Anybody regret buying too much truck?

[interceptor15]

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?

[CampingN_C_]

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.

[bbaker2001]

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

[bbaker2001]

sorry RAM

[allen8106]

No such thing as too much truck IMHO.

[ShinerBock]

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.

[Cummins12V98]

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.

[Cummins12V98]

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.

[bbaker2001]

is the payload capability of a dodge 3/4 really the same as 1 ton

[kennethwooster]

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.

[FlatBroke]

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

[itguy08]

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_]

I just bought a RAM diesel to pull a 9000lb camper a handful of times per year. No regrets at all.

[tsetsaf]

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.

[Camper_G]

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.