Car hauler or Equipment Trailer for my Tractor?

[Diamondpilot]

I don't completely disagree... but then again; I don't completely agree, either.

I'll gladly give up my 3/4; the day I can cruise down the highway in a 1 ton SRW @ 70mph and average 23mpg+ like I get with my current Dmax.

AKfish

Then you need to dump that Dmax and get into my 2006 F-350 4x4 SRW. As you know a 1 ton SRW is only a few hundred pounds heavier. It averages 17mpg and can do nearly 24mpg on the freeway at 1900rpm or just about 79mph. If I run it at 1900rpm, the sweet spot, it does great. Go up or down a few hundred rpms and the mpg falls off.

My 2004 F-250 4x4 does about the same but will not handle a load nearly as good. I had a 05 3500 SRW Dmax for a short time and it would do just at 21mpg but is most comparable to my F-250 in capability.

Chris

 

[Highbeam]

I like Chris's ideas. I also opted for a one ton SRW model which is exactly the same as the 3/4 ton except a lame sticker that limits your GVWR and so payload capacity to 1100 lbs less than the one ton. You'd be silly to buy a 3/4 ton if the 1 ton is available.

 

[Soundguy]

is that derating on the srw an axle issue, or tire rating?

soundguy

 

[mlauk]

is that derating on the srw an axle issue, or tire rating?

soundguy

On a Dodge, the only difference between a SRW 3500 and a 2500 is that there are overload springs on the 3500. The GVWR is 9000 lbs for the 2500 and 9900 lbs for the SRW 3500. (At least for the 2003 year model).

 

[Diamondpilot]

is that derating on the srw an axle issue, or tire rating?

soundguy

Its a big difference on Fords. A SRW F-250 ( the only way they come ) allows a max GVWR of something like 10,000# while on the F-350 SRW its 11,500# So you gain 1,500# payload.

Its a lot less as mentioned above for Dodge and GM uses 8,800# for the 2500 series and 9,900# for the 3500 series SRW.

So what I am saying is there is more to gain with a SRW Ford over a Dodge or GM. Make sure you do your homework though because Ford makes something like 13 different GVWR's the last time I counted for the F-250/F-350 lineup.

Chris

 

[Highbeam]

is that derating on the srw an axle issue, or tire rating?

soundguy

The derating is a sticker issue. The trucks are identical except one has a 350 and one has a 250 stamped on the side. Oh, and the F350 has a 2" taller solid lift block in the rear suspension for more "rake". In 2000, my year, the F350 has a 9900 GVWR and the F250 has the little 8800 GVWR. Remember that these trucks are heavy with my F350 running 7500# empty.

You get almost DOUBLE the payload capacity with the F350 and no negative side effects.

You can also buy a dually F350 with an even higher GVWR but that you get plenty of negative side effects by going dually. The duallies also get a beefier rear axle where the SRW F250/F350 share the same axle.

 

[Soundguy]

well that last line was the answer to my question.. the 1 ton dually has a heavier axle then...

soundguy

 

[ModMech]

In 2000, my year, the F350 has a 9900 GVWR and the F250 has the little 8800 GVWR. Remember that these trucks are heavy with my F350 running 7500# empty.

You get almost DOUBLE the payload capacity with the F350 and no negative side effects.

An increase in GVWR of 1100# does not mean an increase in payload of 1100#, more like 450# to 650# after you figure in the added vehicle weight for the F350 over the F250.

 

[Harold_J]

Biggest issue with a GN trailer and a 1/2 ton is weight. A good modern 1/2 ton of any brand can pull right around 9,500# to 10,500# give or take a few.

A 20' GN weighs in the 4,500# area leaving 5,000# to 6,000# for payload. With such a low payload you could not get a 25HP tractor, FEL, and 5' BH on the trailer with out being overweight.

A 20' BP weighs in around 2,750# leaving a payload of 6,750# to 7,750#. Much more reasonable for a 1/2 ton truck.Chris

Something with these numbers doesn't sound right. Are you sure you're comparing equivalent trailers, same GVW, frame type, crossmembers, etc? I don't see how a gooseneck can be be 1750 pounds heavier than a similar built bumper pull when all you're doing is replacing the conventional hitch with a gooseneck structure.

For example a Pequa, which I consider a respected brand, is 2,950 lbs for a 10K 20ft bumper pull and 3200 lbs for a 10K gooseneck 20 footer. So you only lose 250 lbs of payload with the gooseneck.

I'm not saying I'd try to pull a 14-18K gooseneck with a half-ton, but these 10-12K gooseneck trailers should do a good job with the proper hitch and equipped half-ton without the complication and weight of a WD hitch.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have not looked at that brand but the 20' range GN trailers I have been around weigh in at around 4,500#. My 25' was just over 5,800#.

There is a lot of extra structure and gusseting needed for a GN trailer. That equals weight. We converted a GN trailer to BP about 10 years back and I know we took off a good 1,500# of stuff and only welded on 400# or so to get it back to a BP hitch.

Chris