Do we really need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck?

oz in SC V2.0 · #21 10/31/12, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

You really need to figure out how much of a load you'll be hauling first..

I'm just guessing here... a 16 foot trailer.. what, close to 2000lbs? How many cattle in it? How much does a cow weight?

We'll just round them off to 1000lbs each for a nice round number.. I hate math...

How many cattle in 16 feet? it's a light day... 6 cattle... so you have 6000lbs of cattle, in a 1 ton trailer.. .

So you're sitting at around 8000 lbs... Most 1/2 ton trucks with a class III hitch are rated at 7500 lbs, so you're over your limit.

If you do get a 1/2 ton truck, and do plan to tow a lot, I wouldn't consider one that didn't have a tranny cooler, and a class III hitch at a minimum.. .I'd be looking for a truck that had a factory installed tow package. Some of them have an additional towing selection on the transmission.

EDIT: I wasn't thinking this could be a 5th wheel trailer. If I remember right, with a 5th wheel ,you can pull about 8500 lbs with one, so long as you have electric breaks on the trailer. It also depends on what your truck weighs empty, and what the maximum loaded weight is.

We raise goats,and will be raising pigs in the future so shouldn't be too bad.
Our little Chevy Trailblazer has hauled a 6000 pound camper in the NC mountains,of course that was in the dead of Winter,in the middle of Summer I wouldn't try it.

But I am thinking our first plan was the correct one,a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

oz in SC V2.0 · #22 10/31/12, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandsuncritters

Well, first, it was a Dodge

. And now you're eddimacated not to repeat that mistake!

Considering the GM of that time period was the 6.5,not much room to talk..LOL.
Actually the 6.5 can be okay,as long as it has the aftermarket upgrades that GM was too cheap to do.

Quote:

The GMC 2500 6.0L would perform well for your general purposes. If there was an occasion where you needed more truck, perhaps a neighbor or church member could help you out?

Just a suggestion. Trying to help find a solution.

In His Love
Mich

I can't really see needing anything more than a 2500 really,what sort of fuel economy did your 6.0 get?

jwal10 · #23 10/31/12, 08:16 PM

I farmed for 25 years and never had more than a 1/2 ton. Always a short bed. Never had a 5th wheel trailer so only bumper hitch trailers. My brother had 3/4 tons, 2 and 4 wheel drive. My half ton short box could handle the weight just as well without squatting. !/2 tons need more careful loading. I really liked the 4 door short box pickups. My daily driver was usually a compact pickup, LUV, S10 and Colorado. I hauled a lot of feed, just stack higher in the front to even out a load.

I hauled a lot of cattle in 24' bumper pull trailers behind F250 Ford diesels at the auction yard. Never had a problem....James

sammyd · #24 10/31/12, 09:01 PM

We went from an F150 5.0L 4WD to a GMC 2500HD with the 6.0L, tow package and 2WD.
As much as I loved the Ford I like the GMC even better for towing. It really keeps things in control, or at least I fell more in control than I did with the 1/2 ton.
Gas mileage is not so good. Usually around 13 or so, less when towing. But I picked up a cheap van and don't have to use the truck as a daily driver.

greg_n_ga · #25 11/01/12, 04:51 AM

I know where there is all kinds of 3/4 and 1 ton trucks !! Don't know where you are in WNC, but if you want the number and such, pm me. They are between Cornelia and Gainesville Ga.. I too, think more truck is better than not enough.

oz in SC V2.0 · #26 11/01/12, 06:21 AM

Gainesville GA is about 3 hours away,a drive but not out of the question.
Will send you a PM.
Thanks.

Allen W · #27 11/01/12, 08:38 AM

I would go with a 3/4 ton. 1/2 tons today are more car then pick up.

KMA1 · #28 11/01/12, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyd

Gas mileage is not so good. Usually around 13 or so, less when towing. But I picked up a cheap van and don't have to use the truck as a daily driver.

I agree with all who said the bigger the truck, the longer it will last. I have a 1995 Ford Crew Cab Dually with a 7.5 liter or 460 engine. It is by far the best truck I have ever had. In the 15 years I have had it, I have put new brakes on the front, a new sending unit in the rear end, 3 batteries and new tires on it. It does ride better with at least 1500 pounds of weight on the back. But it gets better gas mileage than than 13 mpg unless loaded and it is a lot more stable on the road with a heavy load or a heavy trailer than even a 3/4 ton. It is my wife's first choice of vehicle to use.

oz in SC V2.0 · #29 11/03/12, 03:06 PM

Found a Ford F350 crew cab for sale,4x4,5.8 V8 gas,automatic,all vinyl interior and VERY bright yellow and white(ex state gov't truck).
Not sure of the year,it is the 1992-1997 or so body style.

Anyone know much about these type trucks?

fordy · #30 11/03/12, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oz in SC V2.0

Found a Ford F350 crew cab for sale,4x4,5.8 V8 gas,automatic,all vinyl interior and VERY bright yellow and white(ex state gov't truck).
Not sure of the year,it is the 1992-1997 or so body style.

Anyone know much about these type trucks?

.................Condition depends upon how much routine maintenance it received during it's tenure with the state ! If it has over 100k miles you need to check Upper and lower ball joints as they will be candidates for replacement ! Additionally , check front wheel bearings as I believe these will probably be the 'NON' greasable units and once they start failing they must be replaced in short order . 5.8 engine has adequate power but fuel milage will probably be around 12 to 14 max . , fordy

oz in SC V2.0 · #31 11/03/12, 04:27 PM

From what I remember from way back when,one good thing about state owned stuff is it did get maintained,at least where we used to live.

It has over 200,000 miles on it.

If the fuel economy is around that,can't complain too much,especially considering how much diesel was costing me.My diesel got 19mpg or so,but fuel was close to $4/gallon.