IdaD
Idaho
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Joined: 08/06/2014
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thomas201 wrote:You will give up a row of seats. Is that a problem?
This is the key right here. If you don't need a third row, the pickup is a better value and you can get an HD model vs the currently available full size SUVs which are based (somewhat) on half ton platforms. Throw a pappy cap on the back if you need the cargo area out of the weather.
But if you need more than 5-6 seats there's no way to make that work in a pickup.
Strictly from a towing standpoint you'll be far better off with the HD pickup, even versus and older 3/4 ton SUV.
2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB
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Crespro
SoCal
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Joined: 07/23/2004
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Changed from a Buick Enclave to an F-250 with long bed. 22 feet long, but able to go into parking ramps and parking lots. Good choice for towing with 48 gallon tank. Yes, when I fill up and pay the CA gas tax, I feel patriotic!
Crespro 2021 Grand Design 310GK-R, 2020 F250LB, 7.3L, 4.30, Reese 27K
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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Joined: 06/10/2019
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Back when my great-grandfather first saw a 4-door, long bed pickup. "Man! You can get this stuck in both ditches at the same time!" Of course his last pickup was half ton '51 Chevy.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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Went from a diesel Excursion to a 07 Duramax dually crew cab 8' bed.
In the end the biggest difference was the loss of passenger space.
The crew cab could never make up for the loss of passenger space.
Lacking passenger space occasionally forced us to take 2 vehicles or leave people behind.
19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
BD3,RV safepower,22" Blackstone
Ox Bedsaver,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,5500 Onan LP,Prog.50A surge,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan,Sailun S637
Correct Trax,Splendide
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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Joined: 03/15/2001
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20 yrs driving an 8' bed crew cab, another 8-9 with an ext 8' bed. Two SW 3500, one DW 3500. All GM. I have four kids. Put 20-30k Mike's per year on them, using them in landscape construction biz, plus personal use.
As noted vs a van the we had, less room in crew cab. The International Travel-all parents had growing up, no more room than a crew cab. That rig had no back seat. Manual steering, three in the tree, 120hp 220 I6!.
Vehicles have come a long way! In many ways, not so much in others.
I'll take a pickup over a van or SUV for multiple reasons. BUT, I do see and appreciate SUVs and Vans.
At the end of the day, back then, the CC 3500 was best option, both personal and biz wise. I could depreciate it!
I drive a 1500 dual cab, 6.5' box today. Kids have spouses, one grandkid, not doing the landscape work, pulling 10k ball/pintle mount trailers. Never had a gooseneck/5w. Would have to take off lumber, ladder, pipe rack.....I also hauled a canoe, bikes, generator, 2 Alaska malamutes in crates, firewood etc in the bed while towing TT..... I'm enjoying driving a smaller rig at this time in my life
Choose your poison. No right or wrong per say. It had better work for you, or it will cost you $$$$$.
If you have a BIG family as I have, 1209-1300 lbs of people, a 20k 5w, you may need a 45/55 series rig vs a 35 for the payload alone. I could only pull a 7-10k ball mount, I was at gvw for the DW and SW rigs.
All of mine were 4wd, as we used TT as a ski hit, most weekends from first of December, to late March early April. 4wd, licking rear, room for chains is a must for my use
Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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3/4 Suburban vs 3/4 Pickup...mostly just a different rear body. Frame and drivetrain are almost identical. Towing should be pretty much the same. If you don't need the 3rd row of seats, I find the pickup more flexible for other uses.
6ft vs 8ft bed. With a 5th wheel, the 8ft bed avoids the need for sliding hitches and such (you can get away without but it's a pain...been there done that). For a travel trailer, the only thing you lose is 2ft of storage in the bed. A crew cab with 6ft bed is still plenty long to resist tail-wagging-the-dog issues.
One thing to keep in mind with the 1/2ton trucks is that you are likely to run out of payload before you fill all the seats, drop the hitch on the ball and the fill 8ft of bed space.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
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SteveAE
Bend, Oregon
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Joined: 02/20/2012
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I think it depends on:
- what a person wants to carry and/or tow with the vehicle
- if it is used as a daily driver in cities or primarily for traveling
- budget constraints
- any future plans, dreams and schemes
We have a new 3500 crew cab diesel that is primarily use for travel. Only the dog uses the back seat .... but maybe someday I will get a truck camper so I may want that space for storage.
We tow the same 22' travel trailer that we used to tow with our 1/2 ton truck .... but maybe someday we will get something bigger and/or a 5th wheel.
We also carry a full size Side by Side on a heavy duty Tonneau Cover and still have full use of the (secured and weather proof) bed area below the SxS for storage (more toys). No way could a Suburban, short bed truck (the SxS would stick out too far and hit the front of the trailer) or even a mid-sized toy hauler (toy haulers have to be parked where you are going to ride) do all of this.
So, for us, the long bed crew cab was the only logical choice. And "hopefully", as life changes and evolves, the truck will be flexible enough to change with us.
Good luck with your decision.
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Geo*Boy
Unknown
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Joined: 04/27/2020
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Get a GM 4500 or a Ford F450, both have a tighter turning radius that the 3/4 or 1 ton trucks.
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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Joined: 03/15/2001
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Geo*Boy wrote:Get a GM 4500 or a Ford F450, both have a tighter turning radius that the 3/4 or 1 ton trucks.
This is true.
My Navistar with a 188" wb out turned my 88 GM ext cab with a 155" WB, won't disCUSS the 170" crew cabs.
They have a 54* front wheel cut vs 45-50* for the 35 series rigs.
Marty
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K3WE
Missouri
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Joined: 05/24/2005
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ALL AROUND GOOD DISCUSSION, Special thanks to MF man, PA12DRVR, ford truck guy, Lantley, blt2ski.
blt2' We know canoe hauling very well ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") , and would LOVE to have the Travelall you describe!
Lantley: Spent 3 great days at Patapsco State Park last June...You might have problems getting your engine up to operating temperature ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
I'll think a bit on the 1-to vs. 3/4 ton suggestions. I know we don't need the 1-ton, but I get it, minimal $ difference but SOME capacity difference...and there are $ to be saved on a truck vs a Suburban. I can't see going all the way to a 4-number.
Short-beds are nice, but I occasionally buy 2 by 4s and plywood sheets...and it's nice to be able to put the gate up.
Whatever our TV will be, it will spend some time as a grocery hauler, some time hauling other stuff and some time pulling a camper.
My other idea is to put a basic camper-top/cap on the truck and SOMETIMES use it for QUICK, solo camping trips.
I don't need to discuss 4WD...do most of us NEED it? Probably not. But I need it occasionally for stuff "other than camping". It means a lot for resale value. It's incredibly useful for occasional mud, snow, sand or loose gravel.
It's incredibly not useful when you use it to get MORE stuck.
Another round of beers?
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