Traded Half Ton for 3/4 Ton. Happiness!

[Garberinc]

Thanks for all the comments guys! I don't mind good arguments for 1/2, 3/4, 1T trucks.
It sure seems like everything's else, everyone has their own experiences and opinions.
I'm thrilled with our new 3/4. In figuring out gas mileage by hand today, I'm getting 14 mpg mixed. Not bad for a big , new motor.
Got the Ford tonneau cover installed today. It's the canvas trifold. Some might like the hard cover, some might like no cover. But I love the tri folders.

[chuck5395]

Originally Posted by Garberinc

Thanks for all the comments guys! I don't mind good arguments for 1/2, 3/4, 1T trucks.
It sure seems like everything's else, everyone has their own experiences and opinions.
I'm thrilled with our new 3/4. In figuring out gas mileage by hand today, I'm getting 14 mpg mixed. Not bad for a big , new motor.
Got the Ford tonneau cover installed today. It's the canvas trifold. Some might like the hard cover, some might like no cover. But I love the tri folders.

Gosh dang it, you'r gonna start another spat.
I prefer my rollup tonneau cover.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Garberinc

Got the Ford tonneau cover installed today. It's the canvas trifold. Some might like the hard cover, some might like no cover. But I love the tri folders.

I've got the soft trifold tonneau on my '17 as well. Oh and by the way, you're just getting started on the mods! Husky mud flaps, Husky floor liners, DeeZee tailgate assist [that's a good one] and the list goes on.......Have fun.

[Camper651]

Originally Posted by Quantum

I agree that an F250 or F350 would be more stable for towing, but I will admit I'm very impressed with my F150 Ecoboost.

My trailer weighs around 8000lbs (950lbs tongue measured with a scale when loaded) and I was quite pleased with my trip from Ontario to Florida back in March. I even dealt with 25-30mph winds in the Appalachian Mountains, yes I felt them for sure, but no sway.

I didn't suffer any sway, only minor sucking from semis, but all semis, only the ones going 75mph.

I use an Equal-i-zer 10k hitch and I attribute my good experience to that hitch.

Would I love a F350 for towing...YES, but since it is my daily driver, the F150 is a better fit. I also don't have any white knuckle experiences, I literally can tow with one hand on the wheel, nice and stable.

Congrats on the F250, that's a nice truck!

I want to thank you for that post, I traded in my 2016 f350 6.2 gas for a 2016 f150 5.0 6 weeks ago because the insurance was 175.00 more every 6 months and the mileage sucked. I figured I would end up trading my 2016 Jay Flight 29rks for a lighter one but really hate to give up the room. I too have equalizer 10k hitch and dialed it in at home and went 25 miles to the scale and 25 back home no problems, but still wondered how it would do on Interstate. I only travel to family from my house near Savannah, Ga to Jacksonville,Fl or To Charleston, Sc so I shoud be ok.
my truck empty is 5280 with 2980 on steer and 2300 on rear, then with trailer 13560 with 2960 on steer, 3200 on rear , and 7400 on trailer, all within limits.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Garberinc

Thanks for all the comments guys! I don't mind good arguments for 1/2, 3/4, 1T trucks.
It sure seems like everything's else, everyone has their own experiences and opinions.
I'm thrilled with our new 3/4. In figuring out gas mileage by hand today, I'm getting 14 mpg mixed. Not bad for a big , new motor.
Got the Ford tonneau cover installed today. It's the canvas trifold. Some might like the hard cover, some might like no cover. But I love the tri folders.

Congratulations on your choice.

[FeatherFam]

Congratulations on the TV! I have read some interesting articles on the handling advantages of a 1/2T. But when and if we go bigger, I will go with a 3/4T.

On the tonneau deal, we just bought a Truxedo TruxSport roll up for 8' bed. We had a total piece of junk trifold that literally disintegrated before our eyes over a three year period, even though we babied it/like I do all of my equipment. We got totally bamboozled, and paid way too much for it. It was an aluminum model that leaked like river no matter what I did to tweak and reset it, numerous times, and the manufacturer was rude and useless when we called for help. No tonneau is leak proof, but this thing was a joke! It actually caused the ruin of several tools that stayed wet in the tool box. It was a Steffens Automotive Fold-A-Cover. I suggest looking elsewhere for your next tonneau. I for one am done with them.

I ordered the Truxedo through Real Trucks. Hoping for a better experience, I decided to keep it simple with the roll up and paid 1/3 the price that I paid for the highly touted mess that I got ripped on. I garnered a lot of anecdotal data from tonneau owners; the theme was less is more. I kept hearing success stories from the owners of simple, inexpensive tonneau owners. So I went with that, a simple vinyl roll up. We'll soon see how it goes. I least I did not break the bank this time. I thought that other one was going to last a long time and do a decent job of keeping out the elements. We live and learn.

[bono]

Please do share the details! Arguments will not get the traction with majority, but some may benefit.

Originally Posted by FeatherFam

(...) I have read some interesting articles on the handling advantages of a 1/2T. (...)

[FeatherFam]

Originally Posted by bono

Please do share the details! Arguments will not get the traction with majority, but some may benefit.

Yes, I would if I could, but I cannot remember where or the source. I was searching for the pros and cons of 1/2T vs. 3/4T for towing. I want to say one article was from a Road and Track sourced page and the others were truck and RV publications. One may have been The Fast Lane Truck and/or Mr. Truck.com. I like their videos. It was last fall sometime. I wish I could be more specific. The articles emphasized the greater load capability, power, and straight line stability of 3/4T, but they also discussed the 1/2T as a better handling (maneuvering/cornering) vehicle when loaded well within its margins, not pushing or exceeding them. I remember one article giving the handling (at speed lane shifting, sudden swerving, and cornering) safety nod to the 1/2T, but everything I read said that the 3/4T was a better choice for heavier loads that approach or exceed the margins of 1/2T TVs.

My thoughts are that if I stay in the same weight and length range or go smaller, I will stick with the halfer. If we get longer and heavier, I will move onto a 3/4. I like to stay well away from max capacities, and I do go for safety, performance, and comfort over-kill, just me.

[bono]

Thanks. This is exactly what I said. If you put 3/4 ton truck suspension and tires on 1/2 ton truck, the OVERALL handling of 1/2 ton would be better. Obviously you need to take into consideration what you are towing.

Full disclosure, I do not have a truck, in particular 1/2 ton, I am not planning to buy one.

[Camper651]

Does you f150 have trailer tow mirrors or clip on for that long trip ? also you did not mention any suspention upgrades so I presume the truck is stock ? I am impressed.

[Demiles]

What many fail to realize is the stability of any towing combination depends on characteristics of both TV and trailer. This why there’s many 1/2 ton trucks pulling 7k lb + trailers confidently then there are those that weigh much less that can’t go over 60 mph. If you consider TV only the extra mass of a 3/4 ton becomes a big advantage overall. Handling (Static) stability primarily depends on TV properties and the tongue load of the trailer. Handling goes south as the tongue load increases so there becomes a balance between maintaining handling (Static stability) and sway (dynamic stability).

[nighthawk87]

Originally Posted by Demiles

What many fail to realize is the stability of any towing combination depends on characteristics of both TV and trailer. This why there’s many 1/2 ton trucks pulling 7k lb + trailers confidently then there are those that weigh much less that can’t go over 60 mph. If you consider TV only the extra mass of a 3/4 ton becomes a big advantage overall. Handling (Static) stability primarily depends on TV properties and the tongue load of the trailer. Handling goes south as the tongue load increases so there becomes a balance between maintaining handling (Static stability) and sway (dynamic stability).

So give an example.

[WVDusty]

To the OP congratulations on the new truck... Sorry that your thread has went so far OFF TOPIC.

Thread closed...