Towing Recommendations?

[rlepperson]

Your recommendations, please. I potentially need a used, quad style, gasoline fueled pick-up truck that will pull a 6000 lb loaded airstream trailer, and carry a 1500-2000 lb payload capacity. As I will use the pickup for possibly 18,000 miles of independent driving and 2000 miles of towing per year (20, 000 miles total), I want to find the most fuel efficient “beast” possible. Of course, I also want it to tow well. Short bed vs. long bed? Four wheel vs. two wheel rear drive? Please, provide rationale for Dodge, vs. Chevy, Ford, etc.

 

[init6]

pull a 6000 lb loaded airstream trailer, and carry a 1500-2000 lb payload capacity.

At the same time? 1500-2000b payload puts you at max for a 1500. Add the tongue wt of the trailer and you are in 2500HD territory. Brand doesn't matter-personal preference. As is 2wd vs 4wd.

Edit: oh, and a crew cab with an 8ft bed is a pain in the rear to deal with at the local shopping mall. Or, rather, any place you want to go that has parking spots. Just a thought.

 

[14hemiexpress]

If your looking at new I would check out the ram 2500 with the 6.4l. The 2klbs in the bed and the hitch weight of the airstream are to much for a 1/2 of any brand. The payload on the ram 2500 crew cab 2wd 6.4l is 3500lbs so you should be covered there. I can't speak for for or chevy 3/4 payload capacity but they are probably close. As far as fuel economy, the 6.4 is the only 3/4 truck has the multi displacement system, so it will probably get the best mpg out of the big 3. If your driving all over the place state to state I would go for a 4wd with winter being ruff up north. I like the use ability of the 8ft bed but it is a pain to park you will always be walking because you'll have to park way out.

The best advice I can give you is get a 3/4 4wd crew cab. Go test drive all 3 and see what you like best.