1/2 ton towing

[Franchi]

Anyone pull the lighter 5th wheels with a 1/2 ton. I like the ride of the Chevy, but the years I'm looking at purchasing they only make the 5.8 box in crew cab. I don't want to go to the double cab cause I have 3 kids that need to ride with and it looks too small for what I need. Does anyone pull with the Chevy and 5.8 box crew cab? How does it handle?

 

[Auggie]

I'd look at a Tundra. Ive always been a Chevy guy. Tundra fit the bill and has more power than the Chevy 6 liter. I have a double cab. It's way more comfortable than the club cab and has a 6.5ft box.

 

[Vollmer]

Lifetime Chevy guy, and i switched to Tundra. World of difference. Pull a 28' 5th wheel and boat behind with it. No issues. I could never have done that with my chevy.

 

[Trav]

Lifetime Chevy guy here also, I was forced to buy a crew cab Ford with the 6.5' box to pull a 28' fith wheel. To be honest it has been the best pick up i have ever owned. Pulls like a dream, average pulling mpg right around 10, and the Fords have so much more room than the Chevy's do. I hope that one day the Chevy 1/2 tons can catch up to the Fords. BTW Gross wieght with fully loaded camper and pickup is right around 15k.

 

[riverview]

I didn't think you could put a fifth wheel hitch in a 1/2 ton chevy, I know my 08 1/2 ton Chevrolet wt with towing package said in the manual not to?

 

[raider]

you definitely can pull them with a 1/2 ton, but you should be aware of the risks that come with it...

the newer 1/2s have more hp and tq than most of the earlier pulling trucks, but are generally built for a smooth ride and better gas mileage... the newer 1/2s will normally run rear end gears that will yield the best mileage along with a tow mode which switches the tranny shift points to be able to pull heavier loads to compensate for the rear end... the one thing that is not easily adjustable is the suspension... the 1/2s are set up to ride smoothly to compete with the suv and crossover market, and are not easily switched, yet...

if you are gonna pull a few times a year on relatively flat roads at reasonable speeds, you should be fine with any full sized 1/2... if you are gonna pull near max weight through the mountains, at high speeds, or in generally windy areas, maybe not... even though the 1/2s with towing packages come with tranny coolers, and adjustable trailer brake controllers, you might want to look at a 3/4 for the additional safety of the heavier suspension...

fwiw, i would rate the toyota 1/2s more like the big 3s 3/4 tons for towing capability, along with the mileage of a 3/4 with pulling gears... i just don't understand why toyota doesn't drop a mileage motor and highway gears in their 1/2s, and build a 3/4 with slightly beefed up suspension from what they run in their 1/2s... imo they could dominate both markets...

good luck...

 

[Norske]

You want a box long enough that the 5th wheel plate can be positioned a couple inches in front of the rear axle. If it's right above, or worse anywhere behind the rear axle, the load will cause a loss of traction (steering) at the front wheels. There are "slider" hitches, but just getting an 8' box is better.
IMHO, 1/2T pickups are little more than a car with a small box.

 

[all4eyes]

Not a Chevy guy, but have been pulling with a ford for years. Currently pulling a 26' cougar bunk house with the 5.0 and 6.5'box. No complaints from me. Have plenty of power and average 10 to 12 mpg from Minot to Audabon.

 

[guywhofishes]

Do some research on 1/2 ton RAM ecodiesels - you will be amazed.

26mpg real world (not towing of course), great towing capability (especially with 4-corner air suspension).

Go drive one before you scoff.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/10/2014-canadian-truck-king-challenge-how-we-test.html

I read the other day that diesel costs less than gas in like 12 states now. And is forecast to go down further. Who woulda thunk it a year ago?

 

[johnr]

Dodge?

 

[KDM]

Guywhofishes, I think johnr's been in your truck.