Best truck to buy for 401RG Minnie TT

samm66 · 10-12-2021, 06:29 AM

It’s 27 ft by the way with a towing capacity of 7000lbs for load 5000lbs dry on the truck…. I’m looking for the best Truck to buy. I bought camper thinking my GMC truck could pull it it’s a V8 to 2009 but the engine transmission just wasn’t capable for whatever reason. Would love suggestions please. I’m thinking For 150 eco boost but would like suggestions. Thank you

**creativepart** · 10-12-2021, 07:40 AM

You’ll get many opinions on this. Getting more truck than you need is not going to cause you problems, but getting too little truck will.

A 1/2 ton pickup (Ford F-150) with a factory tow package could probably do okay, but a 3/4 ton ( Ford F-250) would be better.

You can apply the same specs to Chevy and Ram, as well.

DavidM · 10-12-2021, 09:07 AM

It will be a stretch to pull 7,000 lbs with an Eco Boost engine particularly in mountain roads. I would prefer more cubes as in the V8 for that TT. Surprised your GMC with a V8 wouldn't do it but all the more reason to get a heavier truck, like the F250 creativepart suggests.

David

**Eagle5** · 10-12-2021, 09:26 AM

Hi Sam,
Get the Ford V8 Godzilla!
Welcome to the forum.
Eagle5

Godzilla

**creativepart** · 10-12-2021, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidM

It will be a stretch to pull 7,000 lbs with an Eco Boost engine particularly in mountain roads.

David, I towed 6,500 pounds of TT with a V8 Ford Expedition EL with a factory tow package and it did "just OK." But when I got a new Expedition EL with the EcoBoost with a factory tow package it was a towing beast and tackled the Rockies without any issues. The Expedition is based on a F150 truck chassis.

I will say though, that when we looked at moving to a bigger TT above 7000 lbs we knew we would have to move to a F250 type tow vehicle.

Keep in mind that 7000 lbs is the fully loaded weight and the dry weight is 5,000 lbs. For most people this would be 1/2 ton pickup territory. That's why they spec the trailer at those numbers - to accommodate people that already own a 1/2 ton pickup.

Getting a factory tow package (3.73 rear end, too) and using a weight distribution hitch are the key's to making this work at 1/2 ton pickup sizing.

DavidM · 10-12-2021, 12:39 PM

I have no doubt that the Eco Boost puts out enough power and torque to tow 7,000 lbs. But that is not the whole story. That torque is produced by 3.5 liters. I would much rather have that torque produced by a 5+ liter engine for better engine life.

David

**creativepart** · 10-12-2021, 05:18 PM

The Ford 3.5L EcoBoost has TEN years of proof under it's belt that it can handle heavy loads and strenuous conditions. I wouldn't worry about it at all. After owning both, the Ecoboost wins in all areas of competition in my book.

Raxel7851 · 10-12-2021, 06:25 PM

I have the 7.3L Godzilla engine that Eagle mentioned in our 2021 22M on the E-350 chassis. That thing is a beast!!! We’re averaging 11.5 Mpg with it.

Elkman · 10-15-2021, 03:22 PM

The problem in the past with the Ford small engines that use a turbo to boost power is that when towing up grades the unit would overheat and the computer would shut it down without warning. Once everything cooled down the engine would start and people could continue on their way.

Where people go wrong is in not getting the right gears and the largest fuel tank available for their truck. The trucks on the dealers lots usually have the tallest gears made and not a good choice for towing. Same applies wtih the gas tanks where the Toyota Tundra is stock with a large gas tank but one needs to special order the larger tank with Ford and Ram and there is no large gas tank option with GM trucks. Get 3.73 or lower gears and the engine can stay within its peak power band with less gear changes.

Towing more than 10,000 lbs a Class 2500 is a good idea to get the stronger frame and better brakes and for more than 12,000 lbs the diesel engine is worth considering for power going up grades and when passing or trying to merge with freeway traffic and for the engine braking on steep downgrades.

Where I live and travel there are often freeway onramps that provide less than 200 feet to go from 20 mph to 55 mph and have a chance to merge with traffic. With a 13,000 lb boat and trailer load the diesel engine was a godsend. Most motorists and truckers will not bother to move out of the slow lane to accommodate other motorists trying to get onto the highway and so one needs more power to stay safe.

**creativepart** · 10-15-2021, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkman

The problem in the past with the Ford small engines that use a turbo to boost power is that when towing up grades the unit would overheat and the computer would shut it down without warning. Once everything cooled down the engine would start and people could continue on their way.

This has never been a problem for the modern Ford 3.7L Ecoboost in their F150 trucks or F150-based SUVs. It's a great towing vehicle. Ask anyone that's owned one.

crm2525 · 10-18-2021, 09:22 PM

i have towed my 2401rg with both 1500 and 2500, both do well. however the real number you need is your payload capacity, i'll bet you go over the number on your 1500. winnebago's seem nose heavy due to where the rear axles are located. i bought a sherline scale to weigh my tongue weight, and with the rv lightly loaded but with two full propane bottles and two 12v batteries, i was at 950 lbs, well over the 10-15% recommended tongue weight. just for comparison i removed both tanks and batteries and was still at 750 lbs.
also remember it's not just pulling the rv but stopping as well. i believe the 2500 is the only real option for you regardless of which manufacturer you choose. good luck!!