3/4 ton thoughts

[vandeman17]

I currently have an 06 f-150 with about 120k miles that doesn't get driven besides weekends, hunting trips etc since I have a company rig. I am considering upgrading to something a bit newer but also to a 3/4 ton. The reason for the 3/4 ton would be to have the ability to pull a horse trailer but also a flat bed trailer for when we get hay. I am not very well versed in 3/4 tons since all my pickups have been 1/2. Any recommendations for something reliable and that won't break the bank? I would prefer gas but open to diesel if that is the consensus better choice.

[JimmyHoffa]

What percentage of the use time would you expect it to be towing the horse/hay vs other weekend use?  If just casual tow, maybe gas; if majority tow, I'd look more towards the diesel.

[vandeman17]

What percentage of the use time would you expect it to be towing the horse/hay vs other weekend use?  If just casual tow, maybe gas; if majority tow, I'd look more towards the diesel.

The horse/hay haul would be 5-6 times per year I would guess. Maybe travel trailer a couple times but its light so no issues there. Majority of trips would be scouting, hunting, leisure etc.

[92xj]

Marry her before buying a truck to pull her horse trailer

[Blacktail Sniper]

What percentage of the use time would you expect it to be towing the horse/hay vs other weekend use?  If just casual tow, maybe gas; if majority tow, I'd look more towards the diesel.

 


When I was looking, I considered a diesel, but just couldn't justify the added costs of properly maintaining vs the actual need/amount of use.

Went with a 2003 Super Duty with the V-10.  Came with air bags already installed by previous owner.

So far has done everything asked of it, including hauling an older (heavy, all steel) horse trailer to Montana, then back loaded.  Averaged just under 11 mpg on that trip.

Extended cab, 4wd, long bed, gets right at 13 mpg when using locally, empty or loaded, not great by newer trucks standards, but it is consistent!

160,000ish miles on it, about 15,000 of which I have put on it and the only issue (knock on wood) has been a bad coil pack...

For the costs of new or even newer, used trucks these days, I plan on keeping this one going for as long as I possibly can.

[vandeman17]

Marry her before buying a truck to pull her horse trailer

Travel trailer upgrade is in near future for old man and I so that is major reason as well.

[rtspring]

Never owned a 3/4 ton before I got mine 4 years ago.  The bad, ride quality is way worse than any 1/2 ton.  3/4 ton diesels are crap in snow unless you load the bed with weight. Then you can go anywhere dang near. 

Goods, you feel like your driving a TRUCK, power for days,  can pretty much pull anything anywhere. 

[2MANY]

Get a 1 ton.
or plan on air bags.

[Henrydog]

I have a 2012 Dodge 3/4 with a gas hemi....did not want to deal with the diesel crap.  I tow a 2 axel horse trailer 3-4 times a year, a 16 foot camp trailer 20 days a year, and a 16 foot boat 50 time a year.  Zero issues.  Gas econ sucks when pulling other than that no complaints.  I get about 14mph mixed city and freeway.

[Buzz2401]

Own a 3/4 GMC HD gasser and have never been disappointed in my decision.  Have had zero problems in last 10 years and tow loads varying between 2k to 8k.  I could put my 8.5' camper in bed and tow my 23' glass boat with no issues.  What has been said about putting weight in back and ride quality are very true, I will often through my quad in back of truck just to help it ride better lol.

[Crunchy]

I love my 3/4 ton and ride is an improvement over my old 1/2 ton.  I went diesel with no regrets.  It tows like a beast.  I tow a lot more between my boat and utility trailer for hunting, but gets around town just fine and better gas mileage than my 1/2 ton got.

[Stein]

Own a 3/4 GMC HD gasser and have never been disappointed in my decision.  Have had zero problems in last 10 years and tow loads varying between 2k to 8k.  I could put my 8.5' camper in bed and tow my 23' glass boat with no issues.  What has been said about putting weight in back and ride quality are very true, I will often through my quad in back of truck just to help it ride better lol.

That's what I am looking at buying.  I don't need a diesel and the extra purchase cost and maintenance aren't worth it.

[Pnwrider]

Ride quality issues are easily solved with properly tuned suspension. I helped a buddy instal a Carli lift kit on his diesel and it rides amazing. I have a ram 2500 with a Cummins and could never go back to a gasser. The newer diesels are much quieter and stink way less. Better fuel economy towing (which equates to less fill ups with the trailer attached), better resale, and gobs of torque. Best of all, no sound transit line item on my tabs because my truck weighs so much!

[yorketransport]

I've had 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and I ended up going back to the 3/4 ton and couldn't be happier. I went with a 2005 Duramax just because that's what I found for the right price when I was shopping around. I'm happy with it but I doubt I'd notice a big difference if I'd gone with a gas instead. My truck has a 4.10:1 rear end and I still get 15 mpg when pulling a 10,000 # trailer. That's better than I got in my 3/4 gas F250 with the 5.4L and the 3.73:1 rear end but probably not enough to be a deal breaker.

I may get flamed for this, but my 3/4 Chevy rides as smooth as all the F150s I've been in from the same model years. I haven't spent enough time comparing other years so maybe it's better now.

I don't think you'd be unhappy with any of the 3/4 ton trucks. I know that when I had a 1/2 I would constantly find myself wishing for a little more capacity when I loaded it up. I've never felt under equipped with the 3/4 though.

[Special T]

The new diesels are garbage. For the small amount of towing your gonna do buy a gas rig. The only circa 08 diesels worth a Damn have had all the emissions crap deleted. I have a couple of companies I deal with whom have  ditched their diesel service trucks for gas because the diesels spent too much time in the shop.

I'm a big diesel fan but unless you buy an older one and live in an area where you can do a delete, buy a gaser.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[baker5150]

Ride quality issues are easily solved with properly tuned suspension. I helped a buddy instal a Carli lift kit on his diesel and it rides amazing. I have a ram 2500 with a Cummins and could never go back to a gasser. The newer diesels are much quieter and stink way less. Better fuel economy towing (which equates to less fill ups with the trailer attached), better resale, and gobs of torque. Best of all, no sound transit line item on my tabs because my truck weighs so much!

Carli suspension systems are incredible.  They are also incredibly expensive. 

[rasbo]

Go with 2500,then you have it if you need it. I've got 280 thousand in my 6.0 and it's still strong.

[jeffitz]

99 F250 SuperDuty 4X4 7.3 diesel 6speed manual is the best truck ive ever owned - leveling leafs in the front and airbags in the back(rides beautiful)(and hauls huge payloads with bags aired up), 20 mpg doin 70 on the freeway, 300,000 miles and still runs like new- i will be sad when its gone someday- about half of those miles are on gravel and/or poorly maintained Forest Service roads around Mt St Helens - one set of injectors and two clutches so far-these were very well built/durable trucks with low maintenance/very sad to see the new garbage now for twice the price

[MHWASH]

Couple of things that haven't been mentioned, 3/4 tons typically have larger brakes for heavy loads. What size of bed do you want? Can you get a 6 or 8 foot bed with a 1/2 ton extended or 4 door? I would rethink the flat bed, IMO a truck bed is a lot more useful than a flat bed.

[JWEBB]

I currently have an 06 f-150 with about 120k miles that doesn't get driven besides weekends, hunting trips etc since I have a company rig. I am considering upgrading to something a bit newer but also to a 3/4 ton. The reason for the 3/4 ton would be to have the ability to pull a horse trailer but also a flat bed trailer for when we get hay. I am not very well versed in 3/4 tons since all my pickups have been 1/2. Any recommendations for something reliable and that won't break the bank? I would prefer gas but open to diesel if that is the consensus better choice.

What’s your price range? That’s gonna make a huge difference

[Blacktail Sniper]

Couple of things that haven't been mentioned, 3/4 tons typically have larger brakes for heavy loads. What size of bed do you want? Can you get a 6 or 8 foot bed with a 1/2 ton extended or 4 door? I would rethink the flat bed, IMO a truck bed is a lot more useful than a flat bed.

Says he is pulling a "flat bed trailer."

[NRA4LIFE]

I have 190K on my 2500 HD GMC, 6.0.  Tows 10000 like it's not even there. 

[vandeman17]

I currently have an 06 f-150 with about 120k miles that doesn't get driven besides weekends, hunting trips etc since I have a company rig. I am considering upgrading to something a bit newer but also to a 3/4 ton. The reason for the 3/4 ton would be to have the ability to pull a horse trailer but also a flat bed trailer for when we get hay. I am not very well versed in 3/4 tons since all my pickups have been 1/2. Any recommendations for something reliable and that won't break the bank? I would prefer gas but open to diesel if that is the consensus better choice.

What’s your price range? That’s gonna make a huge difference

Prefer around $30k or under. Quad cab and bed length doesn't matter since pretty much anything will be better than my 5'5" bed. 

[jstone]

I’m in the same market as you. Hope to trade my truck in this weekend on a 2500/3500 Chevy gas

[vandeman17]

I’m in the same market as you. Hope to trade my truck in this weekend on a 2500/3500 Chevy gas

Nice. Keep me posted on what you end up getting. 

[jstone]

You bet. Lots out there just so expensive. Gotta Keep in my budget

[vandeman17]

You bet. Lots out there just so expensive. Gotta Keep in my budget

That is my sticking point too. Most in my budget are higher miles or don't have the amenities I would prefer

[Pnwrider]

I have 190K on my 2500 HD GMC, 6.0.  Tows 10000 like it's not even there.

My experience with the 6.0 in a gmc Denali was the complete opposite. Revved like hell and couldn’t maintain speed limits towing a 5k pound boat over the passes. Not to mention the 8-9 mpg I was averaging towing. My diesel gets around 13 mpg towing my new 9k pound boat and I set the cruise at 70.

[MHWASH]

In that price range I would by pass the diesel in order to get the options you want.  If you go with a GM, try yo find a newer one with the 6 speed auto. The 6 speed is a vast improvement. A diesel is awesome, but if your not towing a lot its not worth it. The 6.0 will tow what you want, it just takes a lot of RPMs and gas to get there.

[baker5150]

I currently have an 06 f-150 with about 120k miles that doesn't get driven besides weekends, hunting trips etc since I have a company rig. I am considering upgrading to something a bit newer but also to a 3/4 ton. The reason for the 3/4 ton would be to have the ability to pull a horse trailer but also a flat bed trailer for when we get hay. I am not very well versed in 3/4 tons since all my pickups have been 1/2. Any recommendations for something reliable and that won't break the bank? I would prefer gas but open to diesel if that is the consensus better choice.

What’s your price range? That’s gonna make a huge difference

Prefer around $30k or under. Quad cab and bed length doesn't matter since pretty much anything will be better than my 5'5" bed. 

You could get a fully loaded 5.9 24v Cummins in that $$ range with decent miles on it.
They have dropped in price the past couple years, Find one with a rebuilt trans or manual and you'll be set for decades.

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2005-dodge-ram-3500-quad-cab/6602408909.html

https://wenatchee.craigslist.org/cto/d/ton-2500-dodge-59-cummins/6571990248.html

[JWEBB]

I currently have an 06 f-150 with about 120k miles that doesn't get driven besides weekends, hunting trips etc since I have a company rig. I am considering upgrading to something a bit newer but also to a 3/4 ton. The reason for the 3/4 ton would be to have the ability to pull a horse trailer but also a flat bed trailer for when we get hay. I am not very well versed in 3/4 tons since all my pickups have been 1/2. Any recommendations for something reliable and that won't break the bank? I would prefer gas but open to diesel if that is the consensus better choice.

What’s your price range? That’s gonna make a huge difference

Prefer around $30k or under. Quad cab and bed length doesn't matter since pretty much anything will be better than my 5'5" bed. 

30k is a pretty high budget for a nice truck. Should be able to find something extremely clean with lower miles for that price. Personally I own an f350 powerstroke which I love and has never let me down, but if I were to spend that kinda money I would go for the cummins as baker5150 mentioned. My dad has one and loves it. Just remember, take your time finding one. There are a lot of nice ones out there

[CAMPMEAT]

Duramax all the way. I bought a new one in 13 and loved it. They work in the snow if you know how to drive in the snow. It was my daily retirement driver, 15mpg-19mpg. Quad cad. Moved to Arizona with it a full sized 8.5 camper and 20 foot cargo trailer loaded with ATVs, ammo etc. 80 mph up and down hills and didn't skip a beat.


Go big or go home. Comfy too and it was the LT.

[jstone]

Well I purchased a 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 LT. Z71. It has a 4” lift and nice wheels and tires. Went back to gas. I only need to tow my 21.5’ boat. I will be towing it over to Cresent Bar this Friday. We will see what that 6.0L can do. Love the ride of the Chevy 3500.

[asmith]

Got my GMC 2500 listed in the classifieds here 

All said, I don't want to sell it.  I love that thing.  Will go anywhere, tow anything.  Rides great.  We will be upgrading ourselves once I sell it and trade in our other vehicle and get a 1 ton GMC. 

[eastsidemallard74]

https://moseslake.craigslist.org/cto/d/truck-5th-wheel-combo/6618121941.html

I have this, i'm in Moses. Parents truck, trailer they pulled was 10K, and pulled all over the US camping(Glamping) only nice RV spots, do off roading,etc. Babied truck

[vandeman17]

I saw your listing actually during my search. Just a bit above my price range