HD F-150 or 3/4 ton truck?

[Sysop]

Wider stance, bigger brakes, heavier truck, etc.

1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks are the same physical dimensions, width is the same. Most of the HD 1/2 ton trucks have the same size brakes as 3/4 ton (Ford and GM anyhow, unsure about Ram). The only real difference (in what you mentioned) is the weight.

3/4 ton also use a stiffer spring/shock combo, which can also lead to more comfortable/stable handling when moving large loads.

If the little bit of comfort added by the spring/shock combo and additional truck weight are something you need/like/want, you can add helper springs, perhaps a set of adjustable shocks, and add some additional weight, a 1/2 ton truck and achieve VERY similar driving characteristics. When you need a daily driver, but want a vehicle to tow a load a couple times per year, this is often the best solution.

 

[17 Oaks]

I have bought about 20 new vehicle's and ordered better than half them. I always gett a better deal ordering in the long-run and on average i get them in a week or two quicker than quoted.

Usually 4 to 5 weeks

X2

If I am going to spend that kind of money, then I better get what I want. On a FEW occasions I have found what wanted on a dealer lot, but those have been the exception.

 

[Pete6114]

I also usually order our vehicles but i've never got it in 4 to 5 weeks. Usually 6-8 weeks and more often then not at the 7 week mark. But never owed/ordered a Super duty.

 

[coobie]

I also usually order our vehicles but i've never got it in 4 to 5 weeks. Usually 6-8 weeks and more often then not at the 7 week mark. But never owed/ordered a Super duty.

I agree takes at least 6-8 weeks in my neck of the woods.

 

[Pete6114]

I agree takes at least 6-8 weeks in my neck of the woods.

And you appear to be close to Dearborne, which is where most of the F150's i have ordered in the past came from and I'm relatively close to the Plant myself, so shipping to the dealer is a quick affair once they actually get on a transport. Ordered a 2018 July 7th and it too will get build in Dearborne as all Platinum's do. Not serialized yet but i figure it will be within the next 2 weeks and the order to build will be send to the Plant by middle of Aug., which should end up here by Labor day weekend. Unless something stops production.

 

[gladehound]

So a used 2017 Ram 2500 diesel came up locally advertised at $43K. I was going to go look at it and who knows, might have bought it, but it sold before I got there! I'm kind of glad though. The more I think about it a 3/4 ton diesel probably isn't my wisest choice.

For the same $43K I can order a 2018 F-150 HD payload Max tow Eco boost exactly how I want it. It pulls like a diesel without the headaches according to those who have the EB. It has more payload than a 3/4 ton diesel. It's more pleasant to drive. And most reports indicate it's cheaper on fuel and maintenance. I never pull over 10,000 pounds and 95% of my towing is between 4,000 and 7,000 pounds and towing is only 25% of my driving.

Resale should be much better with the diesel... but then again, the F-150 with the HD payload package seems to be a hot commodity on the used market so might retain more value than I think. Planning on running it 200K+ anyway so don't expect to get much for it then.

 

[dodge man]

I wouldn't say a 3/4 ton diesel would be a bad choice. Just keep you options and ideas open and maybe the right truck will come along. Used is often a good buy if the right truck comes along.

 

[Copperhead]

Payload along with towing would be the deciding factor. You get up towards the top towing limit with a 1/2 ton and you can't even put the wife and kids and gear in the pickup without being over gross. My Chevy 2500, I can hook up 13000 lb of trailer with 15% of it tongue weight (1950 lb) and still have 600 lb of payload left over on the pickup before reaching gross.

I got mine mostly because of hauling payload. Not so much for towing. So the gasser works great for my needs. I can load the pickup up to gross and barely tell anything is in the back. And it doesn't squat like it is taking a dump like a 1/2 ton will. And if you follow tire maker inflation tables and reduce the tire pressures when empty, the ride is pretty darn good for general driving use.

Brakes and everything else are substantially more beefed up with a 3/4 ton than a 1/2 ton. Barely any comparison. And considering that many good 3/4 ton pickups can be had for almost the same price as equivalent 1/2 ton pickups, it almost becomes a no brainer to move up. And drive moderately, and fuel economy is not that much worse than 1/2 ton. My 2015 2500 6.0 Z71 only averages about 1-2 mpg less than a 2013 1500 5.3L Z71 I had before.

 

[dodge man]

Payload along with towing would be the deciding factor. You get up towards the top towing limit with a 1/2 ton and you can't even put the wife and kids and gear in the pickup without being over gross. My Chevy 2500, I can hook up 13000 lb of trailer with 15% of it tongue weight (1950 lb) and still have 600 lb of payload left over on the pickup before reaching gross.

I got mine mostly because of hauling payload. Not so much for towing. So the gasser works great for my needs. I can load the pickup up to gross and barely tell anything is in the back. And it doesn't squat like it is taking a dump like a 1/2 ton will. And if you follow tire maker inflation tables and reduce the tire pressures when empty, the ride is pretty darn good for general driving use.

Brakes and everything else are substantially more beefed up with a 3/4 ton than a 1/2 ton. Barely any comparison. And considering that many good 3/4 ton pickups can be had for almost the same price as equivalent 1/2 ton pickups, it almost becomes a no brainer to move up. And drive moderately, and fuel economy is not that much worse than 1/2 ton. My 2015 2500 6.0 Z71 only averages about 1-2 mpg less than a 2013 1500 5.3L Z71 I had before.

Pretty much my thoughts to a word. We had to hunt for a good used 3/4 ton but my wife is good at that. It was hard to find a used one compared to a 1/2 ton but the one we bought was pretty much the same price that we would have paid for a 1/2 ton.

 

[Sysop]

3/4 ton total cost of ownership is higher once you calculate all the extra fuel to tote around the additional weight or the added expense of diesel. For someone whose miles are primarily unloaded, it's a no-brainer to stick with a half ton.