Differences between 3/4 and 1 ton trucks ?

[Mr_Biggles]

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.

[JIMNLIN]

New Ram 3500 SRW has a 7000 rawr good for around 3500-3700 lbs load in the bed depending on actual scaled axle weights.

New Ram 2500 can have a 6500 rawr depending on model. These trucks can have around 500 lb less payload in the bed than the 3500 srw all depending on scaled axle weights.

[john_bet]

In my case getting a 3500SRW over my current 2500 increases the GVW by 3K and the payload by about 2K. Yipeeee. I have plenty of HP and torque in my current truck for my current 5th, but I guess I will take the extra of the new one.

[Mr_Biggles]

Thank you for all the replies. I think a 1 ton diesel is my best choice. I want to be able to tow through the mountains with 4 four adults in the truck on a hot summers day without worrying about weight.
I’ve got a year or two before we get our next trailer, so I have lots of time to look at trucks and make a decision.

[Me_Again]

Grit dog wrote:
Western Canada seems to be primarily 1 tons vs US which is like 10:1 3/4 tons.
Consider that a bonus and get a 1 ton.
But yeah, not much difference. Other than Ram having coil springs on the 2500 and optional Aisin/HO combo. But a lot of 3500 rams are same power and 68 trans anyway.
Biggest plus imo with a new 1 ton is no tire pressure nanny.

Other than Ram having coil springs on the 2500 and "NO" optional Aisin/HO combo.

Corrected Aisin/HO combo statement.

[filrupmark]

Our 2004 f250 is the actually the same as a F350 single wheel but they do rate the gvwr differently.

[ppine]

My Dad tells me everytime I show up with a one ton diesel "your truck is overkill." "Not when towing" I tell him. My one ton gets better fuel mileage than his V-8 Lexus SUV and will pull three times as much.

[Grit_dog]

Western Canada seems to be primarily 1 tons vs US which is like 10:1 3/4 tons.
Consider that a bonus and get a 1 ton.
But yeah, not much difference. Other than Ram having coil springs on the 2500 and optional Aisin/HO combo. But a lot of 3500 rams are same power and 68 trans anyway.
Biggest plus imo with a new 1 ton is no tire pressure nanny.

[womps]

Get the truck you’re sure about. If your not sure the 3/4 ton is enough truck, get the 1 ton. If your not sure the gas engine is enough for your towing needs, get the diesel. When you are pulling your 5th wheel being sure is a good and safe feeling!

[Me_Again]

rjstractor wrote:

IdaD wrote:
The functional real world difference is minimal to nonexistent depending on the particular model in question. The rv.net difference is huge.

**TRUTH!**

Until one buys a 250/2500 when they could have purchased a 350/3500 for a few hundred bucks more. With the RAM, the better tranny and HO engine is not available in the 2500, thus one does not get the lower Aisin 1st and 2nd gears for getting a load moving with the 2500.

[KD4UPL]

I'm most familiar with GM trucks. If the 2500 and 3500 are both diesel trucks then the 3500 has a stronger rear spring, wider wheels, and taller tires. If we're talking gas trucks then the 2500 will have a 10.5" AAM rear axle and the 3500 will have an 11.5" AAM rear axle. All diesels get the same 11.5".
I wouldn't worry about the ride. My dually rides almost as good as my Buick. A truck hauling withing it's limits will generally ride better then an overloaded truck.

[rjstractor]

IdaD wrote:
The functional real world difference is minimal to nonexistent depending on the particular model in question. The rv.net difference is huge.

**TRUTH!**

[ppine]

Suspensions are commonly different. Sometimes the axles, and bearings can be different. I have used a one ton for everything for 16 years. I would buy another one.

[ScottG]

I think a lot of people assume there's a major ride penalty when going to a 1T SRW when really, there usually isn't.

[blt2ski]

Lwiddis wrote:
“AB Trans enforcement takes a dim view of overloading tires.”

Good for Alberta! I wish California would.

The 50 States can not afford to use the actual tire label for max carrying capacity. OR, they can lose federal funding on roads for building and maintenance of roads that are federally funded. They HAVE to give you 20K per axel, with the only reduction being tire width, ie as little as 500 lbs per inch of tire. As that is the engineers spec for what the road can handle weight wise from a design limit. So until the "Federal Bridge Laws" are repealed, which probably will not happen tomorrow, those are the limits ANY and ALL LEO/CVEO type folks are to enforce. Being over the manufactures limits is not generally speaking, a jailable offense. You can be fined for being overweight, but not jailed per say. Nor is it a fine/ticket that will follow your driving record.

Marty