Is this trailer worth $300.00?;

[patrick_g]

I'm pretty sure the weight ratio of tow rig to towed trailers is way less on those rigs than a 1/2 ton truck pulling a 10,000 lb trailer.

Doncha spose those rigs had some mighty fine air brakes that likely exceed by a goodly margin the truck and trailer brakes found on 1/2 ton and the trailer it tows?

Other than that, you raise an EXCELLENT point. Now as regards everyone needing a dually turbo diesel. I got one and will keep it after I buy the new truck I am researching. I looked at 1/2 ton trucks from Chevy and Ford and will be looking at a Toyota Tundra. I got price quotes on the over 10,000lb towing versions of the 1/2 tons.

Equipped as I would like it (no leather no satellite radio no GPS navigator and on and on but still nice) the price came to within $2000 of what I can buy a similarly equipped 2008 F-250 turbo diesel for. So I ask myself... Self, why are you worrying about the small differences between the 1/2 tons when for 2K more you can have a 3/4 diesel that exceeds the towing and hauling capability of any of the 1/2 tons? Maybe this is just a temporary local pricing anomaly but it got my attention

Oh, it is not dually of course.

Pat

 

[gemini5362]

Not everyone that has a diesel has duallys. I dont like the width on the back of the truck with them so I have never had one. My F350 was not a dually. Patricks post about air brakes is pretty apt I suspect. My F350 is pretty well shot and is strictly an around the place truck but I liked the way it towed with the 460 gas engine and the 4 speed. I actually liked the way it towed better than I do my duramax with the allison 6 speed. I did not like the 8 miles to the gallon with it empty versus the 18 or so I get with my duramax empty. Part of the reason for the high prices on the trucks people are talking about is the way they are equipped. My truck has every option on it except a moon roof and a dvd player in the roof ( If they would have had one of those on the lot I would have those options too) It is a lot of money but the last I heard when I die they are going to put me in the ground with nothing but the clothes I am wearing.My children will be very well taken care of when I am not around to be their personal atm. I am going to enjoy how ever many days I am going to be on top of the grIound. Even if it is wrong I am sticking with what I said in my last post. I have towed my trailer with a tractor on it with my Ford Ranger which was a nice truck. I FEEL a lot more comfortable towing the same trailer with a tractor on it with my 3/4 ton heavy duty chevrolet diesel.

 

[bx23barry]

<Doncha spose those rigs had some mighty fine air brakes that likely exceed by a goodly margin the truck and trailer brakes found on 1/2 ton and the trailer it tows?Doncha spose those rigs had some mighty fine air brakes that likely exceed by a goodly margin the truck and trailer brakes found on 1/2 ton and the trailer it tows?>

I'm not so sure. While the brakes stop/slow the wheel/tire it is the rubber on the road that provides the "stopping". The total rubber contact to weight ratio of the 1/2 ton may be better than a loaded big rig. It is much safer to use the trailer brakes to stop/slow than the truck brakes so the better truck brakes on a tow rig are really not a practical advantage. Ya know big rigs didn't even have front brakes tilt he 70's. My electric trailer brakes will lock the trailer tires so any better brakes are overkill (except on a long down hill). It really would be interesting to see the loaded stopping distances of various setups.

At anyrate I'm not saying 3/4-1 tons (weight/strenth) or diesels (mpg/low end torque) aren't better towers. Just that towing safely with a smaller rig is possible.
Personally I hate the smell of diesel (I've worked around them all my life) and love the manurvability of a short wheelbase truck so I have (and mostly always have had) a reg cab short bed 1/2 ton. It does everything I need it to do. I had a long bed 3/4 ton once and really hated have to back up all the time to get around. I tried to get a new 1 ton dually chassis cab shortened and put a stepside bed on but ford or the vendor wouldn't warrenty it so I got another short bed 1/2 ton. If I really had some serious hauling/towing to do I would look at a used 2-5 ton I think before a new 3/4 - 1 ton. But that's just me.

 

[workinallthetime]

Not everyone that has a diesel has duallys. I dont like the width on the back of the truck with them so I have never had one. My F350 was not a dually. Patricks post about air brakes is pretty apt I suspect. My F350 is pretty well shot and is strictly an around the place truck but I liked the way it towed with the 460 gas engine and the 4 speed. I actually liked the way it towed better than I do my duramax with the allison 6 speed. I did not like the 8 miles to the gallon with it empty versus the 18 or so I get with my duramax empty. Part of the reason for the high prices on the trucks people are talking about is the way they are equipped. My truck has every option on it except a moon roof and a dvd player in the roof ( If they would have had one of those on the lot I would have those options too) It is a lot of money but the last I heard when I die they are going to put me in the ground with nothing but the clothes I am wearing.My children will be very well taken care of when I am not around to be their personal atm. I am going to enjoy how ever many days I am going to be on top of the grIound. Even if it is wrong I am sticking with what I said in my last post. I have towed my trailer with a tractor on it with my Ford Ranger which was a nice truck. I FEEL a lot more comfortable towing the same trailer with a tractor on it with my 3/4 ton heavy duty chevrolet diesel.

your kids could use your tractor to dig a hole big enough you and your truck could go in it, lol
i got the moon roof and dvd player in my half ton , honestly i doint even know if the dvd player works it still has the seal on it. i hate driving around town with it down cause you cant see out your rear view. also gm is selling and im sure you have seen it the head reast dvd players, those are cool. im kinda pisssed right now i had to get a new truck when i did because the lease was up on my wifes car she bough to abuse driving back and forth to okc anyway i speced out a new 07 3/4 ton and it came up to be less than my 1/2 ugggg oh well next one im getting is a 1 ton cab and chasis w/ a dump bed so i can really look like a redneck at sonic,lol

 

[patrick_g]

i got the moon roof and dvd player in my half ton anyway i spec'd out a new 07 3/4 ton and it came up to be less than my 1/2 ugggg oh well next one im getting is a 1 ton cab and chasis w/ a dump bed so i can really look like a redneck at sonic,lol

My strategy was to look at the Toyota, Ford, and Chevy/GMC 1/2 tons rated to tow over 10K lbs. (I have bought my last Dodge for a while.) I didn't want the fanciest just not the plain Jane with plastic floors and such. After I went those rounds then yesterday I looked at what I could get a decent 3/4 ton for and found a pretty good deal on a 2008 F-250 Super Duty with diesel, 4x4, Lariat model with the 5 speed OD automagic tranny and all the towing goodies and a lot of pizaz for only about 2K more. I wrote the check at lunch time and it will be delivered this afternoon or tomorrow. I didn't particularly want the Satellite radio but I'd rather pay the $200 than have to keep shopping for a truck because I HATE shopping for a truck!. I have a low tollerance for BS and ignorant sales folks. Our salesman wasn't a rocket scientist but had a decent personality and a good sense of humor and since they weren't busy I got all the attention I wanted from the management. In case anyone wants a heads up on a good south central Ford dealer, it is Ada Ford in Ada, Oklahoma. I have previous experience with their parts and service and it was excellent.

My wife likes the step that comes down out of the tailgate and the handle that folds out upright to give you something to grab onto while using the step to get in the truck bed. I don't know why all trucks haven't had these for decades since it seems like such a convenience. I have nearly fallen several times climbing in or out of a truck bed especially when their is ice and frost. The assist on lifting the heavy tailgate is nice too, especially for my wife.

This will be my third diesel and we still have #2. This truck will allow me to relegate my 1 ton dually with all the custom trick stuff to a camper hauler and emergency vehicle when for some reason the new truck is gone or needs winched out or whatever. After I got home from the dealer I went out to check on the 8 head due but not delivered yet to see that none were in distress calving and suprise suprise suprise near the top of a rise while noting ear tag numbers I drove in a mud hole. I usually look where I am going when going cross country off road but who'da suspected a deep mudnole near the top of a hill.

Oh well, so much for locking read diff and 4x4 on the little Dakota. I almost got it out but not quite and had to walk to the house to get the 1 ton with winch. I added the mudhole to my database of hazards and will not fall prey to it again.

I have been thinking I might get one of those winches that fit into a standard receiver and can be removed to use elsewhere or whatever. Maybe I should get one for the new truck. Maybe I can come up with a way to install a receiver up front too and have my choice of winch pull directions. I have often wished my winch on the 1 ton could easily pull from the rear.

Hmm, just got a call from dealer and they will drop the truck at my place in aboiut 30-40 min.

I would have gladly bought a 1/2 ton but with the 3/4 ton diesel only about 2K more I couldn't resist. I must have gotten lucky and hit them at just the right time as I found no other dealer of the several in this area that was willing to discount that model this much.

Usually I really believe that is something seems sort of too good to be true, it usually is. I can't figure ouit a down side so oh well here we go...

Pat

 

[gemini5362]

your kids could use your tractor to dig a hole big enough you and your truck could go in it, lol
i got the moon roof and dvd player in my half ton , honestly i doint even know if the dvd player works it still has the seal on it. i hate driving around town with it down cause you cant see out your rear view. also gm is selling and im sure you have seen it the head reast dvd players, those are cool. im kinda pisssed right now i had to get a new truck when i did because the lease was up on my wifes car she bough to abuse driving back and forth to okc anyway i speced out a new 07 3/4 ton and it came up to be less than my 1/2 ugggg oh well next one im getting is a 1 ton cab and chasis w/ a dump bed so i can really look like a redneck at sonic,lol

I'm just curious have you priced the insurance on a dump bed truck ?
That is the reason I have a dump bed trailer instead of a truck.

 

[patrick_g]

I'm just curious have you priced the insurance on a dump bed truck ?
That is the reason I have a dump bed trailer instead of a truck.

A guy had his dump truck at a a farm auction and the auctioneer's helper flooded it and it wouldn't start to demo the condition. Later we discussed it and he agreed to sell it to me for $2K and it ran and dumped but then he just never produced the truck or mentioned it again. I can't buy a dump trailer for that. I have been thinking about making a dump accessory to go on my 12K lb rated util trailer but it just isn't a simple thing. There is too much trailer behind the axles to be easy to dump off the back and a belly dump has its own problems although it is doable. I have considered a side dump but that isn't my favorite. I may actually have to buy a dump trailer.

Pat

 

[workinallthetime]

I'm just curious have you priced the insurance on a dump bed truck ?
That is the reason I have a dump bed trailer instead of a truck.

nope, never even thought about it. i want a 1 ton dump so i can haul off material from job sites as well as tow my tractor away at the same time. 1 trip you know. if i use a dump trailer i would have to leave the tractor, go dump then come back to get the tractor. also the dump trailer would have to be big enough to hold the tractor for transport. honestly i would like to find a fuy who would be willing to bring his dump trailer to the job site, let me fill it and have him haul it off, that way i would not have to deal with it. i would, or i guess the customer would pay him based on distance and how many loads. just have to find someone willing to turn some time into money.

 

[patrick_g]

workinallthetime, Yeah, for sure, in your described scenario a dump truck is THE SUPERIOR SOLUTION pending finding someone else to do it for your customers. I have been dong some logging and have the same sort of problem. Can't haul the logs and the tractor so I have to make extra trips.

If I get a dump trailer or make an accessory for my trailer it will rarely leave the property (1/2 mile square.) If I had a truck I'd probably drive it too much on highway for my or its own good to get materials that I should just have delivered.

My requirement is to transport enough stuff to make it practical. It sure isn't practical to go very far with one FEL bucket of stuff at a time. Even just a few yards capacity would be a pretty good thing. Another reason for my aversion to OWNING a dump truck is that it would not make $ but cost $ to keep it going, buy tires and such. I already have 3 pickups and am considering dropping tag and insurance on the Dakota 4x4 and restrict it to our property.

Pat

 

[workinallthetime]

as my business grows im finding more and more jobs where i need just another set of hands or another truck to haul stuff with. i am not big enough to hire another guy and i dont want to take on a partner. i really like doing everything my way at my time. granted a dump trialer would haul more than a 1 ton dump, but i kinda need a 1 ton anyway so why not get a dump bed for it? if insurence is a big issue i guess i will cross that bridge when i get there, oh and not to start any big debates but since i will be buying used, it will defiantly be a gas burner 8.1.