Im interested in buying a truck and trailer to tow heavy equipment. Primarily for picking up used machinery at auctions and the like. Can a f350 dually do this kind of work? Two or three trips a month. Something capable of 200-300 mile range. Primarily tractors and backhoes/ sm dozers.Any advice much appreciated.
Recommend Truck and Trailer
- Thread starter paulyny
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George2615
Super Member
It depends on how much weight you'll be hauling. Most 3/4 and 1 tons are rated to haul up to about 16,000# or so. They can haul more but not legally. If you're planning on hauling dozers and such that probably weigh 15K or more not incuding the trailer weight, you'll need a bigger truck and the matching sized trailer. Maybe something like a dump truck and a 20 - 25K trailer. But then you get into requiring a CDL license if you don't have one.
If you can keep the total weight you are hauling under 16K a 1 ton should do just fine.
If you can keep the total weight you are hauling under 16K a 1 ton should do just fine.
Builder
Super Member
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- Feb 22, 2006
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- Kubota, AGCO, New Holland LB
I'm assuming you have a CDL here:
Don't get a dump truck-they usually have low HP. Ask me how I know. The visibility of your load while driving sux, too. plus you then have a dump bed to maintain, paint, etc. Unless you're gonna use the dump bed, why pay the penalty to own it?
Get a used road tractor with at least 275, preferably 300HP and at least 8-10L of displacement. Then buy a used lowboy trailer or the like. You'll like it so much more because you can see the load out the back window and you'll have lots of spare power under the hood for hills. Plus the braking and safety factor will be reassuring.
Maybe something like this
eBay Motors: 1995 Ford LN8000 w/Cummins 8.3 Diesel Engine (item 220122390344 end time Jun-22-07 12:40:18 PDT)
Or this, it has nice power and it's cheap:
eBay Motors: FORD AEROMAX L-9000 (item 290129083893 end time Jun-21-07 12:38:27 PDT)
If you don't have a CDL, an F-450/550 diesel with a gooseneck would be a decent second choice and just tag it to 26,000 GCWR.
Don't get a dump truck-they usually have low HP. Ask me how I know. The visibility of your load while driving sux, too. plus you then have a dump bed to maintain, paint, etc. Unless you're gonna use the dump bed, why pay the penalty to own it?
Get a used road tractor with at least 275, preferably 300HP and at least 8-10L of displacement. Then buy a used lowboy trailer or the like. You'll like it so much more because you can see the load out the back window and you'll have lots of spare power under the hood for hills. Plus the braking and safety factor will be reassuring.
Maybe something like this
eBay Motors: 1995 Ford LN8000 w/Cummins 8.3 Diesel Engine (item 220122390344 end time Jun-22-07 12:40:18 PDT)
Or this, it has nice power and it's cheap:
eBay Motors: FORD AEROMAX L-9000 (item 290129083893 end time Jun-21-07 12:38:27 PDT)
If you don't have a CDL, an F-450/550 diesel with a gooseneck would be a decent second choice and just tag it to 26,000 GCWR.
Thanks for getting me in the right direction guys. I dont have a CDL but am not opposed to someday getting one. I would like a truck that i can also use for a 5th wheel/travel trailer as well as the occasional off road ride down my local beach.($20 to $25K for truck was the plan) Im gonna do everything but cut the lawn with it.LOL. Im semi retiring so this will be 1/2 hobby 1/2 income. I have a friend in heavy repair business that will help me with the repair end of these machines. I dont plan on doing any work with these other than necessary mechanical repairs.
Last edited:
wushaw
Elite Member
Builder is right on truck size, don't go too small it can be a little hairy.
Freightliners and Internationals class 5,6, & 7 are real common to find and can be had fairly cheap, they will have alot of miles on them, just look em over real good , do a vis check if possible and dyno if nothing else.
If you have not driven a non-syncro tranny then you will need to learn, be prepared to put a little more money into the truck after the purchase.
Freightliners and Internationals class 5,6, & 7 are real common to find and can be had fairly cheap, they will have alot of miles on them, just look em over real good , do a vis check if possible and dyno if nothing else.
If you have not driven a non-syncro tranny then you will need to learn, be prepared to put a little more money into the truck after the purchase.
Builder
Super Member
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- Feb 22, 2006
- Messages
- 6,155
- Tractor
- Kubota, AGCO, New Holland LB
I have one of the "easy shift" ES 7 speed synchro trannies in my International. You can learn to shift it in about 1/2 hour. It shifts just like a ZF-6 in a Ford Superduty, maybe easier.
You might be tempted to buy a 210HP medium duty tractor and I'll gauran-stinkin-tee you you'll hate it after a couple months because it'll be slow with a trailer hooked to it.
Make sure if you buy a true medium to heavy tractor, you get a minimum of 275HP and 8L of displacement. Preferrably 10L and 300+ HP. You'll be so happy you did. Even sweeter would be one with a nice allison 6-speed automatic.....ooohhh baby they're sweet.
Just get your CDL and get it overwith. You'll be able to do so much more with a true tractor, lowboy and a CDL. You'll make money hauling for friends.
You might be tempted to buy a 210HP medium duty tractor and I'll gauran-stinkin-tee you you'll hate it after a couple months because it'll be slow with a trailer hooked to it.
Make sure if you buy a true medium to heavy tractor, you get a minimum of 275HP and 8L of displacement. Preferrably 10L and 300+ HP. You'll be so happy you did. Even sweeter would be one with a nice allison 6-speed automatic.....ooohhh baby they're sweet.
Just get your CDL and get it overwith. You'll be able to do so much more with a true tractor, lowboy and a CDL. You'll make money hauling for friends.
