I’m looking at purchasing a bigger truck. Not sure if I need a 3/4 or 1 ton yet. Looking through the Auto Trader , there appears to be far more 1 ton trucks available in my area (Alberta). The price difference the 3/4 and 1 ton vehicles isn’t a great deal. Apart from the weight, is there much difference between the two ? Is the ride better in the 3/4 ton ? I’m leaning towards a 3-4 year old used 1 ton due to more availability and choices . I’m also not sure if I need to go the gas or diesel route. We are wanting to upgrade to a fifth wheel in the 10,000-12,000 GVWR range, and we do a lot of mountain driving.

Depends on the year and brand. These days the differences are greater than in the past.On my truck for instance, the difference is an overload spring, lights on the cab and a sticker.

10,000 lb is the upper end for an F-250/2500, if you want to go bigger then you need to look seriously at a 1 ton. A fifth wheel puts about 20% of the weight on the pin so maximum payload becomes a factor. For your intended use you will also be a lot happier with diesel, you will pay a premium up front but it will even out in the long run.

Mr. Biggles - recommend 350/3500 series. Our Alberta doesn’t have any registration restrictions around gross weight ratings for private trucks. My dually is 33000lbs gvwr and registered as a private truck.Our neighbours in BC will check the your door sticker for gvwr and may ask you to scale if your pickup has a case of the squats and waddles due to apparent overloading.I'm told by snowmobilers / 5th wheel owners a single wheel 2500 truck towing is favourite target of BC MOT. AB Trans enforcement takes a dim view of overloading tires.Good hunting

Given that you live in the Alberta area, I would be cautious and check who the previous owners were of any truck. Lots of trucks used on the Alberta oil patch that may have seen rough service and possibly a lot of hours on the engine (idling) that wouldn't show on the odometer. Think some may have an hour meter, but I'm not sure, that might provide a better picture of hours running.

There is very little difference in price between the two because there is very little difference in the actual trucks. They share nearly all the same parts, the Ram 2500/3500 trucks being the exception with completely different rear suspensions. The new gas Ford F250 uses a different transmission. Having said all that, since the price difference is negligible, get the 350/3500.

Differences between 3/4 and 1 ton trucks ? | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2018
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rjstractor
Nomad
Mar 24, 2018
There is very little difference in price between the two because there is very little difference in the actual trucks. They share nearly all the same parts, the Ram 2500/3500 trucks being the exception with completely different rear suspensions. The new gas Ford F250 uses a different transmission. Having said all that, since the price difference is negligible, get the 350/3500.
Lessmore
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2018
Given that you live in the Alberta area, I would be cautious and check who the previous owners were of any truck. Lots of trucks used on the Alberta oil patch that may have seen rough service and possibly a lot of hours on the engine (idling) that wouldn't show on the odometer. Think some may have an hour meter, but I'm not sure, that might provide a better picture of hours running.
noteven
Explorer III
Mar 24, 2018
Mr. Biggles - recommend 350/3500 series. Our Alberta doesn’t have any registration restrictions around gross weight ratings for private trucks. My dually is 33000lbs gvwr and registered as a private truck.

Our neighbours in BC will check the your door sticker for gvwr and may ask you to scale if your pickup has a case of the squats and waddles due to apparent overloading.

I'm told by snowmobilers / 5th wheel owners a single wheel 2500 truck towing is favourite target of BC MOT.

AB Trans enforcement takes a dim view of overloading tires.

Good hunting
romore
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2018
10,000 lb is the upper end for an F-250/2500, if you want to go bigger then you need to look seriously at a 1 ton. A fifth wheel puts about 20% of the weight on the pin so maximum payload becomes a factor. For your intended use you will also be a lot happier with diesel, you will pay a premium up front but it will even out in the long run.
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 24, 2018
Depends on the year and brand. These days the differences are greater than in the past.
On my truck for instance, the difference is an overload spring, lights on the cab and a sticker.

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Differences between 3/4 and 1 ton trucks ?

26 Replies

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