Sell me on 3/4 ton pickup

[Upstater88]

I know this may start a debate, but I am looking for a 3/4 ton. I currently have a 2015 Silverado 1500 with max trailer package. I have heard that many people don't think they need a 3/4 ton but once they get one they will never go back. I would really like a diesel, but don't think that price is in the cards at the moment, so would I notice a big difference in a 3/4 ton gas vs my current set up?

We took our new 265rls up through the Adirondacks this weekend and could certainly tell it was back there compared to our old 212qbw. It was a terrible trip, but deff would like to weigh the possibilities of a 3/4 ton. Plus, my current truck is just a double cab, and I'm not sure a car seat could fit back there comfortably (we are expecting in December).

[MPD56]

It's not so much of the size of your truck with a 26 foot trailer. It is the engine and rear end gears. I have a F350 SRW Diesel to pull a 13500 fifth wheel. I sure didn't need it for a 29 foot 8000 pound trailer. But now that I have a Diesel I wouldn't go back.

[Iraqvet05]

I'm one of those that will never go back to a 1/2 ton as long as I own a TT. We pulled our old 26BH the first season with a 2007 Silverado 1500 and I found the 5.3 and 4 speed to be anemic. The handling was also questionable despite the dealer making two adjustments to my hitch....it was always a 2 handed, slight death grip on the wheel driving experience. After that season, I traded that truck for a low mileage, older 2500HD gasser and the handling was night and day difference. The gas mileage with a 3/4 ton sucks, but the handling and pulling power were well worth it.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by Upstater88

I know this may start a debate, but I am looking for a 3/4 ton. I currently have a 2015 Silverado 1500 with max trailer package. I have heard that many people don't think they need a 3/4 ton but once they get one they will never go back. I would really like a diesel, but don't think that price is in the cards at the moment, so would I notice a big difference in a 3/4 ton gas vs my current set up?

We took our new 265rls up through the Adirondacks this weekend and could certainly tell it was back there compared to our old 212qbw. It was a terrible trip, but deff would like to weigh the possibilities of a 3/4 ton. Plus, my current truck is just a double cab, and I'm not sure a car seat could fit back there comfortably (we are expecting in December).

We just got a new F250 and a new small 5th wheel. We went over the weights again and again, and the weights are close to the limit. We're retired, so probably won't be looking to upgrade. We're good with our setup, but if you are ever going to consider a 5th wheel, or maybe a toy hauler in the life of this truck, you might want to save yourself a lot of worry and just go directly to a 1 ton.... gas or diesel is a whole 'nother issue.

[DNelson]

We pulled a 27 ft Lance trailer to Alaska and back with a RAM 1500 with the 5.7 hemi engine. It pulled fine but there were times I could feel the RV back there. I am sure a lot of it was the trucks tires as much as it was suspension. After returning we decided to upgrade to a RAM 2500 with the 6.4 hemi engine. What a difference! It was just so much more stable and the gas mileage really only dropped about 1 mpg. I would never tow again with a 1/2 ton truck unless it was a shorter light trailer like our first trailer which was only 19 ft long.

We have since up-sized to the 28.5 RSTS 5th wheel and the truck handles that very well.

[BJR]

Originally Posted by Upstater88

I know this may start a debate, but I am looking for a 3/4 ton. I currently have a 2015 Silverado 1500 with max trailer package. I have heard that many people don't think they need a 3/4 ton but once they get one they will never go back. I would really like a diesel, but don't think that price is in the cards at the moment, so would I notice a big difference in a 3/4 ton gas vs my current set up?

We took our new 265rls up through the Adirondacks this weekend and could certainly tell it was back there compared to our old 212qbw. It was a terrible trip, but deff would like to weigh the possibilities of a 3/4 ton. Plus, my current truck is just a double cab, and I'm not sure a car seat could fit back there comfortably (we are expecting in December).

My 2015 1500 was at the end of its lease this time last year so we went truck shopping. (Both of these were crew cabs) We walked away with a new 2500 so I think I can lend some good insight here.

Our camper is just a little heavier than yours but all in all the 1500 did fine. Actually had a guy who was following me on the roads leading up to a campground stop me and say 'I can't believe that's a 1500 the way you handled those hills.' The tongue weight was always the issue where I was near capacity on the truck. It simply meant being sensible about what goes in the truck vs the camper (and where.)

The new truck handles the camper fine, but it's no rocket ship. The cast iron 6.0L has roughly the same HP and torque as the aluminum 5.3L but the gearing is much better. The 6.0L was still screaming at 5500 RPMs this past weekend on some hills. The 2500 also still gets pushed/pulled when a big rig goes by but I feel this is more like tongue weight percentage than the truck.

Does it tow better? I guess. Never really had an issue with the 1500 except for the crappy stock tires in the rain. I do miss my auto-4WD function in the new truck.

Downsides are out there, too. My registration shot up over $200 a year for the new truck and I'm getting 10 MPG on a regular basis. I got about 7.4 MPG for this recent trip. Oh, and those 10k mile oil change intervals go away, too. Once I have to start replacing parts they will also be more expensive than the 1500.

Would I get another 2500? I'm not sure. We tow ~9 times a year but I drive my truck nearly every day.

I can warn you, though, with a little one on the way and a 2500 you will be camper shopping in a couple of years. We are kicking around the idea of getting a 33RBTS at this point. If we do pull that trigger I would not be able to go back to a 1500.

Hope that helps.

[RetiredLEO]

The heavier frame, suspension, trans cooler, engine, rear end makes all the difference. Dad had a livestock feed business. I use to haul 80 50lb bags of feed (4,000lbs) in the bed with a 2wheel and 4 wheel drive 3/4 ton P/U. Did this twice a day, 5 days a week for 45 miles each time. Would never do that with a 1/2 ton. We never had a ounce of suspension or engine trouble. We always considered 1/2 ton trucks as "city trucks" 3/4 ton pick-ups were "real trucks"

[33 RLDS]

I love my 2500 Avalanche. It gets horrendous MPG with the massive 496 CI gas engine but its not my daily driver. Its not a diesel but rpms never scream like the small block gassers did. Its a 2004 with only around 36K. I suspect previous owners did the same as I bought it in 2012 with only 24 K miles on her !

[rkymntsno]

IMO, if a fifth wheel is never in your future, 3/4 ton gas or diesel should be fine. If a fifth wheel crosses your mind, save yourself a lot of money and skip over the 3/4 ton and get a 1 ton, not that much more money unless it's a diesel, which you'll be even happier. I skipped over the 2500 when we had a 34' tt and bought the 1 ton SRW. We now have a 5th wheel and are happy with the 3500 SRW. Payload is what will catch you on the 3/4 ton. But if you're gonna stay with a tt and never consider a 5th wheel, stick with the 3/4 ton.

[Midnightmoon]

If you are planning to upgrade cabs, by all means move to a 3/4 ton on your next truck. Unless of course you are planning a heavier 5th wheel at some point, and then go to a 1 ton as mentioned above.

Now with that said, I've owned a HD Cummins Ram consistently since 1992. They have been daily drivers and tow vehicles for the last 25+ years. I love them and will never tell anyone that they don't make incredible tow vehicles.

With that said, they absolutely make lousy daily drivers as compared to a modern 1/2 ton. I have my Cummins sitting side by side in my driveway with my F150 and guess which one I drive to work on a daily basis. Yep, that Ram is sitting at home and the F150 took me to work. The comfort, quiet cab, and overall performance leaves my Cummins for nothing but trailer towing. And in my case with a light trailer at the moment (5500#), the F150 gets the bulk of that work anymore also.

Again, not telling you that the 3/4 ton is not a good move for towing. It is and you will never regret that aspect of it. However, there are some tradeoffs to consider before you make that move.

[KillerIsMe]

We had a 2016 f150 5.0 that we used to tow our Jayfeather 24MBH. The 5.0 is a great motor but the rearend got moved around a bit by the 5500# trailer. Last summer, with my wife making 5th wheel noises, we traded it on an f350 6.2. I don't pull the trailer enough to justify the additional cost of a diesel - our daughter is only 13 and will be starting high school this year so our camping season is short - so we went with the gasser. The f350 with the Jayfeather was almost unfair and this year we went up to an Eagle HT.

That being said there was no difference in price between a 250 and a 350 so we went with the heavier suspension. The 150 had a more comfortable ride, better acceleration, and much better gas mileage. The 350 steering is heavy and the truck is physically bigger and more ponderous but I would never tow with anything smaller again. It's a very secure platform.

Tom

[Marine71-76]

Interesting discussion. In 2007 we ordered a Carriage Cameo with dual pane windows. The overall weight of the trailer was 16,410 and at the time, our 2004 F350 was maxed at 12,500 - super duty, 4x4 diesel, 4 door, 8' bed, dually. So we ordered a F450, same as above & a 430 rear-end. Overkill? Sure but if you knew my wife you would surely understand! At least I do not need to purchase another TV should she decided on a heavier unit.

Personally, I do not want her to trade the Jayco but if she sees something that has everything she wants, well, you know the story.

Have a wonderful day & hopefully a good laugh.

[F250dieseldad]

I've had 3/4 tons for the past 25+ years beginning with my 1986 Ford 6.9 diesel. We recently replaced our 7.3 powerstroke with a 2500 RAM, but seriously considered the half ton Ford Ecoboost. Like others have alluded to, we may have a larger trailer or 5th wheel in our future and I just did not want to go truck shopping again anytime soon. After recently doing some additional research, I'm actually a bit surprised by how many RV's we will not be able to tow because of weight limitations, even with our 2500 diesel RAM. Better safe than sorry.

[rodro123]

Well first off the 3/4 ton holds value better then a 1/2 ton. Next I'm sure you have heard that real trucks have more the 5 lug nuts that's because heavy duty parts are used on 3/4 tons. From brakes, suspension, frame, tires. I would never go back to a 1/2 ton truck.

[Riverman]

Headed down a steep mountain grade with a heavy RV pushing you faster and faster.

I've never heard anyone say..... Man, I sure wish I'd kept that half ton truck.

Get the 3/4 ton....

[Upstater88]

Thanks for all the responses! I think we would definitely be happier with the 3/4 ton. The only thing I am going back and forth on now is the decrease fuel economy for my everyday driver, as a few have mentioned.

[Iraqvet05]

I'll add that the ride is a bit rougher and you cannot fit most of the newer 3/4 tons in the garage if that's a big deal. I can clear the clearance bar at my local car wash but cannot fit height wise in my garage.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Upstater88

Thanks for all the responses! I think we would definitely be happier with the 3/4 ton. The only thing I am going back and forth on now is the decrease fuel economy for my everyday driver, as a few have mentioned.

From a towing perspective you will absolutely be happier with the 3/4 ton. How big of a hit the decrease in mpg is for your daily drive will depend on a number of factors. In my case, the RAM 1500 I'd had the last 5 years got ~13-14 on my very short 5 mile one-way commute. The new F-250 is getting ~11-11.5 so far. I still fill up at about the same interval as the RAM - once every 2 weeks - but it's about $25-30 more per fill up. For me the trade up to 3/4 ton was all about capability so I'm fine with the hit as the daily driver.

[spoon059]

Originally Posted by RetiredLEO

The heavier frame, suspension, trans cooler, engine, rear end makes all the difference.

Don't forget bigger and heavier brakes, axles, wheels and tires. For towing, a 3/4 ton is the minimum. Half tons are meant to drive nice and get decent mileage. HD pickups are meant to haul and stop heavy weights.

[dannyabear]

Originally Posted by spoon059

Don't forget bigger and heavier brakes, axles, wheels and tires. For towing, a 3/4 ton is the minimum. Half tons are meant to drive nice and get decent mileage. HD pickups are meant to haul and stop heavy weights.

Todays 1/2 ton pu are the soccer moms min van of the 90s