I am looking to buy a new pickup that will last a long time. 8-10 years one that I can use until tires fall off. 4wd good hauling and towing abilities and decent mpg. I am looking at a new tundra or gmc 2500hd. Pros and cons of each?

Gas or diesel in the GM?

In gas I'd say you will have about the same towing ability. The GM will have a much better suspension for towing/carrying weight. probably both get close to the same MPG's with a slight edge to the yota on mpgs. In my mind the 5.7 and 6.0 have both been around plenty time and have proven themselves to be reliable workhorses. I think t he GM would make a better choice if leaning more toward the towing side and the Tundra better if you tow less. Power wise they are about even but the 3/4 ton suspension will be a noticeable difference.

To me, the tie breaker depends on how much you want to haul and tow. As RedChevy pointed out, the GMC 2500 will have a larger payload capability and handle heavier loads better.

The Tundra (based on real data) will give you fewer problems over the life of the truck. But, stock Tundra payload is at least 1,000 lb less than the GMC. The factory springs are soft (hence why I added leaf springs to mine). But, the Tundra itself is ~1,200lb lighter than the GMC 2500 so it should be a little quicker.

I should explain a little more. I want a truck that I can take off road hunting can haul average to medium size loads and also get as much mpg as reasonably possible. I won't pull a lot of heavy loads utv boat and hauling simple loads mostly. I have a 2wd gmc sierra 1500 now that does not pull even a smaller load well. Pulled a well built single axle utility trailer and it didn't pull well.

I'd recommend they yota.

Well, everybody talks about the horrid gas mileage in the Tundra and the lack of payload.

I can tell you from experience that a 2500 GM with a 6.0 is worse on fuel, performance, comfort, pretty much everything but payload. I just sold mine last year and could. not. wait. to get out of it. A diesel 2500 levels the playing field, and then kills it with the payload, but then you're looking at much higher maintenance costs.

If you're really looking for an all around truck that gets decent mileage, go look at a Hemi Dodge (high teens) and Eco-boost or 5.0 F150 (nearly identical), or a 5.3 GM with a tune to get the torque management to a more reasonable level. Drive all three of them and see which one *you* like, nobody on here will agree to recommend just one. All the 1/2 ton offerings now days are more than well equipped to handle a medium (5-7k) load all day long.

Three years ago I bought my first not new truck, a '11 Superduty Power Stroke with 48k on it. It is possible the best truck I have ever driven, and I've driven nothing but pickups since '74. I get 18mpg with 400hp and can pull my 4720JD like it ain't there.

Just looked at tundra mpg were embarrassing 13 mpg from guys I know that have one. 1/2 ton gmc or ford looks like best choice for me. Thanks shotgun willie for help.

Fuel mileage runs mainly on driving habits. Drive a GM ford or ram 1/2 ton hard and they will get miserable fuel mileage as well.

Like shotgun said, if all your looking at is towing a single axle or a common 16-foot tandem flatbed any of the 1/2 tons will do it fine, some better than others. I would pick the one that gave me the best price for what I wanted.

*snicker*

The only way a half ton V8 would get as bad of mileage as my 6.0 did is if that half ton had the 6.0 truck on a trailer behind it.

I was talking mainly about the tundra. But yeah, the 6.0 comes for the most part geared to work. Fuel mileage isn't a big part of its design.

My 2014 Chevy 1/2 four door pulling single axle trailer (12'ft) with four wheeler and tool box gets 16-18 mpg, you got to keep your foot out of the carburetor. This going from Denton to Jacksboro. I have the 5.6 I think.

EcoBoost will do everything you are asking. I'm sure the Dodge Hemi will too but I don't know how the coil rear suspension is for towing. Any half ton will do what you are asking, and in more comfort than the 2500. Just make sure you get good gearing, something from 3.73-4.11, anything below 3.73 is for crushing the highway and doesn't allow the truck to be in the necessary RPM (powerband) to efficiently pull a trailer

Simple answer, 3/4 ton. Brand is up to you. Why would you even consider a 1/2 ton pickup? The 3/4 or 1 ton pickup has stronger brakes and suspension also comes with truck tires not passenger car tires. If you are truly worried about fuel economy don't buy a tundra, buy a prius.

If you plan on pulling long distances you should look at a 3/4 ton diesel, you'll get so much more for your money. The 1/2 tons are capable but nothing close a diesel. The only thing you have to worry about is the emission systems on the 07+ diesels the emission systems restrict the engine and create alot heat, if you decide on diesel educate yourself on the EGR and DPF systems. The best bet would be to find a low mileage used diesel and delete all the emissions then you'll have a truck you can depend on for 10+ years. Just my 2 cents.

Because not everyone needs a 3/4 ton pickup. Like, for instance, the OP. There's no need for a 3/4 ton when all you're towing is a boat or UTV.

Agreed. My 1/2 ton does everything I need it to, including being able to pull in a parking garage and not have to park 3 blocks away. I've owned 3/4 tons, just realized I didn't need 'em. I sold medium and heavy duty utility trucks in our family business, bucket trucks, digger derricks, etc. Newsflash: Those cool, jacked up, oh so macho 1-tons (with the height challenged little guy peeking over the steering wheel) are technically light duty trucks.

After working as a mechanic for my entire adult life. I stand by my statement, keep towing with passenger car tires it's completely safe.

Ford.

f250 diesel if you have the bucks, does not have to be new, just don't buy a older 6.0 diesel. f250 gas if limited funds for a truck.

What exactly about being a mechanic makes you justified to decide weather p rated tires are capable of using on a tow vehicle?

They come with ratings from people who make and engineer tires, stay within the limits and your golden. Some people hear the term "tow" "haul" "pull" and all they can think of is dragging a bulldozer on a gooseneck etc. Most people don't do that, and the op said he pulls a single axle utility trailer with a atv... no where does he even get close to the need of a 3/4-1 ton diesel truck. If he wants one that's his deal. Any 1/2 ton will do what he stated he needs. Most of the mid size(Colorado, canyon, Tacoma, ranger, s-10, Sonoma, Dakota etc.) will do it. Ive used a chevy 1500 with a v-6 to do similar work.