bstanke
Idaho
New Member
Joined: 10/23/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
I am interested in two trucks. The first is a 2008 GMC 1500 Crew Cab short box 4WD with the Max Trailering Pack and 4.10 rear axle. This truck is rated to tow (pull trailer) 10,500 pounds.
The other truck is a Dodge 2500 4X4 Quad cab with the 6.25 box, 5.7 Hemi, 5-speed auto and 4.10 rear axle. This truck is rated to tow 10,750 pounds.
I have a Desert Fox 21-SW Hardwall. The weight is 6,800 pounds (basically) dry, and probably 8,000 pounds ready to camp.
Given that the weight ratings are approximately the same, will the trucks provide a comparable towing experience for an 8,000 pound trailer?
|
CharlyG
West HIlls, Ca.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/12/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I wonder what the mpg diff is?Other than that. they look fairly equal.
1998 Chevy C2500HD Silverado ECLB 75,000 miles 5.7L Vortec 4L80E 3.73 Posi 8600# GVWR
2004 Fleetwood Caravan 25S 6000# GVWR
|
CharlyG
West HIlls, Ca.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/12/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
oops
|
AKincer
SW Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 05/27/2004
View Profile
|
I tow 7200 lbs (loaded up) with the a 2008 Chevy Max, 4.10, 6.0L. It has plenty of power and torque for the job and the extra 800 lbs that you will be pulling wouldn't scare me a bit. Like most gas engines, the 6.0L likes to rev and so I find it most comfortable to take it out of OD and drive 63-65 turning about 2800 RPMS. It's difficult to tow in OD at any speed lower than 69-70, because at the lower speeds, it doesn't turn enough RPM's to carry a grade without slowing down or downshifting. With the OD off, it almost never shifts, provides plenty of torque for grades and is quite comforatable to drive. I assume the engine in the Dodge is likely to provide a similar experience.
The big difference (I think) in these two choices will be the rear suspension. the 1/2 ton is softer than ideal when towing, but still adequate. The 3/4 ton will likely provide a better tow with a good deal less bounce, but you will pay for that when not towing. The GM 1/2 tons have a remarkable unloaded ride! Since less than 10% of my miles are towing, this is important to me. I'm willing to live with the slighly cushy towing experience to get the much better unloaded ride.
2008 KZ Spree 324 BHS
2008 Silverado MAX
Reese Dual Cam
|
Tvov
CT
Senior Member
Joined: 07/19/2003
View Profile
|
I think how much you are going to tow comes into the equation, similar to what AKincer posted. When I was looking at new trucks (just last month, as a matter of fact), I saw all the F150 / 1500 trucks that are pretty much rated the same as F250 / 2500 trucks. I tow a lot, so I went with the F250. The 1500 trucks are nice looking vehicles.
_________________________________________________________
2008 F-250 CrewCab 5.4L,
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
|
|
|
MikeRP
Circleville OH
Full Member
Joined: 11/01/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I would definitely go with a 2500. Lots more future flexibility whether Dodge or GM.
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Wait until the Dodge 1500 comes out with the new Cummins V-6 or V-8 diesel, then get that. That's what I would do IF I wanted to get rid of my Ram 3500, which I don't.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
|
RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/08/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Ditto on the 2500 of whatever brand you like most.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2006 Summit 22RB travel trailer
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
|
MikeRP
Circleville OH
Full Member
Joined: 11/01/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
You are right at the limit of a gas engine IMHO unless you buy an older V-10 or the 8.1L GM. My brother has one of these Dodge's and it struggles on hills with that much weight. When I mean struggle running in 3rd gear a thigh RPM. These engines are made to do this but it is disconcerting to me and sucks the gas. I had the 5.3L and it struggled with a 4500 - 5000 lb trailer.
Its all in what you want. If you got the chance, I'd stil recommed a 2500 deisel which you can get for a really good price right now.
Mike
|
Badog
Pennsylvania
Full Member
Joined: 09/07/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I have a 2003 RAM 2500 and it pulls my 8+K trailer and a bed of fire wood without a problem. I have yet to find a hill that I could not clime with power to spare and that is with 3.83 gearing. The engine is made to run at high RPM and it does so quite well. While some people may get nervous when the RPM exceeds 4K it is all in their head. Having owned several trucks over the years I would not want to tow anything significant with a half ton truck. My truck rides just fine even when unloaded and is very stable when I am towing.
While it off subject since you did not mention it, diesel would be nice but the extra cost plus the smell they leave in the garage (mine is attached to my house) just doesn't make sense to me unless you are towing a lot of miles or you are looking at 15K or larger trailer. Then of course you are looking towards a 1 ton truck.
|
|
|
