Which? 1/2-ton truck or 3/4-ton truck for RV towing w/Big Truck Big RV 

I did not have an RV before nor do I plan to acquire one in the near future. However, I recently upgraded from a 2008 Nissan Titan to a 2022 RAM 2500 4x4 Hemi. We recently did a road trip from Texas to Kentucky and the RAM performed very well. Nothing was towed but we did put a bed cover on the truck to have plenty of room for luggage. The RAM only has a 31 gallon fuel tank due to the short bed but we have to stop for food and restroom breaks as well. I bought the truck from dealer inventory rather than ordering and waiting for one to be built. Now that I have some travel time experience, I would order the truck again with a long bed and the 50 gallon fuel tank.

I owned a 2017 Ram 1500 5.7l rated to tow 9700lbs with a payload of 1400lbs My Travel Trailer has a GVWR 9650 to which I never maxed out and is 36' long. I managed to pull the trailer around 3000 miles on several trips with an Equalizer WD hitch and had way too many white knuckle experiences. I went ahead and purchased a Hensley Hitch which made towing better and really helped in the wind. Now with that being said the truck never struggled but I didn't like maxing out my truck and hated being pushed around.This past winter I purchased a '19 Ram 2500 6.4l Hemi with a towing capacity of 16,000lbs and 3000lbs of cargo. The very first time I towed with the 3/4 ton it was a night and day difference. It towed so much better, going next to a semi was no issue, wind is no problem most of the time and many more positives; here is the kicker both trucks cost about the same. My advice is go 3/4 ton if you plan to tow a travel trailer and never look back

F150 is an amazing entry level truck(for RVing). It can do everything you need it to, BUT when the wind blows or weather conditions change for the worst it will not be a fun experience. My hands were dripping sweat in 15 mph winds.

Great video and all the reasons listed are why I went with a hd. It wasn't that my 1/2 ton was bad because I was only towing 5,000# but it was a travel trailer and at highway speeds along with tractor trailers wasn't a fun experience. My heavy duty truck is night and day difference.

Fantastic video about towing and your guy hit all the right points on towing, this is why my next truck will be a dually😉

Thank you. Man I wish I lived next door to you. I grew up ranching in the mountains of NM. I’m now a retired airline captain and own a construction company building and remodeling luxury homes. I appreciate what you guys do so so much. I wish I could help you do even more. I’m nearing a time where I need to purchase a new pickup. I would like to tow a dump trailer and a 16’ cargo trailer. I need to not require a CDL (Ohio) as I take a medication that is barred from CDL certification. Here in is my quandary. (1) do I buy a 1-ton or 3/4 ton. (2) do I just buy a 1/2 ton that can pull the 16’ cargo and outsource the dumpster trailer? I currently drive a 1-ton ford transit high cab extended AWD loaded with leather, nav, etc. It is a supremely utilitarian vehicle. It literally carries all I need. But you cannot tow much with it and truthfully. It’s a pain to use as a daily driver. I wondering if I can really equip a 1/2 ton to do what I need. I really like the ford hybrid f-150. I also really like RAM, GMC, Toyota and Chevy designs currently. It be easier if I hated or liked one far better than the other. I really like the GM tailgate. But living in the rust belt, I like fords aluminim body.

One of the biggest considerations that should be thought about is, when you're not towing. I live in the Chicago suburbs, and I find myself needing to use parking garages frequently. My F-150 barely fits, and I usually end having to pass up a lot of spaces because cars on either side are not parked properly. For someone like me it would be better to get a ProPride hitch, be more careful and tow heavier than 6k lbs. My max tow pkg 4x4 has a max tow rating of 12.5k lbs. with 1824 lbs payload. So, towing an 8k-9k lbs trailer may not be ideal but doable, especially if you only tow that a few times a year.

I really appreciate this video. I own a 30’ Grand Design which my F150 is rated to tow safely, however, I did add air bags to stop the wonky bouncing that I was experiencing even with a weight distribution rig. Therefore, because the ford had 145000 miles on it and because of the towing experience I ordered a 4x4 Ram 2500 Tradesman with the level 2, chrome package, spray in bed liner, 4.10 rear end etc…. This truck’s VIN has a payload of 2880lbs and a tow rating of 17,083 towing capacity with an 8’ bed. I ordered on Dec.22nd so still waiting but by ordering I didn’t have to pay the dealership markup which ranged from $3500 to $6000 depending on the 4 dealerships I visited so I was willing to wait. I did get a good trade in value for my 2013 Ford at $13,500. This video addressed several of my concerns one of which was the towing exp. with a longer bed and the longer foot print so again thank you.

JD is awesome! So intelligent!

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Max Trailering Package on my sierra with a 5.3L specs out at 11,100 lbs max conventional hitch. The 6.2L engine upgrade would have took it to 12,100 lbs. I choose this package over the X31 setup and am very pleased with it's towing performance as a 1/2 ton.

Great video, I'm so glad I recommended him to you. Now look I've watched all of both of your videos. Sounds like a 3/4 ton might be in your future. Especially, since your not using it that much except for towing and with a nice strong bumper with winch in front. You know for all those special pulling stump moments. Maybe you can do a joint video of going out looking for your 1st RV together and showing us viewers with the new truck and trailer maybe with J.D. as well. Or you travel to Texas and do a joint RV video of more what you and your wife are looking for.

The Ford towing guide, not sure about the other manufacturers, does state the maximum frontal area of a trailer. Most people don’t take this into account. From Ford: Frontal Area is the total area in square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer exposes to air resistance.

The toyota tundra allows you to angle your headlights up/down with a dial in the truck.

I know you ruled out Toyota Tundra but it sounded like he was describing a Tundra. I know that they are the same design but it tows great.

Howdy, been down this road, had a half ton, bought a 26ft camper, white knuckle is a understatement, wind and on coming traffic (tractor/trailer). So went out and got a f-250 crew cab short box,, now I enjoy towing again. Go up to a 3/4 ton.

7:12 i had no idea that the air suspension in a ram added about a thousand pounds... not missing that option near as much after that news. wonder how much those 12" displays weigh it down lol?

If you dont mind a little rougher ride when not towing id go with a crew f-250. The cost of the superduty vs f-150 is almost identical. Even with options. Any engine is good for that truck. Personally id go with 6.2 if i wanted a little better gas milage, but the new 7.3 is a beast too. Also i Would personally not go diesel though cause thats not necessary ( so sick of the “i need a diesel trend”). If you had to get any 1/2 ton truck, defiantly go 3.5 ecoboost. They are the beast in towing in 1/2 ton segment. Hope my advice can help with your decision. 👍

I see the comments are full of people suggesting Nissan Titan XD, but Ford and Chevy learned in the 90's there's no market for a "heavy half". Titan sales in general are proof of it. There are two truck markets, full floating rear axle or semi floating. It's really that simple.

A 3/4 ton truck rides okay when you switch to Bilstein 4600 shocks. If the truck has leaf springs. The sulastic shackles will give a ride similar to coil springs, or better. I have a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. My wife has a Ram 2500 Cummins. Her truck empty, weighs more than my trucks GVW. The empty weight has a 2200# difference. We have an old 27' travel trailer that can be towed by either truck. But the 2500 has way more control of the trailer. Ford F150's can be optioned to be like a 3/4 in capacity. But they are still light enough to be pushed around. I thought Nebraska farmers were like farmers everywhere else. And usually overloaded their equipment.

Most people tow on rare occasions but use their truck as a daily driver. A 3/4 ton truck may not be a good daily drivers. When not towing, they still get poor fuel economy. Is overbuying your truck on the chance that you may someday get an RV that a 1/2 ton truck can’t handle a good idea? Maybe you’re better off picking a 1/2 ton truck that’s setup for max tow. The F150 you looked at isn’t a good tow vehicle. The battery weight takes away from payload. Look at it again with max payload. I have a super crew cab STX 3.5 with 6.5’ bed. It tows very well.

I have a 2022 grand design transcend 221rb, hitch weight 519 pounds, dry weight 5389 and gvwr 6995 it is 11ft tall and 26ft 10in long. I bought a 2022 ford f150 xlt, it's just myself and my wife we carry nothing in the bed. The payload is 1645 pounds and a tow rating of 7600 pounds we are within all the numbers loaded. I couldn't find any length rating. Very seldom do people load rite up to the gvwr of the travel trailer. Our combination is like I said within the numbers loaded. I am 65 and have been towing travel trailers since I was 16 (my father taught me). My question is what makes this man an expert, you can tow with a half ton as long as you are within the payload and tow rating I can't find any length limit from the truck manufacturers.

Question 1 is how often are you going to be towing? Is it worth getting 3/4 ton and then tow only few times a year. Go with a capable 1/2 ton. You are not full time RVer you don't need 3/4 ton. Come to Colo Springs and I'll let you test drive my F150 powerstroke with 27ft 6500lb camper. Take it on the fwy, take it up some mountain passes. Give you an idea what's like....

JD the man with the invisible face..JK JD..LOL

I tow a 34ft 9k travel trailer safely with a 2019 F150 3.5L ecoboost with max tow package. I use an Equalizer WDH with sway control and airbags. I typically tow at 65mph. I tow in Colorado from 5k to 11k feet elevation. This truck has done the Ike gauntlet. These 1/2 tons are capable full-size trucks and can tow well when setup properly.

I tow with a 2017 f150 xl supercab payload 2065#s v8 5.0 3.31 gears 6 spead I added airbags to firm up the rearend and eliminate any squat plus keep the head lights pointed down . The factory has two set's of numbers one is distribution rating and the other is caring rating of 5000# tow 500# tongue. I tow a airstream 16rb loaded out weights 3500#s tongue 410#s that being said I tow directly off the hitch without any weight distribution hitch or sway bar. Never ever had any sway issue's with trucks passing in ether direction or side wind's . What I love is the 15mpg at 60mpr and with fuel capacity of 66 gallons a range of 900 plus miles. I'm way over truck and love it. Great video, just my two cents.

My vote is for the F150 Powerboost!

A half ton truck will tow a 45 foot camper easily in 0 wind and 0 traffic. I bought a 38 foot 2017 jayco eagle 330rsts, which is 38 feet long, when I had a gmc half ton with 6.2. It had plenty of power to pull it but the stability with cross winds would scare you to death. I have a ram 2500 now and if the wind is blowing over 20mph from the side it will still get a bit frightening, but way more manageable. You are totally in a position to buy a 1/2 ton drive it for a year and get a bigger truck to compare. I would say for anyone else, buy the biggest truck you can stand to daily drive, or buy a little cheap work car too...Before I bought my camper I always thought JD was kinda full of it saying 1/2 ton trucks shouldn’t tow more than a 24 or 25 foot trailer...he is not wrong! He is preaching the towing gospel!

You have to look at what trailer you’ll be towing....hitch aka bumper pull vs 5th wheel

I find JD's premise to be bogus. "Buy bigger than you need because I know people who bought too small a trailer the first time"...? How about renting or borrowing the size & type trailer your family thinks it wants, if you are unsure, then evaluate, perhaps repeat if necessary, and then buy - RV and truck - with knowledge rather than 'what if'. He has pitched this same logic multiple times on his channel and, while I have always respected his advice on sizing the TV to the TT, this is true 'tail wagging the dog' purchasing logic.

Darn pop-up ads!!!

This conversation is why the Titan XD exists....

Titan HD 5/8 TON :)

Titan XD!!!!!!