Do You Really Need a 3/4-Ton Truck?

The guys at Fast Lane Truck break it down.

1 MIN READ

If I were going to buy a new truck—my 1-ton service body is 19 years old and the words “new” and “vehicle” don’t seem to be in my vocabulary (or bank account)—I’d want the guys at Fast Lane Truck on YouTube in my corner.

In what I think is an excellent video review of the various deep-dive differences between the 1/2-ton 150 and muscled up ¾-ton 250, the guys get into the weeds on what seem to be substantive differences between these two Ford platforms.

The basic gist is what we all pretty much know. Everything that counts is bigger and beefier in the 250 so, essentially, you can tow more—by a lot: 15,000 pounds vs. 9,000 pounds. And it’ll last longer doing it.

>> Check out Cliff Woodman’s maxin’ tool trailer of sweetness here <<

But 15K is the stuff of skid steers and other heavy iron. I think the question this video struggles with—what we all might struggle with at the dealership—is do you technically need a big and boss 250 for significantly more money and no improved efficiency? Or do you just want one?

I know what camp I’m in (I 100% want the 250), but for a daily driver and a trailer under 9,000 pounds, well, the common sense of the lower-stanced 150 makes some common sense.

But you decide. Knowledge is power.

About the Author

Mark Clement

Mark Clement is a former editor of Tools of the Trade, as well as remodeling carpenter, business owner, and flipper of a few houses. To date he remains a B+ drywall finisher and tile setter and painter. He's also a presenter at the R|D|J shows. He can set a kitchen just as well as the next guy, but decks and pergolas are where it’s at for him. Along the way he’s worked behind the scenes (and in front of them) on various television shows from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to Spartan Race.

No recommended contents to display.