womps
Olds
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I have read a lot of responses about 1/2 ton versus 3/4 ton truck towing capabilities. It is often mentioned that a 3/4 ton truck will stop your trailer in a shorter distance. I'm curious how this happens. When you read road tests of different trucks (Truck Trend for instance) the 1/2 ton will stop in a shorter distance than 3/4 ton trucks. Why, when you put a load behind these trucks, does it make a difference?
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ShadySkins
Douglassville, PA
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My 1/2 Ton brakes are great. The brake diameter is bigger then those on the F250/F350. My limited knowledge on brakes would lead me to believe that bigger diameter is better. But, I'm by no means an expert, so I don't really know how big of a difference this makes.
Now... payload, obviously I don't have the upgrade suspensions that the 3/4 and 1 ton have
* This post was
edited 05/09/11 07:56am by ShadySkins *
2011 KZ 321BHS
Pulled by a 2007 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7
Connected with a Reese Dual Cam
Stopped by a Tekonsha P3
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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It is something that folks promoting the need for a 3/4 ton truck for towing a pop up like to tout. Fact is that trucks, regardless of their size are engineered to stop their own GVWR ONLY. They depend on trailer brakes to stop the TRAILERS GVWR. They will also tell you that "a half ton" doesn't have the necessary payload capacity to effectively tow a large trailer or ANY 5th wheel. This would hold more water if it weren't for the fact that there are so MANY 3/4 ton trucks towing large 5th wheels, which are FAR beyond their own payload capacities. For what it's worth, my 04 F-150 has a slightly HIGHER payload than my 04 F-250 diesel. It simply is a matter of you can't make any blanket statement about a "half ton truck" that will cover all of them because there are more differences in one brand/model/version vs. another than there is between some half tons and 3/4 ton trucks. It's like saying that "a house cannot house two families as well as an apartment". That statements does not take into account that there are some very small apartments and some very large houses  Pretty much the same is true of half ton trucks.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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jeep63
Baltimore
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This ought to start up the entertaining discussion again...
2009 F150
2007 Keystone Passport 200QS
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JIMNLIN
out here
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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The brakes on a axle system are sized to the vehicles individual axle ratings. In other words a 5k axle on the trailer has 5k worth of braking. Same with the tow vehicle brakes and axle systems.
Example is most 3/4 ton trucks have around 6000-6200 RAWR and 4800-5200 FAWR.
A 1/2 ton truck generally around 4000 RAWR and around 3000 FAWR. The F150 HD and the GM 1500 HD have around 4800-5000 RAWR for the best braking of the 1/2 ton trucks.
As we see the 3/4 ton has a large advantage in braking ability HOWEVER they do weigh more.
So when one says a 3/4 ton brakes better than a 1/2 ton it all depends on the total weight of the vehicles.
.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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I have never made such a statement so I cannot help. What I like about my F-250 SuperDuty pickup is the feel of stability that it gives and that is hard to quantify. I am OK with anyone using anything they like as long as they do not exceed the maximums established for the vehicle by the manufacturer.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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nhshep
New Hampshire
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Our Dodge Durango Hemi fits our need in pulling capacity in the northeast for the relative short trips we take each year. However at some stage we wish to move to a 5th wheel. In checking 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton I am torn between a Dodge 2500 and Dodge 3500 on pulling power and handling. My other dilemma is fuel prices (gas or diesel).
It gets down to economics and tow capacity depending on the 5th wheel we choose. Some will say go with 2500 gas and save at the pump on long hauls. others will say go with 3500 diesel, longer life span and much more towing capacity especially in hills/mountains.
Maybe like in the breaking question there is no one easy answer and it all "depends" on variables.
should be interesting discussion with many points of view
2006 Dodge Durango Hemi
2005 Springdale RELL-GL 28'
Hensley Hitch
McKesh Mirrors
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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I have never had trouble stopping our 7000lb TT with our 2010 F150. Like said before the brakes on each unit are matched to that particular units weight. So as long as they are both working the combo should stop just fine.
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ibyers
Calgary, AB, Canada
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I believe (not 100% sure) It has to do with brake fade.
What is brake fade
The 3/4 tons and 1 tons in most cases have "beefier" brakes to reduce brake fade with the heavier payloads.
2011 Trailmaster 265BHS by Gulfstream
2005 Silverado 1500HD 6.0L/4.10 4x4
Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller.
Champion 2000w Inverter Generator
And the most important camping item, My Coleman Coffee maker 
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Exrhodie
Chilliwack B.C.
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My truck has a GVW of 7000lbs, a FAWR 3950lbs and RAWR 4000lbs.According to the build sheet has JF3 7000lbs brake capacity.
I agree with skip that brakes are rated for the trucks GVW.The problem with 1/2tons is the payload,mine has 1564lbs others can be as low as 1000lbs .So when buying a truck look at the payload capacity as they will vary.
Theunis,Karen and 2 adult daughters
07 CC Silverado Classic 1500 Z71 5.3l 4.10axle
HD tow package
Reese WDH
09 Jayco 23B HTT
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