I need a tow vehicle for a trailer. The trailer is an Airstream: 6,500 lbs dry and assume 1,000 lbs loading. We (my wife and I ) want to use the trailer to tour the country. That means we want to be able to tow the trailer across country and then drop it someplace and then use the tow vehicle for short trips around that area.
My needs and desires are, in order of importance: safety and control, reliability, availability of repair, comfort and cost.
Do I need to go to a 3/4 ton or can one of the bulked up 1/2 tons handle it well.
A friend suggested an F250 diesel.
Comments?

 

Find a decent Duramax... if it's in your price range, what is your price range by the way? If you want to tour the country, you will want a vehicle that can handle the trailer with absolutely no issues and you won't have to worry about premature drowsiness on the part of the driver. Unloaded a Duramax diesel will get almost 20mpg and loaded down with that trailer you'll still probably get 14 or so. You can't beat that.