| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Dene
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 444
City/Region: Kalama
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Fear Naut & Terra-Sea-Ta
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject: 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton |
 |
|
I'm wanting to haul my 22' Campion and, at times, a 2000 lb. pop up camper. I'm figuring combined weight is 8000 lbs. fully loaded.
The 1/2 ton truck that intrigues me is a loaded '02 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali, 6.0, with quadrasteer (a feature I really want). It's rated as having a 10,000 towing capacity.
Question. Would this be adequate for my needs. I'm figuring it would be towing about 6 times a year with perhaps one of these trips over the Cascades. Rest is flat land hops, like from Portland to Seattle.
-Greg |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
SEA3PO
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 1835
City/Region: Chester
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SEA3PO
Photos: SEA3PO
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Absolutely fine.... I have a Chev. 1/2 ton 4wd...with a 5.3 that tows like a dream.... I did install spring bars and that smoothed out the ride a bunch...it was not a problem, but for long distance you can really notice the difference.
Joel
SEA3PO |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004
Posts: 2020
City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Of course it won't handle the Ranger, Tomcat, or C-25 one of which are on your soon to purchase list, correct?
Don |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
T.R. Bauer
Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 1808
City/Region: Wasilla
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Whisperer
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Buy a dually. They will handle all those. And heck, you can turn a CD 22 sideways and put it in the back of the pickup for kicks while pulling your tomcat. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sam Walker
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 196
City/Region: Wherever the RV is today
State or Province: SD
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dene, When you say the combined weight will be 8,000, do you mean just the truck and camper? Or do you mean including the boat and trailer? I hope that you mean 8,000 just for the truck and camper. If that is so, I think that your projected weight at 8,000 for the truck is a little light.
How much does the base truck weigh? What else are you going have the truck carry besides the camper?
I have a 1997 Ford 3/4 ton. I know it is an apple to oranges comparison both because of maker and age. My Ford weighs almost 6,500 empty. (includes me, full fuel, a spare tire and a Roll and Lock bed cover. It carries a GVW of 8600 pounds. That is barely enough to carry the camper that you have identifed. And it is a 3/4 ton. I am not trying to compare brands, merely trying to point out that towing and carrying capacity listed by the manufacturers are based upon GVW minus empty weight.
Over the years, I have found that at best, the weights provided are optimistic. At worst, they are down right fabrications.
It all goes back to how much the truck truly weighs empty. That is without fuel, driver, options and maybe even the spare tire. Buyer beware. You will only be happy with how little you paid until you start worrying about reliability or moving up to a bigger boat that you will need to tow. How much more will the 3/4 cost? How much is piece of mind worth?
_________________
Sam on C's The Day or maybe Marinauty (Someday)
It does not matter how many moments that you take a breath, It is how many moments take your breath away. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dene
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 444
City/Region: Kalama
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Fear Naut & Terra-Sea-Ta
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Sneaks wrote: | Of course it won't handle the Ranger, Tomcat, or C-25 one of which are on your soon to purchase list, correct?
Don |
Why are you asking such a question? Like myself, you own none of the above.
-Greg
Last edited by Dene on Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dene
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 444
City/Region: Kalama
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Fear Naut & Terra-Sea-Ta
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Sam Walker wrote: | Dene, When you say the combined weight will be 8,000, do you mean just the truck and camper? Or do you mean including the boat and trailer? I hope that you mean 8,000 just for the truck and camper. If that is so, I think that your projected weight at 8,000 for the truck is a little light.
How much does the base truck weigh? What else are you going have the truck carry besides the camper?
I have a 1997 Ford 3/4 ton. I know it is an apple to oranges comparison both because of maker and age. My Ford weighs almost 6,500 empty. (includes me, full fuel, a spare tire and a Roll and Lock bed cover. It carries a GVW of 8600 pounds. That is barely enough to carry the camper that you have identifed. And it is a 3/4 ton. I am not trying to compare brands, merely trying to point out that towing and carrying capacity listed by the manufacturers are based upon GVW minus empty weight.
Over the years, I have found that at best, the weights provided are optimistic. At worst, they are down right fabrications.
It all goes back to how much the truck truly weighs empty. That is without fuel, driver, options and maybe even the spare tire. Buyer beware. You will only be happy with how little you paid until you start worrying about reliability or moving up to a bigger boat that you will need to tow. How much more will the 3/4 cost? How much is piece of mind worth? |
The more I read about the subject, the more diverse opinions I find, which leads to further confusion on my part.
To answer your question, the Campion + Camper + stuff would total 8000 lbs. at the most, which probably gives me a nice margin. I hoping to hear some experiences with those who have used a half ton and did fine...and those who didn't. Personally, I'd prefer to buy a half ton over the other. Bigger selection, better fuel mileage, and cheaper price.
-Greg |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Doryman
Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 3807
City/Region: Anacortes
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Lori Ann
Photos: Lori Ann
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
In a previous incarnation, with a Dodge 1500 I pulled an aluminum Hewescraft that weighed about the same as a C-22 while carrying a lightweight popup camper. On the flat it was OK but going up any kind of mountain passes I would have to gear down and go about 35. What you are talking about is about 2-3,000 # heavier. I predict that if you go this route, you will soon encounter buyer's remorse.
Warren
_________________
Doryman
M/V Lori Ann
TomCat 255, Hull #55, 150 Yamahas
Anacortes, WA
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SEA3PO
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 1835
City/Region: Chester
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SEA3PO
Photos: SEA3PO
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have a 2001 Chev. pickup half ton...and tow a 22'...I have a shell but not a camper....and my truck does not even shift down on the hills.... I go over the grade at 65 no problems at all... even gets good mileage...15 towing.... the boat is always fully loaded...
Joel
SEA3PO |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
B~C
Joined: 31 Oct 2003
Posts: 2872
City/Region: Bend
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 1999
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Blue~C
Photos: Blue~C
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
lots of good towing and camper info here-
http://www.rv.net/forum/
these folks make, what appears to be, some nice light weight, no frills campers. There is a dealer down in Hazeldell, I keepintending to stop in and take a look.
http://panthercampers.com/
GCVW is what you want to look at. That would be the weight of the truck, camper, boat and gear
_________________
Ken
1999 22' boaterhome |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DaveS
Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 3204
City/Region: Arlington
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Shift
Photos: Sea Shift
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| B~C wrote: |
GCVW is what you want to look at. That would be the weight of the truck, camper, boat and gear |
Ken is right on with the above statement. I would venture to say that there are a LOT of Tow rigs with campers towing boats that easily exceed their GCVW.
(At one time I crunched the figures and decided that I didn't need any camper.....that's what the C-Dory that I'm pulling behind me is for.)
As B~C said many years ago.....it's a "Boaterhome, not a Motorhome".
_________________
Dave S.
"Sea Shift"
C-Brat #16 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dene
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 444
City/Region: Kalama
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Fear Naut & Terra-Sea-Ta
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| DaveS wrote: | | B~C wrote: |
GCVW is what you want to look at. That would be the weight of the truck, camper, boat and gear |
Ken is right on with the above statement. I would venture to say that there are a LOT of Tow rigs with campers towing boats that easily exceed their GCVW.
(At one time I crunched the figures and decided that I didn't need any camper.....that's what the C-Dory that I'm pulling behind me is for.)
As B~C said many years ago.....it's a "Boaterhome, not a Motorhome". |
You raise a heck of a point about a "boaterhome." It would be unlikely that I'd use the camper and the boat. Very easy to pull into an RV park and sleep in the boat. Perhaps a half ton would suffice.
-Greg |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
marvin4239
Joined: 06 Feb 2007
Posts: 1165
City/Region: Jacksonville Florida/Wilmington NC
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-FLE II
Photos: C-FLE II
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've got a 3/4 ton 96 Ford four wheel drive diesel I bought in 96 to pull a 34' fifth wheel. It's a great truck but it rides like a tank unless loaded or pulling. Newer 3/4 tons may ride better. I no longer have the fifth wheel and if I were to buy a new truck I'd take a close look at the 1/2 tons for the better ride. Just food for thought.
_________________
marvin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chester
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 1176
City/Region: home
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sold to lovely couple
Photos: Chester
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| marvin4239 wrote: | | I've got a 3/4 ton 96 Ford four wheel drive diesel I bought in 96 to pull a 34' fifth wheel. It's a great truck but it rides like a tank unless loaded or pulling. Newer 3/4 tons may ride better. I no longer have the fifth wheel and if I were to buy a new truck I'd take a close look at the 1/2 tons for the better ride. Just food for thought. |
Assuming you aren't hauling heavy loads around there is an easy way to improve the ride. All you have to do is pull a leaf or two out of the spring pack. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 8650
City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Milehog wrote: | | marvin4239 wrote: | | I've got a 3/4 ton 96 Ford four wheel drive diesel I bought in 96 to pull a 34' fifth wheel. It's a great truck but it rides like a tank unless loaded or pulling. Newer 3/4 tons may ride better. I no longer have the fifth wheel and if I were to buy a new truck I'd take a close look at the 1/2 tons for the better ride. Just food for thought. |
Assuming you aren't hauling heavy loads around there is an easy way to improve the ride. All you have to do is pull a leaf or two out of the spring pack. |
You can do the leaf spring adjustment trick with boat trailers with light loads on them, too.
The reverse, adding an extra spring or two to handle more weight, won't work, though, unless you're sure the trailer frame and all the rest can handle the extra weight, and the brakes have the extra stopping power.
Joe.  
_________________
Sea Wolf, C-Brat #31
Lake Shasta, California
  
"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Search
Private Messages
Profile
Log in
Register
Help
