Anyone regret going from 3500/2500 series to a 1500 series?

[bigeyedfish]

Our '97 Powerstroke never blew me away with its pulling power. Honestly, the 6.8 V10 did the job just as well, and the Super Duty was a way nicer place to spend time, but I never did trust it as much as I trusted the 7.3. We had a 5.4 and a 6.8 and both of them spit out spark plugs and drank oil.

No issues with the 5.9 common rail so far. Dodge has some annoying issues, but the important stuff is done right on this truck.

 

[SWOHTR]

Ya, that's one thing that comes up on the half ton FB group, "Just slow down. You have to use good judgement." Sure, I follow those people through miles of construction on the Interstate at 53 mph. Maddening.

I can pull my rig as fast as I want. Usually set my cruise at 70, and all trailer tires are rated for 81 mph.

It's cool the modern Fords can do it but I'm not seeing the advantage. By the time you add all the options to tow heavy your price is probably way past a base 250 and your resale will be crap. Who's gonna buy a half ton truck that common sense says was used to tow heavy? There is a sweet spot though it seems. The options sheet for the new Fords is eye opening.

My favorite are the half ton fifth wheel groups on FB. I had to leave that group. People using some creative math to mount fifth wheel hitches in a half ton.

“Creative math” and “highway safety” should never come into the same part of a discussion together. Scary, and unfortunate. Plus, as you allude to…what’s so wrong with base model (250-series)?

 

[Fatcamp]

It's not perfect, but we haul this setup regularly. Solid as a rock.

F250 XL gas truck with some nice upgrades.

 

[MuleyFever]

I was at a campground yesterday and about half the camp trailers had a 1/2 ton parked with it. May say more about the size weight of the trailers than the capabilities of the trucks though.

 

[Fatcamp]

I was at a campground yesterday and about half the camp trailers had a 1/2 ton parked with it. May say more about the size weight of the trailers than the capabilities of the trucks though.

Might also have something to say about the drivers judgement. The new Fords are capable of hauling a bunch of weight if outfitted correctly, but mental gymnastics around weight restrictions are a sight to behold on the half ton FB group. Using camper weights from the factory is a good starting point it seems.

 

[bigeyedfish]

This may have been mentioned, but longevity is a big reason I like 3/4 tons and up. I've had several 1/2 tons and several 3/4+, and as miles stack up, the heavier duty pickups have held up better. I almost never push them near their limits, but I had the half tons near their limits pretty regularly.

It might be important to note that I have owned a half ton newer than 2004, so the limits I was working with were quite a bit lower than on the newer versions.

 

[tdhanses]

I went from a 2019 F250 to a 2021 GMC 1500 with the 3.0 diesel. I don’t miss my F250 at all.

If I towed everyday or even 3 or 4 days a week I’d go back to a 3/4 ton but if you are not towing often they aren’t worth it.

 

[R55]

I have a 3/4 ton GMC and love it… except when I drive in WA with diesel approaching $6/gal. WA has become North CA.

 

[MuleyFever]

I went from a 2019 F250 to a 2021 GMC 1500 with the 3.0 diesel. I don’t miss my F250 at all.

If I towed everyday or even 3 or 4 days a week I’d go back to a 3/4 ton but if you are not towing often they aren’t worth it.

Did you notice much in regards to the size of the cab and available space?

 

[Titan]

Did you notice much in regards to the size of the cab and available space?

The F series all share the same cab. So it is essentially the same size as any other 1/2 truck on the market.

 

[tdhanses]

Did you notice much in regards to the size of the cab and available space?

Cab and available space is pretty much equal these days between 1/2 and 3/4. I think most share the same cabs actually.

 

[deltadukman]

I just got out of a half ton Tundra with a 5.7. Fantastic truck but I needed something between the Tundra and and Diesel 3/4 ton. Settled on the Ford 7.3 gas 3/4 ton. I don't tow often but do tow a good sized center console big bay boat and a single seat Polaris ranger often enough I was tired of working the Tundra on longer hauls and up and down hills. My wife also prefers to travel in a truck vs her Landcruiser for the room. The land cruiser is still a big small SUV. Verdict is still out on if I ever go back to a half ton, but I think the reason you see more 3/4 tons on the road these days is because half tons are geared so high for gas mileage they are weak when towing. My 7.3 Ford has 4.30 gears as well so that helps.

 

[Wildhorse]

I have a 2017 ram 2500 my wife had a 2017 ram 1500 eco diesel was a wonderful truck after an idiot Tboned her when he took a left into oncoming traffic she got a 2015 ram 1500 eco diesel that truck is also great she hauls the 6x10 10k dump trailer with it and with it fully loaded 8900lbs through the scale from western washington across white pass to 45 minutes north of spokane we averaged 19mpg for the trip she averages 27 daily driving it. If I didnt have big things to haul IE 4 horse living quarters gooseneck 24ft 21k equipment trailer and such I'd probably think about a 1500 as well but I'm also extremely happy with my 2500. Have hated about every one of the newer ford diesels F250s I've been in absolute trash of the fuel mileage average about 18 empty and about 12 hauling the same trailer with even less weight than the 1500 my 2500 is built and granted being so gets extremely good fuel mileage but I dont think you can really go wrong with a 2015-2019 ecodiesel.

 

[pirogue]

I went from a 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax to a 2023 GMC Duramax AT4 3500. Had it a year and haven’t pulled anything but a small rented UHaul. Do I regret it? NO. If the day comes I want to get another 5th Wheel or smaller trailer, I can pull it.

 

[ZipsNLbs]

19 Chevy 2500 37’s 22” wheels and a 7.5 lift . It gets 7 smiles per gallon 6.0 gasser . It’s the wife’s truck (I bought it for plowing for a year previously to her wanting it ) it’s a solid truck . Before the lift and tires it got 11-12 mpg up hill down hill fully loaded or empty . I’m getting mid 20’s in my 1 ton tuned and deleted . Gas is great if you aren’t going everywhere or driving it much . I’ve since bought a awd car to commute to work with . I also got a f150 but that don’t see much use it’s the 2.7 ecoboost

 

[hoppyumr]

That 3.0 is AWESOME. I’d drive around town with a grin on my face getting 25-28mgp. In the right conditions I could pull 30. The at4 is very nice but the price increase from 2020-2023 is hard to swallow. They’re getting out of sight!

I’ve got a buddy that has the baby Duramax and he gets similar ~28mph. I’m not close to that in my 2500 Duramax.

 

[Keener22]

I can pull my rig as fast as I want. Usually set my cruise at 70, and all trailer tires are rated for 81 mph.

It's cool the modern Fords can do it but I'm not seeing the advantage. By the time you add all the options to tow heavy your price is probably way past a base 250 and your resale will be crap.

The “starting from” price listed on Ford pickups is a total joke. Go play around with the truck builder on Ford’s website. I’m not up to speed with every option and package, but if you start with a base model in both series and then add a crew cab, 4x4, and the trailer tow package you will see that the price jacks up faster on a 250 than a 150.

Not to mention, my ‘21 3.5EB creates more HP and Torque than the 7.3 gasser 250s and gets double the MPG when towing. I know that’s not everything, but adding the 6.7 diesel to a 250 for more power will tack on another $8-9k right out of the gate. The Trailer tow package that ups the weight to 11,600 lbs, and adds the brake controller and pro backup assist runs about $1,500 to add. Ford does some real janky stuff with what you can and can’t add to the trucks based off the trim level, engine, and packages you want though.

I paid $47k total for my ‘21 F-150 XLT with 12k miles on it at purchase. Sticker price on a new one at that time was $62k. It has the 3.5EB, Trailer Tow package, extended fuel tank, and has the XLT high interior with the heated seats, bigger screen, yadda yadda. No way I was getting a similar priced 250 with the same options. My 150 is better for mpg, off-roading, general maneuverability, and more than tows my ATVs or SXS with extra stuff in the bed and trailer.

 

[Fatcamp]

The “starting from” price listed on Ford pickups is a total joke. Go play around with the truck builder on Ford’s website. I’m not up to speed with every option and package, but if you start with a base model in both series and then add a crew cab, 4x4, and the trailer tow package you will see that the price jacks up faster on a 250 than a 150.

Not to mention, my ‘21 3.5EB creates more HP and Torque than the 7.3 gasser 250s and gets double the MPG when towing. I know that’s not everything, but adding the 6.7 diesel to a 250 for more power will tack on another $8-9k right out of the gate. The Trailer tow package that ups the weight to 11,600 lbs, and adds the brake controller and pro backup assist runs about $1,500 to add. Ford does some real janky stuff with what you can and can’t add to the trucks based off the trim level, engine, and packages you want though.

I paid $47k total for my ‘21 F-150 XLT with 12k miles on it at purchase. Sticker price on a new one at that time was $62k. It has the 3.5EB, Trailer Tow package, extended fuel tank, and has the XLT high interior with the heated seats, bigger screen, yadda yadda. No way I was getting a similar priced 250 with the same options. My 150 is better for mpg, off-roading, general maneuverability, and more than tows my ATVs or SXS with extra stuff in the bed and trailer.

Ya, new F150 has some great options. Heck, resell might even be good.

My next truck will be an F350.

 

[Remington92]

My old 6.0 powerstoke started giving me issues a few years ago during covid and replacement 3/4 ton pickup prices went through the roof. At the time it was cheaper to buy this platinum f150 with 6.2 than it was to buy a 6.2 f250 xlt. The motor had plenty of snort and we used it for a few years but I hated towing in the wind. Was white knuckled the whole time. Just recently sold that and went into an 08 Duramax. Haven’t got to tow with it yet but it’s gotta be better than that f150 was.

 

[Fatcamp]

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My old 6.0 powerstoke started giving me issues a few years during covid and replacement 3/4 ton pickup prices went through the roof. At the time it was cheaper to buy this platinum f150 with 6.2 than it was to buy a 6.2 f250 xlt. The motor had plenty of snort and we used it for a few years but I hated towing in the wind. Was white knuckled the whole time. Just recently sold that and went into an 08 Duramax. Haven’t got to tow with it yet but it’s gotta be better than that f150 was.

LOL. I'll bet that was an adventure. Did you mount the fifth wheel hitch or did you buy it like that?



Let it get too low. Probably would have taken another $40. Mileage sucks today. Driving fast and high winds.