Trailer assumptions

[BadDog]

When I bought mine new (a 2002 model) they were hard to find locally. I ended up having my wife drive me to Boston to get one with exactly the options I wanted. NO REGRETS!

The 2500HD is easily the BEST vehicle I have ever owned and has paid for itself many times over already. No problems, no issues whatsoever, and I work it hard.

It also averages around least 18mpg, better on the highway, but most of my use is on back roads.

It still looks new, except for the fact that my wife cleaned the snow off of it one winter before I had our garages built, and she used a plastic shovel, not realizing it had a steel cutting edge. Nice, deep scratches all over the hood and roof.

Made me a little mad/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, but then it's just a truck and there are a lot more important things in life!

 

[NHWOODSMAN]

If you are definatley looking at chevy 2500hd I have had both the gas and diesel versions. NO COMPARISON!! Diesel all the way. Allison is a great tranny and handles the heavyest loads efficiantly. Also I get about 20mpg on the highway and 12 to 16 towing, The gas job only got about 14 highway. Diesel will cost more but can always get that back at trade in time. Thats my pitch for chevy but I am sure dodge and ford 3/4 tons and 1 tons you can't go wrong either. Also my trailer is a 5T heavy dudy crosscountry 18' tandem. I really like it but wish I either got more lenght 22' to 24' because with the TC40 bucket and brush hog I am puting bucket on tongue and brush hog sticks out the back. My next trailer will be a 5th wheel which I hear handles heavy loads much better. Good Luck.

 

[tjkadar]

We have both a F250 Superduty turbo-diesel and a Chevy 2500HD turbo-diesel on our farm. I prefer the transmission in the Chevy hands down. However, I like the Ford's interior better. It suits my body size better then the Chevy. Both are good trucks, but I would give the Chevy the edge in a straight up comparison. Yet, I still prefer to drive the Ford.

I like the idea that was mentioned earlier - Cummin's motor, Allison transmission, Ford platform. That would be a fantastic truck!

For hauling I wouldn't go smaller then a 3/4 ton and would seriously look at a 1 ton depending on your hauling needs. On our farm, we stepped down from a 1 ton dually to a 3/4 ton because it was a better match for our work. YMMV

 

[Bob_Young]

I know you didn't ask about trailer types, Tower, but I thought I'd point out the following because I wish someone had mentioned it to me:

I've got a 20'/10,000 lb. Big Tex pipe trailer and it's a very good trailer. However, the pipe trailer configuration isn't ideal for hauling equipment. It's kind of confining and has to be loaded carefully. Mine has the flip-up ramp gate in the rear and that's definitely a mixed blessing. A flat bed trailer with removeable ramps or a tilt trailer would be more flexible. A 6 inch to a foot overhang now and again wouldn't be a big deal. But the strict 20' x 83" limitations of the pipe trailer have forced me to do things I wouldn't have to otherwise.

On the other hand, for hauling hay, firewood or scrap metal, the pipe trailer is really nice.

Just something to keep in mind.
Bob

 

[wushaw]

A 20' Gooseneck would be great for better manuverability.
3/4 ton or better for the hauler, I like diesel but gas will work also.

 

[George2615]

I own a Chev 3/4 ton Diesel, Duramax / Allison. Max. tow cap. is 12,000 bumper pull or 15,500 fifth wheel. I tow my Mahindra 2615 w/ bucket and snowblower on a 20' tilt bed trailer. IMHO brakes on both trailer axles is a must. Often forget it's behind me. My mileage only drops 2.5 mpg towing compared to my previous gas pickup which dropped 6 mpg towing. I have found that my diesel gets better mileage than my prev. gas truck did also. Back when I bought it, based on an average 20K per year I would have saved 800 /yr. over a gas engine truck, probably much more at todays prices. There is no difference between towing cap. of 3/4 to 1 ton for the Chevy. Just beefier suspension. Best of luck in your decision.
George

 

[boomer4snow]

one other thing, if they are building the trailer for you, extra Drings and a rub rail. It allows you so much more options for securing equipment and toy......tools that is. I bought mine with 8 extra D rings, full rub rail, and side steps which makes it real easy to get on and off when it is slick and snowy. BTW its 22' and rated for 14k made by load trail and weighs 3250#'s and I pull it with a 3/4 Dodge cummins with no problems at all.

 

[RedRocker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Tower; Good luck with your choice. That Allison is most likely the best auto out there. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I swear I'm gonna start my own truck company. I'll get the Cummins engines, the Allison trans, and the F350 dually. Any takers? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )</font>

You get my vote, great combination.

 

[Tower3]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided on the 2500HD Diesel. I like the Duramax diesel because it's quiet. I need to be able to hear myself when I'm ordering at the Wendy's drive-thru. Hopefully I can find one.

As far as trailers go, the arguments for a tilt bed are pretty convincing. I mentioned the Big Tex trailer because they publish trailer weights on their web site. What other manufacturers are worth considering?

While I'm here, does anyone have any specific hitch recommendations?

 

[AntrimMan]

Listen, I'm sorry, I was incorrect saying that there was a BigTex trailer in that post I mentioned. It was H&H tilt and a very nice one at that.
I'm jealous, that is a nice truck you have chosen.

All the best,
Penetent Martin