1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton mpg

I am not quite sure what you are asking, but I have an 03 GMC 2500HD 4×4 stock suspension 6.0 gasser it gets 10mpg not loaded with anything. I hope that helps

We had a Northstar 850SC on a F250 5.4L gas. I would not recommend putting it on a 1/2 ton pickup. When fully loaded we were pushing the payload capacity of the 3/4 ton, and wished we had it on a F350 (which we have now with a larger Northstar camper). We got between 9mpg and 12mpg, depending on terrain and wind. Hope that helps.

Get a 3/4-ton or better yet, a one-ton. It’s best to have more payload capacity rather than less.

The other consideration is the mpg when fully loaded. A smaller high revving gas engine now o days is geared to get the best mpg with 1 driver with a light right foot and no load at all driving with the wind on the flat. One bright spot here is the newer close ratio 8 speed automatic transmissions that keep your revvs at the optimal point: high, depending on the make. The minute you load up your 2900 pounds the mpg drops precipitously. In the past my favorite gas engine for a 3000 pound TC was the V-10: Ford or Dodge. Yes, poor mpg even with no load, but does not drop as far as a small gasser with the same big load. I’m afraid there is no free ride with a small gas engine and a big load.
Oh, and you never, ever hear someone say, “I have too much truck for my camper”.
This is a common paradigm shift for noobies.
jefe

With that much weight (likely even a conservative figure…) its best to avoid a bad case of morning after sickness by going 3/4 or 1 ton…And who knows, someday you’ll have the option to go with a larger TC…

Truck and camper mileage usually goes where the wind blows. I once averaged 20 mpg over 300 miles across Montana with a tail wind (Ram 2500 2WD, CC, 6.4L Hemi). I’ve also averaged 12.8 with a headwind and 13.9 overall for a trip to western Canada and back from Georgia. This was with an Adventurer 80RB running around 2500 lbs loaded. A direct side wind will also diminish mileage noticeably.

You did not say diesel or gas, big difference.

If MPG LOADED is key, then go diesel. My F 30’s (Diesel, CC, LB) past 5 going back to ’09 and now my ’19 all get about the same:

Unloaded: 15’s city/hiway; hiway only 17-20 (light winds, light traffic 70-75 mph.

Loaded 10-12’s hell or high water, headwind, tailwind makes no diff. Diesels were made to haul and not much affects them, I a hair slower than the traffic, if they are going 65, I lag by a couple of mph letting them lead and giving them all the maneuver space they want. Typically I am running between 63 and 73 mph.

I would not suggest you buy a F 150 if you are playing the TC game, go with a F250 or 350, cost diff in measured in hundreds of dollars and you get more for your money with either of them. F 150 will always be wanting…