So, here's the question: my wife and I have pretty much settled on one of the "30 ft." Airstreams for reasons having to do with our height (I'm 6'4" and she's 5'10"), the fact that our 100lb. Golden is along and the planned use is not just for a weekend or a couple of weeks' vacation.
Doing ALL the math regarding towing capacity, hitch weight, cargo capacity, GVWR and GVCW, it appears that the new GM 1/2 tons with the 6.2 liter engine (crew cab) will do the job, with a 10% (or more for the non-Classic models) margin over the trailer GVWR and with about 500 lbs. of cargo capacity after subtracting the tongue weight and the weight of the passengers.
And I've seen the FastLaneTruck guys use one of these to tow a 10,000 lb. (actual weight) trailer up and down the big 7% grade to the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado. FWIW, they descended the grade using engine braking alone -- maintaining 65 mph -- which is pretty impressive.
So, the question is: is there any advantage to having simply a heavier tow vehicle in terms of handling the trailer? We could obviously step up to any of the 3/4 ton models and, as a minimum have extra cargo capacity (that I don't think we'll need). These trucks are anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 lbs. heavier, empty, than the half tons. Is there any benefit to that in terms of trailer handling, i.e. keeping the tail from wagging the dog (assuming an effective weight distributing anti-sway hitch?
Purchase price, there's no difference. In fact, I've found new RAM 2500 Laramie Crew cabs with the 6.4 liter gasoline engine for sale $3-4,000 less than the best I can get on a new Chevy 1500 LTZ with the 6.2 liter engine, both with the "short bed."
The 1/2 ton probably would be the more pleasant ride when empty and, with an EPA highway rating of 20 mpg, probably would use less gas empty (and maybe towing, too).
So, that's the question: is the heavier truck going to do a better job of pulling the 30' trailer, in terms of control, not necessary going faster uphill?
(Obviously, there are lots of lightly used 3/4 tons at or below that price, some of which offer diesels.) (Also, by my calculations, there is no Ford or RAM 1/2 ton that works. While a number of these have the towing capacity, they fall down on the cargo capacity measurement when you add in just the hitch weight and the passenger weight.)
Doing ALL the math regarding towing capacity, hitch weight, cargo capacity, GVWR and GVCW, it appears that the new GM 1/2 tons with the 6.2 liter engine (crew cab) will do the job, with a 10% (or more for the non-Classic models) margin over the trailer GVWR and with about 500 lbs. of cargo capacity after subtracting the tongue weight and the weight of the passengers.
And I've seen the FastLaneTruck guys use one of these to tow a 10,000 lb. (actual weight) trailer up and down the big 7% grade to the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado. FWIW, they descended the grade using engine braking alone -- maintaining 65 mph -- which is pretty impressive.
So, the question is: is there any advantage to having simply a heavier tow vehicle in terms of handling the trailer? We could obviously step up to any of the 3/4 ton models and, as a minimum have extra cargo capacity (that I don't think we'll need). These trucks are anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 lbs. heavier, empty, than the half tons. Is there any benefit to that in terms of trailer handling, i.e. keeping the tail from wagging the dog (assuming an effective weight distributing anti-sway hitch?
Purchase price, there's no difference. In fact, I've found new RAM 2500 Laramie Crew cabs with the 6.4 liter gasoline engine for sale $3-4,000 less than the best I can get on a new Chevy 1500 LTZ with the 6.2 liter engine, both with the "short bed."
The 1/2 ton probably would be the more pleasant ride when empty and, with an EPA highway rating of 20 mpg, probably would use less gas empty (and maybe towing, too).
So, that's the question: is the heavier truck going to do a better job of pulling the 30' trailer, in terms of control, not necessary going faster uphill?
(Obviously, there are lots of lightly used 3/4 tons at or below that price, some of which offer diesels.) (Also, by my calculations, there is no Ford or RAM 1/2 ton that works. While a number of these have the towing capacity, they fall down on the cargo capacity measurement when you add in just the hitch weight and the passenger weight.)
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