Which truck and why? And if none of these, recommendations please? I'd like to stay under $11,500.

Here's what I've found so far:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XLT-Diesel-7-3L-4X2-Compact-Disc-Player-Cruise-Control-Clock-/140647242690?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20bf3a9bc2#ht_15615wt_1167

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-2500-QUAD-CAB-LARAMIE-4X2-HEMI-LEATHER-CAMPER-TOP-85K-WE-FINANCE-/220900767445?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item336eb636d5#ht_23314wt_1167

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=306085611&dealer_id=76056&car_year=2001&systime=&doors=&model=F250&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=TRUCKS&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=&rdm=1322098896357&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=553450&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&make3=&showZipError=y&make2=DODGE&certified=&engine=&dma=DALLAS-FT_WORTH_DS&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=32&isFlashPlugin=true&transmission=Automatic&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=100000&color=&address=75214&sort_type=priceDESC&model2=RAM25002WD&max_price=11999&make=FORD&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=60&standard=false

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=302714042&dealer_id=66421133&car_year=1999&systime=&doors=&model=F250&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=TRUCKS&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=&rdm=1322098896357&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=553450&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&make3=&showZipError=y&make2=DODGE&certified=&engine=&dma=DALLAS-FT_WORTH_DS&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=32&isFlashPlugin=true&transmission=Automatic&ct=u&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=100000&color=&address=75214&sort_type=priceDESC&model2=RAM25002WD&max_price=11999&make=FORD&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=27&standard=false

Whatever truck I purchase will ONLY be used for hauling the horse trailer. It won't be a daily driver. I would leave it parked at the barn with the trailer.

The trailer I'm towing is this one: http://goretrailers.com/trailer3a.htm

Thanks and HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!

Any of those trucks will pull your trailer.  You will probably be more comfortable in the 1st 3 since they are true 3/4 ton trucks,  The last truck is a basically a Heavy Half.  Although I pulled a 3H slant with 97 Ford just like that, ( only 4x4) and it worked OK.

Go drive them, see which truck seems to be in the best shape, maintenance records, what the car fax shows, etc.  They are all 10+ years or older, So my personal concern would be the maintenance.  I'd probably lean toward Gas engine Dodge or Ford with the 75k-85k mileage vs the trucks with over 100,000 miles. But it would really depend on how clean and well cared for each truck.  135,000 well maintained miles is better than 85,000 rough miles.

I live in a different environment than you, My trucks are diesel and not sure that I would ever go back to a gas engine in a tow vehicle. I use the 4x4 too much to ever consider a 4x2 truck. But that doesn't mean these trucks wouldn't work well for you.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

It's the F-150 body on a heavier frame with 7 lug wheels.... Not even close to a F-250 Super Duty.  They should have called it a F-175...!!

Thanks!

It will pull that smaller trailer.  Look at the ratings/capacities.

But you will be at the upper end of the limits vs being at the lower end if you purchased a true 3/4 ton.

It will work fine for 2 and 3 horse bumper pulls, But there is no future of it pulling a GN  trailer

But it will definitely be a better daily driver.

As mention it has 7 lug rims,  probably "D" rated tires or maybe even "C" vs the "E" rated tires on the heavier trucks.  Smaller brakes, It's just built lighter all around, It will weigh around 5000 lbs vs the diesel F250 weighing in at almost 8000 lbs.  There is a reason the other trucks weigh more,  It usually equals more strength. 

I've been told diesels don't like to sit which is why I'm not looking for a diesel engine, plus we don't haul our horses that often.

We take two long trips twice a year and maybe 4-6 local (within 60-100 miles round trip) trips.

Thanks!

And that is why I suggested any of the 3 gas engines as being a good choice.

That two horse bumper pull just isn't that heavy of trailer. Any of those trucks can pull it. The 7.3L diesel will hardly even feel it behind the truck. While the gas engines will sound kinda busy when they have to work to climb any serious grades.   But Texas doesn't have any serious grades.

That trailer has a empty tongue weight of 760#. I got one and it mashes my 2010 GMC 2500HD pretty good when all loaded up. That trailer is not for a light 3/4 ton or half ton vehicle unless you're using a WDH with the bars in place. Didn't you try using a Ford Expedition in the past..?? There's nothing light about this two horse trailer, specially the tongue...

Steel Chassis - For Added Strength) Outside Width 7'9"  Width: 72" (79" Wide Model Available) Height from Ground up: 8'3" 7' for Horses to Stand 5' Head Room 5' Dressing Area
(72' Wide) Approximate Weight: 3420 lbs.  Hooked to Truck: 2660 lbs.  Hitch Weight: 760 lbs.
(79" Wide) Approximate Weight: 3640 lbs. Hooked to Truck: 2880 lbs. Hitch Weight: 760 lbs.

Old threads... http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=15976

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=16020

It doesn't seem as if I can find a truck that can safely handle the heavy tongue weight!

I love the lay out of this trailer and the quality is wonderful, but I wonder about the design since the tongue weight is so darn heavy!

The 2500HD handles it fine, no need for a F-350, 3500 series  one ton truck. The tongue is going to be heavy because you got about 13' of tongue, DR and the side ramp/center aisle area all in front of the axles... It's a steel frame, wood floor, aluminum skin, fiberglass roof, bumper pull trailer. I don't know hoiw to best explain it to you other than, we're leaving tomorrow morning pulling our's to Orlando, Fl (650 miles one way) with horses, tack, feed, coolers, 4 wheeler and all of the stuff the horses need to survive for a week. I've put 11000 miles on this trailer in the past 18 months and every mile has been behind the 2010 2500HD GMC with no swinging, swaying or sagging..... And no, we're not stopping to let the horses graze at the rest area after we sniff the grass...!! Anyone remember that thread??  Good luck finding the right truck, doesn't matter if it's gas or diesel,  (mine is gas) just be sure it has 8 lugs holding the wheels on....

Here you say it "mashes your 2500 HD down pretty good" so how do you handle this? WDH?

Yes, I am the one who tried to tow this trailer with the Expedition and it was a NIGHTMARE. Expedition has been sold and now I'm starting over trying to get something that will WORK.

How do I tell what is a 'light 3/4' ton vrs a 'real' 3/4 ton?

Thanks!

Most all of these newer trucks sit high in the rear, when I hitch up to the GORE trailer it will drop the rear of the truck about 3", which pretty much brings the truck to level. (I don't think 2000# sitting in the bed of the truck over the axles would squat it any more than this BP trailer). I say it mashes because you wouldn't think a two horse BP trailer would pull down the rear of a 3/4 ton truck, but this is not your everyday two horse BP... I use the factory GM hitch without any sway devise nor do we need or use any WDH bars.

How do I tell what is a 'light 3/4' ton vrs a 'real' 3/4 ton?

When locating a 2500/250 series truck look for a emblem near the series numbers that say, Super Duty, Heavy Duty, HD, etc. Most of them will have a GVWR of 9200# thru 11400#.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=296339963&dealer_id=66136573&car_year=2004&systime=&doors=&model=RAM25002WD&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=100&min_price=&rdm=1322404735499&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=624229&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=DALLAS-FT_WORTH_DS&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&isFlashPlugin=true&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=75214&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=14999&make=DODGE&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=6&standard=false

I was thinking this might be perfect, what do you all think?

Thanks!

Seller says he ordered the truck with heavy duty suspension and trailer tow package, but according to him, this truck is not a 2500 heavy duty.

Will this truck handle the Gore trailer I have?

Thanks!

The newer trucks will have HD next to the 2500 for the heavy duty series.

2500 HD

I can't afford a new truck!

Thanks!