Is a dually needed?

[newbury]

Again I think someone is butt hurt that chevy has the lowest tow rating. Ram completely redesigned their truck to obtain their 30,000 lb tow rating. Ford upped their rating for 2015 by minor changes. So yeah listen to NC dipstick and buy the most outdated least capable truck.

And that could backfire on RAM.
The FEDERAL CDL limit is 26K, we all know it and that it doesn't apply to RV's.

But what is it going to do to the "buying" of used trucks? States are "cracking" down where it's easy to crack down, they are requiring CDL's for trailers over 10K AND HIGHER TAXES. My BIL couldn't get his old GM dually registered at a low weight rating because the mfg rated it higher. So if your DMV/ state taxes on weight capacity it may bump up your taxes.

Everyone knows that the ONLY people that have trucks that can pull 30K are running businesses, are farmers, or are rich people like Drew pulling RV's. And all those people can pay higher taxes.

So Drew, be careful on that little point, if everything else is the same between trucks, down to looks and butt feel, go with one that is lower in capacity but still fits your needs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

And that could backfire on RAM.
The FEDERAL CDL limit is 26K, we all know it and that it doesn't apply to RV's.

But what is it going to do to the "buying" of used trucks? States are "cracking" down where it's easy to crack down, they are requiring CDL's for trailers over 10K AND HIGHER TAXES. My BIL couldn't get his old GM dually registered at a low weight rating because the mfg rated it higher. So if your DMV/ state taxes on weight capacity it may bump up your taxes.

Everyone knows that the ONLY people that have trucks that can pull 30K are running businesses, are farmers, or are rich people like Drew pulling RV's. And all those people can pay higher taxes.

So Drew, be careful on that little point, if everything else is the same between trucks, down to looks and butt feel, go with one that is lower in capacity but still fits your needs.

The RV and Farm exemption can take advantage of these new tow ratings along with properly licensed drivers.

I don't see how it can backfire. My last car could do 160 mph but I never drove it that fast.

Chris

 

[daugen]

ok, now this is helpful, vs. brand bashing, though not half as much fun... I don't have a CDL...knew I didn't need one with this motorhome, but if I rent a ten ton trailer from Sunbelt Rentals, and pull it with an F350, do I need to go through licensing? I need an education on "regular" work trailers vs. fifth wheels.
thanks

I have been seriously thinking and rethinking this fifth wheel issue, and yes, based on weight and size. Maybe I should just limit myself with a 16K gvw trailer, though I'm not sure what difference 8 tons vs 9 tons makes. I had originally thought I could do all this with a diesel F250. Wrong...
And certainly what I have learned here is being able to do it, legally, and wanting to do it, are two different things. I like the idea of a pulling a 9 ton trailer with a 12 ton capability. But would pulling an 8 ton fifth wheel with a 9 ton rating (17,850 or so) be similar, more comfortable(?). My guess is until I go to srw from drw the ride issue is not going to change much, even with air bags in the rear.

Have a 1pm appt today with the truck mgr at the local large Ford dealership. Will be interested to see what he recommends. Something on the lot I'm sure...

 

[Fordman1981]

The RV and Farm exemption can take advantage of these new tow ratings along with properly licensed drivers. I don't see how it can backfire. My last car could do 160 mph but I never drove it that fast. Chris

On top of that not all the 1 ton rams are rated 30,000 lbs you have to equip the truck properly to achieve that rating.

 

[newbury]

The RV and Farm exemption can take advantage of these new tow ratings along with properly licensed drivers.

I don't see how it can backfire. My last car could do 160 mph but I never drove it that fast.

Chris

I mentioned the RV. The point was that states are "cracking down" and squeezing more tax revenue out thru easy traffic stops. The heavier duty dually trucks are "targets of opportunity". I've read reports here of stricter enforcement in New York, one of the states I drive thru on occasion. It also seems some states view any trailer over 10K capacity as CDL, mine is 12.5, I try not to drive it in those states. I have not read of states caring about your top speed if it goes over 25MPH (?). I think in some states if you've got a vehicle like an ATV and it doesn't go over 25 it doesn't have to be licensed. I haven't read of them taxing you more for a car that will do 140 versus 90. But a lot of them tax you more if your GVWR is higher. In Maryland you get to pay extra if your GVW is over 7K.

The "backfire" I was referring to was if Ram rates the truck for < 26K it goes under CDL. Over 26K and doing commercial business it's automatically CDL when you've got a trailer. My relatives (Doctors, Dentists) won't buy anything that's liable to get them stopped. They are very careful of not even looking like they are over the limit. That's the reason the last truck my BIL bought is a Ram SRW, he wanted a dually, he could easily afford a dually, he likes the way a dually handles when he hauls "stuff", but he doesn't want to take a chance of getting pulled over. It "just doesn't look good".

ok, now this is helpful, vs. brand bashing, though not half as much fun... I don't have a CDL...knew I didn't need one with this motorhome, but if I rent a ten ton trailer from Sunbelt Rentals, and pull it with an F350, do I need to go through licensing? I need an education on "regular" work trailers vs. fifth wheels.
thanks<snip>

Only if you are hauling it for commerce. But commerce includes ANYTHING for money. Including winning a prize at a baking contest.

And I think the 26K CDL rule is arbitrary (why not 25 or 27?) but you have to draw a line somewhere.

 

[daugen]

good, no hauling for commerce. Ever. I ticked off a friend's neighbor who thought I was being snooty or "unavailable" because I didn't want to clear some trees for someone else he knew for money with my Kubota and grapple after a bad storm. But, but you don't understand, this is for good money. Yes, thank you, I understand all too well actually. The problem is the money ruins it if you aren't covered with commercial truck insurance and general liability. And as a retired insurance agent, i sure am not going to run bare, ever, without that big umbrella over my head. I'm human, I can screw up, but let the insurance company pay for it, it's what they do. The whole basic concept of transfer of risk. And we all know there is huge financial risk driving on today's roads, if you get seriously unlucky and run a redlight, and force/crash a gasoline tanker into a strip shopping center. So if you have assets you just don't want to disappear, and leave you, well, hungry, you just can't run uninsured.

what a great morning I had. Well, it started well. Bought a Toyota Avalon just stopping by on the way to the Ford dealer, had time to kill and there it was, charcoal grey with black leather. About ten percent off list. Not the fanciest one, but boy it drove nicely and I've been trying to figure out what to replace the VW, since I no longer need a small car to tow. And the Toyota in the low thirties was by far the least expensive option. Need a quiet comfortable road car and I would have spent more on the Cadillac but I despise their CUE interface so that is a nonstarter. The Avalon's touch stuff worked perfectly, quickly, and was easy to use and understand what was what. And no, it is sure no Cadillac inside. I think Road& Track scored it highest in full size sedans, well until you start buying german stuff for triple the price. In charcoal grey the GGG, godawful guppie grill...sort of disappears better as it is the same color... I bought my first new car from this dealership in 1971. I wonder if my old points are good...

why all this Toyota stuff? Well because when I hustled out of the Toyota dealer to go half a mile away to the Ford dealer, the guy no showed me. I finally asked someone to call him on his cell and apparently he was running late from lunch after a meeting. Maybe another fifteen minutes. I quietly left. He had my cell number.
no way to make a sale for sure.

so...had a nice chat with a newbie at Reedman Toll Chrysler/Ram in Langhorne, and he admitted upon my somewhat intense but nice questioning that he had only been there four months and had only sold one 1500. When I told him what I needed, he admitted they had a good truck guy but he wasn't in today, could I wait until tomorrow?
Of course. And yes, they would let me take the truck out on 95, which is right nearby and get it up to 60 and put on the cruise. I want to see how noisy it is and how it handles expansion joints.
New 2014 Ram 3500 Laramie For Sale | Langhorne PA
not a bad looking truck, but at least it's in a deep charcoal grey, looks like a super dark version of the grey on my suburban. who knows, have to see it.

What's interesting is that this is a 2014. We all know the power gets bumped in the next model year. I saw one further out dealer offering a Ram 3500 dually at 8 grand off. since the new one has more power, I would think the incentives would be there to flush out the older models.
And my thinking is, I'm pulling eight tons, at most 9, not ten or 11, so do I really need "next years" power? particularly when I can get the current model for a huge discount. I'm thinking spend less and likely be quite happy with what Ram offers in 2014. This is all one upsmanship anyway, though more power normally makes driving easier.

 

[downslope]

...The "backfire" I was referring to was if Ram rates the truck for < 26K it goes under CDL. Over 26K and doing commercial business it's automatically CDL when you've got a trailer...

Dodge doesn't "rate" the truck >26K, they only say that it can TOW > 26K. The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight for those trucks is at most 14K. In "most" states they will add the GVWR of the truck to the GVWR of the trailer and only if the total is >26K and commercial use do you need a CDL. On pickups up to 1-ton, the combination weight rating isn't even printed anywhere on the truck; it might be in the owner's manual. I don't worry about CDL as long as the total package is not >26K.

 

[nc redneck]

I also would not be worried about a large 5th wheel. Get stuck at a campground with 3 days of rain and they all get very small quickly. Buy good equipment regardless of brand and I don't think you will be disappointed.
Length is a issue with some older campgrounds. I really wanted something under 38 feet, but could not find one that would do what I wanted and haul golf cart. Less length and more slides are better IMO. The longer they are harder to back in tight campsites and leveling and door steps can be a issue.
I would also recommend triple axel with michelin E load tires. One blow out will cost you more in body repair than cost of tires.
Weight police typically leave RVs alone.
Good Luck.
Scott

 

[daugen]

gorgeous rig Scott. Nice "deer clearer"....could sure use those here.
so, you are pulling between 17K and 19K with that rig, with a duramax dually, rated to pull how much?
3.73 rear?
KZ RV New Vision Sportster Toy Hauler Fifth Wheels | Reviews, Floorplans, Specs, Pictures and Price Quotes

I have learned the wisdom of the "big rig" campgrounds. They really are easier to get in and out of, less sharp turns, etc. But sometimes you want to go somewhere else, that perfect spot along the lake, and one can only back in...

do they make cameras that go on the back of a fifth wheel trailer for backing?

do triple axles make turning harder? I like the idea of more tires on the road, less single points of failure.

 

[Reg]

gorgeous rig Scott. Nice "deer clearer"....could sure use those here.
so, you are pulling between 17K and 19K with that rig, with a duramax dually, rated to pull how much?
3.73 rear?
KZ RV New Vision Sportster Toy Hauler Fifth Wheels | Reviews, Floorplans, Specs, Pictures and Price Quotes

I have learned the wisdom of the "big rig" campgrounds. They really are easier to get in and out of, less sharp turns, etc. But sometimes you want to go somewhere else, that perfect spot along the lake, and one can only back in...

do they make cameras that go on the back of a fifth wheel trailer for backing?

do triple axles make turning harder? I like the idea of more tires on the road, less single points of failure.

Yes, there are any number of back up cameras that can be mounted on the tail of long trailers, some are wireless.
I just got a new "trucker" Rand McNally GPS that has an input for a back-up camera.
Not clear that I will actually USE it, I tend to "walk it first" - old fashioned I guess.
I was taught to not drive into anything I couldn't back out of, so when it looks iffy I back in.
If that doesn't work out at least I can still pull out forwards - then give up (-:
I might use a camera INSIDE the trailer to watch the horses, although having done that before I know it can be a HUGE driving distraction )-;

Yes, triple axles SCRUB more, wear more, etc. but sudden blow outs are less dramatic.
A well balanced trailer on tandem axles won't always "tell you" when a tire goes out - which is scary, you could go quite a way before the other one on that side overheats and blows out, THEN you would have a problem - make that a PROBLEM !!!!
I'm about to tangent off to TPMS.....