When the tranny went again on my Dodge last summer, I decided it was time to make the move I had pondered a long time. I sold the Dodge and picked up an FL70. I do not regret the decision except for not holding out for a locking rear which mine does not have. During our winter "mud season" I missed having that extra gear shift for the front axle too.
The "two ton" duallys as these Freightliners and the similar IH's are known as will not see the miles that a heavier road tractor will on average. The components are slightly lighter duty but mostly the drivers are the determining factor. The CAT 3126 which my truck has will see 800k but you had better get it to the dealer every 100k to set the valves, etc. CAT service is pricey and there is minimal info on the net.
My truck has 550k on it. The head and turbo were replaced by the previous owner. It runs just fine. Mostly, these trucks will have either a six speed or an automatic. The person I bought from said that he hated the six speed. He said he never had the correct gear so he put a nine speed in it. My only gearing issue is that I can either run at about 1800 or so in eighth or lug it at 1200 in ninth. That and I don't really need to see the 80mph my truck will run.
The FL70 is easy to work on. With the tilt hood, engine access is superb. The dash opens up to expose the wiring. I had to do the rear brakes. With Chinese made drums from Napa, it cost me about 300. I do not have an exhaust brake but that is on my list. With a straight pipe, I have absolutely no back pressure so I rely on the brakes a bit more than I would like. To the best of my knowledge, CAT does not have a true engine brake for the 3126 and nor does IH with the DT's. Filters cost more but my Napa has a yearly special so I load up. More than likely, you will need to hard wire your trailer brake controller which is no big deal.
With my higher gearing, I get about ten mpg. Puling and handling wise, I don't even know the trailer is back there. I would have to measure my wheel base but my ride is superb. I have an extended cab with about twelve foot of bed. With triple air ride, air bag suspension, air ride cab and air ride seats, it rides better than my Dodge and turns quick too. There is no comparison with respect to your field of view while driving given the higher seating position. Honestly, my hat is off to these folks who hot shot with a one ton dually.
I purposely looked for the extended cab. A bit hard to find but less expensive than the even rarer four door. I happen to have long legs so a standard cab is snug for me. The downside is that hooking up to a gooseneck solo takes a bit of patience.
You will perhaps attract more "attention" with a two ton. With a heavy steel bed, my truck and trailer weigh in at 20,500. My Kentucky farm plates allow me 38,000 but KY requires a DOT# over 26,000 lbs even with farm plates. My farm plates and insurance cost me the same as the Dodge dually.
Two places to look for trucks online are horsetrailerworld.com and truckpaper.com. The former will have mostly fancy rigs while the latter favors the working world.
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