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1 ton or 3/4 ton?

jw-bama

jw-bama

Seasoned Expediter
i am looking for a 1 ton c/v but i just spoke to a recruiter that told me a 3/4 ton would be ok also. i kinda concerned about that so i thought i would through it to the guru's of expedite.sorry if its in the wrong forum.new to expedite but not new to trucking.ive read a lot the last week but couldnt seem to find a definitive answer. thanks guys
 
OntarioVanMan

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
My rookie van was a 3/4T.gasser..made a whack of cash with it.

But I think and that is just me..with the 1t extended....a little extra space for that 2 skids for your personal stuff...and you'd be more usable for heavier loads.
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Ignore the recruiter and get a one ton extended van.

Simple rule - get a van that can haul as much as you can with as much space as you can.
 
jw-bama

jw-bama

Seasoned Expediter
greg334 said:
Ignore the recruiter and get a one ton extended van.

Simple rule - get a van that can haul as much as you can with as much space as you can.
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thanks guys thats kinda what i was thinkin. any companies in the south with van freight?
 
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blizzard2014

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I made a ton of cash with a half ton cargo van, but then the engine went bomkers because I was overloading it all of the time. The only advantage that a 3/4 ton cargo van would give you might be a couple extra miles per gallon less in fuel consumption, but you will be sweating every time you have to load her down with heavy freight. I'd say go with the 1 ton cargo van and make yourself as versatile as possible. I just bought another van (because my half ton blew an engine in November) and it is a 1 ton and I am so glad to be back behind the wheel of a 300 hp engine. I feel like a loadmaster again!!
 
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blizzard2014

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I could really notice the difference between a half ton and a 1 ton when hauling heavy loads through places like Colorodo. The van used to wobble a lot when I hit tight uphill and downhill turns. I used to go down the road white knuckled with all that extra weight on board. When you have a true 1 ton, you can put 3500 pounds in the back and it will still ride like a tank.
 
Jack_Berry

Jack_Berry

Moderator Emeritus
ford s 3/4 ton comes with the 4.6/281 engine/ chevy/gmc has the 4.8/288. the van is a lotta brick you are hauling around. when it comes to power you want at least a 5.4 if not the full 6.o that chevy offers. bigger power=less engine work. stay away from the ford 6.8 as it is a reported gas hog.
 
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blizzard2014

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Having a smaller engine is only good if all of your loads are 1k pounds and under. The only reason I blew my 4.3 liter engine was because I was hauling 2k pound loads in a 1500 van. Also, the people who say you go through a lot up hubs in a smaller truck are wrong. I went 70k miles on the hubs that were already on the van when I bought it without incident. You will however go through shocks and brake rotors with the smaller trucks. Plus that 3-5 extra miles in fuel savings will go down real quick if you are overloaded. Your best bet is the full 1 ton heavy duty cargo van. That way if you decide to throw in a sleeper, a generator, and some other gear, you will still be able to safely and legally haul 3k pounds.
 
Zoli

Zoli

Veteran Expediter
I don't think it's really matter. I had and have 1 ton and 3/4 ton vans and both works for us. You have to buy a van with good quality/price ratio.
 
fastman_1

fastman_1

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I have a 3/4 ton GMC the only thong that hasn't been rebuilt or replaced is the Engine and and Rearend, I've replaced tie rods and ball joints 3 times Transmission has been rebuilt 2 times now and it's starting to act up again It has 400,000 miles on it, now I have a friend thathas a 1 ton chevy, he just put a new engine in at 580,000 miles everything else is still factory, go 1 ton both vans were bought new in 03
 
Zoli

Zoli

Veteran Expediter
fastman_1 said:
I have a 3/4 ton GMC the only thong that hasn't been rebuilt or replaced is the Engine and and Rearend, I've replaced tie rods and ball joints 3 times Transmission has been rebuilt 2 times now and it's starting to act up again It has 400,000 miles on it, now I have a friend thathas a 1 ton chevy, he just put a new engine in at 580,000 miles everything else is still factory, go 1 ton both vans were bought new in 03
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I have one 2004 and three 2005 Chevy Express ,all 3/4, AROUND 300K ,and I never have engine,trans,ball joints or other big problems. So...I don't know I may be lucky or I maintain my vans well...
 
skyraider

skyraider

Veteran Expediter
US Navy
I hve a 2002 one ton b3500 dodge van, empty on the scales is 5600 lbs, so if need be, I can carry and additional 3000lbs, but usually our boss only allows us to take 2500 lbs, and the dodge does fine, not overloaded, rides good, stays level within reason and takes the curves well. My 318 does ok, struggles on take off but I don't haul 2500 much, usually 500 to 800 lb range is the standard> they call me to haul the 9 foot drive shafts or 10 ft stuff sometimes and Ive still got room left to sleep on my bed . Loves gas though, only 14.85 avg mpg, empty it will do almost 15.5 at 62mph.
 
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Trailblazer

Expert Expediter
For what it's worth:

I had a 2003 E350 with a 7.3 Diesel. The weight of the vehicle fully equipped was 6961. The GVWR was 9400. That allowed a legal load of 2439 lbs.

I now have a 2010 E250 with a 5.4 gasser. The weight of the vehicle equipped the same (bulkhead and sleeper from the 2003) plus some more extras like a hitch, step bumper, and running boards is is 6280. The GVWR is 9000. That allows a legal load of 2720 lbs.

Jim
 
guido4475

guido4475

Not a Member
Trailblazer said:
For what it's worth:

I had a 2003 E350 with a 7.3 Diesel. The weight of the vehicle fully equipped was 6961. The GVWR was 9400. That allowed a legal load of 2439 lbs.

I now have a 2010 E250 with a 5.4 gasser. The weight of the vehicle equipped the same (bulkhead and sleeper from the 2003) plus some more extras like a hitch, step bumper, and running boards is is 6280. The GVWR is 9000. That allows a legal load of 2720 lbs.

Jim
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I have the same van as well, and after seeing your empty weight, I dont feel so bad about my 7,500 # empty weight.I have been told by those who seen it theat I went overboard setting it up, but that is just me.Met a guy with the same excact van and he changed his rearend gears to 3:55 from the 4:09's, and is averaging 21 mpg.The 3:55's are a factory option, so that is what I will do as soon as things pick up.I love my van, otherwise.
 
T

Trailblazer

Expert Expediter
The 7.3 was a great van. I had the 3:55 rear and consistantly averaged 20.1 mpg's over the 6 years I owned it. I sure miss that mileage. I got rid of the van in November with 800,000 miles on it. I can give you a lot of tips on the 7.3. I thought I might catch up with you in Laredo yesterday but after I delivered at 10:00 AM, I got a load out of Los Indios to Oakville Ont. at 2:00 PM, maybe next time.
 
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