Comparing 3/4 to 1 ton

[Boborc]

I am thinking of a new truck in a year or so. Trying to compare 1 ton to 3/4. For the low dollar difference just trying to see if its worth it for ride comfort and mileage if that's a difference. Is there a big ride difference between the 2 when empty? Is there a big mileage difference when empty? I do not plan on a fifth wheel ever, but a large TT is not out of the question.

[Touch racing]

If you are looking at single rear wheel trucks for the most part ride comfort and mileage differences will be trivial. Towing is where you will notice the difference.

[Boborc]

Originally Posted by Touch racing

If you are looking at single rear wheel trucks for the most part ride comfort and mileage differences will be trivial. Towing is where you will notice the difference.

Will there be a big difference in towing? Figure a 6k to 8k loaded to go trailer. So in actuality I am not near the limits with either. Just trying to see if I will be throwing away $2k

[jannjim]

I have a dually, but tow a 14k 5th wheel. It's awesome! If I was going to be pulling no more than 8k, I would be happy with a 3/4. Easier to rotate tires and cheaper to replace 4 than 6. Also a SWR is better in the snow than a dually...noticed you live in N.J.

[Boborc]

8k is not written in stone but I really don't want to go over 30 ft because of getting into some campsites etc. So that is probably where I will be. Right now I am under 6k and happy with what I have and plan to keep it for a long time while I pay for the Truck.

[Cabinfever97]

When I was comparing a F250 to F350 gas they only difference I found was truck payload. With the F350 you get another 1000lbs for the truck. GCVW was the same for both.

[AuburnTiger2022]

I have a 3500 GMC SRW. I'm towing a pretty heavy 5th wheel that I probably could tow with a 2500.
Before I got this setup I was pulling a 8,000 pound travel trailer with a SUV that had a 8,500 pound capacity. I was never comfortable towing with it.
I didn't want to get in that situation again so I went with the 3500. The drive. handling and fuel economy is about the same as the 2500.
I have no regrets.

[BigH]

Anyone talking about how the ride difference between the 250/2500 and the 350/3500 being minimal only has experience with Ford or GM.

The Ram 2500 has rear coil springs and rides the softest of any 250/3500. Great when empty but there is a penalty to be paid for that empty ride and it shows itself when you are loaded heavy. (the rear is has more wallow) I put air bags in the rear of the Ram and have the best of both worlds.

If you are looking at Ford or GM and are only ever going to be pulling 10k or less, get whichever has the lowest tab renewal.

[NMWildcat]

On the farm and through friends, I have driven most versions of the newer trucks. And as I am contemplating a new truck for myself, I have been paying more attention.
3/4 ton Rams are out for me. Suspension for towing is much too soft and require air bags or Sumo Springs even for average loads. 1 ton Rams are also out as they all have the worst ride loaded or empty of anything I have ever driven. Borrowed my friends twice lately to pull my RV. It pulled it perfectly with no sag. It literally beat us so much we were glad to get out of it. Empty, it just hurt us, even with the tires deflated for non-towing.
GM/Ford, as has been said, not as much difference between 3/4 and 1 ton SRW. 1 ton is slightly rougher unloaded, but not enough to sway a decision. DRW 1 tons are noticeably rougher all the way around. We only have 1 dually left on the farm and refuse to buy anymore. Any advantages are cancelled by the disadvantages in our experience. The farm only buys 1 ton SRW.
If you can find a SRW 1 ton GM/Ford that has what you want for a good price, I would go that way. Bigger truck is usually better in the long run.
That being said, it is usually easier to find specific option packages available for 3/4 tons, and there seem to be more for sale than 1 ton SRW.
Or you can order your perfect truck and wait at least 6 months My brother just picked up a new Ford 1 ton that he ordered just over 12 months ago....

[TwoMile]

Unless you live in a state that penalizes you registration wise for GVWR over 10K, there is no reason to get a 250/2500 ever. Depending on the brand, there are differences in suspension but the ride is pretty good on all of them. I want as much payload as I can get so 350/3500 is what I've had for a long time. Good luck in your search.

[moose074]

I owned 3/4 and 1 ton ford and Ram, I sold Chevy but it’s been 15 years so my knowledge on them would be zero. My 2021 Ram 3500 DWD was by far my best riding truck empty or loaded. My F 350 was a 2016 CC long bed with PSD my current 2019 F 250 is CC short bed with 6.2. I feel they ride about the same but it’s not an apple to apple comparison as the weight of the diesel and extra length in wheel base should favor the 2016. It’s also been 4 years and two Rams since drove the 350 and bought my current ride. I know that my 250 is 98% or more the same as a 350 equipped the same. I even have sticker on my frame showing it’s same as 350 frame. I have posted pics on different threads in past where rotors and brakes have same part numbers from Oriellys , engine, transmission rear end the same ( talking SWD with same running gears) body and interior same. Price is usually within a couple hundred dollars last I checked. My gas 250 has about same payload as the 350 PSD as the diesel kills payload

[Draggo]

I had a '21 GMC 3/4 ton for a little over a year before it was totaled. My travel trailer is about 7,500 lbs loaded and the 3/4 ton did a great job with it. Our plans are to eventually move to a 5th wheel so I bought the 3/4 ton in anticipation of that. After it was totaled I ended up ordering a '23 1 ton GMC since the cost difference was not that much (compared to the cost of a similar equipped 3/4) mainly for the additional payload since it's the same powertrain. The higher payload will give me a better cushion when we do finally get a 5th wheel. I have not towed with it yet but I haven't noticed a big difference in comfort level or gas mileage between the 2.

[Semperfi24]

If you plan to buy a truck with a diesel engine, I would skip the 3/4 ton. You just lose too much payload. If you plan on having a gas engine, either size is fine. My biggest regret when we bought our first SD/HD truck was we got a diesel in a 3/4 ton, should have gone for the 1 ton. Corrected that mistake with our current truck

[KMP44]

Big difference in payload rating. A 3/4 or a 1 ton with the same engine isn't really going to tow any differently. I had a gas F-250 that rode great - I loved that truck. Had zero intention of ever buying anything too big to tow with that truck. And then a few years later ended up with a 13,000 lb 5th wheel and went to a F-350 diesel. That truck rides OK, but would take the old gasser in heartbeat if that was an option.

I also used to drive an F-350 gasser that belonged to my employer and was mainly used as a plow truck. The ride in that would beat you to death!!! At least with the Fords, there are a lot of options as far as spring packages depending on plow prep, slide in camper package, etc... so not all trucks are going to ride the same.

Comes down to how sure you are you will never need that extra payload. If that's truly not an issue, 3/4 ton should do everything you want.

[Tall frog]

Originally Posted by Boborc

Will there be a big difference in towing? Figure a 6k to 8k loaded to go trailer. So in actuality I am not near the limits with either. Just trying to see if I will be throwing away $2k

The biggest difference between 1ton and 3/4 ton will be in the load capacity. If you will not be getting a 5th wheel than the 3/4ton will do everything a 1ton will. Now for ride quality you will need to go and test drive all 3 makes, I think a GM will ride the best but others will disagree so you need to see.

[Boborc]

Thanks for the opinions. I am looking a a gasser for sure. It seems like there is not much of a ride difference just a payload difference. I haven't drove a HD truck in like 25 years

[moose074]

Payload on my 2019 F 250 STX if you can find the new 6.8 gas ford it will get better mileage has more Hp and tq

[Dave Lyon]

Go right to the 1 ton and be done with it. You won’t look back. Resale on the 1 ton will likely be better down the road.

[ashman]

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 6'4" box with a 5.7 Hemi, SRW with coil springs in the rear and I tow a 30Ft TT no problems. I have done some pretty good hills in BC and Alberta and have had no problems with the TT when loaded. Just take your time on hills. About 8500 lbs loaded. Truck runs nice empty or loaded. We have been in some tight spots with the 30 ft TT you don't want to go over that. Tight spots like Alaska, Yukon and BC which you need a shoe horn to get in but we managed. there was a guy coming out of Oosoyos, BC looked like a Chevy, towing a 30ft TT half way up this steep climb going east pulled over with the hood up on his new truck looked like a 3/4 or 1 ton on the phone. Don't know the problem but I was pulling mine up the same grade as his no problem, taking it easy. Still got both and now have a Truck camper to get in some of the hard spots when going back to BC, Alaska and the Yukon

[reevesfamily]

Originally Posted by Boborc

I am thinking of a new truck in a year or so. Trying to compare 1 ton to 3/4. For the low dollar difference just trying to see if its worth it for ride comfort and mileage if that's a difference. Is there a big ride difference between the 2 when empty? Is there a big mileage difference when empty? I do not plan on a fifth wheel ever, but a large TT is not out of the question.

Have you personally driven one of each? Whether or not it’s worth it is a value judgement for you to make based on doing your due diligence and your perspective. What’s important to you? The 350 rides harsher than the 250 which rides harsher than the 150. Loaded the 250 and 350 are fairly similar in ride. The fuel mileage between the two is is negligible. Diesel is mandatory for me but that’s your choice. You and thousands of others like you didn’t plan on getting a fifth wheel, but they did and as many also regretted the choice of smaller tow vehicle when they fell in love with the shiny new 40’ 15,000lb toy hauler at the camping show! Get the 350 and learn to love the ride when you’re empty. I got the 250 and am happy as can be towing my 37’ 10klb Flagstaff around the country. Empty its a beast and turns heads everywhere it goes. Loaded it’s a dream to drive (and it’s 12 years old!)