3/4 Ton Truck

Like many of you on the forum I over analyze everything truck related. Earlier this year I purchased a travel trailer that maxes out my Tundra, I think 2021 will be the year of the 3/4 ton diesel upgrade. Would like some feedback from the unbiased Tundra community on which domestic I should consider. Going diesel for the ease on hills, the gas HDs aren’t much of a power upgrade. Leaning towards the Ram, I heard the German transmission is excellent and the rear coil springs ride well for an HD. New Chevy HDs are extremely ugly and excluded, GMC will fill in. Would be new or a year old, plan to daily drive it then make it a second vehicle at 100k miles.

 

Hi a Ram 3500 has an Aisin trans in it now which is way better than the 68RFE trans theirs Rumors of a ZF 8-9 speed trans in the near future but just rumors they are having good success with the Aisin Japanese trans in the HD Dodge.
The Gm HD has a 10 speed Allison which is a very good trans the duramax is the quieter of all the Diesel engines but Cummins is a beast I’m not a fan of the Ford sorry

My choice would be the Ram even tho I’m a GM guy I feel like the Ram for towing is the best in this situation just my .02

 

@ColoradoTJ our go to diesel brother.

 

Tow companies are moving to Rams because the Fords have turned into garbage. Do with that information what you will.

 

I would rather have my balls hammered flat than buy an FCA product.

 

I don’t care who you are, but that shits funny! Good luck.
I would rather have my balls hammered flat than buy an FCA product.

 

They all have their issues - Ram's can't keep front ends in them, so companies that do off-highway business stay clear; Ford's have electrical issues that may or may not pop up; and GMC's (and Chevy somehow) get uglier the more I see them on the road, the side profile is just wrong, and if the reliability of the half tons creeps into the HD trucks then look out. And all of them have emission issues as the big downfall. Right now if I had to I'd likely pick a Ford, but I'd make sure I have a reliable second vehicle for when it's likely to be in the shop.

 

There is one limiting factor for me. It will be on my workplace’s vehicle allowance program that doesn’t allow 1 tons, will need to be 3/4 ton.

 

They all have their own issues like with everything. I will never own a Ram as I think their quality is still shit. GM would be my second choice. I have owned multiple Duramax trucks and multiple Powerstrokes. Both have been good, but I prefer my Ford.

 

https://www.tesla.com/cybertruck

 

ColoradoTJ, been meaning to ask you what is the difference between the GM twins as far as 3/4 tons go? Is there anything or is it just brand difference and looks?

 

For new diesels, I dislike emission regulations. I would honestly get a gas ford 6.2 F250. But i love my families 2006 6.6 duramax!

i love my tundra but i wouldNt pull more than it could handle.

 

https://www.hino.com/hino-trucks-hino-155dc.html

 

I feel 3/4-1 ton trucks have their duty, but got dam tundras are built better and feel more solid, power train wise compared to American brand trucks.

 

Before 2020, I would have said GM was the most reliable with Ford a close second. Have to see if the T1 HD GMs have as many problems as the 1500s. Already have some reports of leaking sliding rear windows but that's easily resolved by getting a truck with a fixed rear window.

 

Ha ha! Maybe one of the hydrogen/electrics some day, at least one that wasn’t designed by a 5 year old. Their cars look amazing but their truck still feels like a joke.

 

As far as I understand, it's legal to delete the emissions equipment here. That's probably the first thing I'd do if I bought a diesel.

 

I’m still holding out some hope for a new Tundra. Would need to be a big step up in the payload/towing and the power. Looking forward to some facts to take over the years of rumors.

 

Next February at the earliest is when we'll get numbers, but I'm thinking more like a year. So that's 2 summers of sketchy towing if you decide to even pull with the Tundra. May as well just buy a diesel now so you can get those 2 summers of camping and memories.

If you're still within the limits but want more confidence you could look at improved bump stops (Sumo Springs or Timbrens) or go for air bags to help. I feel like the Tundra could be rated at 2500 lb payload and 15k lb towing if only it had stiffer leaf springs - not going with 3" leafs is killing the ratings with how weak they are.

 

Well.... Had diesels before the Tundra. Where I work, we have around 15 Ford and GMC 3/4 ton and 1-tons. All diesels. All are between years 2014 to 2019. All get crews put in them daily and driven to job sites. Some with 300k on them.

The Duramax/Allison combo is for sure the most reliable and the better platform. I base this off of the expense tracking and the Ford's have cost us much more to operate. They will nickel and dime you and we have had some larger repairs that we plain have not had with the GMC's. My diesels were between 2004 to 2016. All my buddies always had Ford's and issues were a plenty. I can honestly say I never had and issues what so ever with my Duramaxes.

Now to be fair to Ford, we also have 9 F450 to F750's. Admittedly, they have been pretty good and been good to us.

Our mechanics will put the Ford's in the lift and go through the wiring and other things on the bottom. Some not in looks, etc.... They can see why they have el tribal problems.

We also have 2 older Dodge's 1-ton flatbeds that seldom get used. Nothing catastrophic but something little always to deal with.

I would go GM with the Duramax/Allison. They ride better than the others also.

 

I would go with what @1UPPER has. That truck is a beaut!

 

I’ve done two trips so far, had several more canceled reservations. I’m still within the rated capabilities but I have to stay dry, pack somewhat light and mostly in the trailer. I was very impressed on how it handled going over the windy Tacoma Narrows bridge. I thought about air bags but the WDH really seems to balance it out well. The biggest weakness I have felt so far is the power going up hills. The lift and the 295/70-18’s aren’t doing me any favors either. Put it in S mode and watch the trans temp on my Scan Gauge as I slowly creep up the hills. My truck is paid off, won’t be in a position to take on another truck payment until next year.

 

Forgot to share my uncle's experience with diesel one tons on his farm and ranch.

Caveat: he only buys used, typically from auction, tries to buy cheap, works his stuff hard and treats it poorly.

He had a 1993 Dodge Cummins that he ran for about 15 years. I didn't hear about too many issues with it, though it had some odd design quirks that made it tough to live with.

Replaced that with two Ford Powerstrokes. Both were garbage and he got rid of them quickly.

Since then, he's gone back to Dodge. He's had two in the last 12 years or so. The turbo went out in his current truck a while back and he's still waiting on parts but, as far as I know, that was the first major issue he had with it. Not sure how the interior and features have fared over time, though.

At one point he had to repair his Land Rover and get it running so he could use it to haul oats while his Cummins was out of commission.