Posted 2005-05-21 9:18 PM (#676) Subject: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 14
Location: Texas
I have just ordered a new trailer...it's a 4 Star- 18' long 2H GN. Since I feel it would strain my 1/2 truck too much to pull this, I will be upgrading to a 3/4 ton truck. What features should I be looking for to maximize my towing ability (gas v. diesal, short bed v. long bed, etc...) Any help would be appreciated!
Posted 2005-05-21 10:01 PM (#677 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 truck
Posts: 18
Location: Verona, KY
Depends on how much you tow, but if you want to make the move to a 3/4 ton, go with a diesel.
You won't justify it on unloaded fuel milage, but loaded milage and resale value will do it. Not to mention the pleasure of driving one.
If shifting isn't an issue go with a 5 or 6 speed, depending on whats available in the truck you're considering.
The trailer you ordered isn't that big, if it has a tapered front end you can get by with a short bed. If you're going to pull in any wet conditions consider a 4X4.
I do most of my driving unloaded, when I do pull, it's a 3 horse slant load. I went with a '04 Dodge 2500 auto, quad cab diesel, haven't looked back. It pulls with no problems, 65 - 70 MPH loaded, never goes out of overdrive.
Posted 2005-05-22 9:21 AM (#678 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Cosmopolitan (shaken..not stirred)
Posts: 10442
Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
I agree. I have a 2004 Dodge HO Cummins (diesel) automatic (comes with tow feature) quad cab, short bed. Options for towing? 'tow package' includes non-slip rear end, wiring, etc. I use it to pull a 2h gn with LQ. Yes, you will need a tapered nose - your 4Star should be fine.
I have the luxury of leaving the rig hooked up and driving a work car so can't help you much with the fuel milage quotes.
Posted 2005-05-22 12:02 PM (#679 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 4
Location: Land of Gar, Texas
Good move to upgrade. I would have to agree with everybody else. Go with the diesel. If you can spend a little extra I would try and get a 1 ton. They are not that much more than a 3/4 ton and you'll be that much better off, especailly if you get a crew cab. I wish I would've bought a 1 ton but... My 3/4 does just fine with our 3 horse Hart. I have an older model Ford with Powerstroke and my milage is as follows: 18 around city and 20 or so on hwy unloaded (it's also my daily driver) Towing depends on where we are at but I'll get about 13 to 14 on a flat interstate and it'll drop to about 12 in hilly conditions (hey I'm in Texas). Also if you can get it get a long bed. The longer the wheel base the better stability when towing. I don't have a 4x4, there were very few times that I wish I did, but you'll have to make that choice. It can affect your milage a bit and it that's one little bit more of maintainance I did'nt really want to do. If you drive alot off road to places then it's a no brainer. I tend to try to stay on the paved roads. Hope this helps
Posted 2005-05-22 12:13 PM (#680 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Would like your opinions on opening a horse hotel
Posts: 12
Location: Mid-Michigan
We have a 3/4 ton Chevy with the big gas engine, 4 door short bed - it's been great for us. We don't put on enough miles with the truck to have made it worth the extra $ for the diesel and this truck has the HP we need. We pull a 4H w/8'LQ and it pulls great. One thing that really made a difference for us is air bags for the suspension. My hubby installed them right away when we got the truck and it makes all the difference. I'd consider them if I were you. Your trailer isn't as heavy as ours - but it's at least worth a thought. They are not very expensive.
Posted 2005-05-22 2:35 PM (#681 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 8
Location: Southern MI
I pull a 3 horse slant w/ a 2004 3/4 ton Silverado diesel. I get 18 miles per gallon pulling. My last truck was a 1999 3/4 ton Chevy with gas motor..GAS HOG!!! 9 miles per gallon when pulling. I will never buy another gas truck. You don't know what a real truck is until you've owned a diesel.
Posted 2005-05-22 10:35 PM (#682 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 131
Location: Cheyenne, WY
Having just gone through this myself I went with the 04 2500 Quad Cab Dodge with the Cummins in the six speed. I found all the features, pricing, warranty, towing caps' etc. to best fit my needs in the Dodge.
Ford was a close second choice and a GM vehicle would of been ok if I was using it to drive to church on Sunday.
Posted 2005-05-22 11:17 PM (#683 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 47
Location: Shawnee, Oklahoma
I hauled a 2 horse 4 Star with a weekender for 5 years with a 3/4 ton Dodge diesel. I got 20 mpg with no trailer, and around 18 mpg with the trailer & 2 horses. We have 2 - 1 ton Dodge diesels now as well as the 3/4 ton. We used to have Fords. ALL of the Fords we had were fuel hogs and none of them came close in power to these Dodges. My husband is a mechanic, and he modified his Dodge in several ways. All I know for sure is that he uses a power chip and Flowmaster among whatever else he did to it, and it can literally run off and leave any Ford out there with a 4 horse trailer loaded. One of his old Ford 1 ton dually trucks was also modified, and it had the same power as any Dodge, but it sucked the fuel to do it! Go with a Dodge diesel for power and fuel economy.
Posted 2005-05-23 11:52 AM (#684 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 2621
A lot probably depends on what other uses the truck will be needed for, primarily whether or not it needs to be a daily commute vehicle and the daily/weekly mileage for that.
In approx my priority order;
Cab to axle measurement at least 1/2 the trailer's nose width,
Limited slip rear axle,
4WD,
Lim slip AND 4WD,
DIESEL,
5 Speed Automatic - yes, I can and do drive manuals, but I LIKE the Allison.
Dual rear wheels - SOME 3/4 ton trucks have a DRW option.
PowerVision mirrors, or equivalent,
Adequate fuel capacity, I have about a 600 mile range right now and wouldn't want less than 500 (even though I stop for watering every 150 or so).
6 or more CD player for distance driving - there are radio deadlands, I get sick of one CD after a couple of times through, don't have an I-pod (yet) and itunes crashes my laptop - this is inconvenient when I'm trying to also run navigation software on it.
I DO NOT want the length of a 4 door with a cab-axle length of 58 or 60 inches. I might go for an extended cab next time just to have a rear seat for doggie and/or stuff.
I could swap those priorities around all day, fortunately they wouldn't have to be exclusive of each other (-:
Posted 2005-05-23 3:55 PM (#685 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 4
Location: Land of Gar, Texas
Hey Reg,
You might try an in dash MP3 player. I bought an inexpensive one at Fry's (an electronic superstore here in Tejas) for around $60.00 I can burn music all day for a 3 day trip and never hear the same song twice. Just FYI. Not that that is of any importance and I didn't mean to hi jack the post.
Posted 2005-05-23 5:39 PM (#686 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 326
Location: Palmdale, CA
Reg and Maccwall,
Yes, the most important thing for your truck...good music. I burn out pretty quick on my CDs and even my own recorded tracks. So I put in a satelite receiver and now enjoy Sirius satelite radio. I love it!
TXDressageGrl:
Definitely get a diesel, I average 14.5 mpg pulling a 10k lb trailer, around 20 mpg empty. I also prefer an 8' bed. My last truck was also 4X4, I've never needed it but it is nice to know it's there. IMO, with that size trailer, you'll be fine with most 3/4 ton trucks.
Posted 2005-05-23 5:47 PM (#687 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 14
Location: Texas
Thanks for the great responses! It will also be used for a daily driver car, so better fuel mileage is a plus. So, if I'm understanding correctly, diesals have better gas mileage?
Out of curiosity, how big of a trailer could a 3/4 ton truck pull loaded?
Posted 2005-05-23 5:52 PM (#688 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 2621
Originally written by TXDressageGrl on 2005-05-23 5:47 PM
Thanks for the great responses! It will also be used for a daily driver car, so better fuel mileage is a plus. So, if I'm understanding correctly, diesals have better gas mileage?
Out of curiosity, how big of a trailer could a 3/4 ton truck pull loaded?
Here we go again... (-:
It depends on a whole mess of GVxx numbers, the limiting one on a 3/4 ton truck is USUALLY the payload. This leads to consideration of the Dual rear wheel option, or a 1 ton truck.
Yes, there is definitely better fuel mileage with a diesel, and MOST of the time it is cheaper (per gallon) than gasoline. In winter there is price pressure on diesel fuel, since it is basically heating oil. I'm still expecting/hoping it will get to be cheaper than gas before the REAL summer trailering season gets underway.
Posted 2005-05-24 6:26 AM (#689 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 203
Location: AL
So, a 3/4 ton Chevy Heavy Duty extended cab with a tow/haul switch/non diesel should pull a 10k trailer fine. I think it is rated just under 20k for towing. My friend has a 1 ton Ford and the steel on my truck is heavier than the 1 ton(no pun intended, just a reference). My truck is only a couple of years old and payed for. I'm not in the market for a new diesel. I'm IN the market for a fifth wheel. Finacially, that's where I'm sitting. It's nice to hear all of the feedback. It is helpful...............................I've been misinformed with this truck. My pology.
Posted 2005-05-24 7:12 AM (#690 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Gone on 2005-05-24 7:26 PM
So, a 3/4 ton Chevy Heavy Duty extended cab with a tow/haul switch/non diesel should pull a 10k trailer fine. I think it is rated just under 20k for towing.
You're over simplifying Reg's answer... As a estimate, 25% of a GN trailer is hitch weight. Your 10,000# trailer will be placing 2500 # in the bed of your 3/4 ton truck. Is your payload up to that? if not - your suspension will take a beating, the rear tires will be at risk, etc, etc,
Posted 2005-05-24 7:27 AM (#691 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 211
Location: Kansas City
I would love to have 3/4 or 1 ton truck. However consider your type hauling and frequency. The $5-7,000 that diesel packages (engines, trans, & trim) is hard to recoup on local type pulls.
What I do have is an half ton '02 Dodge Ram Quad Cab with a 360 engine. I pull 3 full size quarter horses weighing over 1100 each in a new CM 3 horse steel slant with front dressing area and rear tack, hauling 6 saddles and full show tack. I have no problems what-so-ever, check my tranny temps, rear end, etc. with a infared temp gun. I do run full synthetic oils in everything.
This works for me as I pull on weekends and once or twice during the week all under 50 miles. My suggestions is to try what you have until you find out exactly what meets your needs.
Posted 2005-05-24 7:38 AM (#692 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 450
Location: Ontario - east of TO
It seems there were a few years (not sure if all years are this way) that Chevy made a 3/4 ton heavy duty... 8 bolt axles/wheels. That's what I have (1992) and it has no trouble at all hauling my 3H Alum w 6ft Dress (soon to be LQ). My mother's truck - 2004 2500HD duramax, is the only way she could get a duramax with out dual wheels - and it is basically a 1 ton without duals. There is also a lighter 3/4 ton that has 6 bolt wheel - I was told by an experienced hauler to steer clear of those when I was looking.
TXDressageGrl
:
I will second the 8 ft bed.... I was looking for a short bed truck but found the perfect long bed (beggers can't be choosers when you are looking for a $5000 truck) - so I bought it. There have been many times when I was glad to have it... not only for the extra ease of turning that trailer, but also for hay, building supplies, dirt bike...etc. The MP3 player is nice to have too - but that's not a priority. The 4WD is something I will never go with out... I actually didn't have it on my "need to have" list, but I used it a few times this winter and was glad to have it - it's defiantly something I will never go with out. Diesel will get you better milage, and they haul better, so if you can spring for it. In your situation I'd go for the Chevy (ok so I'm a chevy girl )2500HD - basically the hauling capacity of a 1Ton - but w/o duals... duals are nice, but can be a PITA for parking and such with a daily driver.
Posted 2005-05-24 3:24 PM (#694 - in reply to #676) Subject: RE: Features needed on 3/4 ton truck
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Terri on 2005-05-24 3:18 AM
What about maintence? What is the difference ($ wise) between a diesel and gas?
Without specifics, I'll just float some points
Diesel ...More engine oil, more $ in fuel, air and oil filters, some engines have dual batteries, Turbo's are expensive and delicate creatures, Diesel Fuel pump & injectors are also of the expensive and delicate variety.
Gasoline... relative to diesel .. common and low cost... the semi-annual tuneup is now every 100,000 miles