pickup truck size

[jjp8182]

F-series I presume? That's would be good mileage for a small truck, let alone a full-size!

Running ethanol free gas, I had gotten close to 30mpg average with a 2010 Ram 1500 (with the multi-displacement 5.7L Hemi and most fuel efficient axle ratio) on a tank or two during trips from Alabama to Minnesota.

However, normal commute driving for me (mostly highway) was usually mid-20's on ethanol-free gasoline and a bit lower on gas that may have been up to 15% ethanol.

Recently I've heard that some of the newer 3/4 ton trucks may even be getting up to high 20s/low 30's when running empty..... haven't seen it myself yet, but I wouldn't be surprised given some of the 1//2 ton trucks have been getting into that fuel economy range in the last few years.

It's pretty amazing what has been happening with engines in the last few years..... all those electronics in modern engines are really working to squeeze the energy out of every last drop of fuel.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Yup went from a 7.3 PS 6-speed manual to a 3.5 ecoboost 6 speed automatic. Hills the 7.3 was to the floor in 5th towing, ecoboost hardly has the pedal pushed. Pull in 6th gear 1800 RPM easy on the flat. I've had it sideways many times on pavement and you have to watch the speedometer since it's silent. Can't say that about the 7.3. The 7.3 was more of a working truck and had stronger suspension and brakes as you said. Loved to hear the 7.3 pull but not being able to hear the radio or talk to a passenger while turning 3000 RPM in 5th every grade on the 4 lane wasn't fun.

And they say the F150 PowerBoost is even better...

 

[ddbackhoe]

correct weight does -- and at this point a modern 3/4-ton truck pulling a trailer (even ones that may not hit the max advertised towing capacity) can go over 26,000 lbs GCWR.

At which point the various state & federal regulations may start to take effect depending on exemptions and/or state regulations - and where a person is driving.

For example the newest Ram 2500's have an advertised max towing capacity of 20,000lbs....and base weight for the lightest configurations is more than 6000lbs.

Weight determines the class of license. Use determines the type. Hauling your equipment or goods for your own personal use is onee thing. Hauling for money or prizes is where the commercial part comes into play.

 

[jjp8182]

Weight determines the class of license. Use determines the type. Hauling your equipment or goods for your own personal use is onee thing. Hauling for money or prizes is where the commercial part comes into play.

True - though the "personal use" criteria seem to vary by state. An RV or horse trailer is probably a safe bet in most states, but other things (like heavy equipment) I wouldn't be so sure that the initial assumption would be towards it being personal use rather than commercial use with having to prove it in court. ....but again it varies by state (or possibly even LEO to LEO)

....and it's part of the reason I likely won't be moving out of Alabama after having moved and lived here awhile since the rules are quite a bit different than they are in the surrounding states (I've looked).

 

[deserteagle71]

F-series I presume? That's would be good mileage for a small truck, let alone a full-size!

2016 F150 Supercab 4x4, 3.55 locking diff. With my Yamaha Kodiak (my leveling kit!) in the back. One of the main reasons I went with a Ford instead of a Ram or GM is the bed was long enough that I could load the Kodiak and still close the tailgate. Couldn't do that with a Chevy or Dodge...just barely fits in the Ford.

 

[check]

2016 F150 Supercab 4x4, 3.55 locking diff. With my Yamaha Kodiak (my leveling kit!) in the back. One of the main reasons I went with a Ford instead of a Ram or GM is the bed was long enough that I could load the Kodiak and still close the tailgate. Couldn't do that with a Chevy or Dodge...just barely fits in the Ford.
View attachment 702521

Nice looking truck, deserteagle! I had a silver one once, but now SWMBO insists on white. I am on my 4th, and the next one will be Ecobeast!

 

[goeduck]

I actually like the white truck, black grill, chrome bumper look. Work truck looking.

 

[blee03]

Every time someone makes a tractor purchase thread, everyone always says buy the biggest one you can afford but still fits your application.

This way of thinking also applies to the trailers people use to haul their tractors around. Everyone always says buy one at least 2-4ft longer than you need because you’ll find more stuff to put on there.

Both theories, go along with the buy it once mentality.

In my opinion, the same goes for trucks.
In my case, it does everything. It’s a jack of all trades.

If you can buy a bigger/better truck and it makes sense to you, (not to anyone else) do it.

 

[deezler]

^ says the guys who drives a school bus as a daily, lol (mega cab).

 

[bcp]

^ says the guys who drives a school bus as a daily, lol (mega cab).

School bus pickups may be long, short, or medium cab. Some are 4x4.

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

Every time someone makes a tractor purchase thread, everyone always says buy the biggest one you can afford but still fits your application.

This way of thinking also applies to the trailers people use to haul their tractors around. Everyone always says buy one at least 2-4ft longer than you need because you’ll find more stuff to put on there.

Both theories, go along with the buy it once mentality.

In my opinion, the same goes for trucks.
In my case, it does everything. It’s a jack of all trades.

If you can buy a bigger/better truck and it makes sense to you, (not to anyone else) do it.

That’s probably good logic for a trailer that gets used 5 times a year but I use my trailers at least weekly usually more and a trailer that’s too big for the job is a nuisance.

 

[blee03]

^ says the guys who drives a school bus as a daily, lol (mega cab).

Yeah with all the terrible drivers on the road, I’m not taking any chances. Plus I use the mega cab for my dogs / snowmobiling trips.

Ive been daily driving long wheel base Cummins trucks for 15+ years now, it’s not hard.

 

[Farmer495]

And they say the F150 PowerBoost is even better...

I believe it. Run your house during power outage too!

 

[BBHomestead]

I like high useful technology and increased economy, but would like to see the curb weigh of the old F-350 with a 460 versus the new one. I see the new engine specs, they are much better, but often times wonder if decreased weight is also helping.
1000 pounds of steel from the 1980’s replaced by plastic or aluminum in todays trucks makes a big difference in speed and helps with towing.

The older trucks weight was lower than newer ones! The extra wires and plastic is actually heavier than you think! I know 60s mustangs no where near as heavy as modern mustangs!
Also lightweight trucks are not better for towing its the other way around you need heavier truck to be safer and able to keep traction when stopping or if on unpaved roads! Best ratio is 1/4 or more weight should be in the truck! So if your truck is 8k then anything over 32k total is not very safe! Of course this is dependent on proper trailer and im talking gooseneck types! Bumper pull is much less for safety of course but a 10k truck will be safer than a 5k truck with same weight trailer and load! I wont ever get the aluminum bed trucks if I have to buy a newer one and that is what is available I will buy one with no bed and add a heavy flatbed!

 

[Username Taken]

I wont ever get the aluminum bed trucks if I have to buy a newer one and that is what is available I will buy one with no bed and add a heavy flatbed!

I have owned a half-dozen trucks, which I know isn't going to impress anybody in here, but I've had a bedliner in every single one. Sometimes a plastic one with a rubber mat on top of it.

I know there are instances where you can't have a bedliner for one reason or another, but if you're not in that category, it's nuts not to have one. If you absolutely can not have a bedliner, like if you're hauling cow manure all day, then I can see not buying an aluminum body truck.

 

[BravoXray]

I always had plastic bed liners in my pickups. The new spray on liners are nothing more than thick paint, and only his damage rather than preventing damage to the bed. Had to take the cap off and the liner out the bed for a paint job, and the bed was still like new, and I've hauled some pretty nasty stuff in it over the last 16 years.

 

[Hay Dude]

View attachment 702736

I have owned a half-dozen trucks, which I know isn't going to impress anybody in here, but I've had a bedliner in every single one. Sometimes a plastic one with a rubber mat on top of it.

I know there are instances where you can't have a bedliner for one reason or another, but if you're not in that category, it's nuts not to have one. If you absolutely can not have a bedliner, like if you're hauling cow manure all day, then I can see not buying an aluminum body truck.

Bed liners are tough as nails

 

[goeduck]

I agree. Bed liners absorb impact. Spray on does not.

 

[deezler]

I like my truck with no bedliner at all. The bed is full of scratches and dings. So what? Zero rust.

Always heard that the plastic bedliners trap water (and salt/grime/grit) underneath which actually promotes rust and bed failure prematurely. Probably takes a decade or more though, so who really cares.

Spray on bedliners are gross. Why would you want your bed to be sticky/tacky? And then guaranteed, the coating fails eventually and starts flaking or chipping off and you get flecks on your cargo. No thank you.

 

[88bradb]

The truth is, they will sell you a new pu that isn't loaded to the gills and cost less...

Problem is, they don't stock them because no one buys them!

SR

Problem is the statement (not loaded to the gills) is their discretion and not the customers. A not loaded truck doesn't come with an automatic tranny. (IMHO). I would like a 4wd,long bed,standard cab,v8,manual tranny,in my choice of color. ( not a white fleet truck). That's not available in any make or model to my knowledge anyway. Why can't it be ordered? Sorry,just had to vent..