GMC or Ford to Tow with?

[earlfo]

I will be purchasing a TM soon. Probably a 3124KB.

I will be either buying a Ford Transit 2500 Van, GMC 1500 level or Ford F150 all in a 4WD configuration.

My goal is to have a capable tow vehicle that I can also load my 2019 BMW R1250RT in the back of and provide the most comfort for driver and passenger in the front seats as we travel across the country.

I am looking for advice from people that are doing something similar with one of the vehicles described above. Pluses and minuses of this configuration.

I am also looking for automated loading devices for the motorcycle.

Anyone doing what I am looking to do already with some advice for me?

Thanks Earl

[Bill]

I think your Beamer weighs around 600 pounds bare? What will its actual fully equipped-and-configured weight be when you load it? How much will the load-assist system weigh? How much cargo will you carry in the back of the truck in addition to the bike, and what will it weigh? Have you remembered that the tongue weight of TM is around 500 pounds, carried on the rear axle (though a WDH will help a bit with that). I have a hunch that the GAWR-R will be the spec you have to watch out for.

We have a 2014 F-150 5.0L 4WD approaching 180K miles with no issues. We love it, except that we bought the Super Cab / regular bed configuration instead of the Crew Cab / short bed (same vehicle length either way) - big mistake. For us, we could have lived with the Crew Cab / short bed (5.5 feet). But for you, if you choose a Crew Cab / short bed to keep the vehicle length under control, it probably won't carry the Beamer. If you choose a Crew Cab / regular bed (6.5 feet) in order to carry your Beamer in the bed - and if the Beamer will fit - you will have a L-O-N-G vehicle that will be difficult to maneuver in anything like a tight place. Or Lord help you if you choose the long bed (8 feet). Our F-150 has a terrible turning radius.

So you have to trade off those things - cab configuration, bed configuration, overall vehicle length, weight of cargo in the bed beside the bike, tongue weight of the TM, GAWR-R, and tow rating of course. Remember that everything you put in the vehicle except yourself subtracts pound-for-pound from the tow rating. I think you have a challenge.

Bill

[earlfo]

Thanks for the feedback. I am new at this, so all the things you mentioned will be an issue, but I figured these size trucks should handle it.

e.g. 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Supercab
Gas V8 5.3L/325
Transmission: Automatic
Drive Type: 4WD
GVWR, 7100 lbs.

Figure 700 pounds for the bike.
3500 pounds for the trailer

Earl

[Shane826]

Not just Gross Axle Weight Rating Rear (GWAR-R) that Bill mentions, but overall payload capacity. If your TM tongue weight is 500lbs, your bike weighs 600lbs, add 200lbs for yourself, and you’re at 1,300lbs payload before you add passengers, the bike loading equipment, and any additional cargo. You’re quickly approaching 3/4 ton (2500/250) truck territory. You’ll almost always run out of payload capacity before you touch the towing capacity.

[Bill]

Would you consider a dually (two wheels on each end of the rear axle)?

Bill

[earlfo]

Originally Posted by Bill

Would you consider a dually (two wheels on each end of the rear axle)?

Bill

I would consider whatever is necessary to safely do what I have outlined above. My only question is that adding a 700 pound motorcycle is enough to offset the towing power of a 1/4 ton truck when many others tow these trailers with SUVs?

I am very new to this and really appreciate the feedback I am receiving.

[Shane826]

A lot of folks don’t know they are pushing the absolute limits of their tow vehicles because they only look at one number, tow capacity. They have no idea about payload, axle weight ratings, gross combined weight rating, etc. And I bet at least half have no idea what their actual rig weighs, fully loaded ready for camping. Trailer dry weight is a selling tactic only.

For example the payload on my Ram 1500 is only 1088lbs. Half ton truck carries roughly half a ton of payload. My truck is also rated to tow just shy of 9,000lbs. If I pull a trailer weighing the max tow capacity, and my tongue weight is 10% or 900lbs, I only have 188lbs left for myself, passengers, cargo, etc.

As half ton trucks are designed to ride more like a car it will have less truck capabilities.

Just sayin’…

[earlfo]

What you are saying makes a lot of sense.

So, with that said, I want to be as comfortable as possible while carrying my bike and towing my trailer while doing it in the safest manner possible.

What I am hearing so far is that a half ton truck (i.e. f150 or GMC 1500) would be hard pressed to accomplish my goal and I should really be looking at the next level up (i.e. f250 or GMC 2500) or it's equivalent.

Has anyone on here used air systems to get a more comfortable ride in these larger rigs?

If so, is it worth the extra money?

Earl

[Bill]

Originally Posted by earlfo

Has anyone on here used air systems to get a more comfortable ride in these larger rigs?

Trucks today are really pretty comfortable, especially when loaded. I wouldn't spend much money trying to gild the lily. The problem with air bags is that by leveling the vehicle, they give you the illusion of increased carrying capacity. In fact, air bags do not change the weight that must be carried by the rear axle. In fact, they increase it a bit. And since the rear axle weight rating is already an issue, I wouldn't go that way. A weight distributing hitch (WDH) is the way to help this issue.

Bill

[earlfo]

I have decided to focus on Ford Transit vans for my towing and comfort.

I found there are some conversion vans called Explorer that use an AWD 250 level Transit van.

Has anyone got experience with these vans?

Thanks,

Earl