepinFewl
I'm looking to buy a tow vehicle and I'm trying to decide if I need a 3/4 ton or not. I would be using the truck to trailer tow a Jeep CJ7 at least 10-15 times per year and possibly the Jeep/trailer in combination with a cab-over camper or slide-in pop-up camper 2-3 times per year on extended trips.
Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks... Good luck even finding a 3/4 that'll be within limits with a Jeep, trailer, and slide in camper!! The Jeep on the trailer wouldn't be an issue, but start adding up the weights and you'll see what I mean.

Well, I'd only be using the slide in a few times a year, but it would be for long trips.

Can anyone give me some links to some web sites with good stats on the towing capacities and drivetrain options of various rigs? Chevy.com and Ford.com suck.

www.edmunds.com