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Old 10-26-2013, 01:42 PM   #1
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We just purchased a 2008 26 ft Crossroads Cruiser that we love! We had it towed home for us, and now need to purchase a pickup to tow it with. Do we really need a 3/4 ton pickup? Does anyone have any experience towing with a 1/2 ton pickup? Any advice?

Thanks!
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Old 10-26-2013, 01:51 PM   #2
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What model is it? What are the weights on the trailer? GVWr not dry weight. How much pin weight does it have? This will determine what you need to tow. The only half ton I would even consider would be the ford ecoboost HD. Mark tows his cruiser with one. Might want to look him up and ask him how it handled those mountains in va earlier this month. One thing to keep in mind is most tend to upgrade their trailers after a short period. since you are buying a truck now, I would get one big enough for the next trailer.
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Old 10-26-2013, 02:07 PM   #3
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ok from your other post it looks like the 26RK. From what I have found it has a dry weight of 6622 lbs and a dry pin weight of 1462. That pin weight will be pushing it for the payload on most 1/2 tons. Remember that both those weights will increase with gear etc.
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Old 10-26-2013, 11:17 PM   #4
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I believe you have the same rig as I do. I'm towing mine with a Ford f150, but it's a pretty heavy duty f150. It's plenty capable of the task.

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Old 10-27-2013, 02:13 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anaro
What model is it? What are the weights on the trailer? GVWr not dry weight. How much pin weight does it have? This will determine what you need to tow. The only half ton I would even consider would be the ford ecoboost HD. Mark tows his cruiser with one. Might want to look him up and ask him how it handled those mountains in va earlier this month. One thing to keep in mind is most tend to upgrade their trailers after a short period. since you are buying a truck now, I would get one big enough for the next trailer.

Towing my Cruiser 335ss in the Virginia Mts. was no problem. Whether climbing or decending the mts. was great with the F150. I put about 2500 miles of towing this season and had no issues towing. Probably averaged about 11 mpg. I do have the HD payload and towing package plus I have added the Roadmaster active suspension. Any questions pm me.

Mark
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Old 10-27-2013, 05:56 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by mark5w
Quote:
Originally Posted by anaro
What model is it? What are the weights on the trailer? GVWr not dry weight. How much pin weight does it have? This will determine what you need to tow. The only half ton I would even consider would be the ford ecoboost HD. Mark tows his cruiser with one. Might want to look him up and ask him how it handled those mountains in va earlier this month. One thing to keep in mind is most tend to upgrade their trailers after a short period. since you are buying a truck now, I would get one big enough for the next trailer.

Towing my Cruiser 335ss in the Virginia Mts. was no problem. Whether climbing or decending the mts. was great with the F150.Â* I put about 2500 miles of towing this season and had no issues towing.Â* Probably averaged about 11 mpg.Â* I do have the HD payload and towing package plus I have added the Roadmaster active suspension.Â* Any questions pm me.

Mark
glad to hear, I was wondering how afton mtn went for you.
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Old 10-27-2013, 06:04 AM   #7
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Works good in the mountains of CO. also.

I have to say tho, I never seen 11 mpg towing with mine. More like 9 to 91/2.



Edited by: Old Farmer
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Old 10-27-2013, 06:34 AM   #8
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Looks like a short bed. Just what I would like! Thank you,

Linda
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Old 10-27-2013, 06:45 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anaro
ok from your other post it looks like the 26RK. From what I have found it has a dry weight of 6622 lbs and a dry pin weight of 1462. That pin weight will be pushing it for the payload on most 1/2 tons. Remember that both those weights will increase with gear etc.

I tend to agree. F150 Eco Boost HD is an awesome 1/2 ton for you size trailer now. However if you think you may upgrade later most folks tend to go larger. If you feel that is the case you may want to consider a 3/4 ton or 1 ton now.
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Old 10-28-2013, 02:00 AM   #10
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If your truck is rated to tow the trailer both Gross Wt and hitch Wt you can do it. BUT if you are outside that you may not have insurance coverage. If all the weights are OK you just may have to think about hills

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Old 10-28-2013, 07:02 AM   #11
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Not sure of the price difference between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton. The F150 with the eco-boost with the heavy duty tow package seems to have a pretty good tow rating.

Going with a heavier truck will give you more options in the future. I like pulling with a diesel.








Edited by: NorskeNY
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Old 10-28-2013, 07:46 AM   #12
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The diesel package is definitely much more expensive, but worth it if the 1/2 ton truck is overloaded. The 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks have larger brakes, heavier transmissions, bigger differentials, heavier frames and beefier motors. However, no company makes a big block gasser anymore for the heavier trucks. Check the manufacturers weight rating and tow rating on the truck. Use the GVWR of the trailer to compare to the truck rating (trust me, you will load your trailer to the max). DO NOT exceed that rating, the truck or the trailer! If you wreck you could be held legally liable for overloading your truck/trailer comboand your insurance company probably will not cover the incident. Adding things like air bags and helper springs may make the truck ride better while towing but will not increase the tow rating.
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Old 10-28-2013, 10:13 AM   #13
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I have to agree with the general direction responses take.

We have a 32QB that is 6858 dry. Figuring 1000-1200# for our crap...I need a truck that can handle 8000lbs. minimum. This is still within most 1/2 ton trucks that are properly equipped.

We intend to buy a 3/4 ton. I don't have to crunch tow ratings/equipment, and we will have plenty of truck for a 34' / 8K trailer.

No one I know has ever said "geez...I wish I didn't get such a big truck to tow this with".
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Old 10-28-2013, 11:39 AM   #14
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I traded in a 2003 Chevy Duramax on for my present truck, and I believe I have just as much truck now as what that 2500 Duramax. If not more.
I don't remember any more what that Duramax was rated for as far as hauling and towing capacity, so I can't say positively, but I think my present TV is just as big as that old 2500 Duramax.
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Old 10-28-2013, 01:15 PM   #15
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Lloyd,
Your truck is brand new and will last you for some time, but if you are planning on 10's of thousands of miles like I am then a diesel is definitely the correct choice. My unit is a little heavier than yours too. I am not happy with the price of diesel right now but I need what the diesel offers me at this point. I put almost 15,000 miles on this past year and would have another 4,000 on it if I did not have to stay in WI for the winter for my surgery. I will continue to keep an eye on what they do in the future with the Ecoboost and if they continue to beef them up and diesel stays where it is I definitely will consider it.

Thanks for all your help too. I will keep in touch with you as my first trip next year is to the west and we will be coming back through the UP so if at all possible I'd like to meet up with you at some point.

Travel well,
Jim
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Old 10-28-2013, 11:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Farmer
I traded in a 2003 Chevy Duramax on for my present truck, and I believe I have just as much truck now as what that 2500 Duramax. If not more.
I don't remember any more what that Duramax was rated for as far as hauling and towing capacity, so I can't say positively, but I think my present TV is just as big as that old 2500 Duramax.
The'03 2500HD Duramax had a payload rating (5er pin capacity) of ~3300 lbs. This got decreased by the weight of passengers, fuel, truck cargo, etc. The GCVWR or GCWR(Gross Combine Vehicle Weight Rating) on the same truck was ~22,000.

The 2013 F150 has a GCWR of 10,400 - 17,100 depending on the actual configuration of the vehicle. See http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/for full details. Remember the GCWR includes pasengers, truck cargo, fuel, trailer, and all trailer contents.
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Old 10-29-2013, 02:05 AM   #17
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I have to agree with the general direction responses
No one I know has ever said "geez...I wish I didn't get such a big truck to tow this with".
I saw a guy several weeks ago that could have said it, F350 Dually pulling a small pop-up camper.
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Old 10-29-2013, 02:40 AM   #18
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[QUOTE=RKamperRV]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Farmer
I traded in a 2003 Chevy Duramax on for my present truck, and I believe I have just as much truck now as what that 2500 Duramax. If not more.
I don't remember any more what that Duramax was rated for as far as hauling and towing capacity, so I can't say positively, but I think my present TV is just as big as that old 2500 Duramax.
The'03 2500HD Duramax had a payload rating (5er pin capacity) of ~3300 lbs. This got decreased by the weight of passengers, fuel, truck cargo, etc. The GCVWR or GCWR(Gross Combine Vehicle Weight Rating) on the same truck was ~22,000.

The 2013 F150 has a GCWR of 10,400 - 17,100 depending on the actual configuration of the vehicle. See http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/for full details. Remember the GCWR includes pasengers, truck cargo, fuel, trailer, and all trailer contents.[/QUOTE

This perked my curiosity enough that I started searching back through some of my old records. This is what I have for my old Duramax---
GVWR---9200#
GAWR-frt.---4670#
GAWR-rr.-6084#
GCWR----17200#
Curb wt.----5631# (I'm assuming that's dry wt.)
I found an empty weight, but I think I had a generator, water jugs, and of course the hitch has to added in there----7200#

So, all in all, not much different then my present TV.
Hope this helps clear things up.
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Old 10-29-2013, 03:22 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avvidclif

I saw a guy several weeks ago that could have said it, F350 Dually pulling a small pop-up camper.

We there's that.

Old Farmer - If I did go 1/2 ton, the F150 would likely be the choice. The EcoBoost is a game changer, although I fancy the V8 rumble...
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Old 10-29-2013, 04:44 AM   #20
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will have to say that towing our 5th at 8500lbs with the dodge diesel 2500 sure tows comfortable and feels like I am towing the trailer and the trailer pushing me...

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