Truck shopping...1/2 or 3/4 ton

[McDude]

Hello,

I have a 2008 2500se and a steel trailer.
I've always had it at a slip while I rebuild the trailer I have. Sold my Porsche recently and I'm starting to look for a truck to pull this thing around safely.

The question is:
1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton

The general consensus is the boat weighs roughly 6000lbs dry.
I know of someone near me with a 2500 that pulls with an ecoboost f150.

Any advice would be great!

[Huuligan]

Figure your weight at closer to 7000#. Any new half ton will handle it but you'll be much more safe with a 3/4 ton in my opinion. I tow a 6500# Maxum with both a 1/2 and 3/4 ton. The 3/4 ton truck is WAY more stable and much more able to stop it! Towing is easy, stopping is the hard part.

[mmwjr]

A half ton can do it if equipped correctly; engine size, transmission and tow package. Your trailer should have brakes for this size boat. A 3/4 ton will be more stable and brake better. Will this be your full time vehicle, if so the 1/2 will be much more comfortable for every day driving. How far do you plan to trailer and are the roads flat or hilly are questions you need to ask yourself. Remember to add in fuel, water and any gear into the boat and trailer weight.

[donald]

Your weight boat, trailer, fuel, water and what ever else you put in the boat will be closer to 8000lbs imop.
I tow a 95 Maxum 2400 scr on a ezloader trailer and it is very close to 8000 lbs.
I have towed it with both a 1/2 ton and now a 3/4 ton and feel much safer with the 3/4 ton.
Don

[Phillbo]

3/4 ton for sure. I have a 2500SE as well and tow it with an F250 Powerstroke. I would not feel comfortable with anything smaller.

[biggerseagar]

If you can afford it more is always better..

Roger

[shrew]

Originally Posted by McDude

The general consensus is the boat weighs roughly 6000lbs dry.
I know of someone near me with a 2500 that pulls with an ecoboost f150.

Your not towing dry weight. You're not even towing Wet.

Tow Capacity >= Boat + Fuel + Water + Gear + Trailer.

This is pure physics. Don't worry about what the next guy is doing. I have a buddy that uses pliers on nuts and bolts. That doesn't make it right.

I'd load it like I was heading out for the weekend. Borrow or rent a truck and tow it to a scale and weigh it. Then decide what is best to tow it.

[Finally2022]

What trailer are you using? Plz and thx

[Mongoose]

The truck's payload capacity (1/2 ton, etc.) has nothing to do with towing capacity. I recently researched a truck to tow my 3200 and it's confusing to figure out. The important specs are the GCWR and tongue weight.

GCWR is the max combined weight of truck+trailer+boat+all contents, including passengers. It varies even between different versions of the same model. You have to check the placard inside the driver door to be sure.

Once you have a truck with a high enough GCWR for your boat and trailer, you need to make sure your towing ball, mount, and receiver are up to the task. Those have limits as well.

I rented a GMC 3500HD from Enterprise for $150/day. So much less hassle than owning a big truck I would only use twice per year. If I win the lottery though, I'm buying one as a daily driver because it was amazing!

[Mr Hemi]

I tow my 2500SCR with my 1/2 ton-2022 Eco Diesel.
Most towing is done below 2300 RPM and thats where the diesel power comes on the strongest.

I also get about 30MPG when unloaded.

[donald]

This post is over 2 years old!
Best to start a new post.
Don