Anyone recommend a good full-size truck for towing?

5/3/2021 11:29am Edited Date/Time 7/7/2021 10:44pm
I just bought a 22 foot travel trailer with a dry weight of 4,300lbs. I currently drive a Chevrolet Colorado with trailering package and have a max towing capacity of 7,000lbs.

I towed it last week completely full and sitting around 5,000lbs through the hills of Fallbrook, CA to Jamul, CA and the truck did well but obviously felt sluggish and a little forced at times. I want to get a full size and was wondering what you guys recommend?

One of my options is to trade the Colorado in for a Silverado or buy an old F-250; however the used trucks are basically just as expensive as new trucks.

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5/3/2021 1:12pm Edited Date/Time 5/3/2021 1:12pm
Depends what kinda person you are.

If you want something that you’re gonna keep forever, get a tundra.

If you want all the bells & whistles and always upgrade every few years, pick any brand.
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5/3/2021 6:49pm
Bigoldbeef wrote:
Depends what kinda person you are. If you want something that you’re gonna keep forever, get a tundra. If you want all the bells & whistles...
Depends what kinda person you are.

If you want something that you’re gonna keep forever, get a tundra.

If you want all the bells & whistles and always upgrade every few years, pick any brand.
Tundra is bulletproof. I owned a 2002 and sold it in 2018 for $7,000 with 280K miles. I’m leaning towards a Silverado since it’s on affordable side compared to a Tundra 😬
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sumdood
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5/3/2021 9:32pm Edited Date/Time 5/3/2021 9:54pm
sumdood wrote:
You could pick up a used Cummins diesel for under 30K that wouldn't even notice that trailer
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/1D7KS28C37J528252
That’s exactly what I need. I want to be able to tow without any issues. Hoping to head to the dealers this weekend.
Our 2005 has treated us well. Had a 10k plus pound toy hauler with no issues. And carries our “downsized” lance and trailer no problem. 148K miles and counting
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gristle568
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5/4/2021 6:06pm
The Nissan titans are really nice trucks and often over looked. Have 5 year 100k bumper to bumper warranty. Most of the time they have decent rebates on new ones.
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Dirtydeeds
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5/4/2021 7:53pm
gristle568 wrote:
The Nissan titans are really nice trucks and often over looked. Have 5 year 100k bumper to bumper warranty. Most of the time they have decent...
The Nissan titans are really nice trucks and often over looked. Have 5 year 100k bumper to bumper warranty. Most of the time they have decent rebates on new ones.
Ya ever wondered why theres “decent rebates”?
TXDirt
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5/4/2021 8:14pm Edited Date/Time 5/4/2021 8:15pm
If you are doing short haul trips then Tundra is fine. But with that size trailer it’s just a lot for long haul. I’ve got a 2010 Tundra with tow package and it gets horrible has mileage and then add a trailer it gets worse. And it just struggles pulling those weights long distance. If I ever get another trailer I’m either getting one of the ultra lights or I’m getting a Ford F-250 or hell maybe both.
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JBecker 72
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5/5/2021 7:17am
I own a 2015 Tundra and love it. But it’s not without limitations. Namely payload. It’s really easy to hook up a camper to one and not have any additional room for the wife, kids, cargo, etc. when you factor in the tongue weight. Honestly I bet my truck and your Colorado hold pretty much the same load. This is why my two friends who have campers like that sold their half tons (one was a Tundra) and now they have a 2500HD and an F250. That and the real full size trucks tow and stop so much nicer than a half ton.
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5.9_bro
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5/5/2021 7:18am
I’d find out what your wet weight is going to be,
Probably near 7-8k fully loaded. I’d go with a new 1500 gasser or a Cummins, just up to you. Will get around the same MPG with both
crowe660
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5/5/2021 12:28pm
Bigoldbeef wrote:
Depends what kinda person you are. If you want something that you’re gonna keep forever, get a tundra. If you want all the bells & whistles...
Depends what kinda person you are.

If you want something that you’re gonna keep forever, get a tundra.

If you want all the bells & whistles and always upgrade every few years, pick any brand.
Tundra is bulletproof. I owned a 2002 and sold it in 2018 for $7,000 with 280K miles. I’m leaning towards a Silverado since it’s on affordable...
Tundra is bulletproof. I owned a 2002 and sold it in 2018 for $7,000 with 280K miles. I’m leaning towards a Silverado since it’s on affordable side compared to a Tundra 😬
I’ve owned my 2000 Tundra since 01. 250k. It’s been on winter duty for over a decade, and my daily is a 14 Raptor. I’ll sell my Raptor before I sell my Tundra. The Tundra can tow, but I wouldn’t want to tow a trailer that big regularly.

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MelonFan123
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5/5/2021 2:54pm
Another vote for a Tundra here. I have a 2015 2wd with the 5.7L V8 that I use to tow my 27' travel trailer (6500lbs dry and 8800lbs fully loaded). Tows and stops it just fine. Just did a long multi-sate trip through NV and Utah.

I will say, the mpg does SUCK. Also, the towing experience got much better after I added airbags, billstein shocks and E-rated 34" Falken tires. The stock tires were horrible for towing
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gristle568
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5/5/2021 3:20pm
gristle568 wrote:
The Nissan titans are really nice trucks and often over looked. Have 5 year 100k bumper to bumper warranty. Most of the time they have decent...
The Nissan titans are really nice trucks and often over looked. Have 5 year 100k bumper to bumper warranty. Most of the time they have decent rebates on new ones.
Dirtydeeds wrote:
Ya ever wondered why theres “decent rebates”?
Been driving nissans for 12 years now and havnt had any problems whatsoever. Usually update every 3 years. Currently driving a 2019 Titan xd with the Cummins. Pulls my 28’ toy hauler just lovely.
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5/12/2021 10:17pm
Picked up a RAM over the weekend. Silverado was nice but the RAM’s interior was much more elegant. The F-150 felt a little cheap and the Tundra was out of my price range

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crowe660
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5/13/2021 5:29am
Nice truck! Love silver on black wheels.
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bernnet
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6/24/2021 1:17am
Picked up a RAM over the weekend. Silverado was nice but the RAM’s interior was much more elegant. The F-150 felt a little cheap and the...
Picked up a RAM over the weekend. Silverado was nice but the RAM’s interior was much more elegant. The F-150 felt a little cheap and the Tundra was out of my price range

Awesome truck. What year/model? Engine?
agn5008
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6/24/2021 4:54am
I have a 2021 Silverado 3.0L Duramax V6 and I pull my toy hauler that’s like 7800 pounds loaded to the max. I love the truck. It gets great gas mileage and runs great. I’d take it over a regular gas guzzling V-8 any day.
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ZOSICK
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6/24/2021 10:26am
I have a 2020 GMC Sierra with the 5.3. and 3.23 gears. It tows five bikes in an enclosed trailer just fine. I get 9-10 mpg doing 75 mph so that sucks. Honestly, I wouldn't tow your trailer with a gas powered 1500. Maybe the 3.5 Eco/Powerboost. To be honest, my next truck will be an F150 with the Eco/Powerboost. More power for towing and better gas mileage imo. I wish I would have gotten the 6.2L in my truck but it's not an option.
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7/1/2021 7:00am
Picked up a RAM over the weekend. Silverado was nice but the RAM’s interior was much more elegant. The F-150 felt a little cheap and the...
Picked up a RAM over the weekend. Silverado was nice but the RAM’s interior was much more elegant. The F-150 felt a little cheap and the Tundra was out of my price range

bernnet wrote:
Awesome truck. What year/model? Engine?
Thank you! It’s a 2019 RAM 1500 5.7 Hemi
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7/1/2021 7:03am
ZOSICK wrote:
I have a 2020 GMC Sierra with the 5.3. and 3.23 gears. It tows five bikes in an enclosed trailer just fine. I get 9-10 mpg...
I have a 2020 GMC Sierra with the 5.3. and 3.23 gears. It tows five bikes in an enclosed trailer just fine. I get 9-10 mpg doing 75 mph so that sucks. Honestly, I wouldn't tow your trailer with a gas powered 1500. Maybe the 3.5 Eco/Powerboost. To be honest, my next truck will be an F150 with the Eco/Powerboost. More power for towing and better gas mileage imo. I wish I would have gotten the 6.2L in my truck but it's not an option.
I’ve been towing our trailer quite a bit and I honestly can’t feel it back there. My wife and I are heading to Tahoe at the end of the month. The Fords are very nice though, I originally test drove one but the RAM is so luxurious inside
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ZOSICK
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7/1/2021 12:32pm
ZOSICK wrote:
I have a 2020 GMC Sierra with the 5.3. and 3.23 gears. It tows five bikes in an enclosed trailer just fine. I get 9-10 mpg...
I have a 2020 GMC Sierra with the 5.3. and 3.23 gears. It tows five bikes in an enclosed trailer just fine. I get 9-10 mpg doing 75 mph so that sucks. Honestly, I wouldn't tow your trailer with a gas powered 1500. Maybe the 3.5 Eco/Powerboost. To be honest, my next truck will be an F150 with the Eco/Powerboost. More power for towing and better gas mileage imo. I wish I would have gotten the 6.2L in my truck but it's not an option.
I’ve been towing our trailer quite a bit and I honestly can’t feel it back there. My wife and I are heading to Tahoe at the...
I’ve been towing our trailer quite a bit and I honestly can’t feel it back there. My wife and I are heading to Tahoe at the end of the month. The Fords are very nice though, I originally test drove one but the RAM is so luxurious inside
Not calling bullshit but....lol. The trailer I tow usually has two full sized bikes and two 85cc bike's along with gear and tools ect. I'm pretty sure it weighs much less then what you're towing. I can definitely tell I'm towing lol. Not sure how you can't tell you're towing that big ass camper lol. I do have the smaller 5.3 and crappy 3.23 gears but I can tell I'm towing none the less. My friend has a Tundra and it's the same as my truck. Honestly, I should have gotten the F150 with the 3.5 TT. Much better to be honest. I almost got a Ram but the one I was looking at was too expensive. That being said, it was much nicer on the inside than the Ford or my GMC. Nice truck btw! Looks glean!
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1911
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7/1/2021 6:30pm
The, don’t even know it’s back there crowd, are amusing.
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Timo
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7/2/2021 7:17am
I have the 3.5 Ecoboost in my work van, it gets 13mpg normally and 11mpg with an enclosed trailer. On our vans without ladder racks it'll get 17mpg. It definitely has the power, but I wouldn't buy one for fuel efficiency. If it's going to be a tow rig, it's definitely better than a NA gasser.
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MelonFan123
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7/2/2021 12:50pm
curious to see what Toyota has up their sleeve on the drivetrain to the much-needed Tundra update

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1911
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7/2/2021 1:29pm Edited Date/Time 7/2/2021 1:30pm
curious to see what Toyota has up their sleeve on the drivetrain to the much-needed Tundra update [img]https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2022-Toyota-Tundra-2-1024x554.jpg[/img]
curious to see what Toyota has up their sleeve on the drivetrain to the much-needed Tundra update

Guess Toyota did not want Chevrolet to be the worst looking truck?Sick
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SEE ARE125
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7/2/2021 1:31pm
curious to see what Toyota has up their sleeve on the drivetrain to the much-needed Tundra update [img]https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2022-Toyota-Tundra-2-1024x554.jpg[/img]
curious to see what Toyota has up their sleeve on the drivetrain to the much-needed Tundra update

1911 wrote:
Guess Toyota did not want Chevrolet to be the worst looking truck?Sick
At first glance, it looks like it’s been in an accident and the grill is busted out of it. I like the TRD Pro front end, but that design is taking it a bit too far.
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MelonFan123
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7/3/2021 9:12am
1911 wrote:
Guess Toyota did not want Chevrolet to be the worst looking truck?Sick
Ha! I didn't see it at first but when I posted this on my IG I had a ton of comments saying the same thing. Mainly that it looks like a GMC. I see it now.

I actually like the new GM styling. GMC looks with Toyota reliability is a win-win in my book Tongue

Rumors are Toyota has a new twin turbo 3.5L V6.
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7/3/2021 11:20am Edited Date/Time 7/3/2021 12:11pm
I bought a 2021 GMC half ton with the 3.0 duramax straight 6 in it. There is not a better engine in a half ton right now. It gets incredible mileage and has 460ftlbs of torque. And max torque is at 1500 rpm. It’s a wicked engine and drivetrain package.
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Yeti831
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7/3/2021 9:20pm
Get a pre 2002 7.3PS Ford or Dodge Cummins.

Are they pricey for a used truck? Yes.

Expensive as a new one? Umm no, like a 1/3 of the price without all the emissions crap on newer trucks. Very reliable and run clean. Where are you seeing these newer trucks for $15-25k? They are like $40-$60k.

If you buy the Dodge… DO NOT buy one with an automatic.

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