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1/2, 3/4, 1 TON

egarant
Explorer III
Explorer III
Please educate me on why one would purchase a 3/4 ton pickup for a truck camper.

I've owned all three and I do remember the capacities between the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton were minimal at that time (1980). I don't know if that is the case today. The capacities between the 3/4 ton and 1 ton were much greater.

I ask because I just saw a post where a TC owner purchased a 3/4 ton and a friend of mine purchased a 3/4 ton short bed for a Wolf Creek TC.

What am I missing? Why are people not going straight to the 1 ton, especially for a TC?
2021 FORD F350 dually 4x4 with 4.30 gears, 013 Eagle Cap 950, 480 Watts Solar, 3K Victron Multiplus II, Victron smart DC-DC charger, Victron 100/30 solar controller, 250 amps of lithium batteries by LifeBlue
39 REPLIES 39

Vinsil
Explorer
Explorer
Grit dog wrote:
Be right back.....
Going to get the popcorn.


2017 Ford F-350, crewcab, 4x4, 6.7 diesel.
2016 Thunderjet Luxor 21' limited edition, Yamaha powered.
2016 Wolf Creek 840-SOLD, Arctic Fox 990 ordered.

Viken
Explorer
Explorer
Well I like 1/2 ton trucks. But that's just me. I've had 3/4 ford and it did haul the camper very nice , but I just like the 1/2 ton. I just have to watch my weight more. Especially now that I'm looking for a new hard side.
2021 Ram 3500. Torque t285 toy hauler

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
Be right back.....
Going to get the popcorn.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Gaetan
Explorer
Explorer
In some provinces if you have a 1ton you have to have it inspected every year, I have not check if licensing is the same
Gaetan
Gaetan St-Hilaire
2004 silverado 4/4 2500HD long box Duramax/Allison
2003 everest 323k
2003 northernlite ten 2000 rd

Area13
Explorer
Explorer
I bought my F250 with the camper package before I got a TC. It took about $100 going from 2" rear blocks to 4" to make it better than a stock F350 since it already had bags and an extra leaf in the front. F250 and F350 are almost the same exact trucks, same axles and such, not sure about dogs and chebys.

I'm pretty sure a lot of guys get into campers AFTER they already have a truck and learn that way. If I bought new, I would purchase a F350, I got lucky having the camper package with overloads on my F250.
2020 Outdoors RV 21RD
2015 F-150 FX4 5.0 3.73

eichacsj
Explorer
Explorer
egarant wrote:
Please educate me on why one would purchase a 3/4 ton pickup for a truck camper....

What am I missing? Why are people not going straight to the 1 ton, especially for a TC?


When I saw the title my thought was "why does anyone go with anything less that a 1 ton if TC is in your plans" Guess we are on the same page. And f you are going with a large one (over the tailgate it better be a dually.
2014 Arctic Fox 30U
2001 Silverado 2500 HD, 4WD
8.1 Vortec / 4.10 gears / ATS Stage 2 Allison Transmission with Co-Pilot
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller
Reece Class 5 Hitch with 1700lb bars

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Explorer III
What am I missing? Why are people not going straight to the 1 ton, especially for a TC?

In some states or maybe provinces its a licensing thing....or in some cities no one ton trucks parking on streets..... or a 3/4 ton fits their truck requirements just fine .... truck campers come in all weights and sizes so many will match up with a 1/2 ton truck...... some 3/4 ton trucks such as a F250 with the heavy service package is the same as the srw truck..... or for many other reasons.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Explorer
egarant wrote:
.......the capacities between the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton were minimal at that time (1980). I don't know if that is the case today. The capacities between the 3/4 ton and 1 ton were much greater.


The opposite is true now. The difference between 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks is much greater now while the difference between 3/4 and 1 ton isn't so great.

In our area (northern N.H.) finding a 1 ton truck on a dealer's lot is difficult while 3/4 ton trucks are pretty common. And we wanted a short bed truck so it and my toys all fit in the garage. You wouldn't want me to have to get rid of a motorcycle or two, now would you? ๐Ÿ˜‰
John & Cathy
'12 Chevy 2500HD CC 4x4 sb
'16 Cougar 25RKS w/ Andersen rail mount
'13 Eagle Cap 850 (sold). B4 that a few other TCs and a TT

cewillis
Explorer
Explorer
jimh425 wrote:
most people would say they are nearly identical in every respect with the exception of tires, spring block, and badging.

Except tires, wheels, and springs for GM in 2006. But 2500HD instead or 3500 (in 2006) because GM would not make a shortbed, extended cab 3500.
So I made one myself (actually, better)
Cal

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
3/4 tons are more available in some areas and are slightly cheaper. In the Chevy case, they also used to have a AWD mode in the 2500 vs 2500 HD. Finally, most people would say they are nearly identical in every respect with the exception of tires, spring block, and badging.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

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