thoughts on full size

[jgallo1]

This is more of a stream of conscious post. I would like to hear some opinions.

I have been personally looking / considering and seeing alot of others talking/ purchasing 35-50k mid-size rigs. Then you add a shell or some sort of camper, extended fuel tanks, etc.. Thats is some coin.

I know the benefits, of a midsize (I drive an older midsize) , I can run jeep trails. How often do I really, not that often.

For the same amount of money , or quite abit less if we are talking used, one could get a newer F250 diesel. Locking diff, manual locking hubs 142" wheel base. Get a shell and having a sleeping platform in the back or put an RTT on top. You could go with the ram 2500 (they seem to have more aftermarket support). I don't think you can get a RAM diesel with a factory locking diff, and ext.cab short bed.

There seems to be a lot pf people running f250/2500 just wondering how limited you feel? I get you are not going to run a jeep trails, but standard logging trails, beach's, baja runs, trips in to western Mountains any issues or limitations?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have kinda thought that too.

I have found several nice 2500 Tradesman Cummins trucks for a little cheaper than a new Ranger. About the same price as a similar year/mileage XLT F-150.

I know I am giving up frills but I am gaining A LOT of powertrain.

It would be a tow pig for me, it would haul my offroader.

 

[mobydick 11]

This is more of a stream of conscious post. I would like to hear some opinions.

I have been personally looking / considering and seeing alot of others talking/ purchasing 35-50k mid-size rigs. Then you add a shell or some sort of camper, extended fuel tanks, etc.. Thats is some coin.

I know the benefits, of a midsize (I drive an older midsize) , I can run jeep trails. How often do I really, not that often.

For the same amount of money , or quite abit less if we are talking used, one could get a newer F250 diesel. Locking diff, manual locking hubs 142" wheel base. Get a shell and having a sleeping platform in the back or put an RTT on top. You could go with the ram 2500 (they seem to have more aftermarket support). I don't think you can get a RAM diesel with a factory locking diff, and ext.cab short bed.

There seems to be a lot pf people running f250/2500 just wondering how limited you feel? I get you are not going to run a jeep trails, but standard logging trails, beach's, baja runs, trips in to western Mountains any issues or limitations?

well I had the same questions . I purchased a new F250 reg cab long box . After looking at half ton trucks and always saying . after I spend 5 grand on up grades I will have close to what I want. The 250 specked out right you don't need anything . Go look under the front end of a 250 at the massive front strait axle and you will be sold . I guess the only downside is a little less gas mileage .But nothing is free .

 

[Martinjmpr]

Keep in mind that while you may be able to buy a 3/4 ton for the same price as a mid-size or half-ton, RUNNING a 3/4 ton is going to cost you more. More fuel consumption, more expensive tires, more expensive services and repair parts (especially diesel services.)

For Keyboard warriors who are sitting on the sidelines and egging you on, "bigger is better" is the mantra. But they're not the ones paying your bills. Personally I would only buy a 3/4 ton if I NEEDED one. It's hard to imagine somebody whose needs could be fulfilled by a compact truck choosing a 3/4t instead. If that's their situation then either the compact is a lot LESS truck than they really need or the 3/4 ton is a lot MORE truck than they need.

I briefly considered a 3/4 ton when my tired old Suburban seemed to be in need of replacement but I quickly realized that I had no need for the capabilities of a 3/4 ton and that a modern 1/2 ton would be plenty for what I needed. In fact, a modern compact would have worked in a pinch (although I'd rather have too much truck than too little.)

Modern 3/4 ton trucks have amazing capabilities in terms of hauling and towing. But all that capability comes with a price.

 

[jgallo1]

Here is the thing for me.
I dont really need the tow capacity.
This rig for me is solely a DD and and adventure rig. I am an admitted dieselphile.
I used to own a a 2500, CTD, just a basic 4x4, when I was running the farm. It was great tow/haul. Man that truck would get stuck.
I thought about modding it but when I left the farm job and went back to making money ha ha, I figured easier to sell it.
I have been missing the diesel, really thinking about the ZR2. I would be getting the ext.cab / long bed. Which is basically 2 seats and some storage for backpacks. No real adult can sit in the back seat of midsize ext. cab.
A bench seat up front would be way more useful.
This is how I started thinking about an f250 ext cab. 6.5 bed. Bench up front, some backpack storage in the ext. cab. Locking diff, locking hubs.Seems like an amazing combo. I would think the truck could tackle anything as long it was too narrow. Is this correct thinking?

 

[phsycle]

Here is the thing for me.
I dont really need the tow capacity.
This rig for me is solely a DD and and adventure rig. I am an admitted dieselphile.
I used to own a a 2500, CTD, just a basic 4x4, when I was running the farm. It was great tow/haul. Man that truck would get stuck.
I thought about modding it but when I left the farm job and went back to making money ha ha, I figured easier to sell it.
I have been missing the diesel, really thinking about the ZR2. I would be getting the ext.cab / long bed. Which is basically 2 seats and some storage for backpacks. No real adult can sit in the back seat of midsize ext. cab.
A bench seat up front would be way more useful.
This is how I started thinking about an f250 ext cab. 6.5 bed. Bench up front, some backpack storage in the ext. cab. Locking diff, locking hubs.Seems like an amazing combo. I would think the truck could tackle anything as long it was too narrow. Is this correct thinking?

If you don't need the tow (or haul?) capacity of a 3/4 ton, and you're using it as a daily driver..... I don't know why you'd go 2500. Just go with a Ram 1500 (Ecodiesel, if you need diesel). Only 6 inches difference in width compared to a midsize. It'll get you to a lot of places. Haul an ATV if you're worried about the trail being too narrow.

 

[jgallo1]

If you don't need the tow (or haul?) capacity of a 3/4 ton, and you're using it as a daily driver..... I don't know why you'd go 2500. Just go with a Ram 1500 (Ecodiesel, if you need diesel). Only 6 inches difference in width compared to a midsize. It'll get you to a lot of places. Haul an ATV if you're worried about the trail being too narrow.

Here is why I like the the full size, mainly the F250, bench up front, locking diff, locking hubs. dana 60. I do use the bed.

 

[Trikebubble]

I went from an Xterra to a Tundra (insert your full size truck of choice here, but I chose the Tundra for my needs), and I'd never go back to a mid-size anything. The added interior room and comfort of that added leg/head room alone is worth any offset in mileage. A few years ago we did a 6500km trip to Colorado and back in my Xterra and by the time I got home I could barely walk, my back hurt so much. Last year we drove 8500+km to Tuktoyaktuk and back in my Tundra and I felt as is I'd only driven around the block. I'm 6'2" and I like a high seat open back angle seating position, try that in a small or mid-size and still be able ot see out the windshield.
Then their is the power, nothing much compares to some decent big power in a full size truck. Not that I drive fast or overtake everyone on the road, but in my truck I have the power ot drive at the comfortable speed I choose, regardless of uphill, wind gusts, etc, and I have real passing power. Get out and pass a line of big trucks at a good clip without worrying if i'll make it or not. And honestly the mileage I get in my Tundra with a Four Wheel Camper is about the same as I got in my old Xterra loaded with a rooftop tent and all the crap I took along with it. Full size trucks also don't care too much about added weight thrown on for different reasons or trips. Every time I loaded the old Xterra I had ot be very cognizant of the added weight.
I'm not a diesel junkie myself, so I went with what I figured to be the best gas powered option for my needs and wants, but at the end of the day I'd take any full size truck over any mid-size anything.
I also find the compromise of having a larger vehicle to stuff into and along trails not to be bad enough to re-consider my full size truck. I live in BC, travle a lot of deep forest tight tracks and trails, and while I'm dragging branches everywhere, I can still make it to a good 85% of the places I used to go in my Xterra. The few places I cannot access are now offset by the fact I bring along a queen size bed, stove, sink, hot water tank, fridge, and furnace everywhere I go. For me the trade-off is a no-brainer.

 

[Marine]

I agree with the above posters. While 3/4 ton has its place I'm all about the f150 or something similar. Just my one cent. I used to own a ctd but never used it for its intended purpose. In the greater scheme of things get what makes you happy.

 

[Grassland]

Keep in mind that while you may be able to buy a 3/4 ton for the same price as a mid-size or half-ton, RUNNING a 3/4 ton is going to cost you more. More fuel consumption, more expensive tires, more expensive services and repair parts (especially diesel services.)

For Keyboard warriors who are sitting on the sidelines and egging you on, "bigger is better" is the mantra. But they're not the ones paying your bills. Personally I would only buy a 3/4 ton if I NEEDED one. It's hard to imagine somebody whose needs could be fulfilled by a compact truck choosing a 3/4t instead. If that's their situation then either the compact is a lot LESS truck than they really need or the 3/4 ton is a lot MORE truck than they need.

I briefly considered a 3/4 ton when my tired old Suburban seemed to be in need of replacement but I quickly realized that I had no need for the capabilities of a 3/4 ton and that a modern 1/2 ton would be plenty for what I needed. In fact, a modern compact would have worked in a pinch (although I'd rather have too much truck than too little.)

Modern 3/4 ton trucks have amazing capabilities in terms of hauling and towing. But all that capability comes with a price.

This is fair, but really how great is fuel economy on a mid size once you add a bunch of weight, mild lift, 33" tires, etc?
I don't want to daily drive a stock 3/4 anymore than I want to daily drive a lifted, 33" tired mid size.

To the OP, one thing you could consider is a used 2015+ V6 F150. The aluminium super cab 4x4s come in very close in weight to crew cab mid size trucks. You can find them with electronic locking rear ends, and they easily take 33" tires. Decent aftermarket support for them. You CAN seat adults in the rear for shorter trips, and they offer more rear room for gear when seats flipped up, compared to a supercab mid size, and you have a larger bed than a crew cab mid size.

If i was building a heavy half ton for dedicated towing and hauling, I'd skip it and go to a gas 3/4 ton.
If i was building a mid size for dedicated light towing and hauling, I'd skip it and get a supercab half ton, it will cost the same or less than the mid size.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Unless you plan on towing heavy...the diesel is not for you...unless you like expensive repair bills.

Also, go with a 1/2 ton... Your wallet amd lower back will thank you.

 

[phsycle]

Just saw this video on Ram gas vs diesel towing. I don’t put much weight on these TFL “tests” but since they did these back to back, it at least gives a good comparison. Pretty disappointing the diesel got shown up. Seemed to lack the power to keep the truck at 60mph. And the MPG difference was pretty negligible.

 

[jadmt]

Buddy just bought a 2019 ram 3500 tradesman otd $35000. 6.4 hemi 4x4 tc shifter on the floor. Who cares if it gets 13 mpg . I’ve been dealing on a 2019 f250 cc short box 6.2L fx4 package rear locker tow camera ect under $40000 otd new trucks are easy to drive and I would rather have too much carrying capacity than not enough

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I would rather have too much carrying capacity than not enough

I keep seeing that mantra on here...yet in my 24 years of truck ownership I have never once needed more capacity than I had.

According to this forum... Everyone towing/hauling over 500lbs should opt for a 1 ton, crew cab, 8'bed, 4x4, diesel, with the snow plow and camper package...lol.

 

[Wallygator]

This is how I started thinking about an f250 ext cab. 6.5 bed. Bench up front, some backpack storage in the ext. cab. Locking diff, locking hubs.Seems like an amazing combo. I would think the truck could tackle anything as long it was too narrow. Is this correct thinking?

It will be a probably more than a few years from now before I part with my 4Runner but I have been thinking of the exact combo you mentioned. I have completely ruled out the diesel so the only limiting thing for me with this combo is that it comes with a 34 gallon tank and both V8's (6.2,7.3) love the gas.

Been thinking about this truck because I am getting older and have been thinking about getting a pop up camper in the future. Kind of a semi retirement rig. I won't need the towing capacity but it's nice to know it's there. However will need the payload capacity. With how I would use this truck and how overbuilt it is, it should last me a very long time if I can continue to afford the gas . So will just keep pondering, but this config is the front runner right now for my next rig.

Heres a youtube video I found of a guy with this combo. He has a four wheel camper on order.