1/2 or 3/4 ton ?

[Hawkeye Ed]

One of the things I really like about this forum is that we feel free to express our opinions but are respectful of people who may have a different point of view. This discussion about tow vehicles is an example. I'm on another forum where the discussion about tow vehicle size has degenerated into a really disagreeable situation. I'm anticipating that our discussion here, however, will stay positive, helpful and respectful.

Ed

[cpaharley2008]

I would like to point out that cost is not always a factor, one can purchase a 3/4 ton basic truck for less than a 1/2 ton deluxe edition with all the bells and whistles. I think the markup on the 1/2 ton models is greater as is the profit.....basic supply and demand,

[MyronL]

Never was a truck guy. Back in the day when I was in the service I got to ride in a few 3/4-ton army trucks and I'm here to say can still well remember there was no knee room in that cab for me at all. Since then trucks have for sure changed.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I have no personal knowledge of the Ford F150 vs Ford F 250
I have driven and towed with a Ram 1500 , a Ram 2500 and a Ford 350
The 2500 and 350 handled road bumps and braking differently than my 1500
My 1500 handles and brakes like a car , the 2500 & 350 handles and brakes like a truck.
Ones a pleasure vehicle , the other is a work truck , towing is work in my book .
The major reason I bought a 1/2 ton truck over a 3/4 ton truck was one thing “COST”

Well I guess the way I see it is my F150 is most definitely a pleasure vehicle that very capably handles the job of hauling my very light 5.0TA. To me camping is a pleasure. We are now on vacation, not towing anything but decided to take the F150 over our brand new Subaru because we could haul more stuff and the fact the dog rides so well behind the seat. Over the last few days I’ve been getting 26 mpg while very comfortably touring the area. Our overall mileage so far for the last 2200 miles has been 22. It work very well as an everyday driver and I believe it’s absolutely 1 of the best tow vehicles for the trailer I have. I can’t say enough good things about this truck and I own it. You seem to not be able to say enough bad things and based on what? You don’t need a sledgehammer to drive a tack and you don’t need a semi to haul a fiberglass trailer. Now if I where hauling a 15000 lb 5th wheel I would own a F250. I own a sledgehammer and a tack hammer, I know which to use for the job at hand😎

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Chotch

Well I guess the way I see it is my F150 is most definitely a pleasure vehicle that very capably handles the job of hauling my very light 5.0TA. To me camping is a pleasure. We are now on vacation, not towing anything but decided to take the F150 over our brand new Subaru because we could haul more stuff and the fact the dog rides so well behind the seat. Over the last few days I’ve been getting 26 mpg while very comfortably touring the area. Our overall mileage so far for the last 2200 miles has been 22. It work very well as an everyday driver and I believe it’s absolutely 1 of the best tow vehicles for the trailer I have. I can’t say enough good things about this truck and I own it. You seem to not be able to say enough bad things and based on what? You don’t need a sledgehammer to drive a tack and you don’t need a semi to haul a fiberglass trailer. Now if I where hauling a 15000 lb 5th I would own a F250. I own a sledgehammer and a tack hammer, I know which to use for the job at hand😎

Our chocolate lab would rather ride in the back seat of our Ram 1500 then in the back seat of my wife’s Chevy Equinox but I am sure he would be just as happy riding in a 3/4 ton
Can’t tout my fuel mileage with my Ram cause I honestly don’t know what it is , I never check
Enjoy your vacation . We had -22 below F yesterday so we aren’t going anywhere.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

Our chocolate lab would rather ride in the back seat of our Ram 1500 then in the back seat of my wife’s Chevy Equinox but I am sure he would be just as happy riding in a 3/4 ton
Can’t tout my fuel mileage with my Ram cause I honestly don’t know what it is , I never check
Enjoy your vacation . We had -22 below F yesterday so we aren’t going anywhere.

We are!
Stay warm, 22 below is downright scary🥶

[salmo7000]

Originally Posted by Chotch

Well I guess the way I see it is my F150 is most definitely a pleasure vehicle that very capably handles the job of hauling my very light 5.0TA. To me camping is a pleasure. We are now on vacation, not towing anything but decided to take the F150 over our brand new Subaru because we could haul more stuff and the fact the dog rides so well behind the seat. Over the last few days I’ve been getting 26 mpg while very comfortably touring the area. Our overall mileage so far for the last 2200 miles has been 22. It work very well as an everyday driver and I believe it’s absolutely 1 of the best tow vehicles for the trailer I have. I can’t say enough good things about this truck and I own it. You seem to not be able to say enough bad things and based on what? You don’t need a sledgehammer to drive a tack and you don’t need a semi to haul a fiberglass trailer. Now if I where hauling a 15000 lb 5th wheel I would own a F250. I own a sledgehammer and a tack hammer, I know which to use for the job at hand😎

I'm with you Chotch. Except in my case I have a Chevy Colorado. I've been a Subaru person all of my adult life and bought this truck only for the purpose of towing our 19. But the thing is so darn comfortable, it's become the main choice for any long trip. Even with stock tires, it performs better on ice and snow than my Forester. My 4 medium-sized dogs can all fit on the back seat. At present, I'm planning to sell the Forester this spring. I can't even believe I'm saying that, but there's no reason to have it when it mostly sits in the driveway.

If I had bought a 5.0TA, I'd have an F-150, Chevy, or a Dodge Ram full size 1/2 ton. I drove a 1990 Dodge Cummins 5-speed manual 3/4 ton for a few years in the late 90's, and after an hour of driving the thing you would literally feel like someone had just beat the heck out of you. The truck could pull or haul just about anything, but it was a killer to drive! I'm sure the newer 3/4 tons are much better, but I think any full-size 1/2 ton with sufficient payload and tow package can handle anything Escape makes.

[Fox hunt]

love my combo! F150 2.7 with mt Escape 5.0 TA hauls well over mountains easy to drive very comfortable !

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

love my combo! F150 2.7 with mt Escape 5.0 TA hauls well over mountains easy to drive very comfortable !

Exactly, why not enjoy the ride while getting the job done?😎

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Never was a truck guy. Back in the day when I was in the service I got to ride in a few 3/4-ton army trucks and I'm here to say can still well remember there was no knee room in that cab for me at all. Since then trucks have for sure changed.

That’s an absolute. But I believe your a bit above the norm in height department so perhaps even today’s vehicles might cramp your style...knees😁

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

We had -22 below F yesterday so we aren’t going anywhere.

We hit 10°C (50°F) yesterday up here in the cold north.

While this is warm we were terrible cold just a few weeks ago and the temps are dipping again tomorrow.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

We hit 10°C (50°F) yesterday up here in the cold north.

While this is warm we were terrible cold just a few weeks ago and the temps are dipping again tomorrow.

We were a victim of the dreaded Alberta Clipper
We got above freezing for about an hour this afternoon.

[Iowa Dave]

We had mid thirties all day. Wind has switched to south, possible 50F in southern Iowa tomorrow sill have about 50% snow cover here. Rain and Rain/Snow mix first three days next week then colder again. Pruning apple trees tomorrow before it’s too late. Maple sap run is go/stop/go. Skunks from gang dens came out tonight, saw one on the road home.
Iowa Dave

[cpaharley2008]

speaking of skunks, this critter showed up recently to drink some heated water out for the feral cats

[Iowa Dave]

They eat a lot of ticks. Which is a good natural control
Iowa Dave