1/2 ton VS 3/4 ton. Opinions? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

1/2 ton VS 3/4 ton. Opinions?

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Been awhile since I shopped for a truck, but used to be nobody made a diesel in anything less than a 250/2500. If you're wanting diesel then you may need to go with the 3/4 ton truck.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

There is no difference in body size of the 1500- 2500- 3500 dodge, or chevy.
Ford F150 and the 250 are different trucks though. ( I think- havn't looked lately)
The diesel will give you years of service, the ability to move up to a 5'th wheel, or tow more TT.
It also gives a better towing and braking in the mountains.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

A half-ton may be just enough to tow a 25 ft trailer, for a while. If you intend this to be a long time experience, a half ain't enough. I towed a 28 ft Sunnybrook Solanta about 300 miles ONCE with a half-ton Chevy. After that, it was to the dealer to get more truck. If the mechanic is willing to warrant the half ton to do the job long term and repair what wears out quickly, get one.

Towing is not a gas mileage issue, it is a safety issue. The little bitty brakes on a smaller truck get a terrific workout. The 3/4 has a lot larger brakes to help the brakes on your trailer. The transmission will require an auxiliary oil cooler in a 1/2, but the 3/4 most likely has one already. Hitches are a whole 'nother issue. Nothing less than a 12K hitch for safety. The 3/4 most likely has one installed (even used). And I bet the mileage differenc between a 1/2 and a 3/4 is so small as to be non-existent. My 3/4 diesel gets about 21 on the highway solo, 9.5 to 11 towing depending on terrain and weather. (and, our rig weighs in at 14,400)

Good Luck.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK, sounds like a 3/4 ton diesel, which I was thinking about.

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jane, a half ton gaser with tow package will pull what you have no problem. A 3/4 ton will do it easier with plenty of power to spare. A 3/4ton diesel will give you room to upgrade (like most people do after a few years). Choice is yours, good luck.

Flyone

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jane

We are quite experienced in this area. We had a 25' Mallard TT for five years. As far as half tons go, mine has as good a towing capacity as any because it has the biggest V8 available, the 5.3L, the lightest weight (because it is a short bed, regular cab), and is two wheel drive. I would have to double check, but I think the towing capacity is only 7000#. The TT was a little over 5000# Bottom line---the truck was struggling on anything but the slightest inclines. I often commented to the wifey that if we were going to do anything more than occaisional camping, we would have to upgrade. Brakes on the truck were never an issue because the TT had great brakes.

Gary · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're still in the research phase and are considering an Airstream or a Toy Hauler. We've determined with the weights of the Airstream we want (minimum of a 25 footer), we're looking at nothing less than a 2500/F-250.

If we go with the Fifth Wheel, we're looking at nothing smaller than a 3500/F-350. Need the extra capability as a safety buffer.

Fatman · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hina,

Well I guess that opinions on this subject are many. I've been rving for about 35 years so here's mine.

All the reports that I read in Trailer Life and similar publications on small trucks pulling small trailers/5th wheels show that they are getting about 8 to 10 mpg, which is the same mileage that I get. As you can see by my signature I don't fit in that catagory. Don't get me wrong if that the way folks want to go, GREAT, it's rving that's the point.

I have seen people towing with 1/2 tons that would have been close towing with a 3/4 ton. One fellow towing a big Nu-Wa asked me if I had any idea why he was blowing rear tires on his truck. But here's the point. With the 3/4 you have a margin of safety and the potential of going to a bigger rv if the opportunity comes along without changing trucks.

That's my humble opinion for what it's worth.

Tom, Karen and the 180 lb Great Dane Landon

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tom,

I just noticed your signature line.......180lb great dane! Wow, that's one big dog:)

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

To a degree the issue is $$$- a 3/4 ton diesel, used, 10 years old can go for $20,000 or more, and I want to pay cash, not finance. But I've seen a few 3/4 ton gas for $10,000 - $12,000, but also old with a lot of miles. Maybe I'll get lucky, and find a big diesel for an affordable price in decent condition.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't be afraid to look at a high mileage Diesel if it has good maintenance records in order to save a few bucks.

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Racerguy wrote:
Don't be afraid to look at a high mileage Diesel if it has good maintenance records in order to save a few bucks.

Jane

Racerguy hit it on the head--"good maintenance records". Also, have a trusted mechanic check it over good.

I take it you have been checking out cars.com. Just remember, at dealerships, these are asking prices. If you find one you really like, ask the salesperson for the bottom dollar and then, possibly, make a counter offer.

I actually found some 8-10 year old trucks out there with 50-70 thousand miles on them.

Good luck. Vance

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know it's doable, 3/4 ton diesel, but I'm still patiently saving til I get $10,000 which seems a workable figure these days. (Crazy, but 6 years ago, I bought my Saturn for $3,700 with 38,000 miles. I've put 100,000 on it, and could probably resell it for close to what I bought it for!)

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

I upgraded from a gas 3/4 ton to a 1 ton dually. I shopped for a while for a used diesel and found a 9 yr old truck with 62k miles, I paid only $18,245. It was owned by an older gentleman that towed a 5er, small world huh. He had recently lost his wife and was hanging up his traveling shoes.

Even though my TT only weighs 8000lbs, it made an amazing difference! Pulling our steep mountain grades I use to get abut 8mpg with the gas truck and ride in the slow lane with the road tractors. If someone in a car cut me off and I lost momentum then it was a struggle to regain my pace. Now with the diesel I'm riding with the cars and their bad driving habits aren't my total demise on a hill. And the diesel gets around 16mpg in the mountains and 18mpg on flats. Not bad for a dually, lol. I bought this to make sure when we found another camper we liked we would have plenty of truck. I would rather be overkill on the truck than struggle with a smaller one, jmho. Good luck with your decision.

dream reachers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have posted this in the past. Several years ago I had a half ton pulling a standard 2 horse trailer with horses. I came up to an intersection and the light turned red. I hit the brakes but went right through even with the electric trailer brakes engaged. Fortunately traffic realized that I could not stop so there was no accident. I had pulling power but not stopping power. I learned that 3/4 ton trucks have twice the stopping power that 1/2 tons do. I traded up to 3/4 the next week and never had a braking problem again. Safety is foremost. I hope you don't learn the hard way. Some people believe that if a truck will pull you up a hill or a mountain that it can stop you going down. That is not necesarily so.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

So what do y'all think is an acceptable mileage for a used diesel? I know there are a lot of factors, but I know the diesel/gas mileage acceptability is different. My budget is $10,000 and some of the trucks I've seen have either been 10+ years, and/or close to 300,000.

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Now, here's something to keep in mind, especially buying used. Gas motors are cheaper to work on than diesels. I have found over the years that if your diesel truck is having issues it's also not a cut and dry situation and not just any mechanic can work on them. Just FYI...

But, even with that said, diesel is the way to go because of their longevity. And they can pull the world and not have to worry as much about over heating. On the other hand, if you're going to be in very cold climates, a diesel is a very cold natured beast. An electrical source to plug in the block heater is almost a neccessity.

Happy Hunting!

-- Edited by makntracks on Tuesday 3rd of July 2012 08:20:20 AM

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, a tight budget, the only reason I have as much saved is due to a serious tax error H&R Block made, and I got the $$$ back. I'm working with basically a non-profit social work, well under 50k salary, which hopefully will change soon.

I saw this one down the street, but I'm still shy a few thousand, what with California tax and licence, but I am tempted.

http://www.legacycarsales.com/vehicle_pages/1GTHK24204E336521-2004-GMC-SIERRA-2500-DEISEL.shtml

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 3rd of July 2012 09:50:45 AM

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

BTW, I'm not trying to sound like a bossy guy. I'm just a woman trying to help another woman out. I know how it feels to go to a dealer or mechanic and have them look at you "that way". Like we are some kind of idiot to be passified and told what we want to hear. I don't care much for car salesmen, can't you tell? LOL I hope some of my suggestions help you out in some way.

Anyway, I love talking trucks. I've had a love affair with them since I was little and helping my Daddy in the shop. smile

-- Edited by makntracks on Tuesday 3rd of July 2012 12:03:07 PM

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

When I was looking just 6 months ago I found several with around 200k miles on them for about that but they looked kinda rough. Honestly your budget is a little tight to get a quality diesel that has been taken care of. For what you're towing, you could look for a 3/4 ton gas rather than diesel. You probably won't get any fluff like power windows and leather seats. I have a 3/4 ton Chevy single cab work truck 4x4 that has the 6.0 gas motor and it could haul what you have with no problem. Even though it is a "work" truck, it has cruise and upholstered bucket seats. And it just has a rubber floor which isn't bad if you end up tracking dirt and mud in it, easier to clean. But "dream reachers" is right, a 3/4 ton will have bigger brakes and stop so much better than a half ton. Also 3/4 tons already have better springs, suspension, brakes, cooling system, etc.

Maybe look for repo'ed work trucks...good luck!

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ask to see service records. At that mileage you might be looking at needing a set of injectors maybe o-rings, things like that. Then it might have already been done. Also remember other parts like water pumps, ac units, brakes, etc. all have 200k miles on them too. So don't get blind sided by "diesel" and think it is invincible. Get under that truck and look for any fresh greasy spots. Look around the back of the motor where the transmission comes in and check for leaks. This could mean serious problems. Check around wheel and brake lines. Also if the dealer has recently cranked that truck before you got there, (the engine block will be warm) then he might be hiding a problem. Like the fuel system is loosing prime and maybe you have a rail leak, also a common problem in higher mileage trucks. If you don't feel comfortable checking it out yourself, ask dealer for you to take it and get an independent mechanics opinion. I just mentioned a few things to look at to prevent you from wasting any extra time and money by looking for a few obvious things yourself. You can also use concerns as barganing tools and negotiate to your price tag out the door. It's funny how a dealer becomes putty in your hands when a woman seems to know what she's looking at. I think they start to sweat a little when we start looking around the trucks like that. LOL

Any time you buy used you could have maintenance to consider. Or you could find a cream puff. Anyway, that truck should be good for plenty more miles on the engine barring no other mechanical problems. Good luck!

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

No problem, thanks! Gives me a few things to think about. But yeah, I'm a more creative and handier woman than most (forget needlepoint, I made a rain water collector for the trailer. Next, a wind generator!) and it bugs me when I go to a hardware store, and have some guy who knows less than I do, trying to tell me what to do, when I'm the only one who knows what I'm doing! :) This truck thing is mostly about timing and $$$, and it looks like a few more months.

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

I read your thread about the rain water collection system. Neat idea!

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

It still hasn't rained, so I'm not sure what's gonna happen... confuse

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

That truck I was interested in is a Duramax 6.6 liter, is that a good engine?

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thought I'd give you guys an update... I got a 3/4 ton V10 gas Ford Excursion, 2002, perfect body, perfect emissions score, only 52,000 miles, just $11,000!! Drives like a dream, and has good vibes! It's a tank, but I think it's a her, and her name is Alice... maybe because I'll be driving down the rabbit hole biggrin

road of happy destiny · RV-Dreams Family Member

We live in hot an sunny AZ with lots of 6-8%grade. We had a 1500 trying to pull that 25' Springdale up a grade 7 and overheated halfway up. We'd stop, cool down an start up again only to have to stop again. As soon as we can we're upgrading to a 3/4 or 1 ton. But first we're getting rid of the Springdale. ( Ever trry living fulltime in a 25 ' Springdale with a dog, cat wife an yours truly. Not a pretty picture aat all.) disbelief

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think this truck will do it, 3/4 ton and 10 cylinders. It's just me living full time in the Springdale, and I love it! Just the right size for me. Been doing it for a year already (though land locked). Living in the SF bay area, I have been confined to small places for years and years (crappy studio apt = $1,000 mo) Last sticks and bricks I rented for $750 a month + utilities ($200 mo in winter) was a converted 325 sq ft storage shed. This is probably 100 sq ft smaller, but the arangement and the storage make it much nicer that an empty square box furnished with odds and ends from Target and thrift stores. Looking forward to towing my "studio apartment on wheels" out of the high rent zone. N. Cal is very lovely in many ways, but having to work 2 full time jobs for next to nothing gets tiring.

Gpndavid · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina, sounds like you got a good deal. I am a believer in having more truck than you need. I pulled a heavy pop-up (4000lbs) with a Grand Cherokee V8 (rated for 6500lbs) with no problems. I moved up to a 6000lb TT and tried to go across the country. The Jeep could not do it without overheating and stopping was sporty. A big factor in that scenario was frontal area. The pop-up was lower than the Jeep and the TT was a 80 sq ft sail. I stepped up to a 2010 F150 (5.4 V8) with Max Tow Package rated at 11,300 lbs. This truck is set up to tow with extra coolers, HD springs/shocks, anti-sway, etc. It easily towed the TT. Now as I look forward to going full time, I am considering a 9000lb TT. I expect the F150 will handle the larger rig; but, I would much rather have the F250 diesel for that load on a full time basis. Guess I will find how how good this F150 Max Tow Package really is. BTW, I get 16-19 mpg in the F150 unloaded and 10-11 mpg towing the 6000lb rig.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Everyone says 3/4 ton with a toward package. I've only done 2 short trips so far, and the truck did fine. It definitely has more torque than speed, and I was driving like a little old lady. Did a few hills Ok, and tight turns OK too. The Ford Excursion is like an F250 SUV, if you can find one, it's like the best of both worlds. They made them in diesel too, 7.3 litre.