Half-ton pickup redux

[begreen]

No, it is used. A 2013 model with the steel body, 3.5L ecoboost motor.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

No, it is used. A 2013 model with the steel body, 3.5L ecoboost motor.

Good move. Iv found super deals on Regular cab, 4x2 trucks just a few Yrs old. Since everyone seems to want the 4x4 Ext cabs, the Regular cab 2 w Dr. prices come down fast. IIl be keeping my 20 yr old 4x4 ext cab 3/4 ton so i dont need another.

 

[Squirrely]

Good move. Iv found super deals on Regular cab, 4x2 trucks just a few Yrs old.

I always buy new, and cheap simple single cab stick shift 4 x 2 half ton's are my work truck of choice.
The last one was $10k cash out the door. I used it for 17 years, sold it for $4k and applied the money to a new 2012 single cab, for a net cost of $15k cash out the door.



There's hardly anything to go wrong with them because they have no expensive options. It has metal non electric door keys and the windows roll up and down with a hand crank. With a small engine and a stick shift it averages 24 mpg loaded with materials. And it earns its keep because it gets used every day for work.

Greg

 

[Seasoned Oak]

I always buy new,

Greg

That first year of depreciation is a deal breaker for me. Im finding 2 to 3 yr old trucks for half price with 20 to 30 k not quite broke in for a truck. Ill probably get a 30+K truck for 15.

 

[Squirrely]

I don't consider $6k in depreciation amortized over 17 years to be taking much of a hit...

...and I love buying brand new trucks.


Greg

 

[Jazzberry]

My advice is get what you want when you buy. Making payments for 5 years on something you wish you had spent a little more on and got what you really wanted sucks. Then maybe you'll be happy for many years like Squirrely.

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

I always buy new, and cheap simple single cab stick shift 4 x 2 half ton's are my work truck of choice.

If you want a full sized 1/2 truck with M/T, I think you are stuck with one option and it's a diesel. Kind of a moot point for me because I prefer gas to diesel and an A/T has a number of important advantages these days. I won't be replacing my 8 year old F-150 until I can buy a better all electric half-ton. I figure that will be before my current truck reaches 16 years.

But, yeah, it's smart to conserve money that way (or by buying depreciated vehicles)until you reach your retirement goals. I'm always shocked how many people have NO plan for retirement.

 

[timfromohio]

I always buy new, and cheap simple single cab stick shift 4 x 2 half ton's are my work truck of choice.
The last one was $10k cash out the door. I used it for 17 years, sold it for $4k and applied the money to a new 2012 single cab, for a net cost of $15k cash out the door.

View attachment 200052

There's hardly anything to go wrong with them because they have no expensive options. It has metal non electric door keys and the windows roll up and down with a hand crank. With a small engine and a stick shift it averages 24 mpg loaded with materials. And it earns its keep because it gets used every day for work.

Greg

I drove a stripped down F150 for a decade - same configuration as your Taco. Manual everything, 5sp, smallest engine available (V6), regular cab, short bed. Extremely reliable, I routinely abused it, and it got 20mpg back/forth to work. I paid $12k brand new for it and got $4k on a trade in. I miss it! Had to move on though - wife didn't like stick shift, have 2 kids (needed more than regular cab), and got tired on 1wd in NEOhio. Great configuration though. Not sure its an option anymore.

 

[timfromohio]

PS - when I traded it in it still had the original battery!

 

[Seasoned Oak]

I don't consider $6k in depreciation amortized over 17 years to be taking much of a hit...

...and I love buying brand new trucks.


Greg

Sometimes it makes sense . Like when you get a pile of incentives and 0% interest. And some trucks dont depreciate that fast like the standard cab 2Wd ones do. Ford gives load of incentives lately.

 

[Hogwildz]

The problem with running a 1/2 ton as a 1 ton is, no matter how much you beef up the shocks, springs, tires etc, the rear end, axles, housing, bearings & seals etc, are rated for 1/2 ton. Occasional loads would be fine, but constant 1 ton load, in time you're going to kill those gears, axles, bearings etc.

If it was merely a case of uprating springs etc, there would be no need or sales of 3/4 & 1 tons. The drivetrain, rear ratio,. and other components come into play when rating is involved, not just springs & air helper bags.

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

The problem with running a 1/2 ton as a 1 ton is, no matter how much you beef up the shocks, springs, tires etc, the rear end, axles, housing, bearings & seals etc, are rated for 1/2 ton. Occasional loads would be fine, but constant 1 ton load, in time you're going to kill those gears, axles, bearings etc.

That's a good point and I agree.

But most trucks I see around here are run with no load over 90% of the time. So in many cases it would make sense to have a 1/2 ton that could occasionally do the job of a 1 ton.

 

[Hogwildz]

That's a good point and I agree.

But most trucks I see around here are run with no load over 90% of the time. So in many cases it would make sense to have a 1/2 ton that could occasionally do the job of a 1 ton.

Agreed.
I have loaded my Ranger full to equal about 1/3 cord of wood maybe a little more, but every time I was waiting for something to let loose. I don't do it anymore, as I have pole length delivered to my property and process on site. It's always that one time, that gets ya.

 

[bholler]

That's a good point and I agree.

But most trucks I see around here are run with no load over 90% of the time. So in many cases it would make sense to have a 1/2 ton that could occasionally do the job of a 1 ton.

And absolutly people who use their trucks like that should have a 1/2 ton. Or better yet a car and a beater truck like me. Only use the truck when you need a truck

 

[Hogwildz]

And absolutly people who use their trucks like that should have a 1/2 ton. Or better yet a car and a beater truck like me. Only use the truck when you need a truck

In this area of PA, you also have to watch your back with State Police, who will pull you over and drive your pick up on portable scales and fine you right on the spot. PA state & municipalities are all about collecting fines to line the coffers, although technically they are not supposed to do it for state & local income, Yeah okay

 

[bholler]

In this area of PA, you also have to watch your back with State Police, who will pull you over and drive your pick up on portable scales and fine you right on the spot.

We dont see that issue here. If we did i would still be in trouble. My 1 ton is only registered as a 1/2 ton. And i am also regularly over a ton.

 

[Lloyd the redneck]

Oh boy. That is special. The common man can't even use a pickup with out harassment from the state. Sad times

 

[3fordasho]

If you want a full sized 1/2 truck with M/T, I think you are stuck with one option and it's a diesel. .

Curious who offers this combination? (full sized half ton, manual transmission and diesel)

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

Curious who offers this combination? (full sized half ton, manual transmission and diesel)

I think Dodge. Unless they stopped.

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

Oh boy. That is special. The common man can't even use a pickup with out harassment from the state. Sad times

You think that's bad, try driving your truck after you've had a 12 pack fishin' with the boys! The State don't give a hoot about one's individual freedoms, they might even take your license away just 'cause you were having a few cold refreshments on the lake on a sunny Saturday. And that's before they catch you over-loading it with those three elk you shot on the way home from the lake! If they had a sense of fairness they would give you an award for getting three nice ones before the rest ran off and settin' a good example of how to safely distribute the weight in the bed when you have an extra heavy load.

 

[Squirrely]

But most trucks I see around here are run with no load over 90% of the time. So in many cases it would make sense to have a 1/2 ton that could occasionally do the job of a 1 ton.

My single cab half ton is always loaded with tools and materials, but it's only about 600 pounds, so it suits my needs perfectly.The 4 cylinder engine, 5 speed manual transmission and 3.31 rear end combination make for decent mileage.



In 5th gear the engine turns 2,000 rpms @ 60 mph, And the average combined mileage of 24 mpg loaded. Unloaded freeway only mileage is better. I took an 800+ mile round trip to Sacramento and averaged 30.6 mpg.

Greg

 

[Lloyd the redneck]

A dwi is pretty different from a few extra logs in the truck. If you are dangerously overloaded to the point it's hard to stay on the road I understand but otherwise it happens. Sometimes you overload to save that last 2 hour round trip. But then drive accordingly slow down and give yourself lots of room to stop. Better yet take the road less traveled. If the extra weight was ruining the roads I see a reason for the enforcement but it's not.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

The problem with running a 1/2 ton as a 1 ton is, .

The newer 1/2 ton weight specs have been creeping up to the point where they equal the older 3/4 ton . Even tow ratings are getting higher ,some 1/2 ton trucks are rated higher towing than my 1995 Silverado K2500 . I think the Mfg. are beefing up the 1/2 tons so they can claim best in class ratings.

 

[Squirrely]

The newer 1/2 ton weight specs have been creeping up to the point where they equal the older 3/4 ton . Even tow ratings are getting higher ,some 1/2 ton trucks are rated higher towing than my 1995 Silverado K2500 . I think the Mfg. are beefing up the 1/2 tons so they can claim best in class ratings.

This is true. The difference between my last half ton and this one is night and day. It's much larger and 400 pounds heavier. The old one was more of a mini pickup.

 

[Woody5506]

We routinely put 1 ton skids of aluminum oxide in my truck with zero issue. Plenty of times we've had to put 2 skids in which has also caused zero issues, but still it's something I'm glad only needs to be done every so often and not daily.