5th Wheel w/ 1/2 Ton

TomG2 wrote:
If you don't know, then you have never driven an overloaded vehicle. For those of us who have, we know the feeling of vague steering and unexpected sway associated with too much load. His "Heavy Half" was not one of the true HD models that do have a gvwr over 8,000 pounds. His is more like 7,400 pounds. I will break it down even more for you. He felt unsafe because the vehicle did not handle properly. His lack of comfort came from the tension required to keep the rig headed in the right general direction. Not fun is often used to describe it. I hope that explains it.

It does, basically he overloaded the truck. That is not to say that if his "heavy half" were under capacity when loaded, it would be inherently less stable than a so called 3/4 ton. So called 1/2 tons handle way better unloaded and even well into their load capacity than any 3/4 ton truck. Not overloading is the key. My work truck is a 1 ton, and I can say my F150 at FULL GVWR handles way better, under any circumstance, and rides smoother, and is more maneuverable, never mind the huge efficiency difference. Only at 90% of the F150's GCWR does my current 350, or either of my 2 GM 3500's start to really shine, or more accurately, justify their fuel swilling ungainliness.

I am unable to understand the concept of going to a 250 or 350 when a 1/2 ton will do just fine. But, I'm not a nervous driver, and I am conscientious about loading generally speaking. What I am saying is I have access to both heavy and light duty trucks 365 days a year, and my work truck (A well optioned 2013 Ford 350) gets parked in favor of my F150, every time I can.