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Anybody regret buying too much truck?

interceptor15
Explorer
Explorer
I've recently purchased a new Skyline Ecocamp 20BH. It is a small travel trailer, 4600 pounds loaded with a 700 pound tongue weight. I live in an area with mountains. I would eventually like to haul bikes, people, kayaks, and whatever else I want. I also pull around a 4000 pound boat. Payload is more of my concern than maximum towing weight, as I have fairly light toys. I would like to be able to take some long trips with my trailer in the future.

I've been looking at Ford crew cabs with the 3.5 liter ecoboost. They have around a 2000 pound payload. However, they are very expensive.

I can pick up an F250 or Ram 2500 diesel for roughly $5000 more than the Ford 1/2 ton. I can also pick a gas 3/4 ton for about the same price as the half ton.

I plan on keeping this truck for a while, and will also use it for other recreational activities without pulling anything.

I'm not pulling 20,000 pounds and a lot of the diesel guys laugh at me when I tell them I'm looking at a diesel for my light trailers.

I know about maintenance costs, diesel costs, and the differences in gas mileage. I'm trying to see if anybody has any reason I would regret buying a 3/4 ton diesel or 3/4 gasser for my tow vehicle?
76 REPLIES 76

CampingN_C_
Explorer
Explorer
bbaker2001 wrote:
yes it definitely could carry same. issue is I am buying an ext warranty, and if I go over the CCC could this be an issue.
2180 - hitch weight of 12000 GVW would leave very little room. I carry 2 kayaks and small boat on top. reality no problem, only warranty issue.
would rather stick with coils for ride


My 1500lb tongue weight brought the rear down maybe two inches. I went from 6 to 7 links on my WDH. The coils on the 2500 are very capable.
2018 Ram 3500 DRW CCLB Aisin 4.10 4x4

2018 Jayco Talon 413T
B&W Companion

bbaker2001
Explorer
Explorer
yes it definitely could carry same. issue is I am buying an ext warranty, and if I go over the CCC could this be an issue.
2180 - hitch weight of 12000 GVW would leave very little room. I carry 2 kayaks and small boat on top. reality no problem, only warranty issue.
would rather stick with coils for ride
BB from California
2015 Ram 3500
2001 Cardinal
best friend is my wife 🙂

bbaker2001
Explorer
Explorer
sorry RAM
BB from California
2015 Ram 3500
2001 Cardinal
best friend is my wife 🙂

allen8106
Explorer
Explorer
No such thing as too much truck IMHO.
2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

2010 Nights 45
2011 Nights 70
2012 Nights 144
2013 Nights 46
2014 Nights 49
2015 Nights 57
2016 Nights 73
2017 Nights 40
2018 Nights 56
2019 Nights 76
2020 Nights 68

ShinerBock
Explorer
Explorer
bbaker2001 wrote:
is the payload capability of a dodge 3/4 really the same as 1 ton



Nope. On paper as you mentioned they are not due to the 10,000 lb GVWR limit placed on the class that the 3/4 is in. However, going my GAWR, there is a 500 lb difference on both that are exactly the same besides rear suspension. By it's ratings of its parts(frame, brakes, axles, suspension, etc..), the 2500 Ram diesel should be have a GVWR of about 11,200 lbs GVWR which would raise its payload to be over 3,000 lbs and that is what it is in the 6.4L that has the same rear suspension. However, due to that 10,000 lb GVWR limit of the truck class that it is in, the GVWR is derated which in turn means the payload is derated because payload is derived from GVWR.

So as you said above the 2500 is maxed out to 10,000 GVWR on paper, which also means that you will pay less paper come registration time since things start to get real pricey once you get past 10,000 GVWR. Per the ratings of parts and what those parts are rated to handle in other trucks, the GVWR and payload is a lot more although not as much as the 3500. About 500 lbs less per its ratings of those parts.





2014 Ram 2500 6.7L CTD
2016 BMW 2.0L diesel (work and back car)
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 3.0L Ecodiesel

Highland Ridge Silverstar 378RBS

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
bbaker2001 wrote:
is the payload capability of a dodge 3/4 really the same as 1 ton


That no longer is true! RAM 2500/3500 are two different animals since 2013.

BIG difference in payload.

The problem is most people only look at the "TOWING" numbers. They are very similar. The big problem the 2500 is overloaded when trying to tow a RV over 12-14K but it's well within the 3500's "PAYLOAD".

This is why a lot of people hook up to this monster RV that the chart says they can "TOW" then they realize with their butt dragging they now need to add airbags and the list goes from there.



2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
tsetsaf wrote:
Had a neighbor that owned a customized HDT. During our 2 week stay in the same park it was in the shop 3 times for repairs... stuff that would be straightforward on a normal truck (alignment, front end parts, front tires, and a tranny flush). When all was said and done he was out $10,000!!!! For labor and parts.

Yes you can have too much truck.


The trend is leaving the MDT's for the very capable SAE J2807 compliant RAM 3500 Dually. Years ago you had to have a MDT to pull these heavy RV's.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

bbaker2001
Explorer
Explorer
is the payload capability of a dodge 3/4 really the same as 1 ton
BB from California
2015 Ram 3500
2001 Cardinal
best friend is my wife 🙂

kennethwooster
Explorer
Explorer
Guy bigger then you need. More then likely you will trade up some day and your ready to go. You will not regret getting extra capacity.
kenneth wooster- retired farmer. Biblical History Teacher in public HS, and substitute teacher.
wife Diana-adult probation officer, now retired.
31KSLS Full Body paint Cameo
Ford F350 2014 DRW 4X4 King Ranch.
20K B&W Puck mount hitch

FlatBroke
Explorer II
Explorer II
Getting a kick out of these posts. "Can never have too much truck" then their signature shows a short box. 😉

Hitch Hiker
"08" 29.5 FKTG LS

itguy08
Explorer
Explorer
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
musicman54 wrote:
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Yep; every time I go to the DMV. :M
why does your state charge you more for a dually oregon does not coast same as my dw escape


I have no idea? You would have to ask Mr. Brown that. I can tell you this. My friend had a F450 years ago and it cost him $1,400 for the little piece of plastic that goes on the license plate every year. Mine cost me $250 a year for my 22 YO 2500 truck. :M


Here in PA they register you by weight class and GVWR so it can get expensive quickly. IIRC a coworker with an F450 was paying $400 a year for his registration.

CampingN_C_
Explorer
Explorer
I just bought a RAM diesel to pull a 9000lb camper a handful of times per year. No regrets at all.
2018 Ram 3500 DRW CCLB Aisin 4.10 4x4

2018 Jayco Talon 413T
B&W Companion

tsetsaf
Explorer III
Explorer III
Had a neighbor that owned a customized HDT. During our 2 week stay in the same park it was in the shop 3 times for repairs... stuff that would be straightforward on a normal truck (alignment, front end parts, front tires, and a tranny flush). When all was said and done he was out $10,000!!!! For labor and parts.

Yes you can have too much truck.
2006 Ram 3500
2014 Open Range
"I don't trust my own advise!"

Camper_G
Explorer
Explorer
Just my .02. I bought the truck in my sig in may of this year to tow my 6k gross Layton. My truck has the 5.3/3.42 combo so tow rating is 9200 I believe.

For me, this was the right choice. Even fully loaded with the camper, a lot of gear for my family of 4 for a week trip, large bins of firewood in the back and the crew cab area fully loaded, the truck never felt strained even in the mountains. A HUGE improvement over the 2000 expedition 5.4 it replaced.

I daily drive my truck and you can't get the 5.5 bed in a CC 2500hd. The 2500 would not fit in my shop. I only tow heavy 10 times per year or less so i truly don't need a 3/4 ton truck. Fuel mileage on the 6.0 is not very good. My next camper will be of similar size and weight so I was not concerned about that aspect.

To the op, i recommend as others have said, give a lot of thought to this and get what suits your needs. If you think you'll need the payload of a3/4 ton or larger truck, go for it. I really love the ride, fuel mileage and overall size and interior of my Chevrolet, but it's a good match fir my personal needs. Yours may be different. Can you have too much truck? Maybe, maybe not. There are too many personal variables. Buying any truck these days is a big investment. Do your homework, go on some test drives and then make your decision.
2017 Dodge Ram 2500 HD, 4x4, CCSB, 6.4L HEMI, Snow Chief, tow package.,1989 Skyline Layton model 75-2251.