Newer 3/4 ton advice?

[nikerret]

You posted while I was typing. Look at a F-350/3500 SRW. GVWR should be 11k-12k, some may be derated, but that does you no good.

Gas versus diesel is a harder decision, with your altitude. I’ve read the gas does fine when passing through high altitudes, but don’t have first-hand experience enough to really comment on it.

 

[deserteagle71]

With any DRW, he still needs a CDL and all the DOT crap.

What does having a DRW have to do with a CDL?

I've had a DRW for years, tow heavy at times, and never heard of that requirement. Only in Kansas maybe?

 

[aczlan]

What does having a DRW have to do with a CDL?

I've had a DRW for years, tow heavy at times, and never heard of that requirement. Only in Kansas maybe?

If your truck GVWR is over 26,000# and your trailer GVWR is over 10,000# you generally need a CDL.

Aaron Z

 

[nikerret]

What does having a DRW have to do with a CDL?

I've had a DRW for years, tow heavy at times, and never heard of that requirement. Only in Kansas maybe?

The DRW trucks have high GVWR’s. Why use a DRW truck if you aren’t towing at least 14k? If you’re actual weight or combined GVWR’s are over 26k (with at least 10k, for the trailer) and you’re in commerce (for money) you need a CDL A and all the other DOT crap. It’s Federal law. States may be more restrictive (California is really nuts), but not less restrictive.

If you’ve been working (tractor jobs) with a DRW towing “heavy”, you’ve just been running illegally.

ETA The OP said he has a 14k trailer. Any truck with a GVWR over 12k will require a CDL and all other DOT, for his business. Newer DRW trucks are all over that unless derated. Even with a half ton, he needs the DOT crap.

 

[4570Man]

With any DRW, he still needs a CDL and all the DOT crap. Trailer rated at 14k and a 3500 DRW is rated at 13k or 14k. To require CDL, it can be actual weight or combination of GVWR’s. I’m not sure where you got your information from, but it is incorrect. Loaded to capacity, he would be way over. He can get a SRW F-350/3500 with a GVWR of up to 12k and avoid the CDL, but no matter what he gets, he needs the rest of the DOT crap.



This is a good post.

Most trucks run out of payload long before their rated towing capacity, especially, with goosenecks.

The Ford. 6.2L gas is a great engine, but at 7,000 feet, the turbo might be the better choice. Generally, I recommend the gas for all towing at 15k and under (too many modern diesel issues) for everything except over-the-road trucking. Elevation being a constant issue as well as increased ability to pull and stop favors the diesel, in this case.

Your trailer is rated at 14k. That means you’ll need payload around 1,400-2,100 (tag or bumper pull) plus what you and other occupants and tools weigh. For a gooseneck you need the weight of occupants and gear plus 2,800-3,500 lbs.
in other words, having a payload over 3,000 lbs would be a good place to be, with a bumper pull and payload over 4,000 lbs, for a gooseneck. I would like to see close to 4,500, for the gooseneck.

I’m not sure where all this CDL crap started because the OP doesn’t need one. While he doesn’t need a dually to pull a 14,000 pound trailer if he had a flatbed he could haul much bigger loads on the truck. And I stick to my original statement as being correct. Load the dually to capacity which is around 13k. Load the trailer to capacity which is 14k. Take out the overlap for the hitch weight minimum 1500 pounds and you’re under 26k. But all of the above is irrelevant. The dually with no load and the trailer is well under 26k. And the dually with no trailer even a 450/550 can’t be loaded to 26k so no CDL. The only way he needs a CDL is if he had a bigger trailer in which case the 250 can’t pull it so again it’s irrelevant.

 

[4570Man]

You might catch more attention with a DRW but what exactly is the difference? I bet there’s not 500 pounds of difference between a dually and a 250. Both trucks will scale empty below 10k. Both trucks pulling a 14k trailer will scale under 26000. Both trailers are above 10000. I’m struggling to see the legal difference.

 

[4570Man]

Oh boy more internet DOT lawyers. Can anyone post official proof that a truck with a GVW of 9999 or less that’s pulling a trailer thats 14,000 pounds while a truck with a GVW between 10,001-25,999 pulling the same trailer is illegal? If you have a truck that weighs over 26,000 and a trailer over 10,000 you need a class a CDL vs a class b. I’ve sure heard a bunch of rumors here but I’ve never seen any official proof that you need a CDL to pull a trailer over 10,000 pounds while keeping the total GCVWr under 26,000.

 

[Timm250]

Here is a copy of the Farm Vehicle regs put out by Farm Bureau. View attachment Vehicle Regulations Book 2016.pdf

 

[Timm250]

Click on the Farm Vehicle Regulations link.

KFB: Voice of KY Ag | Big on Commitment - Kentucky Farm Bureau

 

[deserteagle71]

The DRW trucks have high GVWR痴. Why use a DRW truck if you aren稚 towing at least 14k?

Stability is why. I haul a cabover camper on my truck a lot. Used to have it on a SRW but since I take it off-highway I went to a DRW. World of difference having those two extra tires out there in an off-camber situation with a camper nearly 13' tall.