Do I need a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?
 

I am considering buying a 2003 22' Sea Ray Cabin Crusier and I need to pick out a truck to tow it with. I'm looking at Dodge Rams and I'm not sure if a Ram 1500 will tow that much boat with ease. Do I need to bump up to a 2500? I'm not biased as to which brand the truck is so same applies to F150/250 & Chevy 1500/2500.

The ramp we kick off at is pretty steep so I want it to be effortless.

Any experience?

It depends.

How often are you going to be hauling this thing?

You may want to rent an old duelie wheel box van from rent-a-wreck and save the monthly payment.

We are pretty frequent boaters. You can pick up a decent used truck for $10k so i won't be making payments.:D

Go 3/4. A half ton could pull it, but the added safety with the 3/4's larger brakes and suspension are worth it. Plus, most of the larger trucks already have a nice frame mounted hitch installed.

I have a 3/4 ton which I use for towing my car to the track. It is a 2000 Chevy work truck--paid around $9,000. Larger rear brakes vs. half ton. Suspension and brakes would be the two major differences. I have towed with my 2005 Tahoe and I prefer the 3/4 ton. The Tahoe works fine but the 3/4 ton feels safer driving--if that makes any sense. Personally, if I was towing a 22' boat, I would try to locate a 3/4 ton. Also, make sure you find a vehicle with a transmission cooler. My 2 cents.

How much does the boat & trailer combined weigh? And how much stuff would you be packing in the pickup?

-Z

Without know more than you give, I'd say a 3/4 tonne, but a heavy 1/2 might easily do the job. How much weight are you planning to pull? I don't know how much those boats weigh...

Limited slip differential. Can't stress it enough!!! 3.73 rear end, 4.10 will give great towing, horrible fuel consumption.

A 1500 will tow that with no problem. But if you plan on towing it any kind of long distance, the 2500 will be a little more stable on the highway. Also are u planning on a regular cab, or extended cab? The longer wheelbase on the extra cab will add to the stabilty

All good advice. Also, 3/4 tons usually have heavier duty wheel bearings than the 1/2 tons...so, it's more than pulling power, springs, and brakes. Definitely a +1 here on the trans cooler advice. It easy to go too light on a tow vehicle choice, hard to go too heavy. :)

Pick anything but a Dodge. Dodge has the worst build quality known to mankind.

If you've ever under bought anything before you'll buy a 3/4 truck now!



and I can't say enough about my cheby truck. My Dad, a long time ford guy says his next truck will be a cheby

Re: Do I need a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?
 

That size boat combined with steep, and WET boat ramps make a 3/4 ton almost mandatory imo... while a 1/2 'might' work don't even think about it...

I beg to differ.... Ive always been a long time Ford person, Ive owned 6 ford trucks From a BroncoII up to a crew-cab F350.
My Dodge Ram 3500 It probably one of the best vehicles Ive owned. There is absolutely nothing wrong with its build quality. The truck is a tank.

I concur Vinny, I've got a beater Ram 250 w/ 180K still going strong...

Get a 3/4 ton, Chevy or Ford. These guys saying Dodge trucks are okay have just been lucky enough not to have problems with the brakes, or front end, or transmission that I heard about nearly every day when I lived in Texas.

If it does not have trans/diff cooler install one. If it has an 4 sp auto, tow in 3rd.

Every brand of vehicle has its problems.

Only a 1/2 ton...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1177692670.jpg

What you want is a Ford with the Dodge engine (Cummins) and the Chevy trans (Allison).

Toyota tundra dual cab 5.7 liter with tow package. More that you will ever need and confortable and fun to drive to boot. If you're gonna get a truck, you might as well get a good one.

I know better that to buy a chrysler product and would rather walk than drive a ford. I'm allergic to having a POS break down on me and leave me stranded. I'm also not fond of having little bits and pieces of plastic fall off while I'm driving.

I'd have to second on the Dodge build quality

my uncle had a 2006 Ram 1500 with the 4.7L V-8

at 22K it needed new valve lifters

transmission went at 30k

he traded it in for a Toyota and hasnt had a problem since