Minimum truck for 9,000 gross towing

[Gem99ultra]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?
Factor in, driver is 5'2". Seeing over the hood of a Tundra is impossible, so I'm thinking the smaller truck the better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, short of getting a new taller wife

 

[nisaacs]

Some info here, on a similar question.

Does anybody tow a 10,000lb trailer with a F150?

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Get a proper truck with a height adjustable driver's seat. It's not possible to not "see over the hood" of a Tundra. Sorry, not buying the hyperbole.

I've seen 5' tall ladies driving dually crew cab trucks, other than being slightly comical to watch them climb in and out of it, they handle the truck just fine. Female in my MOB unit back in the service was 5' 5" at best, and she drove an 18 wheeler like a pro.

It's a mindset only.

A 20' trailer rated to haul 7000 lbs is going to weigh more than 2000 lbs. It's probably closer to 3k. Get your rig to a CAT scale and weigh it to get the actual weights, without guessing on it.

 

[RjCorazza]

9500 lbs is my usual trailer towing weight with an F250, and honestly I wouldn't want to tow it with a smaller truck.
My 12k trailer weighs 2700 lbs empty, and the truck requires a weight distribution hitch for a load over around 3000 lbs.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?

Absolutely NOT with a Colorado, Ranger or Tacoma!

There's a lot more to towing than having an engine with the power to pull the load. I'd want at least a 3/4 ton for what you are talking about. I have an F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost - plenty of power to pull. But the softer suspension (even with 10 ply tires) makes for an uneasy drive if there is a heavy trailer hooked to it. I've heard it called "the tail wagging the dog"...gusts of wind, passing 18-wheelers, uneven pavement - and the load is moving the truck around. Why I also have a Dodge 3500 - for when I have to pull a real load.

Only case I could see a mid-size truck would work is if you are going to be pulling only short distances, at slower speeds.

 

[mjonesnh]

Tow 6700 lbs with a 5.4 F150. No way would I consider towing 9000lbs with my F150. I am sure if you look up the tow ratings of the midsize trucks you mention you would be several pounds over limit

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?
Factor in, driver is 5'2". Seeing over the hood of a Tundra is impossible, so I'm thinking the smaller truck the better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, short of getting a new taller wife

How often do you plan to haul this trailer? Is this an 1 or 2 times per year side mission of the vehicle, or is this something planned for once per month? Does she want/need a pick-up, or does she want an SUV that can also tow this? Also, when we say tow it, do we mean 300 miles and interstates, mountains, or we talking 20 miles on county roads?

Something like a 2012 Expediton is rated for 8200-9100# towing, depending on config. It's probably going to feel like a boat on choppy water though

It's a bit high on a Durango, at 7200#, but if it was once per year, I'd do it, but I wouldn't purchase it for that purpose.

I would certainly use a Ram/F150/Silverado 1/2T if this is a infrequent job, possibly with helper springs or air bags.

If we are talking about weekly towing, interstates (or down town city, that might be worse), mountains, ect; and this is not a commuter vehicke too, consider something like an Uhaul E350 box van. I've towed some pretty heavy Ghel skid steers with a retired E350 rental van, and they are Not fast (this was a 5.4L), but they handle it well. They are also generally very cheap. If this is an all purpose vehicle, commuting, towing frequently, a 3/4T is the answer; or a 1/2T with air bags, and set up specifically for the task.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Chevy has the shortest trucks I think (as long as you don't care about ground clearance, their frames hang low), I would suggest an early 2000's 2500 as they're cheap and reliable... (this coming from a ford guy but am not brand loyal, they all have their ups and downs...)

 

[paulsharvey]

Colorado, properly equipped, shows 7,700 lbs, but A: the Vast majority aren't equipped to handle that; B: it's still 1300# below what you want; C; even if it is the max tow rated version, it's frankly going to cost more than a 1/2T, or a 2wd gas 3/4T. I know it might vary 200# or so from Ranger to Colorado to Tacoma to Frontier, but none of them are a good choice.

Heck, if Air Conditon doesn't matter, I have (well son has) a 2005 Chevy 1500HD with a 6.0 vortec, and that's a Heck of a lot more suited, and cheaper than a late model mid-sized.

 

[deserteagle71]

Chevy has the shortest trucks I think (as long as you don't care about ground clearance, their frames hang low), I would suggest an early 2000's 2500 as they're cheap and reliable... (this coming from a ford guy but am not brand loyal, they all have their ups and downs...)

Short wheelbase is NOT your friend when towing. The longer the wheelbase, the more stable the tow vehicle. Think crewcab longbed when towing any kind of weight (or a high-profile camp trailer).