Just retired-new purchase coming!

[CharlesinGA]

Trailer GVWR, while "concealed" by the manufacturer, is easily found by looking at the specs. Take the dry weight (web site shows 6507 lbs for a shipping weight) and then find the carrying capacity (2293 lbs) and you get 8800 lbs which is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which should be on the sticker on the outside, front left, of the trailer.

Cougar Sport & Half-Ton Travel Trailers

If the OP is planning on doing a lot of traveling, all over the country, nothing will beat a "3/4 ton" 250/2500 truck with a Diesel. Sadly, the Ford and GM 10 speed automatics (while manufactured by their respective companies, were designed as a joint venture.) have a high early failure rate. My money is on the ZF 8 speed in the RAM trucks, which is a true medium duty truck transmission.

Charles

 

[SpencerPJ]

I have heard Ford straightened out the 10 sp transmission issue in 2024, I agree though 3/4 ton truck of your choosing for this adventure. Fords larger 7.3 godzilla engine is very capable, likely less overall yearly cost of ownership.

 

[Rowdyhounddog]

So you are not going to put anything in the trailer? Not even water nor propane?

My apologies' but tow behind manufactures only publish the dry weight [motorhome manufacture do not publish the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW)], which only applies when coach leaves the factory, leading potential buyers quote the dry weight when trying to find truck. Whatever Class a potential RV buyer is interested in, they need to understand weights - how to calculate an RV's cargo carrying capacity, in addition to towed or towing weight calculation and limits.

Of course I will load it up. I just mentioned the 7,000 lb weight cause you have to start somewhere. If I loaded it up with another 7,000 lbs, I would still be ok with my one ton dually.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Do you think its better to give up gas milage for a stronger truck?

Just a data point - fuel economy can be considered when you're a commuter or an OTR driver. RV's are neither of those and overall a nearly 100% net operating loss. So whether you get 8.2 or 9.6mpg is lost in the noise as the money flies out of your wallet for all the other purchases and expenses you'll incur. You'd figure this out in short order, but just offering it up front to reduce your number of distractions. The corollary to this is if $200 fill ups scare you, reconsider the idea of RV'ing - those are the easy bills.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Derby6]

My .02
You and wife make a list of requirements and desires you want in your unit. On board Generator?, Bed size?, fridge size and LP or residential?, etc....
Go to the show and LOOK, LOOK, and LOOK some more. I'd look online and go to dealers before and after as well. When you find the unit make/model you want you'll know what truck you need/want unless you end up with a Class A or C.

 

[bob213]

We just purchased a similar model trailer. 2026 Rockwood 2618 RD. I thought the quality was above the rest. I would not want to pull this trailer with anything less than the 2500HD that I have. Check out other brands at the show but buy more truck than you think you need. JMO

 

[Rowdyhounddog]

I agree bob123, always buy more truck than you need. Can't go wrong.

 

[runamuck]

that trailer will be quite a load for the 1500. when we bought our first travel trailer in 2017, I also bought a '17 GMC sierra 4x4 ccsb to tow it. the trailer weighed 6000# when ready to travel and the gmc struggled big time. the 5L v8 3.42 gears and 6 speed sucked and was not safe trying to get up to speed on the freeway so be sure you get one that is well equiped to pull that trailer..the right gears and tranny and motor combo for towing. I ended up trading for a '19 ram 1500 with the 5.7 and 3.92 gears and 8 speed . huge difference. later upgraded to a 5th wheel so changed trucks again to 2500 dsl.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Besides all of the excellent advice on weight and the performance of a 1500 vs a 2500, a struggling 1500 would probably get worse gas mileage than a happy 2500 performing what it is outfitted for.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

Hello all! first post for me. My wife and I use to camp with our children (2000-2005) with an old/heavy 22 ft travel tailer and an 2000 F250 crew cab w/towing package. No issue towing/inclines/stopping. We recently retired and are going to the Hershey RV show, September 12th, to look at 2025 KEYSTONE COUGAR 25RDS. We like the rear dinette and the theater seating as well as the king bed. We plan to tow this trailer around the country for several years, Florida for several weeks in the Winter- lots of miles. I am selling my 2015 Tacoma( love that little truck) for a GMC 1/2 ton 1500(9k towing capacity). The Dry weight of this trailer is 6400#. I read several threads regarding GVW, GCVW, GVWR etc. The information on your forum is quite extensive and thorough, Thank you!

In "General", is the 1500 not enough? Should I be considering a 2500 with a towing package? Do you think its better to give up gas milage for a stronger truck? Or, is 9k tow fine for this size trailer.

I know some of these issues have Been discussed( I just spect 2 hours reading threads), but, any input is welcome. Thank you in advance, Jerry

You don't say but I would imagine that the 1500 has a six cylinder motor which in itself is not a bad thing however you may want the larger engine/trans combo you get with a 3/4 ton. The newer trucks do a great job on mileage even with an 8 cylinder.

You might find that the trans is the weak link. if you were going to do a trip or 2 a year not a big deal but if you are living with it it becomes a much bigger issue.

 

[Kirk]

The person who started the thread(jhubbs63) hasn't been back since Aug. 31 so I'm wondering what he did? Also Rowdyhounddog hasn't been back since Sept. 2 so it would be nice to hear from him as well.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

While I mostly agree with the advice so far, you can get a GMC 1500 configured to tow as much as 13,200 lbs and with a payload of 2000+ lbs. That will tow the Cougar quite nicely. But you may have to do a lot of searching to find one like that on a sales lot. Any 2500, though, will have the specs for that towing job.

The truck you mentioned early in this thread is marginal for the size/weight of the trailer and that's not a wise choice. And you won't be happy driving it a lot of miles with the trailer in tow. Don't skimp on the truck specs.

Very true. I was looking for a one ton to haul hay and visited several large dealers looking for a well equipped 1 ton with very little success and I was willing to buy new.

I finally found a f250 super duty that had low miles and bought it before the dealer had even cleaned it.

Very nice truck and served the purpose very well.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

Just a data point - fuel economy can be considered when you're a commuter or an OTR driver. RV's are neither of those and overall a nearly 100% net operating loss. So whether you get 8.2 or 9.6mpg is lost in the noise as the money flies out of your wallet for all the other purchases and expenses you'll incur. You'd figure this out in short order, but just offering it up front to reduce your number of distractions. The corollary to this is if $200 fill ups scare you, reconsider the idea of RV'ing - those are the easy bills.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

We bought a 40ft. class A and last year was our first season. I was really concerned about fuel mileage (which turned out to be better than I thought) however with camp fees and lot rent the diesel cost actually was not as big we thought it would be.