What truck to get to tow 7500lb boat

[Toyelectroman]

I currently lease a 1500 ram to tow my 24 foot cruiser that would weight about 7500lbs loaded. The lease will be ending soon and want to purchase my next truck, probably looking at a 3 year old truck. I am not brand loyal, what are all your suggestions on what to get

 

[BRICH1260]

I`d want a 2500 chassis, but that's just me.

 

[Scott Danforth]

2500 with a cummins would be my choice. however I would want an older 12 valve......and a bigger turbo.......and bigger injectors..... and a titanium planetary gear set.....and kevlar clutches...

 

[alldodge]

2500 chassis
If you plan to tow many times or for a large distance get a diesel.
If your only plan to tow a few times a year then gas or diesel.

My preference is diesel

 

[SkaterRace]

How far are you towing? Does the 1500 perform how you want it to? I would say a 1500 would do just fine but I am more comfortable towing closer to max weight than others are. Weather that is me being dumb or not, well that is questionable I guess.

 

[Toyelectroman]

Most of the time i tow 8 miles away from my house to the ramp, but twice a year i tow 100 miles to lake erie. I don't think i can afford a diesel but maybe a 2500 gasser.

 

[Toyelectroman]

Also looking at a 2500 gas the engine numbers they are not much different than the 5.7 ram. Example chevy 6.0 the torque is less and the ford 6.2 is pretty much the same. I know gears play a part but still it all seems pretty close

 

[Sprig]

If you are only towing it about 8 miles and occasionally 100 miles you don't have to go super heavy duty or get a diesel. Look at Ford F-150 with a tow capacity of 8000 or more. You'll save a lot of $$$ by not getting some massive tow vehicle that is way beyond anything you need.

 

[Blind Date]

A 1/2 ton gas truck is all you need. 7500 lbs. is not that heavy & boats pull easy compared to an RV because they are aerodynamic. Plus your not towing very far or very often. If your towing through the mountains that's different. I've used a 3/4 ton gasser (6.0 in a GMC) to pull my 250 Sundancer for 13 years. Sure a diesel would be nice sometimes but it is absolutely not necessary, nor is a 3/4 ton chassis.

Buy a 1/2 ton with the highest rated tow package you can get and call it a day. I think the newer ones are rated to tow as much as my 2004 HD.

 

[GA_Boater]

If I'm reading your post right, you use the 1500 to tow the 7500 lbs. now.

How is it working for you? What motor is in the 1500 and what is the 1500 tow rating? Do you use the truck as a commuter where you rack up the most miles?

If it works for how you use the Ram, I don't see a need to move up to a higher class or diesel. Even going for an 16 mile ride every week with two 200 mile round trips to Erie doesn't call for a diesel. If you made the Erie trip every weekend, a diesel would be a worthy consideration.

I'm in the get a gas Ram/GM 1500 or F-150 properly equipped to tow the load school. Buying used means you may have to look a little longer to find the right one.

 

[bruceb58]

I agree...1/2T is fine for what you are towing especially considering the short distance and you are already using a 1/2T!!!!

 

[four winns 214]

Half-ton is fine. I just traded a 2011 Silverado 4WD 5.3L, extended cab, 3.42 rear end, 6-speed auto, tow package, 52,000 miles. Dealer has it on lot for $23K. I towed 6,500 pounds all day long with, no problem.

 

[SeaDooSam]

Half ton should be adequate. However think down the road, will you want to upgrade to a bigger boat anytime soon? No need to get worse gas mileage in a 2500 if you don't tie long distances very often.

 

[Toyelectroman]

Half-ton is fine. I just traded a 2011 Silverado 4WD 5.3L, extended cab, 3.42 rear end, 6-speed auto, tow package, 52,000 miles. Dealer has it on lot for $23K. I towed 6,500 pounds all day long with, no problem.

I was thinking a 1/2 ton would be fine but wanted to get all of your opinions. The Ram seems alright towing with the 5.7 hemi but wanted to see what other options there are out there. Question when looking at the GM trucks looks like most come with the 5.3 in them. Just looking at hp/tq numbers there seems to be on the low end of the rest the 1/2 tons, would the 5.3 be underpowered? What truck did you get after trading in your 5.3?

 

[bruceb58]

I have a 5.3L in my 99 Silverado with a 5.3L and 3.73 rear end. It is very slow pulling the Wellcraft in my signature up to Lake Tahoe which is a 7k foot climb. I kinda doubt you are going up anything like I am though.

I use an equalizing hitch.

There are certain models of later 1/2T GM trucks that come with a 6.2L.

 

[jmb23802]

I would also consider how long you want the truck to last and what the resale value will be.

For example, when replacing my Silverado 1500 I went with a 2500HD mostly because the transmission GM puts in the 1500 is more or less the same transmission GM put in Camaros in the 80's and 90's with a few upgraded parts and, in my opinion, it is too weak. At 134k the 4L60E in my 1500 was showing signs of getting flaky and when I looked around I found it is not uncommon to see Tahoes, Burbs and Silverados with the 4L60E getting trans rebuilds in the early 100k's mileage. The 2500HD's with the 6.0 gas engine, if not abused, typically wear out the engine in the 250k-350k range before the much beefier 4L80E trans goes out. Plus, the chassis is much beefier all around in a 2500 (I think you get 2x the truck for less than 2x the price with a 2500). I know you are looking at three years old or less so the 4L60 and 4L80 are not around anymore, but I think the principles still apply and something to think about with any brand, especially GM.

All this to say - if you plan to keep the truck for a long time, it might be worth the upgrade to the 2500 chassis regardless of brand. If you are the type that has to have a new(er) truck every few years and are happy with the performance of your current 1500 Ram, then the 1500 is probably the way to go.

 

[bruceb58]

GM puts in the 1500 is more or less the same transmission GM put in Camaros in the 80's and 90's with a few upgraded parts and, in my opinion, it is too weak. At 134k the 4L60E in my 1500 was showing signs of getting flaky and when I looked around I found it is not uncommon to see Tahoes, Burbs and Silverados with the 4L60E getting trans rebuilds in the early 100k's mileage.

Not even close to being true. The 4l60E is many evolutions away from the THM400 and THM200 that existed in the 80s. You put them side by side and they don't even share the same transmission housing!

Most people that have problems with their trannys(any brand), never changed the transmission fluid which is especially necessary when towing. I do a complete fluid change every 30K miles on mine.

If the OP is towing as short of distance and without mountains like he says he is, he doesn't need a 3/4T. If he was towing like I do, I agree, a 3/4T would be a better choice.

 

[Blind Date]

There are certain models of later 1/2T GM trucks that come with a 6.2L.

I was gonna say if you go with a GM 1/2 ton truck the 6.2 would be the way to go. But they are harder to find on the used market than the 5.3. A Ford F150 with the eco-boost V6 should pull like a freight train as well.

 

[TyeeMan]

I'm a died in the wool GM guy, but in all fairness GM has had A LOT of issues with there 4l60e's. I had to have a valve body done in mine around 80K, my in-law bought a 1/2 ton GMC new in 2000, at 60K he had to have the transmission gone through because a few clutch plates disappeared and some other bad stuff happened, my brother smoked his, twice in his Tahoe, and those are just the ones I know personally.
On the flip side, we had a 2001 Suburban 1500 4 X 4 until 3 years ago. I ran synthetic ATF (and everything else), we sold it to my neighbor 3 years ago with 260,000 miles on it and they drive the berjeebers out of it. It's got to have 300,000 + on it by now. And that's the original 4l60E.
155,000 on our 08 Burb 1500, same transmission and it's rock solid.

All that said, whatever truck you by make sure it's got a towing package that includes a transmission cooler. Taller gears like 3:73's are a bonus.

I don't know a whole lot about the Ford EcoBoost V-6, but I have seen those things handily tow large skid Steers on heavy duty trailer, 30 travel trailers, etc. Really impressed how they get off the line with big loads. That said, how long will that small V-6 last pulling like that.

 

[four winns 214]

What truck did you get after trading in your 5.3?

A 2014 Silverado 2500HD diesel to tow a 10,500 pound Ranger Tug R27.

I towed a 21' Sea Ray cuddy up and down the mountains of West Virginia and western Maryland a couple times with ease.