Torn between 1/2 & 3/4 ton

[Hob]

One thing to remember, too much truck is better than not enough. People tend to under truck what they are towing by the time all the gear and people are loaded.

Best Regards,

Hob

[fast murray]

How fast do you need to climb these hills and how far are you going? You can climb at 90 if you buy enough motor and all the chips, exhaust, & other stuff. Our tow vehicle is my driver. We have a 30' 5th wheel that we towed with a 1/2 ton Ram from SD to TN and back and I saw some big hills. It wasn't important to me to pass people going up hills though. 10.5 mpg with gas was good too.

[wfmdfm]

X4 I love my 2009 Tundra. Its like a 5/8 ton. Good towing capacity and ok payload. Alot of power on the hills and we find the interior very comfy. Good luck in your search!!

[buffalohunter]

Aside from towing ability, consider the vehicle braking ability. Pretty important I think. Most 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks have larger brakes than a 1/2 ton. The Toyota Tundra which I mentioned previously has impressive size 4 wheel disc brakes. I don't have the specs handy but when your are looking for a tow vehicle you should consider pulling and stopping abilities.

Good luck and have fun shopping. Another thing that Toyota hooked me with was 0% interest when I financed it with them.

J

[02 rockwood]

IMHO Diesel is the only TV for me. We have a 2000 Ford Expedition XLT 4.6 and it pulls our camper fairly well until you hit the hills.

[CamperFan]

I will agree that a 3/4 truck will tow better, but if you have to use your truck as a daily driver, that is when the 1/2 will really shine. It will ride better, not rattle and spew out black smoke, and is a lot sportier looking and handling truck.

[ng2951]

If you are going to rplace your TV ask yourself, "Am I going to replace this trailer in the future (within the lifespan of the TV) with a heavier trailer?"

If so, you may be better off buy a more substantial TV. Don't buy twice, its a lot more expensive.

Beyond that you want to leave yourself some cushion on tow capacity. I don't care what kind of engine you have it is going to be taxed going uphill with a heavy trailer.

Right now you are borderline on going diesel. You could stick with a 1/2 ton and a Tundra is good to 10K, though I don't remember what the GCWR is on the Tundra. On some of those 1/2 tons, with all the people and gear loaded you might be pretty darn close to the GCWR.

I think most 3/4 tons are rated in excess of 20K GCWR, and even with the gas engines capable of tugging 15K. I had trouble with the brake controller on my used 3/4 ton TV and did not realize due to the capacity of the truck (after I fixed it the response was much better though).

You would like the diesel better, but I think if you are not towing a lot a gas powerplant would probably save you cash.

I do know pulling my 8K+ TT behind Duramax Diesel, the cruise control has little trouble maintaining speed up most hills (haven't tried mountains yet). The ScanGauge show the diesel pumps are getting a workout, but that 6-speed Allison gets warm only on 98F+ days. When I was pulling my old 5K trailer behind my V6 Tacoma up some steep hills, cruise could not handle it, and I had the accelerator nearly to floor to maintain 50+ MPH.

I will also add that when I had the trailer loaded over 10K the Duramax still did just fine, held highway speeds on cruise without assist, and temps remained normal.

I think you can get by with a 1/2 ton, but that 3/4 ton is going to have a better cushion...

[acadianbob]

A couple of other thoughts.

1) How often do you tow and how far? If infrequent and/or short distances, then maybe a good 1/2 ton suits you better. There is an every day penalty in ride, handling, and fuel economy with a 3/4 ton.

2) 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton also depends on the brand you buy. There are only a couple of 1/2 ton brands that will deal with that much weight. Consider torque delivery; and importantly, the RPM at which it is delivered.

[EdJunior]

Originally Posted by CamperFan

I will agree that a 3/4 truck will tow better, but if you have to use your truck as a daily driver, that is when the 1/2 will really shine. It will ride better, not rattle and spew out black smoke, and is a lot sportier looking and handling truck.

You obviously have not been in the new diesels. My 2011 F-250 is almost as quiet as a gasser, is easily as comfortable, does not ride badly enough to make a difference, and the only black smoke comes from a chipped engine (usually). These new ones don't smell like diesel anymore, sound like them, or just about anything like the older ones. Mine is a daily driver and I'm getting between 19 - 20 mpg. On the highway I get close to 23 mpg. Towing (only once so far, and not far, so this number is still not fully tested), I get 11.5 mpg.

[Herk7769]

IMHO, get the 3/4 ton as you will NEVER get buyers remorse.
With the 1/2 ton you most likely will at some point.

[campdohbrew]

Yes, the 3/4 ton will always out-tow the 1/2 ton. His current condition may allow for more variables to enter into the equation; example: Time restraints – Is he limited to weekend camping 99% of the time? Does time restraints control travel distance and terrain encountered.

Not too very long ago, I too tussled with this same decision – 1/2 ton verse 3/4 ton. His situation may be similar to mine in that most of my towing is on flatland. We do a most camping at Percy Quin State Park near McComb, MS. When traveling to Percy Quin, I travel into the sovereign state of Mississippi approximately 13 miles northbound up I-55 where I do encounter a couple of small hills. Most of our camping is limited to weekends (leave Friday and back on Sunday) as my wife still works.

When the time comes (Lord willing) where we can travel further distances, I will get 3/4 ton for a tow vehicle. For now I replaced a 1/2 ton single cab short wheelbase with a crew cab containing a larger V8 and different axle ratio.

Just as a side note, my wife will probably work another 9 years. In which case, I may as well get me another job. But, for now, I am taking advantage of this recent retirement life to catch up on projects around home where I find myself using the 1/2 ton for transporting materials for these home projects more than for anything else. I don’t even have time for joyriding.

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by herk7769

IMHO, get the 3/4 ton as you will NEVER get buyers remorse.
With the 1/2 ton you most likely will at some point.

Amen, Brother. I grabbed my 2001 2500 Ram CTD when it was a year old, and the only reason I'm going to have to replace it is because the PA winters are going to make the truck rust out from under the engine. Gotta love that salt brine. Go 3/4 ton diesel or go home, whatever brand you choose. Even as a daily driver, you're going to get better fuel mileage than a 1/2 ton gasser.

[RubenZ]

Originally Posted by herk7769

IMHO, get the 3/4 ton as you will NEVER get buyers remorse.
With the 1/2 ton you most likely will at some point.

That happened to me with my current Diesel. I bought a new 3/4ton Gasser and 4 months later traded it back in for a new 3/4ton Diesel. The Buyers remorse cost me an extra 300.00 a month but its now paid off and well worth it.

[11XLITE28BH]

This thread has taken a turn towards the gas vs. diesel debate.

Anyways, I don't think you could ever go wrong with a 3/4 ton. Nowdays the 3/4 ton trucks ride just as nice as the 1/2 tons do. You know your driving situation better than anyone and can decide what engine type will best suit your needs. If you can't decide between diesel or gas you could read the MANY threads debating that on this site and get a pretty good idea what you may be looking for. Best of luck!

[M109Rrider]

Originally Posted by CamperFan

I will agree that a 3/4 truck will tow better, but if you have to use your truck as a daily driver, that is when the 1/2 will really shine. It will ride better, not rattle and spew out black smoke, and is a lot sportier looking and handling truck.

That would be like saying the down fall of gas is replacing points and adjusting carburators.....just not true anymore.

[Herk7769]

Well, I would hazard to say without the 1/2 ton class - 3/4 ton class; diesel vs gas engine; China bomb tires; ST vs LT vs P debates; and gripes about the radio; we would't have hardly any action on this forum!

[imabmwnut]

3/4 ton trucks are very popular.We have a 5th wheel trailer and we use my mother in laws 1 ton truck. In some places 1 ton trucks are cheaper to find used than a new 3/4 ton truck. Our little 1/2 ton would probably pull it but it has a V6 in it. If you are pushing your limits panic stopping would probably be an issue......might be a case of bigger IS better....just my 2 cents

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by 11XLITE28BH

Nowdays the 3/4 ton trucks ride just as nice as the 1/2 tons do.

Doesn't the Ford 3/4 ton 4X4 have a solid front axle? If so, no way it rides or handles as well as an independent front end. That's where GM and Dodge have an advantage. I believe their HD trucks have independent front suspension on the 4X4?

Heavier springs have to equal a rougher ride . . .

[wayne anthony]

My two trucks have both been 3/4 Chevs (even tho I'm generally a Ford man), '98 with a 454 and '06 with a 6 liter (about 360 c. i.). Both about 300 h. p. and about 4:13 rear ends. No problems with either on the flatlands, but with my new trailer which is about 2300 lbs. heavier (6400 dry weight) than the older trailer, some of the mountain passes in Colorado are a little slower than I care for. Wayne

[campdohbrew]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Well, I would hazard to say without the 1/2 ton class - 3/4 ton class; diesel vs gas engine; China bomb tires; ST vs LT vs P debates; and gripes about the radio; we would't have hardly any action on this forum!

Amen! I’ll have a swig to that way down here in the bayou. Pass that jug of Uncle Gator’s swamp water brew.