This is no doubt a pretty stupid question but I am not real knowledgable about mechanics, trucks and cars. I can change oil, change a tire etc. but that is about where my expertise ends.

*Is there a 1/2 ton pickup truck or can one be modified to make it capable of hauling good loads?
I have an old 2003 Chevy I bought new. We used it to haul a sled dog box for a couple years. I lost the transmission and had to replace it. Figure then it was just too much for Old Blue.

*Are there any 3/4 ton pickups that get decent milage or can be modified to get good milage. I have a an old 2010 Chevy 3/4 ton that is a beast. As the saying goes, it can pass anything but a gas station.

Just doing some dreaming and scheming.

*Any comments about the Nissan line of trucks?

Thanks for any guidance.
Mac

what about putting the dog box on a trailer and only haul it when needed ?

For Q #1, what is the weight of a "good load?" How much does a sled dog box weigh? I use our 08 F150 to haul calf feed, 55g barrels of chemicals etc, daily. But our round baler is too much. Springs squat too low.
Q #2, our F250 with 7.3 powerstroke will handle anything you would expect a 3/4ton to, and gets better than 15 not quite 20 mpg if you keep it even on the hwy. Stop and go hay hauling, it gets thirsty. Idk if I answered anything, just my .02

Grp you're lucky. My 6.8 f250 gets about 15-17 on highway 11 in the city.

I'll ask my buddy what he installed on his f150 to help with heavy loads. It's was like an airbag but didn't use air. He had a slide in camper and towing his jeep or trailer. Once he installed that system his truck sat even

get some overload springs and a transmission cooler. easy to install both. look on you tube

what danny said is what id do

Not sure what kind of weight you are pulling but when my gas truck crapped out I bought a diesel and haven't looked back. I'm mechanically minded and like to tinker so I've done a few things to it. Averages 18 mpg around town and 20-22 on the highway. Will pull a house down. A 3/4 ton gasser is going to be a stab on the wallet for sure. Pulling that load you will probably get less than 10 mpg

7.3 diesel is a great choice if can find one without a million miles on it. The auto trannys suck they put behind them.

Perhaps a brake upgrade too. You got a lot more to get stopped with heavy load on a vehicle.

All good ideas.
One thing to remember , a truck by it's very merits , will only improve slightly as far as gas mileage goes. Nature of the beast.

Good quote I heard years ago regarding a truck -
' It has the aerodynamics of a brick '

The differential gear ratio is important, too tall and you lose MPH, and MPG, go the other way and you gain both, but lose payload capability.

The bearing system on the half tons is nowhere near what it is on even the 3/4 tons. It's not just about the springs. The spring rates on a half ton are in place to keep you from overloading the running gear (and transmission). That said if you are going to try eliminating the rear end squat (on any truck), go with the airbags. They are adjustable and add far more payload than any spring will. I used to run a one ton, but even those aren't very stout, IMO. Airbags now go on every new truck I buy.

Trucks dont get good gas mileage...Period. And why I bought a commuter car. After fuel, upkeep and depreciation that comes with miles on a truck, my car is free.

You can get a worktruck model in 3/4 tons that is cheaper than most of the 1/2 tons on the lot.

Thanks for all the responses. Calvin, I believe you are right about keeping a commuter car. I have a Subaru OutBack that serves that purpose very well.
I was just dreaming that something i figured did not exist.

Thank you to everyone.

Mac

Airbags are awesome. Doesn't affect the ride until you need it. Put the load on, add air till it sits level and take off. Not too expensive either