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?

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.

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)

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? ;-)

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.

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.

1/2, 3/4, 1 TON | Good Sam Community

jimh406
Explorer III
Oct 12, 2016
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.
cewillis
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
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)
SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
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? ;-)
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Oct 12, 2016
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.
eichacsj
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
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.
Area13
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
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.
Gaetan
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
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
Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 12, 2016
Be right back.....
Going to get the popcorn.
Viken
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
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.
Vinsil
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
Grit dog wrote:
Be right back.....
Going to get the popcorn.