There have been problems with the newer V-6 turbo engines. I would not buy a new one. An older V-8 will be okay. You need to match the truck with the trailer weight.
3/4 Ton Gas vs Diesel vs Tundra
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7000 lb trailer really is on the edge of 1/2 ton towing reasonability. The 2.7L ford F150 I had towed wonderfully and was well-suited for it… and I found it a very comfortable vehicle in almost every regard, and it got great mpg as a DD. But I’m pretty sure that much over 6k would make for a long day. 7k really is stepping into 3/4T capability. I’ve not really been a fan of DD in a 3/4, though admittedly from a NVH perspective, my little DD Tacoma is just as bouncy as an F350- it’s just far easier to steer, maneuver and park. It would stink to sell the larger truck to a Tundra and then regret the towing game.
What’s the tow rating of the Tundra? Non-scientific rule of thumb is to stay beneath 80% capacity
What’s its dry weight? If it’s over 5,000 lbs itself, it might be alright!
What’s the tow rating of the Tundra? Non-scientific rule of thumb is to stay beneath 80% capacity
What’s its dry weight? If it’s over 5,000 lbs itself, it might be alright!
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I believe Tundras have Coilspring rear suspension. The half ton Chevy or Ford with rear leaf springs will do better towing.
There are a whole bunch of F150 configurations rated to 9k and even >10k towing.
I have a 2017 f150 rated for 9900lbs towing. My camper is 7500-8500 loaded. It does just fine. Get a weight distribution hitch and actually set it up correctly and your golden.
So for me, the best Half Ton is the F150.
There are a whole bunch of F150 configurations rated to 9k and even >10k towing.
I have a 2017 f150 rated for 9900lbs towing. My camper is 7500-8500 loaded. It does just fine. Get a weight distribution hitch and actually set it up correctly and your golden.
So for me, the best Half Ton is the F150.
There have been some reports of '25 Tundra's still having engine bearing issues.
I'm generally a Toyota fan, but I'd be leery of buying a new Tundra (or any Toyota/ Lexus with the TTV6, until reports of engine bearing issues stop.
I'm generally a Toyota fan, but I'd be leery of buying a new Tundra (or any Toyota/ Lexus with the TTV6, until reports of engine bearing issues stop.
Depends on the year - Mine is 10,000 lbs. So, 7K is well within your rule of thumb.
The newer ones (twin turbo) are slightly higher, but I would recommend, for both the OP budget as he’s articulated, and for reliability, sticking with a 5.7.
Have you seen all the hoopla about the new body styles? Replacement engines and such? They no longer have the 5.7 NA
Well, that opinioned I voiced is my own.....so yeah I can have it........ Dont tell me what I can and cannot have an opinion on.
"Cobweb Old", not even close, but again, IMO, that makes it (at least up until the TT V6 garbage) the best 1\2 ton of the last 10 years, easily.
I would actually go with the GM truck, but not 1\2 ton unless 2006 at the latest., Brand new, 2500 GM gasser.
Hey, here is another opinion: Ram is a big dumb fat Fiat 500..... and soon Ram will be passed around to the next sucker who wants to make the wrong business decisions and target the wrong crowd to sell to.
You have gotten some good advice here- but have you checked insurance prices. You said you only want to insure one vehicle as one of the reasons - but you may find insurance on the new one isn’t much less than the two old ones.
Sounds like your current setup is perfect. Full size truck in the city - no thanks.
Sounds like your current setup is perfect. Full size truck in the city - no thanks.
GON
$150 Site Donor 2025
I can't provide any recommendations. Unless you have money to burn, I concur with @burbguy82 recommendation. Further, concur with @Astro14 that the Tundra is a no brainer choice.
I have been and still in your dilemma. I currently own four towing vehicles. The 2002 F350 V10 is an awesome truck, with 200k miles. The 2002 F350 has a 4.33 rear end that matches up really nice to the V10.
If you have money- no debate go get the Tundra. If money is a concern, hold onto what you have.
I’ve lived with tons of different 3/4 tons. The older trucks were a more manageable size for daily driving since most were based on the same body as the 1/2 ton.
I want one and need one a fair amount of times but daily life with my extended cab 1/2 ton is much more manageable. The newer trucks with high ride heights and huge hood height are annoyingly large.
My truck is a dream even loaded near or at max payload while towing. My max tow is usually around 4500 lbs though. If I were towing 8k+ with any regularity I’d just live with the big truck and bad economy.
I’m on the path in a few years to keep the 1/2 ton as a DD and a 3/4 ton that lives indoors and doesn’t see snow/salt.
I want one and need one a fair amount of times but daily life with my extended cab 1/2 ton is much more manageable. The newer trucks with high ride heights and huge hood height are annoyingly large.
My truck is a dream even loaded near or at max payload while towing. My max tow is usually around 4500 lbs though. If I were towing 8k+ with any regularity I’d just live with the big truck and bad economy.
I’m on the path in a few years to keep the 1/2 ton as a DD and a 3/4 ton that lives indoors and doesn’t see snow/salt.
I would get a 2026 Ram Bighorn setup with, 5.7 Hemi, factory tow package, mirrors, trailer brake controller, hitch, 3.92 rear axle. I have a friend with a 21, same setup. Very comfortable towing 7,000 lbs.
Couldn’t pay me to take a Tundra. The first and last time I blindly trusted the BITOG collective “TOYOTA OR NOTHING!!!” I ended up stranded on the side of the road 
/rant
Ram 1500 with the 5.7, find a 1500 Classic. Rides great, great power, ZF8 is bullet proof, camshaft/lifter problem is overblown but does happen time to time(allegedly fixed for 2019, mine has been good), yes it will need manifold studs probably around 65k miles, yes mine needed them around 65k miles, no I haven’t dealt with it. I bought a work beater just to keep miles and salt off mine I love it so much. And it tows/hauls fantastically.
/rantRam 1500 with the 5.7, find a 1500 Classic. Rides great, great power, ZF8 is bullet proof, camshaft/lifter problem is overblown but does happen time to time(allegedly fixed for 2019, mine has been good), yes it will need manifold studs probably around 65k miles, yes mine needed them around 65k miles, no I haven’t dealt with it. I bought a work beater just to keep miles and salt off mine I love it so much. And it tows/hauls fantastically.
I usually do not post in threads like this as everyone has their thoughts and opinions,but here goes anyhow.
I drive a 2003 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Diesel daily for work and running around. It's a great truck all around, decent fuel mileage, plenty of power but a bit of a pain in tight areas,ie parking at Depot, Menards etc.
I am looking around at options right now for a new truck and have decided on a new either GMC or Chevy 1/2 ton with the 3.0l diesel And the Tow package. My buddy has one and tows an 8k trailer I believe it's a 28' and handles it Very well even when windy out. He tells me the key to Very limited swaying is good E rated tires.
Well that's my input but it's of course just an opinion.
Larry
I drive a 2003 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Diesel daily for work and running around. It's a great truck all around, decent fuel mileage, plenty of power but a bit of a pain in tight areas,ie parking at Depot, Menards etc.
I am looking around at options right now for a new truck and have decided on a new either GMC or Chevy 1/2 ton with the 3.0l diesel And the Tow package. My buddy has one and tows an 8k trailer I believe it's a 28' and handles it Very well even when windy out. He tells me the key to Very limited swaying is good E rated tires.
Well that's my input but it's of course just an opinion.
Larry
When you say newer body style Tundra are you talking 22+? Not saying they are bad trucks but don't compare to the 07-21 Tundras IMO. Engine issues are not 100% ironed out yet, they still have some work to do. When I test drove one, I was impressed by the power delivery. The interior was very underwhelming to me, felt cheap and not well thought out. I would strongly consider the Gen 2 if you're set on Tundras for 1/2 ton.
Tundra V6 turbo still has engine problems. Wonderful truck, still risky.
In the end, the half ton series of trucks are easier to live with in suburban settings and often provide a better ride than the 3/4 ton trucks.
My 2024 5.0 Lariat was $66K OTD. One can get a very nice F250 for $70K, with a bigger engine, more powa, far more towing.
But I can't fit the 250 in the garage, nor can I easily park it at the local grocery store or WalMart without 4 to 5 back n forth actions.
I drove these things for decades (related to my job). I much prefer the half ton V8's.
My current truck:
Rated to tow 11K, (14K with different rear axle)
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You kind of need to understand what the OP values in a truck before you can say "this is the best for you". Otherwise your opinion is just noise that has no value to the question/OP, though you're definitely welcome to it of course.
I'd love to own the 6.6 gas 2500 as well. Sounds like a great truck.
ok.
In my opinion, unless if this is something you really want to do... I wouldn't. The GC is a better daily than a pickup, and I'm not sure that this is somehow cheaper (you mention insurance costs) when all costs are totaled up. Your 2005 F250 can't be that expensive? I mean, yes dropping from GC+F250 to just one 1/2T or 3/4T might be cheaper on insurance--but is it cheaper on ins and payment too?
Is there anything else compounding this decision? parking spaces, climate induced rust, concerns about impending driveline failures?
I'm also extremely leery of the Tundra V6. Maybe you'd be fine, it has a warranty and all. Just seems like a gamble at this time.
Is there anything else compounding this decision? parking spaces, climate induced rust, concerns about impending driveline failures?
I'm also extremely leery of the Tundra V6. Maybe you'd be fine, it has a warranty and all. Just seems like a gamble at this time.
