Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, what are most people using for their FWC?


  • Please log in to reply
81 replies to this topic

#11 Adventurebound

Adventurebound

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 110 posts
  • LocationLas Vegas

Posted 08 January 2019 - 12:32 AM

I would also concider if the camper will live on the truck full time and if you plan on using your new truck as a daily driver. You will be sorely disappointed at the way most 3/4 and 1 tons drive unladen as compared to the 1/2 tons.
  • 3

#12 ntsqd

ntsqd

    Custom User Title

  • Members
  • 2,879 posts
  • LocationNorth So.CA

Posted 08 January 2019 - 12:43 AM

Concur, Driving the unloaded 3/4t truck from here to Flagstaff, in a word, sucked. Ride home with the new to us camper in the bed was much, much better.

 

At the time I bought diesel because no gasser on the market, new or used, could match the mpg. Now that's not so true, particularly if buying new.


  • 0
Thom

Where does that road go?

#13 BrianG

BrianG

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 196 posts
  • LocationNorthern Nevada

Posted 08 January 2019 - 01:21 AM

Ram 3500 megacab, fully loaded I’m 1800 lbs under GVWR. I was always 600 - 800 lbs over with my Ram 2500 mega cab. Nice to not have to worry about weight even when towing.
  • 0

2018 Ram 3500 Mega Cab 4x4 Diesel, 2015 Hawk Silver Spur Exterior, Front Dinette


#14 mr.unproductivity

mr.unproductivity

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 3 posts

Posted 08 January 2019 - 02:57 AM

F250 CCLB with Granby shell. I debated the 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton for about 8 months and finally settled on a 2018 6.2 4x4. My plan is for long term travel and the extra vehicle length made sense for the 48 gallon tank. 

 

I daily drive the truck. Parking can be fun in the city, but overall I am happy with the truck. On highway trips to the mountains I average 15.5 mpg and my lowest has been 13.5 mpg with a lot of city driving. 


  • 0

#15 So Cal Adventurer

So Cal Adventurer

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 368 posts

Posted 08 January 2019 - 04:16 AM

I have a 2014 Tundra with a loaded Hawk.

 

Many say "It will work" and it KIND OF does...

 

But...  If you offroad a lot and often, it beats the hell out of the maxed out truck.

 

GVWR is around 7300lbs.  With the hawk and loaded to travel (and I travel light) my truck weighs in at 8800!!! 

 

If you're generally mostly pavement, you should have no issues, other then horrible MPGs.

 

I've spent a ton of $ upgrading suspension, leafs, add a leafs, bags, etc.. 

 

Its at the point now, if I deflate the bags, the leafs are inverted on an old man emu lift with an add a leaf!  :(

 

I've been a die hard Toyota fan my entire life and have owned nothing but for 20+ years, but the recent falling in love with my Hawk has me looking at options for sure. 

 

I just ordered a custom set of springs from Boise Spring works and if those don't help my rear end issues, I will be taking a hard serious look at the Dodge 2500 Diesel.

 

Note, I never in a million years thought I would go Dodge from Toyota, but the Tundra just isn't cut out for the weight.

 

My .02


  • 2

Follow My Shenanigans: instagram.com/campermccampface

 


#16 FoxenTec

FoxenTec

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 115 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

Posted 08 January 2019 - 04:25 AM

18 Grandby on a 1/2 ton 2017 Ram with a V6  (305 hp).   Added Air bags and 10 ply All Terrain tires.   I definitely know its back there but the truck drives great with the bags setup with the right amount psi for each side.  Heading up long steep grades, I have no trouble maintaining 65+ all the way to the top.  Ours is the shell model but we have the furnace, stove and roll-over couch.  We then added a cabinet and sink.  Water weight is only two 7 gallon jugs.  Like others......if I could start all over, I would love a 3/4 ton 4X4.  I just cannot afford a new one though.  Might keep my eyes open for a F250 with low miles.  


  • 0

Jon

 

FoxenTec


#17 EDR

EDR

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 177 posts
  • LocationSE WA

Posted 08 January 2019 - 06:14 AM

My last truck was an ‘06 Ram 2500 Mega Cab that was my daily driver and was used to haul my loaded Hawk for about 6 months out of the year. It did great, but I got fed up with the diesel fuel mileage and stiff ride without the camper. I wanted a newer truck with all the latest creature comforts and bought a ‘16 Ram Ecodiesel Crewcab. I’ve added airbags to level the truck with the camper on, Bilstein 5100 shocks and eight ply / C rated tires.

I’ve had absolutely no problems with my new truck and camper set up and it has gone up and down the mountain passes in the Cascades without issue. I also get the same mpg with the new 1500 and camper that I got with the unloaded 2500. With the camper off, the new truck is a pleasure to drive.
  • 0
2007 FWC Hawk

#18 dscobell

dscobell

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 37 posts

Posted 08 January 2019 - 01:00 PM

Self contained Grandby on a 2017 F350 4x4 gasser full time. Not my daily driver so I was not too concerned by mpg. Still, I get nearly 12mpg on the highway at 65mph. My two cents.


  • 0

camper: 2016 Grandby

truck: 2017 Ford F350 CCLB gasser

Callsign: KM6GWU


#19 TrapperMike

TrapperMike

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 74 posts
  • LocationNW Wisconsin

Posted 08 January 2019 - 01:19 PM

Recently upgraded from a 2011 Chev 1/2 ton to a 2018 Chev 3/4 ton.  Have only had the camper on to see if I could get it out of the 8'   garage door without needing to drop it on a trailer and wheel it out.    Fits with 3/4 inches to spare, so no trailer needed!  Still need to install the tie down system and truck to camper electrical, but have all winter to do that.  The new 3/4 ton actually rides better than the 1/2 ton when unloaded.  I suspect that is due to the all the suspension upgrades done to the 1/2 ton which is a truck that is not put together to handle such suspension modifications.


  • 0

2016 FWC Hawk Shell

2011 Chev Silverado 1500 4x4 ext cab

2018 Chev Silverado 2500 4x4 ext cab 

Super Springs

Helwig Sway Bar


#20 knoxswift

knoxswift

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 219 posts
  • LocationAshburn, Virginia

Posted 08 January 2019 - 05:40 PM

If I had the funds, I'd go with a Ram 2500, Manual TM with the Diesel.  :D

But I don't, So I keep chugging along with my 10 year old Mid-Size Tacoma...


  • 1




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users