When you start looking at used cars for sale, you have a lot of decisions to make: the kind of vehicle, the size that works for you, brands that you prefer, models that can meet your needs, and then all sorts of features and options to look for and consider. That’s a lot to try to keep track of, but things become easier as you make decisions and start narrowing down your options. If you’re interested in a used pickup and you’ve already decided on a one-ton truck, then you’re about 80% done with figuring things out because you’ve narrowed down your options to just four models. Sure, there are some notable differences between them and some other details to consider, but we’ll get to that. Well done for reaching this point—now let’s look at what you need to know and look for as you try to find the right pickup.
What Is a One-Ton Truck?
Before we get into anything else, let’s take a moment to make sure we’re all on the same page when it comes to the trucks we’re talking about. You’ll generally see full-size trucks categorized as half-ton trucks, three-quarter-ton trucks, and one-ton trucks. These descriptions indicate the amount of weight the truck is designed to handle—at least in theory.
Going by the names, a half-ton truck is designed to handle up to 1,000 lbs of payload, while a three-quarter-ton pickup can have 1,500 lbs loaded onto it, and a one-ton truck offers 2,000 lbs of payload. That might once have been accurate (I’m not sure—I’m many things, but a licensed truck historian is not one of them), but it is not the case today. After all, the Ford Maverick offers 1,500 lbs of payload, and no one would call a compact truck a “three-quarter-ton” model. Instead, these are holdover names used as common references, not literal descriptions.
Today, “half-ton truck” refers to the most common full-size trucks that are out there. These are models like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500, and Toyota Tundra. Three-quarter-ton trucks are the step up from there and offer greater towing and payload capabilities; these include the Ford F-250, Ram 2500, Silverado 2500 HD, and GMC Sierra 2500 HD. Finally, there is the one-ton truck; these models are designed to handle some serious amounts of weight for both towing and payload. So, you might ask…
What Are the Major One-Ton Truck Models?
Great question, I’m so glad you asked. While I could list off a half-dozen different half-ton trucks, you really just have three options available to you when it comes to a full one-ton truck (it doesn’t matter if you’re talking new or used in this case). There is the Ford F-350 Super Duty, part of the Ford F-Series of best-selling pickups. You can also choose the Ram 3500, built on the legacy of hard-working Ram trucks that have been available for about a century in one form or another (formerly as part of Dodge). And then there’s the Chevy Silverado 3500 HD, the top-positioned pickup in the Silverado family of trucks and the most powerful general-use option from Chevrolet.
I should note that there’s technically a fourth model to keep in mind: the GMC Sierra 3500 HD. The tricky thing is that it’s essentially a fancier version of the Silverado 3500 HD, so you can find some nicer features on it, but it will generally have the same performance. If you’re looking at used one-ton trucks, you can consider the Sierra 3500 HD and Silverado 3500 HD to be two sides of the same coin. They’re both worth considering, but ultimately, you still have just three pickups to choose from here.
Important Things to Look for in a Used Truck
Now that you have a good sense of what’s out there when it comes to the one-ton truck market, we should go over a few important things to keep in mind and look for when shopping for a pre-owned pickup. I’m not going to get too specific because what you need depends on what you want from your truck, but we’ll talk about how to figure that out. This will give you a good sense of some key things to focus on.
Actual Towing and Payload Ratings
I talked about what the “one-ton” name means and mentioned that it’s no longer accurate at this point, but that doesn’t mean the payload rating is unimportant. Instead of worrying about the name, what you need to actually look at is the towing and payload capacities for the particular truck you’re interested in. They can vary based on numerous factors, including different models, the model year or generation, and the engine that a truck has. Keep in mind that one-ton trucks can handle massive loads with the right setup, and many are equipped for fifth wheel or gooseneck towing, so look for both gooseneck/fifth wheel and conventional tow ratings.
The Engine and Performance
Speaking of engines, the powertrain you find in a truck impacts a lot more than towing and payload. It directly affects your driving experience each day. You’re not normally going to find half a dozen engines available for a one-ton model, but they still typically have a couple options. Generally, both powerful gas engines and diesel engines are available on these pickups, so this is a very important detail to consider when looking at what’s out there. I personally think a diesel engine is the way to go for a one-ton truck, especially when looking at used models, since they can be incredibly reliable, but you need to decide what works best for you.
Extra Features (Do You Want a Dually?)
Finally, keep in mind that there are plenty of extra features and options available on any vehicle these days, and that includes powerful one-ton trucks. There are features like infotainment systems with navigation support, which can make it easier to get where you need to go, plus comfortable seating and even different bed lengths available on these trucks. Perhaps most importantly, all of the major one-ton truck models on the market right now offer dual-rear-wheel configurations (also called a “dually”) as an available option. As you look at different used models, decide if you need the extra payload and towing capacity offered by a dually, and then choose accordingly to get the power and performance you require.
How Do You Know When You’ve Found the Right Truck?
This is the ultimate question, and it’s not one I can directly answer for you, but I can give you one final piece of advice to get you there. It all comes down to understanding what you need in your next truck and making sure you find it all. That sounds simple enough, but it’s so easy to overlook something that it can still be tricky. I suggest taking some time to write out the things you need, especially when it comes to details like available options. Decide on a gas or diesel engine, determine the amount of towing and payload you need from your truck, consider if a dually is right for you, etc. Figure all of these things out, write them down so you have a list to refer back to, and keep this with you as you look at different used trucks; that way, you can make sure you find something that crosses off everything on your list.
