Searching for Good Truck

[cesmart6]

Hi - We have a 32ft, 10,000 lb. travel trailer and need to find the best, reasonably priced truck to haul it through the mountains. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Stan]

WOW. You are about to get a lot of differing opinions!!

I have a 30' 5er that weighs just a bit more than your rig and my 08 Duramax does a great job towing - most of the time in 2nd Overdrive. the truck is very reliable. I would add that if you get a diesel truck (you said Best!) try and get a braking assist option - i.e. exhaust or electronic turbo brake assist if you do a lot of mountain driving. I don't have an exhaust brake so I got a turbo brake and really like it. I was having issues staying at a comfortable speed on really steep downhills and having to use too much truck brakes - not now! Good luck with your search.

[anaro]

Is 10,000 lbs loaded or dry weight? What is your loaded (not dry) tongue weight?. For a lot of mountain towing I would go with a 350/3500 diesel SRW of your choice. As stated above the exhaust break is a beautiful thing in the Mountains. I had a f250 that only had a 1500 lb payload so by the time you add the weight of a hitch you are over capacity. My chevy 3500 duramax diesel with crew cab, long bed, 4x4 has a 4000 lb payload per door sticker. If you find a 250/2500 with a high enough payload it would work too. The biggest trick is hitch capacity. When we traded our zinger, we originally were going to get a 10000 lb tt but quickly realized most trucks included srw 3500s would be over hitch ratings. I learned 2014 and 2015 chevy short bed 2500/3500 are good to 1500 lb tongue weight , the chevy 2500/3500 long bed can handle up to 2500 lb tongue weight. As far as brand, any of the big three should be fine. I know some will tell you eco boost will handle it just fine. If you get max tow HD you will likely be ok but I would say only do that if you were doing mountains occasionally and not all of the time. Bottom line, on any truck you get check the yellow door sticker for actual payload with options and the hitch for its rating.

[NoodlesWIU]

Try a VW Bug. They seem to tow great and there is no wear on your front tires.

[Golfreb]

Actually think this would work better for a VW....j/k. In all seriousness we have a RAM 2500 that does great. Haven't hit Afton Mountain yet, but will this fall.

[travelin texans]

If you're towing in the mountains I'd definitely get a diesel with exhaust brake. Don't let any salesman tell you that their 1/2 eco boost will handle it unless they offer 100% refund when it doesn't. I'm partial to the Duramax/Allison, personally would not even consider the Ford 6.0, but any of the big 3 would do a good job & in my opinion more is better so go with the 350/3500.

[ewbldavis]

I think with steady mountain towing, the consensus will be a 2500/3500 diesel.

[woodwalker]

X2
The new gas engines do not have the torque of the diesels. The new 3500 rides as good as the 2500 when not towing. I would go with the 3500 as inevitably the size of the trailer will increase down the road

[frosty42]

With that load and the conditions your describing...go diesel with an exhaust brake. A 2500 should set you up very nicely. My 2500 is rated to tow 17,900 lbs. I cannot say enough about having an exhaust brake. The safety factor alone is well worth it.

[superduty glampers]

Originally Posted by woodwalker

X2
The new gas engines do not have the torque of the diesels. The new 3500 rides as good as the 2500 when not towing. I would go with the 3500 as inevitably the size of the trailer will increase down the road

My stock gas truck has never had a torque or power issues in the last 2 yrs pulling my 14500 pnd Redwood. A 10,000 tt would be a piece of cake, not to mention I don't have the expense of a diesel. I would have to agree with frosty42 with the exhaust brake but my tow/haul does a great job of hold the trailer back while descending grades.