1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?

[aczlan]

Looking like we will replace our current "farm truck" sometime this year.
Its a 1997 Dodge 1500 4x4 with the 318 V8 in it. It has 197k miles, its getting rusty (rockers, fenders, etc) and its starting to nickle and dime us.
We tow a 3000# 6x10 trailer a few times per year and in the summer, we have a few (4-6) slow (5-20MPH) local (<5 mile) runs with haywagons loaded with 150 30-40# hay bales (6000-7500# trailer weight). Otherwise, it gets used for random light stuff, probably less than 5k miles per year.

Should a newer (2006+) 1/2 ton handle this? Looking to improve on mileage (currently 9-10MPG) and get a little more cushion when hauling haywagons.

Requirements:

• 4x4
• Crew Cab (big enough to get car seats in the back)
• At least a 6' bed (would prefer an 8' bed, but that would be long)
• No rust

Any thoughts?

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

Looking like we will replace our current "farm truck" sometime this year. Its a 1997 Dodge 1500 4x4 with the 318 V8 in it. It has 197k miles, its getting rusty (rockers, fenders, etc) and its starting to nickle and dime us. We tow a 3000# 6x10 trailer a few times per year and in the summer, we have a few (4-6) slow (5-20MPH) local (<5 mile) runs with haywagons loaded with 150 30-40# hay bales (6000-7500# trailer weight). Otherwise, it gets used for random light stuff, probably less than 5k miles per year. Should a newer (2006+) 1/2 ton handle this? Looking to improve on mileage (currently 9-10MPG) and get a little more cushion when hauling haywagons. Requirements: [*]4x4 [*]Crew Cab (big enough to get car seats in the back) [*]At least a 6' bed (would prefer an 8' bed, but that would be long) [*]No rust Any thoughts? Aaron Z

I would look for a 09 or later F150 or Tundra.

Chris

 

[gkh7890]

Aaron,

Based on your requirements......Ford is the only truck out there in the half ton arena (in recent years) that gives you a v8, crew cab & 6' bed. Not sure when they started with the 6/6.5 bed on the half ton (probably in '09 like Diamondpilot suggested), but all the others will be the useless little 5'3" to 5'8" beds. Dodge gives you a choice....short crew cab & 6' bed or a big crew cab and 5'8" bed or so. Chevy/GMC's crew cabs are all 5'8" beds (until the new '14s came out).

My experience was w/ a '00 GMC Sierra, Ext cab, 6.5' bed......5.3v8, 3.73 gear, 4X4........pulled 2,500# trailer w/ 4K to 5K tractor/equipment. Would go 25 miles or so......sucked the gas to do it (maybe 10 to 12 mpgs???).

Just a thought, but I'd look for a nice used 3/4 ton crew in GM or Ford.....both give you a nice sized crew cab and 6.5' beds and some w/ 8' beds. Gas or diesel (you'll pay premium for diesel though). You'll never want for more towing capacity and they can definitely handle what you are wanting to throw at them and probably will never blink. Dodge makes a nice "mega cab" that is 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton....both are truly 3/4 tons but they badge'm that way......this gives you a really nice, spacious cab, Hemi V8, 6' bed, and plenty of towing capacity!

I've sold my truck but would like to get a 3/4 ton just to have and pull with.....use it more like you're describing so these are the trucks I've been watching for and checking out.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Merry Christmas!
Greg

 

[aczlan]

I would look for a 09 or later F150 or Tundra.

Looking to spend less than $10k, so something that new is probably out.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

Just a thought, but I'd look for a nice used 3/4 ton crew in GM or Ford.....both give you a nice sized crew cab and 6.5' beds and some w/ 8' beds. Gas or diesel (you'll pay premium for diesel though). You'll never want for more towing capacity and they can definitely handle what you are wanting to throw at them and probably will never blink. Dodge makes a nice "mega cab" that is 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton....both are truly 3/4 tons but they badge'm that way......this gives you a really nice, spacious cab, Hemi V8, 6' bed, and plenty of towing capacity!

I don't think we put enough miles on to keep a diesel happy, so it will probably be gas...
Not sure I want a Dodge after working on the brakes on the '97 (cant keep the front brake sliders from freezing up) and seeing how fast my wife's '02 Caravan with 117k miles has rusted out...

Aaron Z

 

[Wolfy]

Sad that a small 318ci V-8 gets the same mpg as a Ford V-10. Maybe look for a 05 or 06 Ford with the 5.4L 3 valve?

 

[aczlan]

Sad that a small 318ci V-8 gets the same mpg as a Ford V-10. Maybe look for a 05 or 06 Ford with the 5.4L 3 valve?

It gets mostly in town driving and the brakes are always sticking, so it could get a little better mileage...

Aaron Z

 

[haveissues]

Looking to spend less than $10k, so something that new is probably out.

Aaron Z

I'm not sure what the market is like up there but around here less than 10k doesn't buy you much truck. I was looking in the less than 15k price range for something similar last year and had no luck. I ended up buying new.

 

[mikehaugen]

I'm not sure what the market is like up there but around here less than 10k doesn't buy you much truck. I was looking in the less than 15k price range for something similar last year and had no luck. I ended up buying new.

I just saw an '04 chevy 2500 ec lb 4x4 with 8.1. I think it had around 85k... asking 9 grand. I almost had to go see it. Pictures looked good, but I guess you never know.

 

[haveissues]

Yup, you never know till you go look at it, could be a good deal. Went to go look at a titan on a dealer lot that was over an hour away. I had 2 questions over the phone-Any leaks on the rear end and how is the interior. He sounded offended for me even asking. Well, once I got there the rear end was leaking and the drivers seat was trashed. Plus all 4 tires were balled and it was rotted underneath.

I was in almost the same boat as you-replacing a 98 ram 1500. Low mileage but falling apart. I guess I felt that '06 was the oldest I was willing to go back else I felt as I wasn't moving forward enough with something older. Once I figured in tax savings on writing off a new truck it was a no brainer.