Do I need a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton????

**CHUM STAIN** · #1 03-23-2011, 07:15 PM

I am on the market for a new used truck and not sure of what size I need. I pull a 24ft Ranger bay boat and sometimes I pull a 25ft bumper pull travel trailer. The boat weighs around 4,000lbs and the camper is around 8,000lbs. What size truck would you guys recommend. I only pull the camper a few times a year and normally its just to the lake, which is about to hours away from home. I was using a 2004 f-150 to pull these, but sold it after I had the transmission replaced. Not sure if it went out because of towing or what.

**fish_eater** · #2 03-23-2011, 07:19 PM

1/2 ton with full towing packages makes a big different.

It has to come with the tow/haul selector with extra colling radiator to the transmission and heavy duty struts and differential.

**DSL_PWR** · #3 03-23-2011, 07:25 PM

If you are towing 4000 lbs on a constant basis and 8000 lbs a few times a year I think you would benefit from a F250 Diesel. You can't be the longevity and with that size truck you won't even know that stuff is back there.

**Fishaholic** · #4 03-23-2011, 11:36 PM

I have a Chevrolet 1/2 ton and am trading it it for an F-250. I have a 24 JH performance and it does a bad job towing that boat. I also tow all over the Texas coast at least twice a month, so that is also a reason for a bigger truck. My friends with 3/4 tons pull that boat with ease.

**Hotrod** · #5 03-24-2011, 12:05 AM

Thats why your tranny went out. 3/4 ton diesel or gas. Or the 1/2 ton needs to be geared lower to handle the towing. Meaning a special order in the differential

**TheGoose** · #6 03-24-2011, 12:31 AM

Here's my take on it....

Get the 3/4 Ton truck if you want, but be prepared for a much worse ride when un-loaded, more expensive tires and everything else, and generally much worse gas mileage. If you really like pain, get you a diesel. Then you pay more at the pump for the same fuel, get about the same mileage (unloaded) as your gas counterparts, and all the headaches that go along with the new DPF (exhaust filter) and Urea (exhaust fluid).

Or, get you a modern 1/2 ton pickup that is rated to tow 10,000+ lbs with the right set-up. Transmission cooler, proper gears/gearing, etc. Sure, you might put the truck at it's limit once or twice a year, but it's more than worth it to me to have a nice riding vehicle. The mileage in the gasser will be poor also (15-18), but at least you're not paying a $.40/gallon premium + about $6-8K more for the truck if you buy new.

I just re-read where you're looking to buy used. There are a few good deals out there on those mid 2000 diesels that make excellent tow vehicles. I would not own a new diesel right now. They need another 3-4 years to get this pollutiion **** figured out. Round 2 has just started...
Of course, this all depends on your towing habits. The more towing, heavier loads, and longer trips slide the scale over to diesel. Towing frequently from Dallas to say Rockport....might choose the diesel. Up on the highway on long trips towing nothing comes close to the diesel for towing. But north Houston to the coast....ehhh...not really worth the other hassles.

I own both a gas truck and a diesel F-350 for a work truck. The F-350 does things the 1/2 gasser can never do, and the 1/2 gasser does things the diesel can never do.

If you're dead set on getting a diesel look for a 04-06 model, they do not have most of the dpf and emissions **** on them. If you get a Ford be wary...the 6.0's can be a good engine but you have to de-EPA them first. I have that at the top of my list for mine, hopefully soon.

**DSL_PWR** · #7 03-24-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGoose

Here's my take on it....

Get the 3/4 Ton truck if you want, but be prepared for a much worse ride when un-loaded, more expensive tires and everything else, and generally much worse gas mileage. If you really like pain, get you a diesel. Then you pay more at the pump for the same fuel, get about the same mileage (unloaded) as your gas counterparts, and all the headaches that go along with the new DPF (exhaust filter) and Urea (exhaust fluid).

Wrong, my F250 and F350 ride better both unloaded and towing and any 1/2 ton truck I have ever owned. Tires are about the same and I know my F250 got better mileage (tuned) than both the 1/2 tons I owned. DPF can be removed, etc. Do some research.

Or, get you a modern 1/2 ton pickup that is rated to tow 10,000+ lbs with the right set-up. Transmission cooler, proper gears/gearing, etc. Sure, you might put the truck at it's limit once or twice a year, but it's more than worth it to me to have a nice riding vehicle. The mileage in the gasser will be poor also (15-18), but at least you're not paying a $.40/gallon premium + about $6-8K more for the truck if you buy new.

Sure then you can still get 6-8 mpg towing with your 1/2 ton truck that gets pulled all over the road by whatever you are towing.

I just re-read where you're looking to buy used. There are a few good deals out there on those mid 2000 diesels that make excellent tow vehicles. I would not own a new diesel right now. They need another 3-4 years to get this pollutiion **** figured out. Round 2 has just started...
Of course, this all depends on your towing habits. The more towing, heavier loads, and longer trips slide the scale over to diesel. Towing frequently from Dallas to say Rockport....might choose the diesel. Up on the highway on long trips towing nothing comes close to the diesel for towing. But north Houston to the coast....ehhh...not really worth the other hassles.

There is nothing wrong with owning a diesel. They have the DPF stuff figured out, and Ford has the DEF situation under control. Now gov motors, that is another story, they have DPF and DEF issues they are still working on. SO, to clarify, I would not own a gm diesel unless it was pre 2006.

I own both a gas truck and a diesel F-350 for a work truck. The F-350 does things the 1/2 gasser can never do, and the 1/2 gasser does things the diesel can never do.

Such as? I am curious.

If you're dead set on getting a diesel look for a 04-06 model, they do not have most of the dpf and emissions **** on them. If you get a Ford be wary...the 6.0's can be a good engine but you have to de-EPA them first. I have that at the top of my list for mine, hopefully soon.

If you get a GM be VERY WARY. They have injector issues, front suspension problems, A/C issues, steering shaft issues, electrical (mostly cruise/radio) issues, rear drive shaft rattles, trans cooler line issues, I can go on and on. I hate it when I read someone bashing the 6.0L because they don't do research, or he said this hearsay. The 6.0L with an egr delete kit, head studs and upgraded gaskets will last. Do some homework.

Sorry Goose, couldn't let ya get away with that one.

I have been on diesel forums for 10 years, I have heard just about every side to every story with regards to trucks both gasser and diesel. They ALL have their issues, pluses and minuses.

To the OP, YOU have to find what works for you and what you can live with.

**CHUM STAIN** · #8 03-24-2011, 07:53 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I prefer the looks of the GMC and Chevy trucks. Although the interior of the Ford is so far ahead of them. My main concern as I said before is to get something that is rated and will handle pulling my boat and trailer. I trailer my boat every wknd about 80 miles round trip, so Im not going cross country or anything. Once again I am only pulling my travel trailer a couple times a year, a couple hours away from home. From a mechanical stand point I don't know what truck is better for my needs. I would rather buy a 1/2 ton gas engine because they are cheaper and better on gas. I read that the newer Chevy and GMC 1/2 ton trucks have a 11,000 towing capacity. If thats the case that would be more than enough for me. Still debating and every bit of info I get helps. Thanks again.

**saltup83** · #9 03-24-2011, 08:35 AM

3/4 ton diesel. You will be very happy! 03' Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins.

**HydraSports** · #10 03-24-2011, 08:48 AM

Mileage and ride to the side, the greater issue is safety while towing the heavier/heaviest loads. Whatever you get make sure it is rated for the heaviest loads. I always error on the side of having too much truck. If mpg is your biggest worry due to the daily driver issue, get a Prius, no truck is going to fix $3.50 fuel.