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Regular
Posts: 59
| Looking into getting a truck to be able to pull my trailer to go to shows! My trailer is only a 2 horse stock trailer. I'm looking into a truck that can pull weight good and will last! Price isn't really the matter for me since I am planing on buying used. What trucks do you like to use for pulling your trailers to go to shows? Not really wanting a diesel since I will be using this to drive to school and go to shows as well! Please no negative comments just want to know what you like to use to pull your trailers. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
  
| Bumper pull or gooseneck?
I pulled a 2 horse bumper pull for a long time with an F150. It was a good truck until it wasn't, and then it went downhill real fast and almost stranded me a few times.
A co worker had a Chevy half ton that took a similar crap on him though, cam shaft and timing chain issues.
I went from the half ton to a 3/4ton diesel and it was night and day.
I wouldn't go back to towing a trailer of any size with a half ton. The extra power and ability to maintain speed going up hills and get up to speed safetly when getting onto the highways is huge. I will say I don't have experience with the newer half tons, mine was a 2004 with fords 5.4L.
Fuel economy is not going to be the bees knees on 3/4tons though. When I upgraded to my 3/4ton I also bought a beater car that got about 35mpg to be my daily driver. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | my first truck was a gmc 1500. pulled my 2 horse trailer without a prob. but it was 2 wheel drive and the O2 sensor was going, so when i was able to it got traded for a chevy 2500 gas guzzler. that was great except the fuel bill was a bit over the top (bought it and it wasnt stock, lifted, tired and exhaust). that got traded for a chevy 3500 dually diesel, which is my baby and what ill keep till it dies. (also upgraded trailer to a 4h gn so need this truck) all of these trucks were my daily drivers. the 1500 was great parking wise as was the 2500. current truck is a pain but hey i dont mind walking |
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Regular
Posts: 63
Location: B-F-E | The 2016 Ford F150s pull really nice and gets decent gas mileage when not pulling. My husband has one with the 2.7L V6 eco boost and it pulled my 2 horse slant effortlessly. The 3.5 V6 has the best towing capability, even more than a V8. And fords tend to hold their value better I think. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| I just got a truck a few weeks ago to haul my two horse trailer. I got a dodge ram 1500 Crew Cab. It has these really handy ram boxes on either side to hold tack, my hitch groceries. It has a little over 10000 lb towing capacity. Perfect for what I need it for and not crazy on gas. Well, unless I'm hauling a trailer lol. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | I love my Ford, but it is an older 3/4 ton diesel with the 7.3L engine. 350,000 miles and going strong. Honestly, I don't like any of the half ton Ford, Chevy, GMC or Dodge trucks. I haven't seen one yet that holds up to being used for much. They seem to be building the half tons as a comfortable car that you can pull a boat with or use to pick up some bags of mulch.
I haven't looked into it closely, but I know a couple of people who have Toyota half tons that they pull with all the time. They seem to be holding up and I never hear them complain about their trucks. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Nita - 2017-01-08 11:11 PM
I love my Ford, but it is an older 3/4 ton diesel with the 7.3L engine. 350,000 miles and going strong. Honestly, I don't like any of the half ton Ford, Chevy, GMC or Dodge trucks. I haven't seen one yet that holds up to being used for much. They seem to be building the half tons as a comfortable car that you can pull a boat with or use to pick up some bags of mulch.
I haven't looked into it closely, but I know a couple of people who have Toyota half tons that they pull with all the time. They seem to be holding up and I never hear them complain about their trucks.
We hauled our first trailer (bumper pull) then our second trailer (LQ) with my Tundra and never had a problem, even hauling in mountains in North AR. |
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | I don't haul with anything less than a 3/4 ton truck. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 338
Location: NE TX | I've had good luck with my 5.3 V8 Silverado. I drive it to work, I haul my RV (8600lbs), I haul my trailer (2H bumper pull), when I went to school I drove it to school, I haul stuff in the bed a lot for my work. It's a nice truck and gets pretty good gas mileage if you aren't wanting to go diesel.
If you are pulling a gooseneck I would go with something larger and possibly a diesel. Best thing to do is look at your trailer weight loaded and see what that is, and look for a truck that is capable of hauling that trailer. Like my truck has max capacity of 10,000lbs (I think don't quote me on that) so I know I can't get a trailer that is loaded down and weighs 12,000lbs.
You can't go wrong with Chevy, Dodge, or Ford really. They all have their own issues and they all have their good qualities. Toyota is also nice but it is pricey.
Edited by Flamin10 2017-01-09 9:26 AM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Ellensburg, Washington | Longevity wise I would go with a 3/4 ton diesel. I have a 3/4 Dodge and it only gets about 4 MPG less than my daily driver and that isn't driving conservativly. If you go with a gas truck (IMHO), you will be replacing it quicker, loosing mileage when you are pulling with it and not really "gaining" anything. Again, this is all my opinion. :-) Good luck on your search! |
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 Hummer's Hero
Posts: 3071
Location: Smack Dab in the Middle | I bought a '15 Ram 1500 with a Hemi as a daily driver so that I could pull my aluminum 2H BP. It is great for short trips--running one to the vet or to the arena to ride. Or to just have an extra rig if hubby and I both want to go somewhere on the same day. I do make sure my trailer brakes work well--because no matter the size, it's not about IF you can pull it...it's IF you can stop it!
If I'm going any distance, I do pull it with the dually because the half ton isn't any better on mileage in tow, and it just has to work harder. As far as daily driving, I LOVE my half ton. It has "eco-mode" and makes over 19 mpg on the hwy (well over 20 on the county blacktop type trips--steady 60-65 mph type driving). We did test drive all of the Big 3, and Ram was hands down the best to drive.
I am tempted to step up to a 2500 when it's time to upgrade--but that won't be anytime soon, and my half ton does the job. |
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