thoughts on full size

[mobydick 11]

Well you should get what you like and gives you confidence when driving . My choice of a 250 came after I blow the rear end this late summer in my half ton ,total rebuild needed . Then on the way to Expo East the transmission started acting up. By the time i babied it home it went bang and had to be replaced .The truck only had a little over a 100,000 miles on it . So it was obvious to me and for my use a F 250 is the better choice . With the camper cap and gear trailer the half ton was maxed out . OP look at what you are really going to use it for and decide .

 

[jadmt]

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.

I bought my first new truck in 1977 and have owned many since, both 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons and i have generally found it is easy to overload them If you haul a camper. I have weighed them on the scale and usually found the weight on the front axle is at or has exceeded its gvwr. I agree if only hauling 500lbs you don‘t need a truck but even a light weight fourwheeler camper by the time you add gear and a passenger you can far exceed what a 1/2 ton is rated at.

 

[cgnjeep]

I'm also considering a full size truck since my work van was totaled (hopefully, waiting on insurance to get back to me). My rental right now is a 2020 Silverado 1500 and I can now understand why everyone around drives these full size trucks!
I'll be using it for work as well, keeping my kitchen install tools/machinery in there full time so I am wondering if I can fit a low profile bed rack for my rtt as well as a hard tonneau cover at the same time. I could also go with a truck cap but really want to keep a lower profile with the rtt.

 

[phsycle]

Well you should get what you like and gives you confidence when driving . My choice of a 250 came after I blow the rear end this late summer in my half ton ,total rebuild needed . Then on the way to Expo East the transmission started acting up. By the time i babied it home it went bang and had to be replaced .The truck only had a little over a 100,000 miles on it . So it was obvious to me and for my use a F 250 is the better choice . With the camper cap and gear trailer the half ton was maxed out . OP look at what you are really going to use it for and decide .

With a slide in camper, I would go 3/4 or 1 ton as well. Although there are some super light weight options out now, which would work for 1/2 tons.

Project M Topper

The Project M is the newest camper from Four Wheel Campers is the perfect pop up truck topper for the minimalist adventurer.

fourwheelcampers.com

 

[Martinjmpr]

For those who dismiss concerns about MPG, it's an insidious thing that can creep up on you.

Right now fuel prices are relatively low (historically speaking) at least in most of the US. But it doesn't take much of a "spike" in prices and all of a sudden it's costing north of $100 or more to fill the tank. On a long trip, that's a significant chunk of your budget getting burned up in the engine and blown out the tail pipe.

Last time we had a quick spike in fuel prices (circa 2007 - 2008 or so IIRC) I was on a few message boards and people with gas hog vehicles were hurting big time: "I can't afford to drive this pig" "This thing is killing me with fuel costs" "I've got to get out of this gas hog" etc.

I've seen people who follow the "who cares about MPG?" advice (which is common on forums like this), spend a buttload of money building up a 100 series LC or big pickup or Wrangler...and then a year or two later, sheepishly admit that they can't afford to drive it anywhere as they put it up for sale to buy a 4runner, Tacoma or similar vehicle (or even better yet, to see them admit that they drive their Subaru more frequently because they don't really NEED the capability of the big truck and the money they save on fuel by driving the small car more than makes up for the lost capabilities of the big rig.)

So it's not a trivial concern, unless you're independently wealthy (which I assume most of us are not.)

 

[tennesseewj]

@jgallo1 didn't you recently sell a Power Wagon because it was too big for your needs?

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[plumber mike]

We used to travel in the wife’s Nissan Xterra. 17 mpg. It was tiny.
Had kids. Wanted bigger. Got a Tahoe. 17 mpg. Kids have a lot of stuff and so do I. We all like to dirt bike. Stepped up to a 2500 Ram CTD. 17 mpg. Can hit 20 on an empty haul.
Unless I was taking a vehicle somewhere that I needed a physically smaller vehicle, I don’t see the benefits of not going heavier duty.

 

[jadmt]

For those who dismiss concerns about MPG, it's an insidious thing that can creep up on you.

Right now fuel prices are relatively low (historically speaking) at least in most of the US. But it doesn't take much of a "spike" in prices and all of a sudden it's costing north of $100 or more to fill the tank. On a long trip, that's a significant chunk of your budget getting burned up in the engine and blown out the tail pipe.

Last time we had a quick spike in fuel prices (circa 2007 - 2008 or so IIRC) I was on a few message boards and people with gas hog vehicles were hurting big time: "I can't afford to drive this pig" "This thing is killing me with fuel costs" "I've got to get out of this gas hog" etc.

I've seen people who follow the "who cares about MPG?" advice (which is common on forums like this), spend a buttload of money building up a 100 series LC or big pickup or Wrangler...and then a year or two later, sheepishly admit that they can't afford to drive it anywhere as they put it up for sale to buy a 4runner, Tacoma or similar vehicle (or even better yet, to see them admit that they drive their Subaru more frequently because they don't really NEED the capability of the big truck and the money they save on fuel by driving the small car more than makes up for the lost capabilities of the big rig.)

So it's not a trivial concern, unless you're independently wealthy (which I assume most of us are not.)

I am not rich by any means and I have been driving since 1971 (legally since 1973) and I remember when gas was under 40 cents a gallon. I remember the first time I saw gas at a $1 a gallon I was like ****** time to sell this gas burner lol. I had a Ford 460 with C6 which got about 10mpg on a good day and 8 on a bad day when gas was over $4 a gallon and it was no big deal especially if your vehicles are paid for. To me spending thousands on a vehicle that gets 2X the mpg makes no cents (sic) I personally and my personal opinion only think it makes more sense to have a vehicle that will carry every thing you need and get 12-14mpg than have a vehicle that will only carry your tent and get 20mpg. like you posted there are people who sold off their big rigs in 2008-2009 but I personally did not know anyone who did that, I do know some guys who bought some nice rigs during that time tho. I know one owner of a used car lot that made a killing buying big rigs.

 

[jmnielsen]

We used to travel in the wife’s Nissan Xterra. 17 mpg. It was tiny.
Had kids. Wanted bigger. Got a Tahoe. 17 mpg. Kids have a lot of stuff and so do I. We all like to dirt bike. Stepped up to a 2500 Ram CTD. 17 mpg. Can hit 20 on an empty haul.
Unless I was taking a vehicle somewhere that I needed a physically smaller vehicle, I don’t see the benefits of not going heavier duty.

I've taken a similar path. Had a sedan, got 18-20 typically. Had an Xterra, got 15-16 after lift and tires, still felt it was too small. Got an F150, get 17 or so an have a ton of space. Could get even better fuel economy if I slowed down, but that's not going to happen.

 

[phsycle]

I've taken a similar path. Had a sedan, got 18-20 typically. Had an Xterra, got 15-16 after lift and tires, still felt it was too small. Got an F150, get 17 or so an have a ton of space. Could get even better fuel economy if I slowed down, but that's not going to happen.

Fullsize trucks are the family sedans of this decade. Comfortable, capable, and our go-to family adventure mobile.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

My daily driver is a 2012 Ram Power Wagon, while my wife has a 2019 Chevy Colorado ZR2. We don't worry too much about fuel economy because both of our vehicles will get around 8,000 miles a year, so I can't speak to the fuel economy debate much. If fuel economy was a concern, I'd have to look real hard at the Colorado ZR2 as a daily because it gets considerably better fuel economy than my Power Wagon does. Here's a few thoughts that come to mind:

-The Power Wagon is much more comfortable when it comes to interior space. The front seat of the ZR2 is pretty good, but the rear seat isn't exactly huge.
-Both trucks are capable for daily work and off road work, but there's some places where the smaller truck is going to shine.
-If you need something that can tow a lot, the Power Wagon will do better than the ZR2, but it won't win against most HD trucks because of the rear suspension meant to flex.
-The ZR2 gets around 20-22mpg on the highway at around 80mph while the Power Wagon is around 12mpg

I'm sure there's more I could come up with, but I think you need to decide what fits your needs best. I'm fortunate enough to have two great vehicles in the garage.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

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.

After only 19 years of truck ownership I can only say... that must be nice...

 

[jgallo1]

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.

It seems to be the way of future a 3 ton truck to tow a 1/2 ton. ha ha
I am not concerned about towing.

I am one of those guys who just likes diesel. I think from the production of the fuel to the engine it is a better system, just me.
The reason I started thinking about a full size again, was the cash and the space.

this is not an exact comparison, I know that.
let's just use a rough figure avg. between the 2 trucks specs.

Take a new Chevy ZR2,or Ranger

price 35-45k.

wheelbase: 129
length :212
width: 75
ground clearance: 9

you get 2 seats upfront and 2 jump seats in the back that my 90lb dog, will hate me for. I use this model , so I can get 6ft bed.

Lets look at ford a few yr.old f250
wheelbase:137-142
length 227-232
width :79
ground clearance: 9

In the F250, you get a bench seat. Easy to sit, 2-3 adults or 2 adults and one big dog, manual locking hubs.
I know the f250 is bigger, but not by much. I am sure the approach, departure , & breakover are way worse.

I am not saying that one is better than another. They each have the pros/cons.
As i have been looking at newer trucks, this just happened to cross my mind. I figured i would put it out there. I think the answer is the midsize truck with a bench seat ha ha

 

[nater]

First off - my bias - I just bought a 2019 power wagon.

I think gas HD trucks are the best deal on the market if you need a truck, and dont tow heavy/hard (diesel for that!). In my case, you end up with:

Solid front and rear axles that are the same as the ones rated to tow and haul ungodly amounts of weight
Front and rear electronic Lockers
A factory synthetic line winch
An engine that is overbuilt for the loads I will put on it
Leather/heated cooled seats/etc etc etc
Manual transfer case
Room for 6 actual adults (front bench seat)

Its overbuilt for my needs, but thats why people love landcruisers, right? I honestly think that people get too hung up on the diesel option, ignoring that the gas trucks can do more than they likely need, and with the maintenance costs of a normal 1500.

 

[jgallo1]

@jgallo1 didn't you recently sell a Power Wagon because it was too big for your needs?

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Yes, I was using it on the farm, it was a nightmare in the sierra's and the rockies. The newer 2500 are BIG. This is why I was mainly discussing the f250 reg./ext, shortbed's. The length is the same as a 4 door long bed tacoma. The Ram's are way bigger, I wont even bother them form my needs. The PW is an amazing truck though.

I think I am stuck in some sort growing pains phase.

A wife, big dog, 2 houses now, a job the is requiring alot of time driving and needing to be able carry basic tools, budget constraints, etc...
I need to fit all of this into one truck (wife says no 2 trucks at the moment, she wants me to finish the kitchen and the build a deck ha ha).

I need a 6ft bed,I like being able to sleep back there in bad weather. It snowed so much on my recent hunting trip. My little tacoma made up the mountain faster then my friends full size, but I slept in my tent in the snow, he slept all warm inside his bed.

I love the way a diesel drives, especially at elevation.

Also, when it comes to mpg, driving a loaded down mid size that gets 13-16 mpg and has a 20 gallon tank is annoying. It may seem cheaper but look at how often you are stopping to fill the truck up, or having to carry 20 gal of gas to go on a trip for 4-5 days.