http://www.mrtruck.net/index.html

Cruise around at Mr. Truck's site and search for B&W ( I think that's who makes the extended coupler).

Also - shop for a trailer with a tapered nose within your weight limitations of the tow vehicle.

This is why I prefer an extended cab over the crew cabs... still get 4 doors and a back seat, but it also gives you the 6.5 / 6.75 foot bed.

Thanks for the info!  We haven't bought the truck yet, we really want a crew cab, but only need a 1/2 ton truck.  I already have my trailer, 97 Hart 16' 3H aluminum with a tapered nose- that I've pulled with a half ton before.

I was just concerned about clearance issues with the extreme short bed.  I did speak with B&W this morning and they now make a hitch for these new short beds and did recommend the extended hitch.  Again, thanks for the replies!  Keep them coming if anyone has any other suggestions or experience pulling with these short bed trucks.

Discussions of capacities and everything else aside, I'd still err on the side of the 3/4 ton.  Typically have bigger brakes, etc. and I find myself happy that I've got the extra capacity/safety (albeit perception IMHO) of the 3/4.  The chebbies ride pretty nice in that truck too.

Just my opinion.  It's always easier to have "too much" truck for the task, not as simple to have "not enough" for hauling other, bigger, farm type stuff.

LAXPatrick

That's not always true.  I had a 03 Dodge 1500 that was rated for 10,000lbs and traded it in for 02 Dodge 2500 deisel that only has a rating for 9500lbs.

While I do not disagree that a 3/4 ton tow vehicle can offer some additional stability when towing a GN trailer; I'm not always sure that there is more towing power, per se.

For instance - when comparing a Ford 150 with the 5.4L, V8 gas engine with a 3.73 axle ratio to an F250 with similar equipment, both the 150 and 250 SuperCab (extended cab - not the 4 door crew), 4WD trucks, have the EXACT same towing capacity.

When looking at Ford's towing guides, the 150 (configured as described above) has a GCWR of 15,000; the 250 has a GCWR of 16,000 ...  which probably accomodates the slightly heavier tow vehicle.

I don't know about GM, Chevy, Dodge, or any of the Imports.

The only way there is a significant difference in tow capacity between a FORD 1/2 ton (F150) and FORD 3/4 ton (F250)  is when a larger engine (with appropriate transmission), or when a diesel engine replaces the gasser.

If a person has a tow vehicle with a GCWR of 15k; buys a 4H ALL Alum horse trailer (less than 4500 pounds empty); they could conceivably haul the 4H with 3 horses and still be within the spec limits of the F150. Keeping in mind that a 2WD has a greater carrying capacity (but less stability I think) than a 4WD; a regular cab having even more carrying capacity than an extended cab.

I think that the ultimate key is the wheelbase length and the weight of the tow vehicle in relationship to the trailer, versus geographical features balanced with how much wear and tear does someone want to put on their tow vehicle.

Here in the midwest, where there are hills but not MOUNTAINS, it is quite different than driving through the Atlantic seaboard states or the midwest and west coast.

I have an F150 SuperCab, 5.4l, 3.73 axle ratio, 4WD. My trailer is a Titan Galvanized STEEL trailer, 3H GN with 4' shortwall. Unloaded it is 5050 pounds. I haul 1 horse on weekend camping trips when I have to haul a couple of hundred pounds of water and hay and ice/food/etc.  

I think that the ultimate key is the wheelbase length and the weight of the tow vehicle in relationship to the trailer, versus geographical features balanced with how much wear and tear does someone want to put on their tow vehicle.

You almost sound like an owners manuel.  At least your easier to understand than the directions that came with the DVD player my husband just bought.  I think it was in english, but I'm not sure.  I threw that away and figured out everything for myself.

There's a bigger difference with the Chevy's. This is from the GM website and is the maximum trailer weight. They don't have the rating for a shortbed pulling a gooseneck, but the highest gooseneck rating for the 1/2 ton Extended Cab Standard Box 4x2 with the 6.0 liter engine and 3.73 rear end is 10,300lbs. For the 2500 the highest rating for the same truck 12700, if you put the diesel engine in the truck, the rating goes to 15,400.   Of course the GCVW rating needs to be looked at too. 

The weight on these trailers adds up pretty fast.  Our 3 horse Exiss weighs 4700 pounds, but you add 3 big head horses at 1,350 pounds each (yes that's what they weigh) and now you're at 8,750lbs  Add the water tank, oak wardrobe, shelves and boot box, hay, shavings, 5 roping saddles and everything but the kitchen sink (LOL!!, I like to be prepared when I travel) and this trailer is easily at 10,000 pounds.  For a 1/2 ton, the truck would be at the max or maybe even over, but not for a 3/4 ton.  I personally, would feel much better having too much truck rather than an adequate or overloaded truck.

Uh Oh... I've been uncovered... I play a Technical Writer on TV.

Excellent point.

I weighed a 3H 4foot SW with 3 horses loaded for a week long trip.  The truck's rear axle was 5700 pounds and the two trailer axles were 7960 pounds.

Your results may be different, but I won't put 5700 pounds on a 1/2 ton axle.

Certified scale weight $8 ...  Certain Knowledge ... priceless