Is a dually needed?

[terryknight]

is a dually necessary no is it nice to have yes. whether or not you need it is up to you. i have a 94 F250 i have upgrade suspension brake motor blah blah blah. i tow 16K off the bumper at least twice a year. i only go 10 miles each way. if i were going to two it 100 miles or across country i would find a dually and hopefully GN trailer.

from the fmcsa website (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) states maybe more restrictive, but these are the federal regs for what needs a CDL

Class A: Any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater.

Class B: Any single vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).

Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.

i can't find the federal exemptions but for the state of MD exemptions are

VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED
Waivers have been granted for the operation of some commercial vehicles. You are not required to have
a Commercial Driver痴 License to drive a vehicle that has been excluded.
However, you must have a
Maryland non-commercial driver痴 license of the appropriate class to operate a vehicle that has been
excluded. (With the exception of fire apparatus, that may be operated by the use of an operator痴 card
and a valid State driver痴 license. See your fire chief for details).
The following vehicles have been excluded from CDL requirements in Maryland:

1. Controlled and operated by a farmer;
Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm;
Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier;and
Used within 150 miles of the person痴 farm;

2. An emergency vehicle;
Equipped with audible and visual signals (fire apparatus); and
Operated by a member of, or a person in the employ of,a volunteer or paid fire or rescue organization;

3. A vehicle owned or operated by the United States Department of Defense if it is controlled and operated by;
Any member of the military reserves or National Guard on active duty including personnel on full-time National Guard duty and personnel on part-time training; or

4. A motor vehicle designed and constructed primarily to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.

page 3

http://www.mva.maryland.gov/_resources/docs/DL-151.pdf

 

[terryknight]

also older trucks will do fine i agree that they are under rated, i won't speculate as to why. they also don't have the issues some of the newer trucks do with DEF, EGR, turbo, radiators, head bolts (those of for the Fords, i'm sure dodge and GM have their own issues) I also find the older trucks easier to work on and i can do it myself saving my money from taking it to a dealer/mechanic. that might not make a difference to you

 

[foreman Etexas]

I'LL sell you mine 2011 with 28,600miles

 

[daugen]

Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm;

now Officer, do you see that sack of seed back there? Well I'm taking these farm supplies to a farmer in Texas...

my those are nice handcuffs Officer...

I frankly like the looks of some of the older trucks, particularly the Fords, cleaner front end
but ride is also a factor. That is something the newer trucks apparently have a true advantage on.
And noise insulation. And? yes,but lots of technical downsides.

zero percent financing for six or seven years makes the new truck more palatable I suppose...
I can't wrench any more so serviceability is an issue. DEF is a nuisance...on our tractors too, but as long as the DEF fluid consumption
is low, that's one more thing to check when checking the oil. I'm not a wait until the light comes on guy.

 

[daugen]

I'LL sell you mine 2011 with 28,600milesView attachment 358385

now that is exactly the kind of truck I should be looking at. Something at 50-70% the cost of new. If you still have it by the end of the summer, you bet, let's chat.
Need to survive my rv trip first...:dance1:

 

[terryknight]

the older truck ride like buckboards compared to the new one, but some people like to modify their vehicles. ride cn be improved noise and vibration can be dampened, depends on what you want to do. however the older diesel will always be louder than the new one that don't even sound like they are running

 

[daugen]

Terry, thanks. lots of good info. Now I can spend my time looking for trucks that will actually work for me vs. looking nice...
now let me tell you about the guy who pulled twelve tons with his F150 turbo six...look at all those little rotor fins all over the place...

 

[daugen]

older diesel will always be louder
if an older Cummins pulls up next to me on a window down day, I have to roll it up.
Man is that thing noisy outside the truck. Probably much less inside.
peace and quiet is a real luxury in a truck, wonder which of the last gen trucks were quieter inside?
Quiet is good...noise wears you down.

 

[3930dave]

Daugen - It wouldn't be the first thing I'd think of, but I can see the wisdom of what one Snowbird I know here now does.

After a few seasons of pulling a big 5'er back and forth between here and Arizona, he decided to store the trailer in AZ during the Summer, and sold his diesel p/u.

If this is primarily a Snowbird trailer, (and esp. if you keep the MH) I'd seriously consider buying it in FL (?) near where you want to be. I'd negotiate the site delivery into the deal. Over the time you own it, even if you paid $1,000 each time you wanted it moved to another park, you can do that quite a few times before you start to make a dent in the cost of owning a late model diesel p/u.

And, if I picture life in a snowbird park correctly, it probably isn't too hard to find a tenant who likes to keep busy and would pull a trailer for you for not much more than the cost of fuel and a nice dinner out.

Don't get me wrong, I like diesel trucks just fine..... just wanted to pass along the choices made by a sharp friend of mine.....

Rgds, D.

 

[Buppies]

Having owned six diesel pickup trucks two of them duallys for my usage much prefer single rear wheel. Have for past 11 years rotated between dodge and ford. If I was going to haul a 16000 pound trailer would have to be a dually. Personally would look at Dodge 2008 to 2010 years. Those old 5.9 were loud but strong. After you get trailer where it's going to stay what will you use the truck for then?

 

[daugen]

Having owned six diesel pickup trucks two of them duallys for my usage much prefer single rear wheel. Have for past 11 years rotated between dodge and ford. If I was going to haul a 16000 pound trailer would have to be a dually. Personally would look at Dodge 2008 to 2010 years. Those old 5.9 were loud but strong. After you get trailer where it's going to stay what will you use the truck for then?

coming down to visit you, of course! and I'll make sure the jake brake makes nice noises in your driveway! :thumbsup::dance1:
I'm a retired financial planner so I have analyzed usage/vs. cost a number of ways. A big dually is 90% unnecessary but when one needs it you need it...
I was thinking of double snowbirding...Florida in the winter, the Poconos in the summer. Otherwise I'd have to pay storage anyway. I still live in suburbia, but not too much longer. The idea of fewer single points of failure when tires are often that point of failure makes me lean heavily towards a dually, no matter how inconvenient the other 90% of the time is. If I can find a really nice diesel dually for $40K that would now cost me $65K, though likely not as fancy, it seems
to be justifiable expense. I wanted to go back to a p/u from my suburban anyway. anyone want a spotless suburban this fall?
The combination of a late model diesel dually and a new fifth wheel trailer will still be less than a larger motorhome to get the same space as the 36 foot trailer.
So it all makes sense to me. Will sell my current motorhome when I return from this trip. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/297977-head-west-not-so-young.html I can only afford one of these toys...like most of us.

 

[ruffdog]

The neighbor has a HUGE camper in the back of his dually and tows a big pontoon boat also. He had the camper in a non dually before this truck. He has said the dually is much better for his use.

 

[Buppies]

coming down to visit you, of course! and I'll make sure the jake brake makes nice noises in your driveway! :thumbsup::dance1:
I'm a retired financial planner so I have analyzed usage/vs. cost a number of ways. A big dually is 90% unnecessary but when one needs it you need it...
I was thinking of double snowbirding...Florida in the winter, the Poconos in the summer. Otherwise I'd have to pay storage anyway. I still live in suburbia, but not too much longer. The idea of fewer single points of failure when tires are often that point of failure makes me lean heavily towards a dually, no matter how inconvenient the other 90% of the time is. If I can find a really nice diesel dually for $40K that would now cost me $65K, though likely not as fancy, it seems
to be justifiable expense. I wanted to go back to a p/u from my suburban anyway. anyone want a spotless suburban this fall?
The combination of a late model diesel dually and a new fifth wheel trailer will still be less than a larger motorhome to get the same space as the 36 foot trailer.
So it all makes sense to me. Will sell my current motorhome when I return from this trip. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/297977-head-west-not-so-young.html I can only afford one of these toys...like most of us.

Then it would seem to me that you have your answer if you are moving it a couple of times a year then dually it is. The 6.7 ford is good just stay away from 2011. Dodge in 2011 and later had problem burning to much fuel but was solved by going to DEF fluid. Dodge by the way comes with an engine brake and it really works. I'll be listening on the front porch!

 

[Buppies]

New and Used Ford Dealer in Vernon | Vernon Ford. Drew try this pretty good prices

 

[foreman Etexas]

Then it would seem to me that you have your answer if you are moving it a couple of times a year then dually it is. The 6.7 ford is good just stay away from 2011. Dodge in 2011 and later had problem burning to much fuel but was solved by going to DEF fluid. Dodge by the way comes with an engine brake and it really works. I'll be listening on the front porch!

Is DEF price regulated? How much is it and how long does a tank last?

 

[Bigfoot62]

That's why I'm keeping my 2003 F350 dually 7.3 until it dies...
Those trucks are so expensive but mine is still in great shape and should be good for 200K more miles...
By that time I should be ready to push up daises...

Same here.

 

[Buppies]

Is DEF price regulated? How much is it and how long does a tank last?

You can buy it at truck stops, Advance Auto etc. although have had truck for two years only use infrequently. It holds five gallons and when it's low the dash sends you a warning. The fluid is about 2.79 a gallon. Takes about an oil change before you have to add. I use computer to check it and when less than half add two and half gallons to tank

 

[foreman Etexas]

You can buy it at truck stops, Advance Auto etc. although have had truck for two years only use infrequently. It holds five gallons and when it's low the dash sends you a warning. The fluid is about 2.79 a gallon. Takes about an oil change before you have to add. I use computer to check it and when less than half add two and half gallons to tank

Wonder when they have all gone to the DEF for few years,the price doesnt go up on the stuff since you gotta have it.
I was thinking about getting rid of my dually just to get a single cab dually with nice flat-bed on it,cause i really dont need as nice of truck as i have,since bought the wife new crew cab 1/2ton. I just dont like the idea of having to buy DEF or my truck wont go. I only put 10,ooo miles a year on one,since I also have a tacoma 4x4 farm truck...

 

[daugen]

not really relevant here, but man is all the diesel going to home fuel oil? My local guy just posted $4.49 for road diesel. I don't think I've ever seen it higher.
Luckily I can drive fifteen miles to NJ and get it for $4.09. Such a deal... I can buy regular locally for $3.49
Too bad they don't put a small turbo on that gas sucking Ford V10 and at least get some more power and torque out of it.
or maybe the 5.8 components +1 aren't made for that. There just aren't enough seriously powerful stock gas engines out there and we all know why.

My other car is a Golf diesel which has now hit rock bottom at 35mpg in the dead of winter. It is what I usually drive and for an under 3000 pound car to have that off the line grunt is just a hoot to drive. So I normally drive that. So Al Gore look the other way, but I am not overly concerned if I get 7 mpg or 9mpg IF I get the power
and durability I need. Around town I get 11mpg now with an almost new Suburban. How much worse could a diesel dually be? Might be better...
And while I might hit 16mpg feather footing it out on the highway without any load, under load I'm pretty sure I'm in the 9's.

So c'mon Ford, put at least one blower on that V10 and give us 450hp and 650# of torque.
That would pull my eight tons...
I guess Dodge never trusted their HP motor, it was never used in a working truck that I know of, just play trucks.
And I don't think GM ever got large outputs out of their big blocks. I remember driving a small, likely the smallest, dumptruck with
a Chevy 454. Boy did that make nice noises.

btw, on top of everything else I want,...its got to sound good...maybe not as good as a 5.0 Ford or any small block GM, but it shouldn't sound like
a giant vacuum cleaner. think Viper... Diesels can sound good, but often are just rattly like my Kubota at idle.
We all know the sound of a diesel transit bus, there's another vacuum cleaner.
Ok, I won't ask who makes the best sounding diesel. Oh, I just did...

 

[ruffdog]

"not really relevant here, but..." :duh: funny