I may be replacing my V8 truck with something newer and more power. What do you have

[cantdrv55]

I currently tow my 28' camper trailer with a 2006 Nissan Titan V8 4wd. Some people who tow campers claim they can't even feel the camper back there because their tow vehicle is so powerful. I can always feel my camper and sometimes it gets scary. Plus the truck, while still somewhat capable, is starting to show its age as more things are breaking down even though it only has 125k miles. Nissans dont seem to age gracefully, IMO. Anyway, let me know what truck you're towing with and if you're comfortable recommending your truck. TIA.

[Bob Kontak]

I'm going to qualify this with I know very little.

I think you need a GM 2500 or a Ford F250 or comparable. Your Nissan is a 1500 I'm assuming.

Bigger diesel and a spiffy transmission.

[rfuerst911sc]

I don't care what anybody says you can't beat a dually for towing . Period . Long wheelbase and four wheels/tires in the back equals total stability . My 2001 diesel 4x4 dually tows our 25 ' 5th wheel like it's not there .

But I wouldn't touch modern diesels , they have become very complex . DEF fluid for me is a no go . But I am old school . A gas engine in a dually is a pig on gas .

What weight are you towing ? And is the truck also a daily driver ? Where are you located ? Lots of mountain towing ? With some more details I am sure the guys on here can help you out .

[mb911]

Had GM trucks for the last 25 years. Bought a tundra (24) last year and it has way more power and rides better than any of my previous 1500s with 5.3 and 6.2 engined trucks. Tows incredible

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by mb911

Had GM trucks for the last 25 years. Bought a tundra (24) last year and it has way more power and rides better than any of my previous 1500s with 5.3 and 6.2 engined trucks. Tows incredible

Just curious how much weight you towing ?

[juanbenae]

The question would be "How much money do you have?".......

I towed the racecar with both a 1/2 ton and my current duramax 3/4 ton and there was no comparison. Even with an add-a-leaf on the 1/2 ton it was night and day. With the diesel sometimes I'd look in the rearview mirror and be startled for a split second thinking somebody was tailgating. I would literally forget I was towing!!

A Ford/Chevy/Dodge 3/4-ton 4x diesel is gunna be nearly $100k if you want one that is loaded with options. The other thing is the required DEF additive gets to be a real pain in the ass. So glad mine was pre-DEF.

I'd think a gas 3/4 would prolly suit you well. I think a dually is an over kill, living where I do I see 3/4-ton trucks pulling trailers that are the size of a school bus. I'm close to the Black Oak Casino and their RV park is packed all summer so I see lots. The other thing about a dually is they can be a nightmare to drive around town with the tail end width. Your wife will never want to drive it and parking them in the Home Depot lot or the grocery store? Forget it. It's another 4' in width dam near so driveway space gets to be a nightmare unless you have property. As I recall your house has a regular 2 car DW.

New or used? Be interested to hear in what you end up with.

If up this way you are welcome to drive mine, but then you won't want a gas model....

[mb911]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Just curious how much weight you towing ?

21 foot Malibu wake board boat about 5k it’s like it’s not back there

[oldE]

I watched a video a couple of months ago by Mark Patey. He had been using a Ford E150 and wasn't happy with the range (ie: he could tow something up to the lake, but couldn't bring it back.) The video compared that truck with his new GMC electric truck which eliminated the range anxiety.
What do I know, I used to haul two horses with a F150 with the small v8. So much depends upon your experience and expectations.

[911boost]

i am going to chime in and say the DEF really is not a pain at all. It takes no time to fill it, and lots of gas stations have a pump now with it. The truck warns you when it is getting low and you have plenty of time to fill it. I do not know what so many people ***** about it. Anything Pre-Def is going to be getting pretty old at this point.

My 2012 F350 uses it as does my 2023 F550 based 4wd diesel Super C motorhome.

I would pick up a used 3/4 ton, a dually for a 28 foot camper might be overkill and if you are daily driving it they are more work to park. The gas powered ones will be cheaper but not as powerful. As for Chevy/Ford/Dodge whatever flavor you like.

I did read the Ram 2500 average time on the lot is something insane like 700 days, so I bet you can get a sweet deal on one.

[pavulon]

The only way to know is to test drive and tow.

That said, drive everything. Last fall, the local lot had a used 2023 6.7L powerstroke F350 Tremor sitting there so I drove it. It's a LONG way up and down into/out of it but my goodness...endless torque and a 10 speed transmission means you never have to worry about power. The ride was drum tight and not harsh at all. Giant brakes when you want them but it is still a LOT of mass to stop. They are very serious machines.

[jhynesrockmtn]

The power of the truck doesn't really have anything to do with how it tows a trailer from a stability perspective. I tow about a 25 ft travel trailer with a 2024 F150 hybrid. The benefit of the hybrid is that you get an onboard generator to power the trailer. I'm about maxed with my trailer in this truck. I'm well below the max tow capacity, but right at payload capacity. It tows well as long as I have a good weight distribution system installed. If my trailer was any bigger or heavier, I would want a 3/4 ton truck

[berettafan]

I have the gas 7.3 F250 Tremor (same as 350 springs, etc) and it is indeed a beast yet rides pretty nice. Plenty for a 28' camper.

[Arizona_928]

I have a 6.7 Cummins with a g56. A boot 170k miles of heavy towing and my Bruce jenner is very loose…. My advice is to buy a gasser if in the cold and not primarily towing heavy (15k lbs)

I think my next truck will be a 10 year old gas Chevy.

[ted]

Had a 99 ford 2500 power stroke, current 2014 ram diesel drw fun torque.

[ryans65]

What he said-

Diesel Dually is the only way to tow anything but new diesels suck, new trucks all suck, their engines suck, their transmissions suck, it's all junk by 100k miles.

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I don't care what anybody says you can't beat a dually for towing . Period . Long wheelbase and four wheels/tires in the back equals total stability . My 2001 diesel 4x4 dually tows our 25 ' 5th wheel like it's not there .

But I wouldn't touch modern diesels , they have become very complex . DEF fluid for me is a no go . But I am old school . A gas engine in a dually is a pig on gas .

What weight are you towing ? And is the truck also a daily driver ? Where are you located ? Lots of mountain towing ? With some more details I am sure the guys on here can help you out .

[pavulon]

The F350 6.7 I drove had 80K miles on it and was squeak and rattle free with power to burn. What is the newest modern p/u you've driven or owned? A lot of any car's condition (junk) is directly related to abuse and neglect.

[speeder]

A modern diesel HD PU truck, (3/4 ton or more), is the gold standard for towing any large/heavy trailer. Also the most fuel efficient, if you tow a lot.

Rfuerst is right that you cannot beat a dually for towing but it's not needed at all for the OP's needs. They are awesome but overkill for anything lighter than ~8k lbs. and a real biotch to park and manuever in city traffic, plus significant added maintenance costs with (6) 10-ply tires, rear brakes, etc... I'd love to have one but they really are only great if you live in a rural area and tow heavy a lot.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by ryans65

What he said-

Diesel Dually is the only way to tow anything but new diesels suck, new trucks all suck, their engines suck, their transmissions suck, it's all junk by 100k miles.

That's amazing because this country is absolutely filled with newer diesel PU trucks with over 200k miles towing.

[cabmandone]

I pull with a 2012 F250 with a 6.2L gas engine. The stuff I tow typically weighs between 9-11,000 lbs. The truck handles what I tow well and gets around 7-8 mpg rolling 75mph. About the only thing I can't pass is a gas station. If I was considering upgrading I'd go to the 7.3 Godzilla gas engine. Primary reasons I don't go diesel are maintenance cost versus the miles I drive my truck yearly and cost of fuel.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by speeder

Rfuerst is right that you cannot beat a dually for towing but it's not needed at all for the OP's needs. They are awesome but overkill for anything lighter than ~8k lbs. and a real biotch to park and manuever in city traffic, plus significant added maintenance costs with (6) 10-ply tires, rear brakes, etc... I'd love to have one but they really are only great if you live in a rural area and tow heavy a lot.

Where have I read that before?

Originally Posted by ryans65

What he said-

Diesel Dually is the only way to tow anything but new diesels suck, new trucks all suck, their engines suck, their transmissions suck, it's all junk by 100k miles.

I guess my 76K mile LMM Duramax is just old enough for the sweet spot? I will have mine until they tear the FOB out of my cold, dead hand. Went up about 20 miles on a decent forestry road to rescue a buddy who got broke while we were wheeling. Hardly knew the S-box XJ and the featherlite were back there on the 20 miles on dirt to get to the pavement... Snow even!