May be time for a 3/4 ton diesel

[Zac808]

I've got about 600 miles of towing with my 2011 Tundra V8 towing a Jayco 25RKS (5800#dry) and I am not a happy camper. I did 450 miles roundtrip this weekend and got an average of 7-8 mpg at 65 mph. The truck definitely had to work to maintain 65 mph. My temps/press were above average and my revs were constantly high. It doesn't help that I live in the Las Vegas "valley". No matter where we go camping we have to climb in and out of town. This past week we made it up to 10,400 ft (Duck Creek) in turtle mode.
Now for the sanity check....even though my Tundra is paid off, I'm looking to get a newer 3/4 ton diesel. We want to take our trailer to places like Moab, Steamboat Springs, and San Diego to start with and can't imagine pulling it with my Tundra. The Tundra sits in the garage and only gets used for camping and other rare occasions which is why it only has 19500 miles. This is our first camper, been out twice, and are loving it thus far.
I know there is a wealth of experience and knowledge here and was wondering if the "veterans" could give me some insight on wether or not I'm looking at this all wrong.

Thanks,
Zac

[Roosters 67]

if your going to upgrade trucks go all the way to a one ton, the price difference is negligible in the big picture. Then you have a truck that is more than capable. JMHO

[Zac808]

Originally Posted by Roosters 67

if your going to upgrade trucks go all the way to a one ton, the price difference is negligible in the big picture. Then you have a truck that is more than capable. JMHO

Thanks.

[chertz]

It is my opinion that 1/2 tons are for picking up groceries and soccer mom's. In all seriousness I hated towing my 30 foot TT with my chevy half. Upgraded to a Ram with the cummins. Towing is a pleasure now.

[tuffr2]

If you get a 2011 or newer diesel you will be a happy camper. Diesel engines do not suffer the 3% power loss per 1000 feet elevation gain. They do suffer some loss in power but much much less than a non-turbo gas engine.

In 2011 Ford, Ram, and Chevy improved their diesel trucks. I agree with getting a 1 ton truck since it's dimensions are the same as a 3/4 ton truck with about 1,200 to 1,500 lb. more carrying capacity. It allows you to really load it up with bikes, firewood, tools etc without overloading the truck as easily as a 3/4 ton truck.

Go test drive the diesel trucks and notice the power.

Good luck.

[C130]

As others just stated, go right to the 1 ton. I see no reason to get a 3/4 ton and I had an F250 before my current F450. Great truck but for basically the same price you'll get a little more tow capacity. I know everyone's different but I love my current long bed vs. the short bed I had on my F250. It's always better to have more truck than you think you need now for future upgrades in the trailers! It'll save you money down the road.

[schrederman]

Currently towing about 7200 pounds and about to upgrade to a bigger trailer. My F-150 was about like your Tundra. It would pull it and did OK, but just adequate. I went to a Ram 2500 and the difference is night and day. I get 13mpg average towing and about 20 average commuting. A plus these days is I'm paying less for diesel than regular unleaded for DeeDee's car... Sometimes as much as $.40 less.


As to the 1-ton thing... If you ever think you'll upgrade to a 5er, it would be wise to get the 1-ton... I never will go to a 5er so it wouldn't have been a good decision for me. Whatever you decide... diesel is the way to go.

[bikerdavet]

Originally Posted by C130

As others just stated, go right to the 1 ton. I see no reason to get a 3/4 ton and I had an F250 before my current F450. Great truck but for basically the same price you'll get a little more tow capacity. I know everyone's different but I love my current long bed vs. the short bed I had on my F250. It's always better to have more truck than you think you need now for future upgrades in the trailers! It'll save you money down the road.

This is just one mans opinion so take it for what it's worth. I've owned pickup truck for 40 years and never wished I had less truck except at the Starbucks drive thru. This is about the best advise you'll get. If you drive only a few thousand miles a year a diesel will last a long time. Just say'n.

[Zac808]

Thanks for all the comments. Im looking for "used" so no preference on 3/4 or 1 ton Just whatever is available for the right price. I do need a shortbed as it will need to fit into my garage.

[Cumminsfan]

If you decide on Ram look for a 2013+. They went to DEF like GM and Ford. Beefed up the frame on the 2013 3500 and in 2014 did the same for the 2500.

[Arizona]

Our f150 got 17 solo and 7 towing 7000 lb toy box. Got us to Moab and silver ton fine. A heavy duty truck will ride rough and if it's a duel wheel will be hard to park in today's small parking lots. If you can sell/buy even why not, but to pay to upgrade on a truck that mostly sits in the garage is tough. It's easy to talk oneself into a new truck!
Our truck was getting high miles on it and was shocked to see new truck prices. We went back to a nice used low mileage class a and sold the toy box for a lot less than a new pickup.
Those tundras are great trucks and at 19000 miles yours should last forever.

[Zac808]

Originally Posted by Arizona

Our f150 got 17 solo and 7 towing 7000 lb toy box. Got us to Moab and silver ton fine. A heavy duty truck will ride rough and if it's a duel wheel will be hard to park in today's small parking lots. If you can sell/buy even why not, but to pay to upgrade on a truck that mostly sits in the garage is tough. It's easy to talk oneself into a new truck!
Our truck was getting high miles on it and was shocked to see new truck prices. We went back to a nice used low mileage class a and sold the toy box for a lot less than a new pickup.
Those tundras are great trucks and at 19000 miles yours should last forever.

17.....lucky. Im getting 13 without a load.

[taken]

Originally Posted by Zac808

Thanks for all the comments. Im looking for "used" so no preference on 3/4 or 1 ton Just whatever is available for the right price. I do need a shortbed as it will need to fit into my garage.

If you're shopping used, then either is fine. If considering Ford, remember the 250 and SRW 350 are identical so buy what you get the better deal on.

[DTG173]

Usage other than towing will dictate whether you really "want" a 1 ton. My dealer wouldn't sell me one because he knew a 3/4 ton was more than capable of towing my toy hauler, and the ride without a trailer would have been less than comfortable. I am a Chevy guy and love my 2014 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison. Hook up the trailer, set cruise at 63mph, and let the truck do it's thing. It's way more than sufficient for my 10k trailer.
The newer diesels do have the DEF which though a bit of an inconvenience isn't really a hassle. The DPF regenerations however will kill your fuel economy.