HD F-150 or 3/4 ton truck?

[Farmer495]

13k lbs behind a 1/2 ton truck. I don't want to be anywhere near that going down the highway.

Why not? That load has it's own brakes. The bigger issue is the "anyone" can do this without any special training or license....though locally you have to pass a road test to tow anything over 10,000 lb with a regular driver's license...

 

[coobie]

Why not? That load has it's own brakes. The bigger issue is the "anyone" can do this without any special training or license....though locally you have to pass a road test to tow anything over 10,000 lb with a regular driver's license...

I could not agree more.The everyday go to the mall/school driver has NO clue what it takes to tow over 10,000 lbs.

 

[WilliamBos]

I could not agree more.The everyday go to the mall/school driver has NO clue what it takes to tow over 10,000 lbs.

There are many people with licences that have no clue either. Terrible seat cover(driving schools) out there have been aboe to get many the licence needed without knowing how to drive.

 

[coobie]

There are many people with licences that have no clue either. Terrible seat cover(driving schools) out there have been aboe to get many the licence needed without knowing how to drive.

You are correct,not trying to start a pi$$ing match.Just stating the facts.

 

[scott_vt]

I could not agree more.The everyday go to the mall/school driver has NO clue what it takes to tow over 10,000 lbs.

Good Morning Coobie,
I have driven commercially for many years, hardly makes me an expert, but I honestly think that people that do not normally haul anything other than kids to school, need a red blinking sign on their dashboard telling them they have a large load behind them ! Do not drive too fast and anticipate stops well before they happen !

 

[coobie]

Good Morning Coobie,
I have driven commercially for many years, hardly makes me an expert, but I honestly think that people that do not normally haul anything other than kids to school, need a red blinking sign on their dashboard telling them they have a large load behind them ! Do not drive too fast and anticipate stops well before they happen !

Fully agree,folks seem to forget how far it takes to stop that load.Then its to late..

 

[Sysop]

Lots of folk don't fully understand what it takes to safely carry a firearm. Lots of folk don't understand what it takes to safely raise a child. Lots of folk don't fully understand what it takes to get through life safely.

Towing a trailer is just one of the many aspects of life the average person isn't naturally a master at. As with any of these things, it is up to each individual to learn all they can by the mistakes and learned wisdom of others and attempt to not recreate the mistakes of the past. Problem with that is, the average person is too lazy to be bothered. Many like to learn the hard way, through trial and error.

Same as with bad parents, bad gun-owners, and others that fail to live up to the various standards of society; people that can't tow need dealt with on a case by case basis. Creating artificially low specs on a truck just to prevent the average driver from towing heavy isn't a solution.

I personally think lots of the people claiming "I'd not tow 12-13k behind a modern half ton" are the types that are generally the problem. They're simply too lazy or hard headed to learn the proper way to load and tow with modern equipment. I think they are the ones that don't load properly, like to tow too fast, and need a truck made to handle 20k to safely get them down the road with their improperly loaded 10k at 80MPH.

 

[downs807]

Simple how many 1/2 ton's you see flipped over on the high way with the so called "1/2 ton towable" camper that weights 9k vs 3/4 ton?

there are classifications for a reason at the end of the day a 1/2 ton is still not near the truck a 3/4 ton is no matter how you slice the pie boys.

 

[Farmer495]

Simple how many 1/2 ton's you see flipped over on the high way with the so called "1/2 ton towable" camper that weights 9k vs 3/4 ton?

there are classifications for a reason at the end of the day a 1/2 ton is still not near the truck a 3/4 ton is no matter how you slice the pie boys.

Think you'll find far more 1/2 tons will be towing a 90% tow rating weight RV simply because RVs only get so heavy in general, not too many RVs on the road that are at the "90% of 3/4 ton towing rating" The real heavy triple axle 5ers are over 1/2 rating, but no where near 3/4 ton rating.

 

[4570Man]

I'd rather have more truck than necessary because I've got better things to do than tinker with the load position trying to get the weight distribution perfect, and deal with weight distribution hitches. I prefer to pull all the way to the front of the trailer and be done.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Simple how many 1/2 ton's you see flipped over on the high way with the so called "1/2 ton towable" camper that weights 9k vs 3/4 ton?

there are classifications for a reason at the end of the day a 1/2 ton is still not near the truck a 3/4 ton is no matter how you slice the pie boys.

I drive nearly 50K per year and have never seen a flipped rig. Sen one or two on the net.

Not nearly the issue you are making it out to be!

 

[Sysop]

Simple how many 1/2 ton's you see flipped over on the high way with the so called "1/2 ton towable" camper that weights 9k vs 3/4 ton?

there are classifications for a reason at the end of the day a 1/2 ton is still not near the truck a 3/4 ton is no matter how you slice the pie boys.

I think that is just a matter of overall numbers. There are more privately owned 1/2T than 3/4T and 1T, so naturally more are involved in accidents; although I'm with Diamondpilot on the point, I've personally not seen any higher instance of wrecked 1/2 tons as anything else on the road.

You're correct, there are classifications for a reason. But a blanket statement that a 1/2 ton is not near the truck a 3/4 ton is, is not entirely accurate. For a given model year, yes, the 3/4 ton is a stronger truck than a 1/2 ton. A 3/4 truck from 1970 isn't near the truck todays 1/2 tons are. A 1/2 ton truck of today is more equal to a 3/4 ton of the year 2000. What the 1 tons are hauling these days required a semi-truck not too many years ago.

 

[Sysop]

I'd rather have more truck than necessary because I've got better things to do than tinker with the load position trying to get the weight distribution perfect, and deal with weight distribution hitches. I prefer to pull all the way to the front of the trailer and be done.

If you tow all the time, there's nothing wrong with too much truck. If you only tow occasionally but drive the rig all the time, it's a waste.

You may also want to double check the hitch on the back of the truck. Many of the 3/4 & 1T trucks have hitches that require using a weight distributing system even though the truck is fine without it. Not using a weight distribution system on one of those hitches puts all of the strain on the two rear-most bolts at the tail of the frame. You won't have a problem until you're already in some sort of emergency situation, then the fasteners start tearing loose from the frame.

 

[downs807]

Curious how many folks on here have actually had 13k behind a 1/2 ton truck?

I usually like a gooseneck for that kind of weight.

This weekend I decided I would haul my 55hp tractor and bush hog on my bumper pull. Weight is around 9k counting trailer. Truck did fine but I can tell you there's no way I would want to pull it on a bumper pull very often.

Just for the record I'm not bashing 1/2 ton trucks and I agree they are far more capable then in years past. I just think manufacturers are over rating them just to say ours has a higher towing rating.

 

[Sysop]

Unless it has been recent or was overloaded beyond the rated capacity, I doubt anyone has. 13k ratings on half tons just started in 2017.

Most I've had behind my 2015 was about 10k. I can't say I would want to do it daily, but I'd not be worried about doing it again; it handled the load without issue.

With the newer higher tow rating coming with thicker frame sections and other improvements, I don't think they're just pulling a number out of the air.

 

[gladehound]

I'd rather have more truck than necessary because I've got better things to do than tinker with the load position trying to get the weight distribution perfect, and deal with weight distribution hitches. I prefer to pull all the way to the front of the trailer and be done.

While I agree with your preference and followed the same method for many years.... are there any pick-up trucks that are rated to tow a decent amount without weight distribution hitches? The only one I can think of are the 2017+ Super Duties that have a 3" receiver rated for the same amount with "weight carrying" vs "weight distributing" hitches. I think the Ram and GM HD trucks require weight distribution. It's one reason why I'm really leaning towards a Ford if I go HD. However, I don't know if the owners manual recommends weight distribution or not (something I need to check out on the new ford HD trucks)

It seems that just about everyone out there is exceeding some rating regardless of HD vs 1/2 ton. It seems that those with HD's tend to feel they don't need to follow the rules as much. I have to admit I was guilty of this. I used to tow anything with my 1999 F250 and never worried about tongue weight or weight distribution. I never worried because frankly it never mattered. The truck was so long with so much weight on the front and had such strong springs in the back (had heavier springs than stock) that it would be difficult to destabilize it. However, I never even thought about the hitch being the weak point. Then a friend cracked his hitch on his 3/4 ton and this made me think twice about the practice.

Ideally, manufactures make diesel trucks strong enough end to end to pull anything within their rating without weight distribution - because let's face it, with an extra 1,000 pounds on the front it would take crazy tongue weight to get the front of a diesel as light as the front of a gas truck with no trailer. Diesels never need a weight distributing hitch of stability (or at least that has been my experience). But can the rest of the truck take it?

 

[4570Man]

I'd say yes. This is an F-superduty ( 450 ). It weighed 22 k with that load. . My 3500 hauls 4 ton. . As far as towing I don't have any heavy bumper pull trailers, and use a 22k goose neck for that.

 

[cletus99]

Been a while since I've been on or commented, but this post peeked my curiosity since I just bought my first diesel truck about 10 months ago. I don't tow anywhere near most of everyone else on here, but I am looking to get a RV sometime in the near future which is why I got my truck I have now. I had a 2015 Silverado 2 WD I bought brand new. Traded in a 2011 Silverado 4x4 on it thinking I'd get better fuel mileage. Nope, both got around 15 to 16 mpg no matter what I was doing. So now I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Ecodiesel and it's the best truck I've ever owned. Absolutely love it. I've owned other Chevy and Ford trucks over the years. I'm not a brand specific person. I just buy what I like. I average about 24 mpg going to work throughout the week. On the highway I average about 28 mpg. A while back I went to Atlanta about 3 and a half hours away to pick up 1400 lbs of flooring pulling a heavy 16 foot double axle trailer. I still average 26 mpg highway driving.

I don't know if this truck would meet your needs, but may be something for you to look at. I was talking with a dealer recently and he said something about they didn't come out with one in 2017 due to some government emissions BS he thought, but were supposed to be coming back out with them again in 2018. I bought mine used with 14k miles, but had to drive 6 hours away to get it. Only found 1 used within a 600 mile radius from me. They're hard to find around here right now and it blue books for way over what I owe. Just another option for you.

 

[sd455dan]

I think that is just a matter of overall numbers. There are more privately owned 1/2T than 3/4T and 1T, so naturally more are involved in accidents; although I'm with Diamondpilot on the point, I've personally not seen any higher instance of wrecked 1/2 tons as anything else on the road.

You're correct, there are classifications for a reason. But a blanket statement that a 1/2 ton is not near the truck a 3/4 ton is, is not entirely accurate. For a given model year, yes, the 3/4 ton is a stronger truck than a 1/2 ton. A 3/4 truck from 1970 isn't near the truck todays 1/2 tons are. A 1/2 ton truck of today is more equal to a 3/4 ton of the year 2000. What the 1 tons are hauling these days required a semi-truck not too many years ago.

Not in every respect... Still missing safety features like Full floater rear axles

Even our 1967 F-250 2 wheel drive had a full floater. unless something has changed 1/2 tons still don't...


from Fourwheeler magazine

A full-floating axle can be found on the rear of some 4x4s, but it is generally reserved for vehicles that are designed for severe duty,

or are intended to carry heavy loads.

This type of axle uses an axleshaft on each side that is simply splined at both ends or splined on the inner end and has a drive flange on the outer end. The shaft mates to the differential in the same way as a semi-floater. However, the outer end of the shaft differs. Here, the splined end of the shaft slides into a locking hub or an internal splined steel drive plate that bolts to a hub cap, similar to what is found on a front axle. In some cases, the drive flange may be part of the shaft itself. In either case, the axleshaft is allowed to float in the system.

For a full-floater system, the axleshaft only serves to transmit the rotational torque from the differential out to the wheel.

It does not carry the weight of the vehicle like a semi-floater does. On a full floater, a spindle is attached to the outer end of the axlehousing. The hub's cap is attached to this spindle and rides on tapered roller bearings. It is this assembly that carries the vehicle weight.

As such, a full-floating axle system is considerably stronger than an equivalently sized semi-floating system.

For those of you who carry heavy loads, this means your axle load capacity is greatly increased with a full-floater. Load ratings for similar vehicles with the two different axles are usually significantly different.

should an axle shaft break on a semi floater there is nothing to retain the wheel/ tire, a broken axle shaft on a full floater will lose drive power but the wheel /tire will be retained.

Or has the 1/2 ton truly been upgraded in this area?

 

[dodge man]

I've got a 3/4 ton with a true class V hitch, I think it's rated at something like 11,000 pounds, so it's not just Ford doing it. I think it's optional, part of a tow package but I think most come with it.