Looking to get a truck w/ tractor transport in mind (MF 1540)

[fried1765]

One thing to look at is payload. On newer trucks it’s on the door jamb sticker. Keep in mind the allowable payload does includes passengers and driver. Take a payload of 1300 pounds. Your trailer will have maybe 900 lbs of tongue weight. That leaves you with 400 pounds for passengers, driver and other stuff in the truck. I’d look for a payload of at least 1500 lbs minimum.

Also almost all half ton hitches are class IV. They say tongue weight over 500 lbs and trailer weight over 5000 lbs should have a weight distribution hitch. This seems to often be ignored but should be used.

A weight distribution hitch is a wonderful (safety) thing.
I use mine on a 12K trailer, behind my GMC 2500 4x4.
I would not leave home without it!

 

[crashz]

I second the vote on the 10K trailer, but also take notice of the real length you will need. Did you see 4570's photo of the L series on his big tag trailer? See how long that combo really is when loaded? I have a similar tractor and cutter. But tow with a pickup and an 18' 10K lb trailer. Weight is not an issue. Length certainly is. I should have bought a minimum of a 20' long trailer. I can get the machine on, but it takes every inch. And no room to adjust the tongue weight.

So you need to buy from your load outward. You need to purchase a trailer big enough to handle the max weight AND the max length you may need with attachments. Length may affect total towed weight. Then buy the truck that can handle that.

The used half ton with the perfect towing and load packages may be out there, but they will be loaded with all the options too. Might be easier to find a stripped done 3/4 ton work truck. I bet the pricing will be around the same.

 

[nikerret]

It痴 the first I致e heard of it. To be fair I don稚 visit the Ram Forums as much as the Dodge Challenger Forums. If you visit the forums of any vehicle enough someone will have problems no matter how good the vehicle.

I also have heard the newer Ford F-150 5.0 engines are having problems using oil. This would be 2018 and newer. Most people don稚 have problems but I see enough complaints I see a trend.

The quest for that 0.0001% less emissions is killing a lot of what would be good engines. The 5.0L was solid, and still a better bet than the 3.5L EB. The Dodge 5.7L was solid, until recent years. The 2007-2013 GM 5.3L was solid, if you could keep it out of V4. If it did much cylinder deactivation, it would start to consume oil.

Another reason to go with the F-250/2500 series. There痴 a lot less emissions and fuel standards that have to be met (always at the expense of reliability).

 

[nikerret]

Here’s two trailer, for reference. I would go 22’, if I was doing my car hauler, again. I’m not pushing Big Tex, just using their examples because their site lists weights. For the record, I’ve heard they are good trailers, but I’ve never even used one, so I can’t recommend or dissuade, from them.

One is a car hauler and built a lot light than the equipment trailer. Both are “10k” trailers. A car hauler is probably the way I’d recommend the OP go, as they tend to be more versatile and he’s not going to be putting working miles in it.

Steel deck versus wood is a preference thing. They both have their advantages. I use a steel deck and love it.

 

[ottawarob]

I second the vote on the 10K trailer, but also take notice of the real length you will need. Did you see 4570's photo of the L series on his big tag trailer? See how long that combo really is when loaded? I have a similar tractor and cutter. But tow with a pickup and an 18' 10K lb trailer. Weight is not an issue. Length certainly is. I should have bought a minimum of a 20' long trailer. I can get the machine on, but it takes every inch. And no room to adjust the tongue weight.

So you need to buy from your load outward. You need to purchase a trailer big enough to handle the max weight AND the max length you may need with attachments. Length may affect total towed weight. Then buy the truck that can handle that.

The used half ton with the perfect towing and load packages may be out there, but they will be loaded with all the options too. Might be easier to find a stripped done 3/4 ton work truck. I bet the pricing will be around the same.

I think I'm going to take my chances with a 1/2 ton. It's a way better choice for pretty much everything else I'll do with it. It turns out the V8 1500s with the 3.92 axle gear ratio are easy to find out here. Haven't looked as hard for F150s yet but imagine similar story. The 1500 will tow over 10k. Say a 10k trailer weighs 3k, tractor 6k, I'm still 1k under 10k.

The F250's and 2500's are amazing trucks but man they are a step up in price and would be overkill for most of the things I plan to do with a truck.

 

[4570Man]

I second the vote on the 10K trailer, but also take notice of the real length you will need. Did you see 4570's photo of the L series on his big tag trailer? See how long that combo really is when loaded? I have a similar tractor and cutter. But tow with a pickup and an 18' 10K lb trailer. Weight is not an issue. Length certainly is. I should have bought a minimum of a 20' long trailer. I can get the machine on, but it takes every inch. And no room to adjust the tongue weight.

So you need to buy from your load outward. You need to purchase a trailer big enough to handle the max weight AND the max length you may need with attachments. Length may affect total towed weight. Then buy the truck that can handle that.

The used half ton with the perfect towing and load packages may be out there, but they will be loaded with all the options too. Might be easier to find a stripped done 3/4 ton work truck. I bet the pricing will be around the same.

I’ve hauled that tractor on a 16’ trailer but you can only fit the one implement on the back. And if it’s a bush hog it sticks off the back. When you start adding other stuff on the trailer it fills all of my bigger 24’ trailer. And I didn’t really buy that truck and trailer to haul that tractor with.

 

[bretth24]

Both the 1500 and F150 will suite you well for what you're going for. Best to be safe and get the 4WD however. Just think about what your future workload is looking like and how often you'll need to transport the Mahindra. I'd go with the F150 or even a super duty based on my previous experience. You can always finance the truck under your business to take advantage of the tax write offs if you're hesitant on price. I can help steer you in the right direction if you're unsure of where to find cost effective financing as well. It sounds like you've done plenty of research and have a good idea of the trailer so I would just compare towing loads and weights to help decide which rig would be the best fit!

 

[ottawarob]

I ended up buying an F150, thanks everyone.