Alex On Answers: Do I Still Need A 3/4 Ton Truck?
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Strut ILmc
I was replacing a 1500 long bed ram with the tow package, and to get similar tow and payload ratings in a crew cab (replacing car and truck with one vehicle, I was shopping new 1500s, 2500s and used 2500 trucks. I needed to be able to tow around 10k on a regular basis, without killing the truck. My previous truck would do it, but it was right at or just over the tow rating for it (06 ram 1500 4. 7 long bed)- and it was definitely not happy with the load, hence the 2500s being added into the picture. After pricing out my options and what it would cost for the tow capability, and how the truck would end up being optioned at the pricepoint, I ended up purchasing a Nissan Titan xd with the gas engine. Got a nicely optioned 4x4 crew cab SV for about what the others wanted for base work truck 4x2 with the tow package. Its not a real 3/4 ton, but it checked all the boxes I need, and I didnt end up with a base model to get there. Not trying to imply its the choice for everyone, but its the choice I went with, and I am so far thrilled with it.
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I was replacing a 1500 long bed ram with the tow package, and to get similar tow and payload ratings in a crew cab (replacing car and truck with one vehicle, I was shopping new 1500s, 2500s and used 2500 trucks. I needed to be able to tow around 10k on a regular basis, without killing the truck. My previous truck would do it, but it was right at or just over the tow rating for it (06 ram 1500 4. 7 long bed)- and it was definitely not happy with the load, hence the 2500s being added into the picture. After pricing out my options and what it would cost for the tow capability, and how the truck would end up being optioned at the pricepoint, I ended up purchasing a Nissan Titan xd with the gas engine. Got a nicely optioned 4x4 crew cab SV for about what the others wanted for base work truck 4x2 with the tow package. Its not a real 3/4 ton, but it checked all the boxes I need, and I didnt end up with a base model to get there. Not trying to imply its the choice for everyone, but its the choice I went with, and I am so far thrilled with it.
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Mikeske
I sorry but no way for the current model trucks they just cost way to much for this retiree. I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 with a V10 and 390, 000 miles and still on original everything except the starter, alternator and radiator. This was used as a tow vehicle for our fifth wheel travel trailer. When I went shopping for a replacement pickup truck I decided almost immediately that I would be in the used truck market with a limit of 25, 000. I found a 2004. 5 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Cummins Engine, with a 120K miles and a agreeable price of under 20, 000. There is no way I am going to take the hit on the moment you drive off in that fancy new truck of 25% of greater. Because I needed something newer to replace our dependable old 2nd generation Dodge Ram I simply took the next generation and then did all the repairs that the newer truck needed like front end work and complete fluid change out for under 2, 000.
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I sorry but no way for the current model trucks they just cost way to much for this retiree. I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 with a V10 and 390, 000 miles and still on original everything except the starter, alternator and radiator. This was used as a tow vehicle for our fifth wheel travel trailer. When I went shopping for a replacement pickup truck I decided almost immediately that I would be in the used truck market with a limit of 25, 000. I found a 2004. 5 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Cummins Engine, with a 120K miles and a agreeable price of under 20, 000. There is no way I am going to take the hit on the moment you drive off in that fancy new truck of 25% of greater. Because I needed something newer to replace our dependable old 2nd generation Dodge Ram I simply took the next generation and then did all the repairs that the newer truck needed like front end work and complete fluid change out for under 2, 000.
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James Mastroianni
You need the Etorque hemi to tow the full 12k, the regular hemi only does about 10k. As you said, higher trims will have lower ratings due to the weight of equipment, but the worst case for an etorque hemi is 11, 240 (a fully loaded limited) unless their website is lying. Also if the trailer doesnt way more than 7k, he could go for a v6 truck with a 3. 55 rear end and still make out with a competent truck, although for smaller engines, I have to give it to the ford and gm turbo engines (the 2. 7Ls for each. On the other hand 2019 2500s supposedly have a 4k payload rating. Now thats with a regular cab 8f bed 2wd tradesman, but you would still get about 3500lbs payload with a crewcab 8ft bed, which at that point you do have a decent trailers worth of payload.
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You need the Etorque hemi to tow the full 12k, the regular hemi only does about 10k. As you said, higher trims will have lower ratings due to the weight of equipment, but the worst case for an etorque hemi is 11, 240 (a fully loaded limited) unless their website is lying. Also if the trailer doesnt way more than 7k, he could go for a v6 truck with a 3. 55 rear end and still make out with a competent truck, although for smaller engines, I have to give it to the ford and gm turbo engines (the 2. 7Ls for each. On the other hand 2019 2500s supposedly have a 4k payload rating. Now thats with a regular cab 8f bed 2wd tradesman, but you would still get about 3500lbs payload with a crewcab 8ft bed, which at that point you do have a decent trailers worth of payload.
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John Capozzi
Its been my experience that the vast majority of folks tend to over-truck in the first place. Sometime its status or self-satisfaction, sometimes its for those edge-case use scenarios that never occur, sometimes its just lack of education, and often its just dealerships and manufacturers pushing more truck because more margin. Do a survey of non-commercial owners, ask how many with 4x4 ever engage the system. How many really need V8 power (or bigger displacement turbo motors in the case of Ford? How many need 800-1000 lb/ft of torque in a Diesel? How many will really tow 19, 000 pounds with their modern 3/4 ton? Pretty much guarantee the mean will fall on rarely, not really almost never and never even close.
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Its been my experience that the vast majority of folks tend to over-truck in the first place. Sometime its status or self-satisfaction, sometimes its for those edge-case use scenarios that never occur, sometimes its just lack of education, and often its just dealerships and manufacturers pushing more truck because more margin. Do a survey of non-commercial owners, ask how many with 4x4 ever engage the system. How many really need V8 power (or bigger displacement turbo motors in the case of Ford? How many need 800-1000 lb/ft of torque in a Diesel? How many will really tow 19, 000 pounds with their modern 3/4 ton? Pretty much guarantee the mean will fall on rarely, not really almost never and never even close.
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Enjoy Life
I bought a new 3/4 ton last year and for me I just felt like I got more value for what I paid. I didnt get a loaded up version because I wanted to keep cost down and payload capacity up. I probably paid about 4K more than a 1/2 ton, but it has the extra capacity I wanted. I also was interested in a truck with a solid front axle that still felt like a truck when I was driving it. In addition, with the 3/4 ton ride height I am not itching to lift the truck any higher then it came stock. For me I wouldve put more consideration into the 1/2 ton if the price difference was closer to 10K. At my price point we were talking about a 10% difference give or take when comparing 5. 7 hemi to the 6. 4 hemi in the 2500.
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I bought a new 3/4 ton last year and for me I just felt like I got more value for what I paid. I didnt get a loaded up version because I wanted to keep cost down and payload capacity up. I probably paid about 4K more than a 1/2 ton, but it has the extra capacity I wanted. I also was interested in a truck with a solid front axle that still felt like a truck when I was driving it. In addition, with the 3/4 ton ride height I am not itching to lift the truck any higher then it came stock. For me I wouldve put more consideration into the 1/2 ton if the price difference was closer to 10K. At my price point we were talking about a 10% difference give or take when comparing 5. 7 hemi to the 6. 4 hemi in the 2500.
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simjet22
Alex love the videos but I have some comments to add. Yes the 1/2 tons can tow equally or better than a 15+ year old 3/4 ton, BUT since these trucks can actually cost the same amount of money depending on how you option them. I rather get more capability, so I would go with a 3/4 ton. I have towed 10k with both a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton and hands down I would choose the 3/4 ton. Also for future proofing, what if you decide to get a bigger RV or tow something heavier than 10k? At least you have a truck already capable of doing the job instead of getting yet another truck.
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Alex love the videos but I have some comments to add. Yes the 1/2 tons can tow equally or better than a 15+ year old 3/4 ton, BUT since these trucks can actually cost the same amount of money depending on how you option them. I rather get more capability, so I would go with a 3/4 ton. I have towed 10k with both a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton and hands down I would choose the 3/4 ton. Also for future proofing, what if you decide to get a bigger RV or tow something heavier than 10k? At least you have a truck already capable of doing the job instead of getting yet another truck.
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Matt Clark
There used to be way, way more reasons to buy an HD truck. 1/2 tons used to have horrible brakes, now they dont. Their suspensions used to be so floppy and loose they were ridiculous to drive and load up; now theyre better. Thats not to say that 3/4 ton or larger trucks still dont have more capability that makes sense for regular heavy users. But a 1/2 ton definitely does way more these days than 20 years ago. (And most full size trucks, 1/2 ton or otherwise, are being grossly underutilized by their owners anyway)
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There used to be way, way more reasons to buy an HD truck. 1/2 tons used to have horrible brakes, now they dont. Their suspensions used to be so floppy and loose they were ridiculous to drive and load up; now theyre better. Thats not to say that 3/4 ton or larger trucks still dont have more capability that makes sense for regular heavy users. But a 1/2 ton definitely does way more these days than 20 years ago. (And most full size trucks, 1/2 ton or otherwise, are being grossly underutilized by their owners anyway)
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Nik semjonovs
Ive been struggling with this debate. My 2006 ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 has been a great truck. I dont need that much capability anymore. But it is certainly nice to have. I do believe for my current needs the 1/2 ton will do the job but will really miss a long bed truck. Though I dont use it much any more either. Any opinions on ifs longevity vs the solid front axle?
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Ive been struggling with this debate. My 2006 ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 has been a great truck. I dont need that much capability anymore. But it is certainly nice to have. I do believe for my current needs the 1/2 ton will do the job but will really miss a long bed truck. Though I dont use it much any more either. Any opinions on ifs longevity vs the solid front axle?
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gene978
The Take I got from this Informative Video is that, I would like to shake your dads hand for raising such an amazing son Tell Your dad he raised a young man that hundreds of thousands of viewers look forward to each video he post. The Bar has been raised by Alex and no one else comes close.
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The Take I got from this Informative Video is that, I would like to shake your dads hand for raising such an amazing son Tell Your dad he raised a young man that hundreds of thousands of viewers look forward to each video he post. The Bar has been raised by Alex and no one else comes close.
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DumbDuck44
2: 10 If were going to get technical this particular vehicle surely does not have the tow rating it did when it was brand new 20 years ago. Metal fatigue, light rusting, and reduced braking and engine performance is completely normal, and will degrade its performance over time.
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2: 10 If were going to get technical this particular vehicle surely does not have the tow rating it did when it was brand new 20 years ago. Metal fatigue, light rusting, and reduced braking and engine performance is completely normal, and will degrade its performance over time.
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