1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton

D

Dene

New member
I'm wanting to haul my 22' Campion and, at times, a 2000 lb. pop up camper. I'm figuring combined weight is 8000 lbs. fully loaded.

The 1/2 ton truck that intrigues me is a loaded '02 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali, 6.0, with quadrasteer (a feature I really want). It's rated as having a 10,000 towing capacity.

Question. Would this be adequate for my needs. I'm figuring it would be towing about 6 times a year with perhaps one of these trips over the Cascades. Rest is flat land hops, like from Portland to Seattle.

-Greg
 
Absolutely fine.... I have a Chev. 1/2 ton 4wd...with a 5.3 that tows like a dream.... I did install spring bars and that smoothed out the ride a bunch...it was not a problem, but for long distance you can really notice the difference.

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Buy a dually. They will handle all those. And heck, you can turn a CD 22 sideways and put it in the back of the pickup for kicks while pulling your tomcat.
 
Dene, When you say the combined weight will be 8,000, do you mean just the truck and camper? Or do you mean including the boat and trailer? I hope that you mean 8,000 just for the truck and camper. If that is so, I think that your projected weight at 8,000 for the truck is a little light.

How much does the base truck weigh? What else are you going have the truck carry besides the camper?

I have a 1997 Ford 3/4 ton. I know it is an apple to oranges comparison both because of maker and age. My Ford weighs almost 6,500 empty. (includes me, full fuel, a spare tire and a Roll and Lock bed cover. It carries a GVW of 8600 pounds. That is barely enough to carry the camper that you have identifed. And it is a 3/4 ton. I am not trying to compare brands, merely trying to point out that towing and carrying capacity listed by the manufacturers are based upon GVW minus empty weight.

Over the years, I have found that at best, the weights provided are optimistic. At worst, they are down right fabrications.

It all goes back to how much the truck truly weighs empty. That is without fuel, driver, options and maybe even the spare tire. Buyer beware. You will only be happy with how little you paid until you start worrying about reliability or moving up to a bigger boat that you will need to tow. How much more will the 3/4 cost? How much is piece of mind worth?
 
Sneaks":3v8f6v92 said:
Of course it won't handle the Ranger, Tomcat, or C-25 one of which are on your soon to purchase list, correct?

Don
Click to expand...

Why are you asking such a question? Like myself, you own none of the above.

-Greg
 
Sam Walker":36jd7mbo said:
Dene, When you say the combined weight will be 8,000, do you mean just the truck and camper? Or do you mean including the boat and trailer? I hope that you mean 8,000 just for the truck and camper. If that is so, I think that your projected weight at 8,000 for the truck is a little light.

How much does the base truck weigh? What else are you going have the truck carry besides the camper?

I have a 1997 Ford 3/4 ton. I know it is an apple to oranges comparison both because of maker and age. My Ford weighs almost 6,500 empty. (includes me, full fuel, a spare tire and a Roll and Lock bed cover. It carries a GVW of 8600 pounds. That is barely enough to carry the camper that you have identifed. And it is a 3/4 ton. I am not trying to compare brands, merely trying to point out that towing and carrying capacity listed by the manufacturers are based upon GVW minus empty weight.

Over the years, I have found that at best, the weights provided are optimistic. At worst, they are down right fabrications.

It all goes back to how much the truck truly weighs empty. That is without fuel, driver, options and maybe even the spare tire. Buyer beware. You will only be happy with how little you paid until you start worrying about reliability or moving up to a bigger boat that you will need to tow. How much more will the 3/4 cost? How much is piece of mind worth?
Click to expand...

The more I read about the subject, the more diverse opinions I find, which leads to further confusion on my part.

To answer your question, the Campion + Camper + stuff would total 8000 lbs. at the most, which probably gives me a nice margin. I hoping to hear some experiences with those who have used a half ton and did fine...and those who didn't. Personally, I'd prefer to buy a half ton over the other. Bigger selection, better fuel mileage, and cheaper price.

-Greg
 
In a previous incarnation, with a Dodge 1500 I pulled an aluminum Hewescraft that weighed about the same as a C-22 while carrying a lightweight popup camper. On the flat it was OK but going up any kind of mountain passes I would have to gear down and go about 35. What you are talking about is about 2-3,000 # heavier. I predict that if you go this route, you will soon encounter buyer's remorse.

Warren
 
I have a 2001 Chev. pickup half ton...and tow a 22'...I have a shell but not a camper....and my truck does not even shift down on the hills.... I go over the grade at 65 no problems at all... even gets good mileage...15 towing.... the boat is always fully loaded...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
B~C":2d4hg6xp said:
GCVW is what you want to look at. That would be the weight of the truck, camper, boat and gear
Click to expand...

Ken is right on with the above statement. I would venture to say that there are a LOT of Tow rigs with campers towing boats that easily exceed their GCVW.

(At one time I crunched the figures and decided that I didn't need any camper.....that's what the C-Dory that I'm pulling behind me is for.)

As B~C said many years ago.....it's a "Boaterhome, not a Motorhome".
 
DaveS":3cu3qo6u said:
B~C":3cu3qo6u said:
GCVW is what you want to look at. That would be the weight of the truck, camper, boat and gear
Click to expand...

Ken is right on with the above statement. I would venture to say that there are a LOT of Tow rigs with campers towing boats that easily exceed their GCVW.

(At one time I crunched the figures and decided that I didn't need any camper.....that's what the C-Dory that I'm pulling behind me is for.)

As B~C said many years ago.....it's a "Boaterhome, not a Motorhome".
Click to expand...

You raise a heck of a point about a "boaterhome." It would be unlikely that I'd use the camper and the boat. Very easy to pull into an RV park and sleep in the boat. Perhaps a half ton would suffice.

-Greg
 
I've got a 3/4 ton 96 Ford four wheel drive diesel I bought in 96 to pull a 34' fifth wheel. It's a great truck but it rides like a tank unless loaded or pulling. Newer 3/4 tons may ride better. I no longer have the fifth wheel and if I were to buy a new truck I'd take a close look at the 1/2 tons for the better ride. Just food for thought.
 
marvin4239":1nv2fuby said:
I've got a 3/4 ton 96 Ford four wheel drive diesel I bought in 96 to pull a 34' fifth wheel. It's a great truck but it rides like a tank unless loaded or pulling. Newer 3/4 tons may ride better. I no longer have the fifth wheel and if I were to buy a new truck I'd take a close look at the 1/2 tons for the better ride. Just food for thought.
Click to expand...

Assuming you aren't hauling heavy loads around there is an easy way to improve the ride. All you have to do is pull a leaf or two out of the spring pack.
 
Milehog":19h5gpfx said:
marvin4239":19h5gpfx said:
I've got a 3/4 ton 96 Ford four wheel drive diesel I bought in 96 to pull a 34' fifth wheel. It's a great truck but it rides like a tank unless loaded or pulling. Newer 3/4 tons may ride better. I no longer have the fifth wheel and if I were to buy a new truck I'd take a close look at the 1/2 tons for the better ride. Just food for thought.
Click to expand...

Assuming you aren't hauling heavy loads around there is an easy way to improve the ride. All you have to do is pull a leaf or two out of the spring pack.
Click to expand...

You can do the leaf spring adjustment trick with boat trailers with light loads on them, too.

The reverse, adding an extra spring or two to handle more weight, won't work, though, unless you're sure the trailer frame and all the rest can handle the extra weight, and the brakes have the extra stopping power.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Some numbers on the 2002 1500 HD Sierra: (this is the crew cab version--and no mention of quadra steer).

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Front (lbs) : 4410
Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear (lbs) : 6000
Curb Weight - Front (lbs) : 3350
Curb Weight - Rear (lbs) : 2250
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap (lbs) : 8600
Gross Combined Wt Rating (lbs) : 16,000
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs) : 5000
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs) : 500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs) : 5,000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs) : 1500
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs) : 11,000
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs) : 2500

I don't think that you would be exceeding the hitch ratings, but the 11,000 lbs is for a 5th wheel. I was a little surprised that the weight distributing and dead weight were the same capacity...as far as total tow weight. Trailer life gives 10,300 max tow with a 4.10 rear end, and 8300 with the 3.73 rear end. The 4.10 will not give as good gas mileage as the 3.73 rear end. However it appears as if the truck will have the capacity, since you have 3750 lbs capacity on the rear axel over the curb weight. (Give or take, depending on drive train size of cab etc).

I wonder why you want the Quadra steer? I have seen the ads and one of my friends who tows horse trailers had it on one truck and then the next truck didn't get it. (it could be that it was made for only 4 years --to 2006). There didn't seem to be any reliability problem, but it probably would reduce the carrying capacity slightly--

Are you also getting 4 wheel drive?
 
Dene":3fro8fec said:
Sneaks":3fro8fec said:
Of course it won't handle the Ranger, Tomcat, or C-25 one of which is on your soon to purchase list, correct?
Click to expand...
Why are you asking such a question? Like myself, you own none of the above.
-Greg
Click to expand...

Huh? Very confusing, Greg. In fact, what you said makes no sense at all unless you missed the words "soon to purchase". I was merely cautioning you that an inadequate truck purchase now may be fine for your present needs, but it will definitely require replacement when you move up. I can only go by your previous posts re: future boat choices and timeline, so I asked if those choices had changed.

Don

P.S. A note to Seawolf Joe - usually boat trailer axles have a published weight rating in and of themselves. It can be found on a tag affixed to the axle. I've replaced complete axles, including brakes and hubs on one boat trailer and two travel trailers in the past simply because it was cheaper than getting a local place to overhaul the brakes. The whole assembly (with or without springs) is surprisingly inexpensive. The hardest part of replacing them is getting them home and then getting rid of the old axles.... You do have to give them the exact distance between hubs so they can get the length right, otherwise everything else is pretty standard.


DA
 
Sneaks said:
Huh? Very confusing, Greg. In fact, what you said makes no sense at all unless you missed the words "soon to purchase". I was merely cautioning you that an inadequate truck purchase now may be fine for your present needs, but it will definitely require replacement when you move up. I can only go by your previous posts re: future boat choices and timeline, so I asked if those choices had changed.
/quote]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fair enough, Don. I misunderstood and now apologize.

I will eventually own a R-25 and so your point is well taken. A 3/4 ton will be necessary for that boat.

-Greg
Click to expand...
 
thataway":xw2zui6g said:
I don't think that you would be exceeding the hitch ratings, but the 11,000 lbs is for a 5th wheel. I was a little surprised that the weight distributing and dead weight were the same capacity...as far as total tow weight. Trailer life gives 10,300 max tow with a 4.10 rear end, and 8300 with the 3.73 rear end. The 4.10 will not give as good gas mileage as the 3.73 rear end. However it appears as if the truck will have the capacity, since you have 3750 lbs capacity on the rear axel over the curb weight. (Give or take, depending on drive train size of cab etc).

I wonder why you want the Quadra steer? I have seen the ads and one of my friends who tows horse trailers had it on one truck and then the next truck didn't get it. (it could be that it was made for only 4 years --to 2006). There didn't seem to be any reliability problem, but it probably would reduce the carrying capacity slightly--

Are you also getting 4 wheel drive?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and assurance!

Yes to the 4X4. With the truck camper on, sans a boat, I plan to rough it a bit in the hills.

As to the quadrasteer question, I don't enjoy manuevering a pickup in tight quarters. One thing I'll miss about my Exploder is it's tight turning radius. Quadrasteer gives some of that back.

-Greg
 
Dene":x1694vpf said:
<Much discussion omitted>


As to the quadrasteer question, I don't enjoy manuevering a pickup in tight quarters. One thing I'll miss about my Exploder is it's tight turning radius. Quadrasteer gives some of that back.

-Greg
Click to expand...

Greg-

Just as a curious question, how much does the Quadrasteer option cost, and what is the change in turning radius?

Thanks!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
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