Pulling enclosed trailer with 1/2 ton

[Turblue]

We sold our 5th wheel and I’m thinking about selling my 15 Ram 2500 6.7 with 115k and getting into a 1500. Thinking Gm or ram diesel 1500.

Whose went from a 2500/3500 to 1500 pulling a 23-27’ enclosed?

 

[Catman10]

I have pulled my 4 place enclosed from Red Deer to Vale twice with my 14 eco diesel. I was surprised at how well it pulled it, 6th gear the whole time no problems to pull at 110 and did 18 mpg, the biggest difference between it and my F350 is how it handled the weight, I put air bags in my eco which is a must one those trucks but it kinda was manhandled by the trailer whereas my F350 didn't even feel it and for the little bit of fuel difference I would rather pull it with the Ford mind you my big truck is a longbox and my eco is a shortbox, I just really noticed the difference.

 

[Turblue]

Yeah it is nice pulling with a HD truck. Especially in the wind….but the rest of the time I don’t care bouncing around in it empty. I figured it’s 7 years old, mint condition and used HD trucks are at a premium, so might be a good time to try a 1500.

 

[lilduke]

Do what you gotta do, but i wouldnt want to.

Power isnt a problem, just too light of truck imo

23ft might not be bad, 27footer phuk that

 

[Turblue]

Yeah for sure that’s why I’m hesitant. I don’t see too many 1500 pulling sled trailers. Typically HD.

 

[lilduke]

Yeah for sure that’s why I’m hesitant.

I think a 3 place would be ok.

I tried towing one of our 4 place enclosed with a half ton once and never again lol

 

[rmk600700]

What are the dimensions of your trailer? 7 wide or 8.5 makes a huge difference.

As others mentioned you will feel the wind with a half ton. I sold a 2020 3500 duramax and got a 21 f150 with powerboost and 6.5 box. If you get a half ton make sure to get a 6.5 box as the longer wheel base makes a huge difference with stability when towing.

My brother in law has 3.0 dmax in half ton and it does well but uses DEF like nothing I have ever seen when towing lol.
For the amount most people actually tow its nice to have the plush ride of a half ton. If you tow everyday no question stick with an HD diesel. I would say test drive a powerboost before you buy a half ton diesel if you want something fun for a daily driver.

 

[Turblue]

It’s a deck over 8.5 x 23’ charmac. With a Yamaha so heavier than typical

 

[rmk600700]

Looks like you already have heat in there so get a powerboost with 7.2KW generator built in and power that rig too!

 

[Turblue]

Yup rv furnace…endless possibilities

 

[Zrock]

Just stay away from the aluminum fords.. I have towed alot of stuff with 150's and tried towing something with the new fords that i have towed several times before... The trailer got a little squirrely in some road ruts and ended up spinning that truck tight around. Parked the truck and never towed with it again.. Truck is way to light to tow anything

 

[Turblue]

I’m definitely not a ford fan. We have 30ish f150 in the work fleet. That cured me of ever wanting to own one.

 

[catalac]

Would say any half ton will pull that trailer fine with proper truck tires and loading, trailer would weight what 3500-4000 lbs 4 sleds and gear another 2500-3000? So 7000 lbs max, most modern 1/2 tons are rated for 12,000lbs plus. I’ve done same both ways a 3500 is nice but a 1500 is more than capable. Have only ever seen a few but could add weight equilization hitch and or friction sway for not a lot of cost if wanted to improve things.

 

[blubbles]

Like others have said i've always found its not a nice feeling towing a 4 place. 2 or 3 are for sure doable, but our older trails west 4 place ragdolled pretty much every half-ton we have ever tried it with. Out of all of them the GM with a 6.2, or the Titan was the best feeling towing, but it wasn't for me. Getting passed by a semi under high winds just didnt give me any confidence in it. Im sure all these fancy hitches and things will help for sure though, but is sorta the band-aid for the problem imo. I think that trailer loaded up is flirting with 8000 lbs.

The same trailer with a 2500 (even a gas job) is night a day. That being said ill stick to my diesel and not worry about it. Its not the power, its the weight as others have said.

 

[M1ryguy]

I dont recommend the half ton but it can be done. I Pulled my 27' enclosed for years with a f-150 ecoboost, I thought it did ok (unless the roads were ch!t or it got windy). I now have an F350 and it is night and day better.

 

[pizalm]

Just stay away from the aluminum fords.. I have towed alot of stuff with 150's and tried towing something with the new fords that i have towed several times before... The trailer got a little squirrely in some road ruts and ended up spinning that truck tight around. Parked the truck and never towed with it again.. Truck is way to light to tow anything

I’ve heard this before, and it’s a load of bs. Comparing it to a similar Silverado a crew cab half ton 6.5 box curb weight is like 300 lbs different. If you had 2 passengers with you does it stay straight? I have a 2016 f150 maybe adding timbrens helped some with the stability but it pulls more than fine for a half ton.


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