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OK, all you truck wonks...

MargaretB
Explorer
Explorer
... answer me this.

Why are diesel engines only available in F250s, 2500, etc.? Why can't they be put into the smaller F150s and 1500s? (I know about the payload deficiencies of the 1500, so that's not an issue in this question.)

This is a real question. I know diddly about engines or motors or trucks or anything about what happens under the hood when I turn the key, except what I hear on Car Talk. But we were frustrated because we couldn't get a diesel in the smaller versions of the trucks we looked at, and we didn't want or need the larger ones.
Two retirees. Perpetual newbies. Techno- and mechanophobes.
2015 Tracer 230
2014 F-150 XLT EcoBoost
90 REPLIES 90

RobertRyan
Explorer
Explorer
MM49 wrote:
The foreign market vehicles are nothing more than pumped up versions of vehicles from other successful markets. I admit that the US vehicles arenโ€™t specified for nine passengers in the bed with a 50 cal machine gun and 10,000 rounds of ammo. There isnโ€™t much of market for these vehicles

The new version of the Daily 70c will ride quieter and handle better than the Sprinter and have considerably more towing and payload capacity. This is the Jayco MH built on it, 15,000lb GVWR, 23,000lb GCVWR

4x4ord
Explorer III
Explorer III
IndyCamp wrote:
4x4ord wrote:
3/4 tons have the disadvantages of the 1/2 ton in that they can't handle any weight and the price tag of the 1 ton so in my mind they should be discontinued.


I completely disagree.

First of all, 3500 trucks are fairly scarce on lots compared to 2500 trucks. That means you likely have to order what you want and that means you lose some of your leverage when negotiating price.

I got my 2014 RAM 2500 (sticker $43K) down to $36K and got another $2K on my trade, so I paid $34K for a new RAM 2500 with the 6.4L HEMI. This is an SLT, not the Tradesman.

This truck has 3K pound payload. How many 1500s have a 3K pound payload? None. It also has a beefier suspension and brakes than the 1500s. How do you figure it "has the disadvantages of the 1/2 ton?"

Here is my truck with 3K pounds of stone in the bed:




Please show me the 1/2 ton trucks that can haul 3K pounds in the bed.


The lighter duty 3/4 tons might be able to haul more than a 1/2 ton. It's the heavy duty 3/4 tons with the 400 plus hp, 860 lb ft of torque diesel engines and heavy duty transmissions; 4 wheel drives that people buy so they can haul a big 5th wheel that bothers me so much. Why do they build these HD F250's that have every component capable of towing something substantial; heavy duty frame; tires that are capable of 15,000 lbs; put the same brakes on them as the F350 SRW and then neglect putting two light little leaf springs on the rear so that the GVWR is only 1500 lb more than what the truck weighs. Then the dealers order these 250's in instead of the 350's and salesman tell people " oh yeah this diesel will haul that trailer around like its not even back there" .... well sure it will except that there is no overload springs on it so the payload is restricted to 1500 lbs. By the time the new owner installs his hitch and loads up his family he's only got 800 lbs left for pin weight. So here is this heavy duty truck that is designed to tow only it can't because it's been robbed of a couple little leaf springs. If your truck is capable of 3000 lbs that might be all you want to haul but if it had those two little additional springs under it, even it could easily handle considerably more. Would it bother you any if those two little leaf springs were bolted to your rear axle ...... no, the truck would ride identical and now you could put 4000 lbs in the box ....would that be so bad. You would give up nothing. What is the advantage of building a capable truck and then reducing its carrying capacity by robbing the overload springs off the rear axle? I can see a person say I don't want a long box dually because it won't fit in my garage or I need better traction in the snow or i don't like the looks or what ever else they might say but why would anyone say I would rather have a 3/4 ton than a 1 ton SRW when the two trucks are virtually identical, only one has had the sticker on the door changed so it can not haul nearly as much as the other.
2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5

IndyCamp
Explorer
Explorer
4x4ord wrote:
3/4 tons have the disadvantages of the 1/2 ton in that they can't handle any weight and the price tag of the 1 ton so in my mind they should be discontinued.


I completely disagree.

First of all, 3500 trucks are fairly scarce on lots compared to 2500 trucks. That means you likely have to order what you want and that means you lose some of your leverage when negotiating price.

I got my 2014 RAM 2500 (sticker $43K) down to $36K and got another $2K on my trade, so I paid $34K for a new RAM 2500 with the 6.4L HEMI. This is an SLT, not the Tradesman.

This truck has 3K pound payload. How many 1500s have a 3K pound payload? None. It also has a beefier suspension and brakes than the 1500s. How do you figure it "has the disadvantages of the 1/2 ton?"

Here is my truck with 3K pounds of stone in the bed:




Please show me the 1/2 ton trucks that can haul 3K pounds in the bed.
2018 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
2014 RAM 2500 6.4L HEMI

MM49
Explorer
Explorer
RobertRyan wrote:
MM49 wrote:
Powerdude wrote:
US manufacturers deliberately under-rate the payload of some of their products so that they can drive the sales of the higher margin, heavy duty products.

There is no earthly reason why a $45k truck would otherwise have a 900-1100 lbs payload.

Ford might be an exception to that rule.

An Australian Toyota Hi-lux can carry 2 tons. Yes, it does have a different frame than the American Tacoma (the Tacoma frame is joined at the cab...i.e. not one piece) but I've seen off-roaders really abuse their Tacoma's and be just fine.

Totally ridiculous specifications that are driven by marketing departments, not engineering departments.





Yes there is reason. Federal requirements. The
OEM could report a much higher payload if they could test to a differnt requirement. The forein market comparisions are a differnt vehicle. Lot's self serving people on this site.
MM49

Very Different indeed. The IVECO Daily 70c is the current payload champ in the small 3 litre Diesels having a payload of 10,300lb
Another good example of bait and switch. The foreign market vehicles are nothing more than pumped up versions of vehicles from other successful markets. I admit that the US vehicles arenโ€™t specified for nine passengers in the bed with a 50 cal machine gun and 10,000 rounds of ammo. There isnโ€™t much of market for these vehicles.
MM49

RinconVTR
Explorer
Explorer
Powerdude wrote:
US manufacturers deliberately under-rate the payload of some of their products

Totally ridiculous specifications that are driven by marketing departments, not engineering departments.


Winner winner chicken dinner

RobertRyan
Explorer
Explorer
BurbMan wrote:
VW Toureg offers a diesel, if you can afford it....

Much cheaper diesels around

BurbMan
Explorer II
Explorer II
VW Toureg offers a diesel, if you can afford it....

transamz9
Explorer
Explorer
Gr8life wrote:
Since when is a payload of 1 1/2 to 2 tons considered the same as hauling the moon? They are all pickups, some with enough capacity to haul a truck camper or tow a fifth wheel camper. Not really that much in the truck world.


DRW 350/3500 are rated @ 3-3.5 tons. My little SWR truck is rated at 2. :W
2016 Ram 3500 Mega Cab Limited/2013 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins(sold)/2005 RAM 2500 Cummins/2011 Sandpiper 345 RET (sold) 2015 Sanibel 3601/2008 Nitro Z9 Mercury 250 PRO XS the best motor made.

RobertRyan
Explorer
Explorer
Powerdude wrote:
US manufacturers deliberately under-rate the payload of some of their products so that they can drive the sales of the higher margin, heavy duty products.

There is no earthly reason why a $45k truck would otherwise have a 900-1100 lbs payload.

Ford might be an exception to that rule.

An Australian Toyota Hi-lux can carry 2 tons. Yes, it does have a different frame than the American Tacoma (the Tacoma frame is joined at the cab...i.e. not one piece) but I've seen off-roaders really abuse their Tacoma's and be just fine.

Totally ridiculous specifications that are driven by marketing departments, not engineering departments.

The now ancient Hilux can carry 2,500 up to 3000lbs. U.S. 1/2 tons are not capable with the frames they have, so they are not underrated. As I have said previously, more a SUV than anything else

RobertRyan
Explorer
Explorer
MM49 wrote:
Powerdude wrote:
US manufacturers deliberately under-rate the payload of some of their products so that they can drive the sales of the higher margin, heavy duty products.

There is no earthly reason why a $45k truck would otherwise have a 900-1100 lbs payload.

Ford might be an exception to that rule.

An Australian Toyota Hi-lux can carry 2 tons. Yes, it does have a different frame than the American Tacoma (the Tacoma frame is joined at the cab...i.e. not one piece) but I've seen off-roaders really abuse their Tacoma's and be just fine.

Totally ridiculous specifications that are driven by marketing departments, not engineering departments.





Yes there is reason. Federal requirements. The
OEM could report a much higher payload if they could test to a differnt requirement. The forein market comparisions are a differnt vehicle. Lot's self serving people on this site.
MM49

Very Different indeed. The IVECO Daily 70c is the current payload champ in the small 3 litre Diesels having a payload of 10,300lb

Gr8life
Explorer
Explorer
Since when is a payload of 1 1/2 to 2 tons considered the same as hauling the moon? They are all pickups, some with enough capacity to haul a truck camper or tow a fifth wheel camper. Not really that much in the truck world.

transamz9
Explorer
Explorer
Choices, that's what us consumers ask for and then turn around and BiXXh about it.:S

If you need no options then you can get by with 250/2500. If you want options then you can step up to a 350/3500 SRW. If you don't need the capacity then step to 150/1500. Need to haul the moon? DRW and up!
2016 Ram 3500 Mega Cab Limited/2013 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins(sold)/2005 RAM 2500 Cummins/2011 Sandpiper 345 RET (sold) 2015 Sanibel 3601/2008 Nitro Z9 Mercury 250 PRO XS the best motor made.

4x4ord
Explorer III
Explorer III
Gdetrailer wrote:
4x4ord wrote:
In my view of things there is very little difference between a 1/2 ton and a 1 ton in that they are both little run around trucks but there is a big difference in capability. If you want a useful little truck get a 1 ton and you have your choice of gas or diesel. If you have no real need for a truck but want the versatility of being able to throw the odd thing in the bed now and again get a 1/2 ton. 3/4 tons have the disadvantages of the 1/2 ton in that they can't handle any weight and the price tag of the 1 ton so in my mind they should be discontinued.


:R

Not sure as to what rock you have been living under..

There is so many half truths and myths in your post.

Each vehicle "class" has real reasons for it's existence.

My 2013 F250 Supercab 4x2 has MORE available payload (3415 lbs) than ANY of the F150s and even surpasses a lot of lower GVWR F350s.

You are applying a big broad brush to your picture. Understanding the options is critical in getting the max payload and you plain just don't get it...

If you are looking for max payload then you must think about all those unneeded options and skip them.

You want 4x4? well that takes a 600lb bite out of the payload.. Want Platinum or King Ranch? Yep those take bites out of the payload..

Crewcab? yep there goes more payload.. Long bed? another bite..

Diesel? -800 lbs off the payload..

Each bite out of the payload adds up..

You want the absolute max payload available you MUST get a basic barebones XL 4x2 reg cab..


So by getting the 250 instead of a 350 you gained nothing and lost 1500 lbs of payload. What is the point in that. I don't care what they call it but put springs on it so it can at least handle what the rest of the truck was designed to handle.
2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
4x4ord wrote:
In my view of things there is very little difference between a 1/2 ton and a 1 ton in that they are both little run around trucks but there is a big difference in capability. If you want a useful little truck get a 1 ton and you have your choice of gas or diesel. If you have no real need for a truck but want the versatility of being able to throw the odd thing in the bed now and again get a 1/2 ton. 3/4 tons have the disadvantages of the 1/2 ton in that they can't handle any weight and the price tag of the 1 ton so in my mind they should be discontinued.


:R

Not sure as to what rock you have been living under..

There is so many half truths and myths in your post.

Each vehicle "class" has real reasons for it's existence.

My 2013 F250 Supercab 4x2 has MORE available payload (3415 lbs) than ANY of the F150s and even surpasses a lot of lower GVWR F350s.

You are applying a big broad brush to your picture. Understanding the options is critical in getting the max payload and you plain just don't get it...

If you are looking for max payload then you must think about all those unneeded options and skip them.

You want 4x4? well that takes a 600lb bite out of the payload.. Want Platinum or King Ranch? Yep those take bites out of the payload..

Crewcab? yep there goes more payload.. Long bed? another bite..

Diesel? -800 lbs off the payload..

Each bite out of the payload adds up..

You want the absolute max payload available you MUST get a basic barebones XL 4x2 reg cab..

Slownsy
Explorer
Explorer
The Toyota Hilux in OZ can't cary 2 toon in caps chasi 2 WD maybe 1000kg less tray, bul bar, any other acesseries joust like hearin the USA.
Frank
Frank
2012 F250 XLT
4x4 Super Cab
8' Tray 6.2lt, 3.7 Diff.