How Much Truck Do You Need?

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

Just buy a RAM 2500 Diesel and fergit about it. All the power you need up hill. All the stability and exhaust brake goodness downhill. Carry all you want in the bed and get great fuel mileage.

Yup. Just a little struggle finding a place to park it. No worries.

[m.hony]

I ain't buyin' nothin'.
My truck is paid for.
Not a 4 x 4.
Oh well.
I'll deal with it.
Tows Airstream fine as long as it isn't wet or muddy...

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I ain't buyin' nothin'.
My truck is paid for.
Not a 4 x 4.
Oh well.
I'll deal with it.
Tows Airstream fine as long as it isn't wet or muddy...

Do you take the Harley in the truck? That would be the best of all worlds!

[m.hony]

Nope.
It's a 1/2 ton with not enough payload and a 5.5' bed.
Harley too heavy and too long-
Would have to have a 1 ton 8' box for that to work.
A Vespa might fit diagonally.

[jcrango]

I have been struggling with the 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton issue for some time (assuming a 1000lb TW). After reading many many comments on this forum it appears to me that those who have the 3/4 ton are very happy and those that have the 1/2 ton say you don't need the 3/4 ton, it is overkill.

[sheriff1]

Never heard anyone say "Boy, I wish I'd bought a smaller truck to tow with"


2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

[m.hony]

That's a pretty accurate assessment.
Those of us with 1/2 ton trucks are at the limit of payload and towing capacity.
Others with 3/4 ton trucks can take more stuff with them.

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by sheriff1

Never heard anyone say "Boy, I wish I'd bought a smaller truck to tow with"


2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

You probably haven't been in the cab when one of those is trying to park at Walmart...

[J. Morgan]

By the same token, I have never wished that I had a 3/4 ton or bigger to tow my Airstream.

Just the way it is for me, even with my trailer hooked and 1,200 pounds of tools and generator in the bed of the truck.. a half ton is all I need, it even doubles as my daily driver that doesn't suck to park...


Gradiens super tenui glacie.

[Tn Traveler]

I have driven diesel vehicles for over 40 years. When first starting with them they were:

Simpler than gas fueled engines
Diesel fuel was cheaper than gasoline
MPG was much better with the diesel
There was a greater disparity in power that favored diesels. Especially torque.

Since that time diesel engines have become terribly more complicated.
Servicing them has become a very expensive item
The advantage of diesels in mpg is less
Diesel fuel is usually more expensive that gasoline. (taxes)
HP and Torque of gasoline fueled engines have been steadily improving

With that said, I am seriously considering a Ford F150 XLT with heavy duty payload option. The 3.5 V6 Ecoboost gives great power numbers, and the fuel mileage is pretty good. Even with the extra payload option (up to about 2300#), it will maybe ride more comfortably than the F250/350. Add to that saving several thousand dollars on the original purchase it is making gasoline engines look more favorable. YMMV, but I will be checking this out.

[sheriff1]

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

You probably haven't been in the cab when one of those is trying to park at Walmart...

Please see my signature...


2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

[m.hony]

My 1/2 ton is still wide, tall, and long to park in normal parking spaces.
It is pretty much a dedicated camper puller and occasional limousine.
I drive a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder everyday.
Regardless of what I drive parking is easier for me because I park in the "back 40" to keep from getting a door door ding.
Yes, I am still OCD/anal about not getting my 1999 scratched.


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[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by sheriff1

Never heard anyone say "Boy, I wish I'd bought a smaller truck to tow with"
2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

******
I have towed with a 2006 4.7L Tundra, a 2012 5.7L Tundra and currently a 2016 F350 diesel. All 4x4 crew cab, crew max and crew cab of some sort.

Love them all. At higher elevations and residing in the Rocky Mountains... having no 4x4 is like not needing a heater and air conditioning. If you want to buy a 4x4, do not go to Las Vegas, Nevada to look over the lot inventory. They are... rare. Here in Colorado, 2x4 trucks are not easy to find, unless stuck in a snow drift in town. Then... they are common.

F150's are the 'flat land version' of a Cowboy Cadillac, lacking the duel tires and extended fenders, for City Slickers. Beautiful trucks and capable of towing anything with some limitations. But you also must consider WHERE your primary driving area may be. Some adjectives are added to add color to these conversations.

Sheriff1 is correct. I have even discovered with many vehicles, a larger engine had better gas mileage than a 4 banger. Especially at elevation.

At my advanced age it is an appropriate time to 'shoot the inheritance' of pampered and spoiled offspring. Thus the F350 and a second home outside of Las Vegas. Bigger in truck capacity sure... feels... great. I will never regret the half ton 4x4 trucks. Although, a diesel 6.7L is purely an eccentric experiment on my part. As long as it is... maroon in color.

If the Las Vegas Craps Table offers 5X or more Odds and the wife enjoys the 'penny' video poker machine... we are on an extended retirement track to Hell. ... and love it.

As Sheriff1 comment... give me the biggest, meanest most cargo load friendly truck and lets give it a whirl. And if it requires extra consideration in maintenance and taxes... I really do not care. We both worked hard for what we have and now in my twilight years... this is going to be ONE great big party for myself and wife.

[Tyvekcat]

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

You probably haven't been in the cab when one of those is trying to park at Walmart...

This thread is hilarious.
I don't know about you but if I couldn't park my D-Ram, even with the AS in tow, at the China -mart parking lot, then someone had better take my keys from me!
Even when I am in the Lexus or the Jeep, I never park close to the store.
who does that? They have complementary carts.

I completely agree with 'Sheriff1' . I can't remember when I ever said: I don't need this comfortable smooth riding truck with gobs of torque, to safely pull my AS.
LOL The good thing is, I don't have to re-post over and over again, trying to convince myself the virtues of using a capable diesel truck to tow my AS 'safely'. It is what it is .
safe travels.

[J. Morgan]

Of course your built in assumption is that all people who tow with 1/2 tons have to convince themselves that their rig is "safe".

Speaking for myself, I am convinced of this by demonstration every time I tow. My setup is rock solid, it handles like it is on rails. (Disclaimer- I do use a certain style of hitch)


Gradiens super tenui glacie.

[m.hony]

I honestly can't tell a nickel's worth of difference from my Tundra to the 3/4 ton and 1 ton GM trucks at work.
I have over a million miles under my belt towing for work.
My Tundra pulling my Airstream feels as good, even better in some ways.
A million miles in a GM 3/4 ton at work then buys a Tundra for my personal vehicle...
Some of the credit for how good it feels could be attributed to the Airstream.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[J. Morgan]

My wife wants a Tundra for our next tow vehicle.


Gradiens super tenui glacie.

[FCStreamer]

Happy wife, happy life

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by Tyvekcat

This thread is hilarious.
I don't know about you but if I couldn't park my D-Ram, even with the AS in tow, at the China -mart parking lot, then someone had better take my keys from me!
Even when I am in the Lexus or the Jeep, I never park close to the store.
who does that? They have complementary carts.

I completely agree with 'Sheriff1' . I can't remember when I ever said: I don't need this comfortable smooth riding truck with gobs of torque, to safely pull my AS.
LOL The good thing is, I don't have to re-post over and over again, trying to convince myself the virtues of using a capable diesel truck to tow my AS 'safely'. It is what it is .
safe travels.

It's a matter of size. A 1 ton is too large for mere mortal parking spaces. That is a fact that is not subject to opinion. It just is. Sure, you could fit one, with the nose sticking out and neither of the neighboring spaces able to get out of their cars.

I'm not saying you don't need it. Or want it. Or that it can't pull an AS. Of course it can. But to somehow imply that a half ton truck is not capable or safe or able to go "up the mountains" is just simply not true.

Truth is a 1/2 ton is a great option for a lot of people. For others, it isn't. Those people need more payload or towing than a 1/2 ton can provide. That's great. Then let them deal with driving a 1 ton as a daily driver. I'm sure it's a hoot. But don't imply that somehow the 1/2 can't do the job safely. Because it can.

Different strokes for different folks.

[m.hony]

Even a 1/2 ton crew cab is too big for parking spaces.
The trucks are nearly the same physical size.
The 3/4 ton is usually 1' longer because they have a 6.5' bed rather than the typical 1/2 ton 5.5' bed.
1/2 tons are still wide, long, and tall for tight parking spaces or parking garages.