Towing a trailer, how much truck do you need?

[TrailerparkTrash]

Tow across a parking lot? Tow on flat prairie in Kansas to the Lake on 60pmh roads?

Tow up and over Vale Summit?

Rule of thumb, 80% of rated capacity should be fine for all reasonable conditions.

^^^ This. Sound advice.

Hit the trailer brake only.

^^^ More sound advice!

[Old Marine]

These scenarios always amaze me.
put a ton of money in a trailer and gear. load your family into a tow vehicle clearly too small for the task.


and then sweat bullets toll they are safe again!
i am looking at buying a boat, maybe 21 to 24 ft. have a 2015 Tacoma with tow package. Toyota says it can do it.

Also looking at the Duramax 4x4......

Don't want the boat flipping or being stuck on a steep ramp.

[jarhead714]

3/4 ton. Gas if just want to get there, diesel if you want to get there quicker. I’d get gas because modern diesels are money pits and don’t last 4-500k miles like they used to when they were normally aspirated and unhindered by 6 computers and emissions equipment.

[OCEquestrian]

I tow a 3 horse aluminum trailer with a 3/4 ton suburban with an 8.1 liter Votec in it. I wouldn't tow with anything less...

[madland]

Diesel won't necessarily make it quicker..but it will make it easier. Climbing steep grades will be a lot less stressful on a diesel vs a gasser. Truck won't be working nearly as hard. Trans won't be stressing out. Temps won't be elevated the same as a gasser. Etc Etc. Same thing goes for descending. Trans makes it easier going downhill. An exhaust brake makes it even easier. Gas trucks don't have those. Or bigger breaks. It goes on and on. Towing is ALWAYS easier when you have more than enough truck..not just enough truck. My .02

P.S. But if you are towing beyond the limits of your 3/4-ton diesel when you should have a DRW truck..you might be asking for trouble.

[Jwalt]

I'm buying a "3500 LB trailer" that in reality will never be over 1700 pounds weight, and I'm torn between the new Ranger (7,500lbs) and the new Maverick (4000 lbs).

I have to buy CA gas and use it for a lot of running around town, too. So I'm not trying to buy a lot more truck than I need. I've got to have seating for four, as well.

I see a lot of people pulling the exact same trailer with their older Subaru Outbacks (2,000 ish) and....well I don't follow them too close, that's for sure. A lot of them keep all their camp gear in the trailer and don't realize how it adds up.

[theduracellbigd]

3/4 ton , does not matter gas or diesel, the suspension, brakes, tires and wheelbase are more important. The extra cost of diesel purchase is only going to be recouped if you keep truck 10 years. Gassers are just as fast or effective at pulling with right gear ratios and driving in powerband. Diesels are great if you tow frequently or full time, otherwise gas is fine and it is at every pump and does not make your hands stink and no urea needed(unless you buy a used old diesel)

[theduracellbigd]

I'm buying a "3500 LB trailer" that in reality will never be over 1700 pounds weight, and I'm torn between the new Ranger (7,500lbs) and the new Maverick (4000 lbs).

I have to buy CA gas and use it for a lot of running around town, too. So I'm not trying to buy a lot more truck than I need. I've got to have seating for four, as well.

I see a lot of people pulling the exact same trailer with their older Subaru Outbacks (2,000 ish) and....well I don't follow them too close, that's for sure. A lot of them keep all their camp gear in the trailer and don't realize how it adds up.

Ranger at a minimum, and better of find a nice used old f150 and be even happier towing with ease.

[Jwalt]

Ranger at a minimum, and better of find a nice used old f150 and be even happier towing with ease.

Can't afford the gas on an f150 and it's a pain in the butt to park around here.

[FJ40 CRUZR]

Hit the trailer brake only.

No brakes, diesel exhaust brake takes care of most downhill fun. Once in a while I have to hit the brakes mostly because people are in my way.

[therealnickb]

No brakes, diesel exhaust brake takes care of most downhill fun. Once in a while I have to hit the brakes mostly because people are in my way.

He asked what to do about a poorly loaded trailer starting to sway. Like the trailers in the videos.

[twinfin]

He asked what to do about a poorly loaded trailer starting to sway. Like the trailers in the videos.

My understanding is that the way out of a swaying trailer is to manually activate the trailer brakes and don't touch the tow rig brakes. Let the trailer brakes do all the slowing and the sway should come under control.

I don't do much towing but when I do, I sometimes activate the manual trailer brake control for the trailers electric brake system just so I'm familiar with this procedure. In case I ever find myself with a swaying trailer, I know just where the controls are and how hard to press the manual trailer brake lever to get a response.

[therealnickb]

My understanding is that the way out of a swaying trailer is to manually activate the trailer brakes and don't touch the tow rig brakes. Let the trailer brakes do all the slowing and the sway should come under control.

I don't do much towing but when I do, I sometimes activate the manual trailer brake control for the trailers electric brake system just so I'm familiar with this procedure. In case I ever find myself with a swaying trailer, I know just where the controls are and how hard to press the manual trailer brake lever to get a response.

Which is what I wrote.

[sfpcservice]

Get a 5th wheel and never worry about trailer sway again. Faster and way easier to hitch/unhitch also.

[Bobula]

I've got a ram 1500 ecodiesel, it pulls my 32' bunkhouse without issue.