3/4 ton thoughts

[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