1/2 or 3/4 ton truck for Slide In Pop-up Camping

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I did 1/2t and 3/4t with FWC on them. The 3/4t handled better, braked better, had a larger stock gas tank (important), didn’t need air bags, etc.

 

[Boarmaster]

It would depend how much you're going to use it, where and how far your travels take you.
Decide if you want drive a 3/4 ton truck everyday and have it work a bit better the days you use it for your camper or if your better driving a 1/2 ton everyday and having marginal performance when using the camper. Since there are trade offs in all things I tend to buy what works great 85-95 percent of the time and make do with the other 5-15 percent.

 

[displacedtexan]

Payload is 1830... so not even close. I could still throw in at least two 30 packs. Put some sumo springs on it this summer and it really helped with the ride.

Scale it.

You're over.

 

[displacedtexan]

I've mostly owned 3/4 tons, and a couple of half tons.

I never wished my 3/4 tons were half tons, but there were definitely times I wished my half tons were 3/4 tons.

 

[ORJoe]

If you already had a 1/2 ton (in my case, a 4 cyl Tacoma), adding a camper to your life would not be the worst thing.
But if you are buying a truck with the intention of a camper, absolutely get the 3/4-1 ton (in my case, the V6 Tacoma)

 

[rileybassman]

Payload is 1830... so not even close. I could still throw in at least two 30 packs. Put some sumo springs on it this summer and it really helped with the ride.

Seems close for comfort - I'd worry mostly about insurance in the event something happened. Slick setup tho!

 

[displacedtexan]

Seems close for comfort - I'd worry mostly about insurance in the event something happened. Slick setup tho!

Payload also includes everything in the cab... Driver, gear, plates... Usually fuel.

Payload is figured with the truck as light as possible so it's as high as possible.

 

[rabbithuntr]

I've mostly owned 3/4 tons, and a couple of half tons.

I never wished my 3/4 tons were half tons, but there were definitely times I wished my half tons were 3/4 tons.

I agree except when I looked at the gas gauge on my v10 I’m pretty sure I could see it moving.

 

[rileybassman]

Payload also includes everything in the cab... Driver, gear, plates... Usually fuel.

Payload is figured with the truck as light as possible so it's as high as possible.

Yep... as a 1/2 ton owner who tows, I know this battle

 

[joehew89]

I've mostly owned 3/4 tons, and a couple of half tons.

I never wished my 3/4 tons were half tons, but there were definitely times I wished my half tons were 3/4 tons.

Not even at the pump?

 

[Steve300xcw]

Not even at the pump?

If you're worried about that, then you have bigger problems

 

[joehew89]

If you're worried about that, then you have bigger problems

You must be rich. I am not. 12mpg vs 25 mpg is thousands of dollars a year. For some people that's a consideration they may want to look at when purchasing a vehicle.

 

[Steve300xcw]

You must be rich. I am not. 12mpg vs 25 mpg is thousands of dollars a year. For some people that's a consideration they may want to look at when purchasing a vehicle.

Far from it. I'm also not running around in $50k+ pickups..

 

[displacedtexan]

Not even at the pump?

I need fuel, I buy fuel.

 

[displacedtexan]

You must be rich. I am not. 12mpg vs 25 mpg is thousands of dollars a year. For some people that's a consideration they may want to look at when purchasing a vehicle.

You're comparing a 2005 gas 3/4 ton to a 2025 diesel 1/2 ton.

New diesel 3/4 tons are getting close to 20.

An irrelevant difference.

 

[displacedtexan]

It would depend how much you're going to use it, where and how far your travels take you.
Decide if you want drive a 3/4 ton truck everyday and have it work a bit better the days you use it for your camper or if your better driving a 1/2 ton everyday and having marginal performance when using the camper. Since there are trade offs in all things I tend to buy what works great 85-95 percent of the time and make do with the other 5-15 percent.

What trade offs are there having a 3/4 ton as a daily?

 

[joehew89]

It would depend how much you're going to use it, where and how far your travels take you.
Decide if you want drive a 3/4 ton truck everyday and have it work a bit better the days you use it for your camper or if your better driving a 1/2 ton everyday and having marginal performance when using the camper. Since there are trade offs in all things I tend to buy what works great 85-95 percent of the time and make do with the other 5-15 percent.

Very logical. I had a 3/4 ton for years and downsized to a 1/2 ton and Ive never regretted my decision. To each their own.