1/2 Ton vs. 3/4 Ton Pickups - Page 2

crocus · 10-06-2010, 08:13 PM

Just because a truck is rated for towing 10,000 lbs, I wonder if it is indeed wise to haul right up against that limit?
We hear many say how they have towed for years with such-and-such a truck and camper, with no problems. But I have to wonder how many have experienced one of those rare events that truly tests your rig?
Several years ago, we got blind-sided by a dust devil, but no ordinary dust devil. I estimated the wind speed at probably something north of 80 mph, and it pushed our truck and fifth wheel into the passing lane in about 1 second. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it, one second we were cruising along, the next we were in the other lane. The thing is, with our truck not even being close to max payload, it didn't rock or sway one bit, the whole rig moved over as a stable unit. If I had been maxed out on payload, I have no idea what would have happened, and I wouldn't want to find out the hard way.
It is those rare 'black swan' events that separates the good setups from the bad. You may never experience one, but 'what if?'

rodupr · 10-06-2010, 08:18 PM

I just upgraded from a f-150 super crew 5.4L /w 3.73 to a new 2011 f-250 with the 6.2L. To me there was a world of difference. If I could say one thing it would be if you have ever towed with a 3/4 ton you would know the difference. I thought the same thing when I bought TT, that I would have no problem pulling it with the F-150. But my experience was that it didn't feel safe and it also felt like the truck was having to work too hard. Just my .02 cents.

dezolen · 10-06-2010, 08:33 PM

All depends on how often you tow as well. If it is only a dozen times a year and you are having no problems stick with the 1/2 ton. As a daily driver the 1/2 ton will serve you much better. A 3/4 ton empty and not towing will drive much harsher.

revrnd · 10-06-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood06

My stats:
2008 1500 Vortec-Max Chevy Heavy Duty 1/2 ton 4x4 extended cab pick up. 6.0 gas engine 4 speed heavy duty automatic transmission 4:10 rear Max tow capacity 10,500 lbs wheel base @ 144"

I tow a 2006 Forest River RockWood 8314ss max weight 7,910 lbs.
My hitch system is the Reese Duel Cam Weight Distribution and Sway Control.

This Vehicle replaced a 1997 GMC Suburban 3/4 ton 5.7 gas engine, automatic transmission and a 4:10 rear wheel base @ 130" and a max tow capacity of 7,500 lbs. I still have the Suburban just as a back up.

I have found that the new 1/2 ton tows and handles better then the 3/4 ton. With out towing the new truck gets 17 to 19.5 mpg and the Suburban gets around 15 mpg. As far as towing with both trucks the fuel mileage is around 10 mpg.

The 2008 pick up is all heavy duty from front to rear, It also has a factory installed break controller that works great, better then any other controller I have had it is very smooth.

You're comparing an '08 1/2 ton w/ a '97 3/4 ton. Apples to oranges as they're 2 different models, the newer GMT900 & older GMT800.

acadianbob · 10-07-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

All depends on how often you tow as well. If it is only a dozen times a year and you are having no problems stick with the 1/2 ton. As a daily driver the 1/2 ton will serve you much better. A 3/4 ton empty and not towing will drive much harsher.

I totally agree with this. If the 1/2 ton can handle the occasional tow with some margin, then I'd rather have the 1/2 ton because of the day to day drive. Depending on the % of your total miles that are towing, your situation may differ. I look at the solid front axle on the Super Duty Ford and think, OMG! Can't imagine that drives or rides very well. But I'll have to admit that I've never driven one. And maybe the other HD makes have independent front suspension . . . .

revrnd · 10-07-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

And maybe the other HD makes have independent front suspension . . . .

The GM 4x4 pickups (for the most part) have been IFS since the '88 model year. I think the full size 4x4 Blazers/Jimmys, Sub's & crew cabs were C/K trucks (renamed R/V trucks) w/ solid front axles until the '92 model year.

rohlingerrv · 10-07-2010, 04:15 PM

Talk about confusing, My truck is a 2000 2500 that I bought used 8 yrs ago, the original window sticker was in the truck which showed the truck had all the towing goodies, heavy duty chassis, shocks, oil cooler, trans cooler. 8 lug rims,6.0 engine so thats why I bought it, I found out years later my truck was a "light duty" 2500! Why in the world would chevy make a light duty 2500? which I was told was the same as a 1500HD. I could not understand how a truck with all the heavy duty options be consider a light duty? But I've been pulling a 5th wheel for 8 yrs and have no trouble at all, Right now I have 2011 Flagstaff 8528bhss which weighs with the truck around 14,000lbs which Im sure the weight police with be all over me because Im sure Im overweight. W

crocus · 10-07-2010, 05:02 PM

"Right now I have 2011 Flagstaff 8528bhss which weighs with the truck around 14,000lbs which Im sure the weight police with be all over me because Im sure Im overweight."
====================
We're pulling a similar 5th with our 3/4 ton, and are well within the limits. Your CGVWR rating should be in your manual, as well as your trailer weight rating.

RhoZeta · 10-07-2010, 06:58 PM

Slightly off topic yet still within, grhodes50, what Dealer did you buy from?

Did you get diesel or gas?

I am looking to upgrade TV and I am looking at 08 and newer F250, crew cab, 2WD, what I am waffling back and forth on is to diesel or not to diesel....
I have a buddy who is a ford diesel guy, has had several the last 20 years, he tells me to stay away from them and go with a gasser, primarily due to the fact that it will be my daily driver. (I rack about 50 miles a day).
So right now I am trying to talk to anybody who tows with either a 5.4L or 6.8L in an 08 or newer F250 to get some feedback.

Anybody?

grhodes50 · 10-07-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhoZeta

Slightly off topic yet still within, grhodes50, what Dealer did you buy from?

Did you get diesel or gas?

I am looking to upgrade TV and I am looking at 08 and newer F250, crew cab, 2WD, what I am waffling back and forth on is to diesel or not to diesel....
I have a buddy who is a ford diesel guy, has had several the last 20 years, he tells me to stay away from them and go with a gasser, primarily due to the fact that it will be my daily driver. (I rack about 50 miles a day).
So right now I am trying to talk to anybody who tows with either a 5.4L or 6.8L in an 08 or newer F250 to get some feedback.

Anybody?

I bought from 5 Star Ford in North Richland Hills, Texas. My SIL found it on the internet, did the deal via email, got my credit union involved, met the salesman with the truck in OKC, looked it over, test drove it, signed the papers which he had filled out to the exact penny we discussed, exchanged keys and went our seperate ways. Easiest deal I ever made. It took about 1½-2 weeks in all.

It's an '08 Lariat, CC, LB, 5.4 V8, 3:73 gears. I have plenty of power for the rolling hills in eastern OK. The truck handles my 34', 7,800 lb loaded with a little over 1,000 lb hitch weight tt with ease. Very stable in any conditions. I'm very satisfied with the truck's performance.

I got the 5.4 V8 instead of a V10 because I felt it would have enough power for my needs and it does. I also thought I might get better gas milage. I was wrong. My mpg's, empty - 15 - loaded - 8.5. If I had to do it over again I would probably get the V10. Empty about the same MPG's but better when towing. Like most people, I would never complain about more power.

I didn't consider a diesel because I don't do enough towing to justify the added intial cost or the higher maintenance cost. Like I mentioned earlier, I do most of my towing in eastern OK so I don't need the power.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

SaskCampers · 10-08-2010, 07:40 AM

Just because a truck is a 3/4 ton doesn't mean it has high tow ratings. Look at Dodges POS megacabs. 2500 model Hemi with 3:73 gears is rated to tow 8350 lbs but the truck has a gvwr of 8800 and a payload of 2315 and the gcwr is 15,000lbs if it has 4:10's the max trailer is 10250 and GCWR is 17,000. The diesels are rated at 12,450 max trailer and 20,000 GCWR however payload is only 1580 due to the weight of the power train. And to be quite honest 8000lbs is a stretch for the POS we have stability wise. I would bet any decent 1/2 is a far better TV than this and my thoughts were backed up by the service manager here as he said Dodge doesn't rate them very high for a reason.

Just in case anyone doubts the specs I quoted here.

http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/200...r/mlup2500.pdf

and the 2010's are rated for less except they upped the diesel ratings abit.
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/201...ammlup2500.pdf

I think the important thing is the 20% rule of staying 20% below max ratings or as close to that as possible. Then there should be no issues regardless of if it is a 1/2 or 3/4 ton. If memory serves me someone posted some links about that a few months ago.

RhoZeta · 10-08-2010, 08:44 AM

I am not familiar with Dodge at all so I am not sure which model a POS is....

I think one of the biggest things that gets overlooked is the GVWR of the TOW vehicle.
In most 1/2 ton trucks, the GVWR will be met and in many cases exceeded before the max trailer weight is reached.

MtnGuy · 10-08-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhoZeta

I think one of the biggest things that gets overlooked is the GVWR of the TOW vehicle.
In most 1/2 ton trucks, the GVWR will be met and in many cases exceeded before the max trailer weight is reached.

Agreed. With my F150, I have an empty weight of ~5800 lbs. and a GVWR of 7200 lbs.....that is only a 1400 lb. payload. Add me the missus and the dog, that is close to 400 lbs. right there. Then add an "adjusted" tongue weight of my trailer, and that is another 560 lbs. So I now have about 400 lbs. to go. Add a couple of bikes, my canoe, a generator, and other misc. camping supplies in the back of the truck, I am getting close to my GVWR, even though my truck is rated to tow ~3700 lbs. more weight before I reach my maximum tow rating (9300 lbs.).

I might have to get a smaller dog.

SaskCampers · 10-08-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Agreed. With my F150, I have an empty weight of ~5800 lbs. and a GVWR of 7200 lbs.....that is only a 1400 lb. payload. Add me the missus and the dog, that is close to 400 lbs. right there. Then add an "adjusted" tongue weight of my trailer, and that is another 560 lbs. So I now have about 400 lbs. to go. Add a couple of bikes, my canoe, a generator, and other misc. camping supplies in the back of the truck, I am getting close to my GVWR, even though my truck is rated to tow ~3700 lbs. more weight before I reach my maximum tow rating (9300 lbs.).

I might have to get a smaller dog.

Hence what I said about the Dodge Megacab diesel 1580lb payload in a 3/4 ton (try to work that payload number into a 12k trailers tongue weight with 35 gallons of fuel, passengers and some payload) it's just an overgrown 1/2 ton payload wise regardless of the 12k trailer and 20k GCWR. There are alot of 1/2 tons with higher ratings payload wise.

SaskCampers · 10-08-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhoZeta

I am not familiar with Dodge at all so I am not sure which model a POS is....

I think one of the biggest things that gets overlooked is the GVWR of the TOW vehicle.
In most 1/2 ton trucks, the GVWR will be met and in many cases exceeded before the max trailer weight is reached.

Sorry, it's the model they built that has on average something break every 3 weeks since new. And I addressed that in my post that the Dodge is rated lower payload wise than alot of 1/2 tons.

**Herk7769** · 10-08-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhoZeta

I am not familiar with Dodge at all so I am not sure which model a POS is....

I think one of the biggest things that gets overlooked is the GVWR of the TOW vehicle.
In most 1/2 ton trucks, the GVWR will be met and in many cases exceeded before the max trailer weight is reached.

More than a fair amount of 3/4 tons have the same problem. I tow a 9400 pound 5th wheel with a 9200 pound GVW GMC2500HD.

The Duramax gets my max tow-able up to a 15,400 pound 5'er camper but when you add the weight of the diesel and the Allison trans to the base 2500HD weight my 1400 pound pin weight puts me at max GVW for the truck.

crocus · 10-08-2010, 09:06 PM

I am not quite sure what weight I have to spare from my 8800 GVW minus the weight of the truck, but considering my rear GAWR is over 6000 pounds, I don't think the 1400 lb hitch weight is an issue.
What I do know is that it hardly sets the rear down, and the truck actually rides far better with the trailer on it.

**Herk7769** · 10-09-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocus

I am not quite sure what weight I have to spare from my 8800 GVW minus the weight of the truck, but considering my rear GAWR is over 6000 pounds, I don't think the 1400 lb hitch weight is an issue.
What I do know is that it hardly sets the rear down, and the truck actually rides far better with the trailer on it.

I am no where near max rear axle weight.
My issue is I am at my max FRAME weight (GVW).
I don't want to suddenly find myself in two halves one day!!

crocus · 10-09-2010, 07:03 AM

"I am no where near max rear axle weight.
My issue is I am at my max FRAME weight (GVW).
I don't want to suddenly find myself in two halves one day!!"
====================================
Ohhhhh, I don't think you have to worry about that.

What worries me is the overloaded trucks I see on the road with their butts dragging and the front end pointing up in the air. I can't imagine what it must be like driving like that.

rohlingerrv · 10-09-2010, 08:33 AM

GVR,GVWR,tougue weight,payload, good grief you need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what you can tow! I've been camping for 10yrs and still dont have a clue about all the numbers. and of course dealers are useless, "Sure you can pull that 10,000lb 5th wheel with that S-10 with no problem" they just want the sale.. Of course I just joking about the s-10 My GVR is 7200,GVWR is 7200. Truck weighs 5520lbs(including me and full tank gas,I weigh 190) My 5th wheel weighs about 8800 loaded with camping gear.. so am I overweight? Got the feeling that I am.

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