Is a dually needed?

[newbury]

is there a time of the year where there are more of these on the market?
Like one would buy a convertible in the Spring and not the Fall...

Are you indicating buy a convertible in the spring? I've found best prices for convertibles in the fall.

Anyways, after looking for duallies for several years I found the best prices seemed to come up in fall and they often were "bundled" with a camper.

 

[daugen]

Are you indicating buy a convertible in the spring? I've found best prices for convertibles in the fall. Agreed.

Anyways, after looking for duallies for several years I found the best prices seemed to come up in fall and they often were "bundled" with a camper.

now that makes sense, after the summer, don't want to have it over the winter, pay storage for the trailer, etc. How convenient, just my schedule...:thumbsup:

 

[TBarD]

Just another data point here. I have one truck that I use for everything, including off-road and towing. I went with a Dodge RAM quad-cab short-bed SRW, Cummins diesel with a few towing mods. I tow both my tractor with a few attachments (14K or so), and a big fifth wheel that is 15-16K. The truck is just fine for all this despite being a SRW, although I am basically at the rear axle rating when towing the fifth wheel. Power wise, the truck is plenty strong enough to tow either trailer on mountain grades. I tow the fifth wheel with a SuperGlide sliding hitch, mounted on a B&W gooseneck hitch with adapter, hence I can two either a gooseneck trailer or a fifth wheel (or bumper pull) equally well. One thing I would strongly recommend is an exhaust brake and at least an EGT gauge on the truck. My fifth wheel has disk brakes on both axles, which is also recommended when towing that heavy. I haven't tried it yet, but a SRW can be fitted with steel wheels and commercial 19.5 tires rated 5K per wheel or better (comparable to a dually), which is one way to solve the rear axle weight rating problem if towing heavy becomes a habit.

 

[daugen]

Cars for Sale: 2012 RAM 3500 SLT in Easton, PA 18045: Truck Details - 364481579 - AutoTrader.com

this truck caught my eye. Does Dodge do something different with the rear dually sheetmetal? my eyes tell me it looks skinnier but I'm sure my tape measure would disagree. Now if this truck were around in the Fall for under 40K, that's probably decent value for me. A bench seat is fine, as long as the seat is comfortable.
Though that big Dodge console would be missed.
I really like the monotone non blingy look of this one.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Cars for Sale: 2012 RAM 3500 SLT in Easton, PA 18045: Truck Details - 364481579 - AutoTrader.com

this truck caught my eye. Does Dodge do something different with the rear dually sheetmetal? my eyes tell me it looks skinnier but I'm sure my tape measure would disagree. Now if this truck were around in the Fall for under 40K, that's probably decent value for me. A bench seat is fine, as long as the seat is comfortable.
Though that big Dodge console would be missed.
I really like the monotone non blingy look of this one.

Thats high for a used base model. I can find fully loaded trucks for that money or less around here.



Chris

 

[dave1949]

If you consider a new cab-chassis, or could find the right used one, these are nice, gooseneck platform bodies. Get one with stake pockets and a hook rail for strapping and you can carry plenty of stuff while not towing. Or, they can be had with integrated close-able storage boxes too.

For DRW on a Dodge you have three CA (back of cab to axle distance) choices: 56", 60" and 84", all 95-3/4" wide.

PGNC Gooseneck Bodies Product Gallery | Knapheide

 

[foreman Etexas]

I would take 40(that's trade-in value) and my miles just alittle less than that but its loaded.

 

[daugen]

View attachment 360993I would take 40(that's trade-in value) and my miles just alittle less than that but its loaded.

well that was easy... :thumbsup:
I won't need it until September,
and just so happens I'll be in Texas in May in my motorhome.
Would you PM me please with your location.
:dance1:

I was actually going to do a truck wanted here when I got back from my trip.
at least this will educate me. I'm happy to pay extra for a truck someone has taken good care of.
Now if someone smoked a cigar a day in the thing, well...yuk.
and the chaw spit stains on the console might be a bit of a turn off...

 

[foreman Etexas]

well that was easy... :thumbsup:
I won't need it until September,
and just so happens I'll be in Texas in May in my motorhome.
Would you PM me please with your location.
:dance1:

I was actually going to do a truck wanted here when I got back from my trip.
at least this will educate me. I'm happy to pay extra for a truck someone has taken good care of.
Now if someone smoked a cigar a day in the thing, well...yuk.
and the chaw spit stains on the console might be a bit of a turn off...

I sure will be alittle later and will get back to you. Its a non-smoker...

 

[foreman Etexas]

the little ding,is either from my boys or wal-mart but I am having it removed,said wasn't deep enough could get it out.

 

[daugen]

now that interior looks very, very nice...
but what about the genuine pointy horns on the hood?
I though that came standard in Texas...

 

[foreman Etexas]

now that interior looks very, very nice...
but what about the genuine pointy horns on the hood?
I though that came standard in Texas...

Only on Cadillacs:laughing:

 

[daugen]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BNMvBnm14o

now that I know I'm looking for a fifth wheel, I thought I'd look at some fresh ideas.
Not sure if this is a fifth wheel but it sure looks like one, well, sort of.
sure would be easy to park... :thumbsup:

 

[TBarD]

Well, I guess that answers the question of whether a dually is really needed!

 

[PoorMansCat]

I JUSt bought a new dually for my 5er due to stability and safety margin.
I'd say at 15K, you NEED a dually!

 

[daugen]

well I'm getting closer to putting the rubber on the road. New rubber that is. My motorhome goes back to the dealer on Monday for sale, and when it's sold, I'm seriously considering an Excel fifth wheel that has a GVW of 18,750. Now based on that, I'm not going to ask if I need a dually. I know I do...The sales mgr at the rv dealership said unequivocally from his thirty years experience, buy a dually. He mimed what has been said here, it's not whether you can, or are legal to, but do you want to?
Having spent most of my career in the insurance business, no question I don't want to drive equipment at its limit. Nor the driver.

Kinda fun to watch the latest diesel engine wars, the boost has been turned up, and now it's at 860 pound feet of torque. I always did want a thousand.... so we're getting closer. There is nothing local worth looking at in used stuff. Now which one to order...F350 4x4 crew cab with an 8 foot bed. That ought to be long enough. I'm told I need long. Makes sense. For two parking spots... About 23-24K tow rated, plenty for my intended 19K. But the Ram is awfully nice...and my normal allegiance to GM has disappeared here. Until GM turns up the boost on the Duramax, which they like the night following the day will surely do, GM is sucking the rear one in bragging rights. Momentarily. I'll bet there's another thread on this. Always is. Been discussing the big three for over fifty years, and this is what the right kind of free market competition will get you, constantly improving products. And frankly, all three are so good and so powerful I'm not sure it matters any more.

But, which one will ride the nicest, relatively, when unhooked? Assume lowering tire pressure appropriately; I don't put super heavy stuff in the bed without upping the air pressure. Sure learned that on my Suburban 2500 and my motorhome. Those 90 psi Goodyear rv radials ride like circular rocks. I'm looking for comfort, not off road at all. And I'm going to have it for a long time for a farm truck too so I want to get it right.

So I've been sucked in/successfully marketed to by a nicer heavier fifth wheel trailer, so I guess I should end this thread by saying, YES, I need a dually. For this weight.

appreciate all your helpful comments.

 

[HHR]

well I'm getting closer to putting the rubber on the road. New rubber that is. My motorhome goes back to the dealer on Monday for sale, and when it's sold, I'm seriously considering an Excel fifth wheel that has a GVW of 18,750. Now based on that, I'm not going to ask if I need a dually. I know I do...The sales mgr at the rv dealership said unequivocally from his thirty years experience, buy a dually. He mimed what has been said here, it's not whether you can, or are legal to, but do you want to? Having spent most of my career in the insurance business, no question I don't want to drive equipment at its limit. Nor the driver. Kinda fun to watch the latest diesel engine wars, the boost has been turned up, and now it's at 860 pound feet of torque. I always did want a thousand.... so we're getting closer. There is nothing local worth looking at in used stuff. Now which one to order...F350 4x4 crew cab with an 8 foot bed. That ought to be long enough. I'm told I need long. Makes sense. For two parking spots... About 23-24K tow rated, plenty for my intended 19K. But the Ram is awfully nice...and my normal allegiance to GM has disappeared here. Until GM turns up the boost on the Duramax, which they like the night following the day will surely do, GM is sucking the rear one in bragging rights. Momentarily. I'll bet there's another thread on this. Always is. Been discussing the big three for over fifty years, and this is what the right kind of free market competition will get you, constantly improving products. And frankly, all three are so good and so powerful I'm not sure it matters any more. But, which one will ride the nicest, relatively, when unhooked? Assume lowering tire pressure appropriately; I don't put super heavy stuff in the bed without upping the air pressure. Sure learned that on my Suburban 2500 and my motorhome. Those 90 psi Goodyear rv radials ride like circular rocks. I'm looking for comfort, not off road at all. And I'm going to have it for a long time for a farm truck too so I want to get it right. So I've been sucked in/successfully marketed to by a nicer heavier fifth wheel trailer, so I guess I should end this thread by saying, YES, I need a dually. For this weight. appreciate all your helpful comments.

I think a Ram 3500 with the air suspension is going to ride the best.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think a Ram 3500 with the air suspension is going to ride the best.

But in the latest towing war tests it's been noted as the least stable and poorest overall performer.

Get a truck to do the job intended. If you want a good ride spend $5000 on a used Buick or Lincoln.

Chris

 

[newbury]

Well, welcome back Drew.

Too bad about your motorhome.

Hopefully you'll be getting this dually for a long time. The most important thing should be to test it like your going to use it. I'm a died in the wool Ford diesel fan, of the 7.3. But ford has been known to fubar later engines. My BIL is a died in the wool Ram fan.

Both new trucks are excellent trucks. I think that if "rough riding" without load is one of your main criteria you can spend 100's of hours researching on the net and asking people or just go down to a good dealer and test drive with the pressure in the tires you want. It's your butt.

From my reading the Cummins/Allison is a hard combo to beat.

 

[daugen]

thanks. I have no illusions that my new truck will ride softly Chris. If it did, it would likely tow horribly.
but new models really do appear to be more comfortable than ones five and certainly ten years ago. And a lot quieter in the cab.
I'd like to get the newer, quieter, more comfortable tech as long as it doesn't come with an unproven engine. And the latter seems to not be an issue, the
current crop of diesels seem to be pretty reliable.

And while it's riding creamy smooth over the local pothole ruined roads, I'd also like it to be nice and quiet at idle, outside the truck. Ever come up next to a first or second gen Cummins at a light with the window down? I usually have to roll it up, stupid noisy, noisier than most big trucks. Like a six foot tall paint rattle can being shaken outside your door...
And let's see, auto leveling magnetohetero ride with airbags, and what else can I throw in there? We already have jake brakes.

Chrysler/Ram used to have the best drivetrain warranty. I'd want the most years, not the most mileage.