Sell me on 3/4 ton pickup

[Big1]

For me I have a 3/4 ram diesel and I am kick myself twice for not getting a 1 ton but I'm working on getting one, soon I hope but that's my needs.

[rkymntsno]

Originally Posted by Big1

For me I have a 3/4 ram diesel and I am kick myself twice for not getting a 1 ton but I'm working on getting one, soon I hope but that's my needs.

Similar kicking on my part. Bought the Ram 1500 then got too much trailer for it even though all weights were within limits but the payload could not handle all the weights. The Ram 3500 SRW wasn't much more cost than the 2500 and I just skipped over the 2500 as the Ram 2500s run out of available payload real quick, although not many pulling 5ers will admit it. Hopes are they never have to try and prove they were within limits.

[ShawnR]

My truck is my daily driver so I try to stay in a half ton as long as possible. Look at (or look for) a F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost and heavy duty payload. Other manufacturers might have a heavy payload package as well. I love the crew cab, coming from an extended cab is night and day.

[qstott]

I bought a new 2015 F150 with tow package and all the goodies including the 3.5 eco boost. At the time I had a 24' camper. I upgraded to a 28rls. There was plenty of horsepower to pull it. The weight was within the towing capacity, however I only had about 200 lbs of payload left after loading it. Towing was no problem except for the passing transfer trucks. I worked at a ford dealership for over forty years. When the new 2017 super duties came out I instantly new what I needed to do. I didn't even consider a 250. The 350 was only about $800 more. Since retirement was fast approaching , I wanted a truck that would give me peace of mind.
Before long I was the new owner of a 2017 350 lariat 6.7 with tow tech package. The ability to have in dash tire pressure monitoring and back up camera view made the decision very easy. With the heavy spring rating and snow plow package I got all the weight capacity I could get.
Payload concerns were over. I was a bit surprised that acelleration was not as quick as the 3.5. The little v6 would turn up the Rpms quickly but the 6.7 didn't need them to get it done.
Fuel mileage for the v6 was 15-16 around town and usually 18 on the hwy. I could sometimes squeak as much as 20 mpg on the road if conditions were just right. When towing it seemed 9 mpg was what I always got. The 6.7 gets 15 around town and 17-18 on the road. The biggest difference is that I now get 12mpg when towing the same TT.
I don't mind the stiffer ride at all. The solid feeling on the road is worth it. Passing tucks don't bother me nearly as much and I have no concerns about mountains or step hills. I will never have a 1/2 truck for towing again.

[icr21801]

+1 on the diesel. More expensive up front yes, but then your future towing options will be greatly expanded. Better pulling, better stopping..if you have a diesel with an exhaust brake and better mpg.

A friend of mine was truck shopping and wanted a to move into a diesel but was also trying to keep the numbers where he wanted them. I recommended buying more engine/transmission and fewer bells and whistles. He ended up buying a brand new RAM 3500 Cummins, still nicely equipped for less than the “fully loaded” gas version he’d been eyeing.

[Horizons28]

I have always (since 2003) had Ford F350 DRW to pull my fivers (3 with increasing size to my 321RSTS 36' 3 slides). My thoughts are...the 1 ton DRW with the "new" 6.7 turbo diesel is a dream. I prefer the dually for stability, especially in wind, but my truck is more than necessary. An F250 SRW would handle my fiver fine (Chevy and Dodge make comparable trucks since the 3 are always competing), I just like overkill (not just pulling but also STOPPING) and the advantage of being able to handle larger rigs should that happen again.

I would not settle for anything less than a 3/4 ton. You will not regret it!

[foxrider68]

I have a 2015 Tundra and call tell you it’s like a 3/4 compared to the 2007 GMC 5.3 1500 I used to have. I tow a Whitehawk 24mbh and am probably hauling 6500 lbs loaded plus family and gear in the bed. It’s all the RV I would tow with a half ton. The tundra does amazing and I use the Anderson hitch with sway control. I feel fully confident but wouldn’t with a bigger trailer. My dad has a ram 2500 6.4 and tows a 29rks and it’s just a better truck for large trailer. Now I will say I feel more confident towing a dump trailer with more weight cause they don’t have the wind drag an RV does. Bottom line. Be smart. Don’t max out a 1/2 ton cause a dealer tells you that you can.

[Bayoutalker]

I have a Jayflight 34RSBS and I just got back from a 600 mile trip pulling it with my Ram 2500 4x4 with the 6.4 Hemi. It had plenty of power and suits it well. It does have the low gears. The fuel mileage could be a bit better but it wasn't bad even in the Ozarks in Southwest Missouri.

That being said, if I was going to tow very often I might have opted for the diesel but that is not the case. In the meantime, driving without towing is cheaper with the gas engine and it saved me about $8000 on the purchase.

[richie t]

I went with a Ram 2500 5.7L gas...long bed...crew cab. Pulling a Jayco Eagle HT 28.5 RSTS. Doesn't even feel like I'm pulling anything. Very dependable.

[Bayoutalker]

Originally Posted by richie t

I went with a Ram 2500 5.7L gas...long bed...crew cab. Pulling a Jayco Eagle HT 28.5 RSTS. Doesn't even feel like I'm pulling anything. Very dependable.

You should try the 6.4L gas.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by rkymntsno

Similar kicking on my part. Bought the Ram 1500 then got too much trailer for it even though all weights were within limits but the payload could not handle all the weights. The Ram 3500 SRW wasn't much more cost than the 2500 and I just skipped over the 2500 as the Ram 2500s run out of available payload real quick, although not many pulling 5ers will admit it. Hopes are they never have to try and prove they were within limits.

Amen! This is my next move but until then I just have to make this work.

[TeamRAB]

Drove from Florida to Northern Arizona. Towing our 33ft trailer was disgustingly easy with a 2500 diesel. Hills were nothing, and flat roads, forget about it. I was even able to get decent mileage, though any savings were offset with adding DEF at the end of the trip.

[Motojavaphil]

My last gas 3/4 ton was a Dodge V10. The Cummins replaced it, have never looked back. I dont think it costs much more for a SRW 3500 and you get better pin weight. Half tons are great go to town trucks but chassis and driveline make the difference.

[Motojavaphil]

My last gas 3/4 ton was a Dodge V10. The Cummins replaced it, have never looked back. I dont think it costs much more for a SRW 3500 and you get better pin weight. Half tons are great go to town trucks but chassis and driveline make the difference.

[dupe00]

Take it from a guy who has owned 5-6 trucks in the last few years, get something that would be rated for your next rainy day purchase. I have a 2019 NP 377RLBH. I Was towing it with the F350 SRW. I ended up upgrading to a 3500 DRW With the Duramax. I don’t think I would purchase anything different than what I have now

[Upstater88]

Originally Posted by Horizons28

I have always (since 2003) had Ford F350 DRW to pull my fivers (3 with increasing size to my 321RSTS 36' 3 slides). My thoughts are...the 1 ton DRW with the "new" 6.7 turbo diesel is a dream. I prefer the dually for stability, especially in wind, but my truck is more than necessary. An F250 SRW would handle my fiver fine (Chevy and Dodge make comparable trucks since the 3 are always competing), I just like overkill (not just pulling but also STOPPING) and the advantage of being able to handle larger rigs should that happen again.

I would not settle for anything less than a 3/4 ton. You will not regret it!

When you say “new” 6.7L turbo diesel, when did this come out? I found a good deal on a 2017 f250sd power stroke with the 6.7. Thinking about going to take a look at it!

[Bakersfish]

I have to agree with Midnightmoon. I too, have a very nice 2017 3/4 ton Ford F-250 crew cab diesel long bed (48 gallon tank on the long bed) that I use to tow my fiver. I love driving the truck but parking a 22+' truck is cumbersome to say the least. The truck tows well and we have no problems with it.

Recently, I bought a used Ford Escape to drive around town. What a releif! I now park and cover the F 250 in the backyard until we head out on another adventure. Yeah, it's expensive to own multiple vehicles but it's works for us!

[Bakersfish]

I have a 2017 F-250 diesel. That truck has been completely re-engineered for 2017 and it's a horse. I bought mine used with 15K on it and it's been a great truck. We now have about 30K and it pulls our 36' fiver well. IMO a good truck for RV's.

[wfd44]

I have never towed our fifth wheel with anything other than my ‘15 Chevy 2500 D-max. But I previously towed our 29’ TT with both a ‘96 Chevy 1500 and an ‘07 Chevy 2500 gas. The difference was night and day. The 1500 handled it ok. It was “heavy enough” for the task at hand. But you were always more on the edge than with the 2500. The 2500 just did everything better when it came to working the truck - plowing snow, towing any trailer, or hauling a load of whatever. If we want to go on a trip without the trailer we take my wife’s Equinox, if I need to runt to the parts store I take my scooter or my HHR but if I want to haul anything of significance my truck is the only tool for the job.

Advantages for 3/4 ton:
Bigger brakes, bigger axles
heavier tires
bigger sway bars
heavier suspension
bigger engine
heavier duty transmission
more cooling capacity
if going from a double cab to a crew you still get a 6.5’ bed (5.5’ +/- on 1/2 ton).

Disadvantages:
about a foot longer 1/2 vs 3/4 crew cab (but the extra foot helps the ride quality of the 3/4)
Uses more fuel (but if GM the newer 6.0 gas is much better than previous versions both in power and fuel)

Never heard anyone towing say “I wish I had a little less truck.”

[bluegill1]

All make a very nice 3/4, especially if your looking to purchase new.
I can only speak for Ram 2500, get the larger 6.4, get the 4.10 gears. Those are the must haves for towing. Anything after that you can choose your creature comforts.
Take a test drive in all of them and pick what you like.
Engine and gears are most important.
Let us know what you decide.