What Are Your Thoughts In The $60k Range For Pulling Boat And Weekly For Construction Trailer. My Buddy Is Wanting 4x4 With Crew Cab And Obviously Diesel. What Has Been Everyone's Experience So Far. His Boat Is 19k With Trailer And Construction Trailer Is Around 20k Also. Thanks For Your Input. Hammer

i justbought atopkick and used it to haul my 20k lbs 44' gooseneck race trailer loaded with f2000 cars out to mid ohio from NY. I really like it. Its heavier than the dually by about 4000lbs with similar power so in terms of goign up the huge hill on 80 in PA its abtou the same, the biggest difference is ho wit handles, it turns and stops and drives way better than the dually that was near its limit. With this thing I coudl pull a heavier trailer with no prob.

Thanks For The Input. His Biggest Concern Was To Buy A New Dually And Still Be Overweight For Insurance Purposes As Well As Safety. He Has Always Been More Of A Ford Guy But Is Being Told To Go To The Duramax With The Allison Rather Than The Cummins In The Ford. Any Other Experience With This Out There From Anyone.

The "real trrucks" tend to be more durable and serviceable.

If you look at commercial fleet operators, they mostly buy Internationals and Freightliners. They've weighed all the advantages and have run the number on operation cost. That's why those 2 own 80% of the medium market. Pete and KW are every bit as durable and more luxurios- just a bit pricey.

First off, you get a much more comfortable cab. Big trucks ride like big trucks so the head and elbow room is nice when you get to bouncing about. I'm 6'2" and I can't ride in a GM or Ford medium- my head hits the roof. The visibility is also better- you're up higher so maneuvering is alot easier when you look down on the hood instead of across it- you can see your corners better.

My favorite feature is 24 hour service along every major highway in America. The GM truck dealer closes at 6 and all weekend. My Freightliner dealer has parts and service 24/7. Being of recreational purpose, I usually am not pulling my boat during the weekday. It's evening or weekend.

In addition, I'm a Cat fan. They're louder and more expensive but the worldwide parts/service network is worth it. Parts are expensive but just about every dealer has everything in stock. I don't get much pleasure time and when I do, I like to be able to use it instead of dealing with hassles..They're also way more durable than the light-duty motors. Internationals are exceptional as well but a bit down on power. Mercedes has a strong motor that they're putting into the FL's but you don't have that big coverage area on parts & service. Parts are expensive but just about every dealer has everything in stock. I don't get much pleasure time and when I do, I like to be able to use it instead of dealing with hassles..

My buddy has some F-650's with Allison trans available.

http://www.griffithtruck.com/

I just bought a 4500 4x4...cause I did not want to be as big as the others....I wanted to use it like a dually....but the duallies are to light.....chris sunkin has basically said it all.....and my 4500 is getting air ride right now...cause it would kill ya.....be very careful of this....you should get air ride.....and also check out the top speed.....mine will only go 75 due to gears...if I had realized this...I would have never bought it...but your correct in getting away from the normal dually....just much to light for that application...

you will find most your chevrolet medium duty are limited to 75 or 80 it will not matter how its geared. When they run a cat it comes with a special computer just for that application. The only way around the limit is to change gears or tire size and not have the computer reprogramed. speedo will be off but you can roll better. I been running a C6500 for work since 2002 am changing up to freightliner M2. Much nicer truck. You get a much wider opyion choice when you leave ford and chevy.

Most states require a CDL (commercial drivers license) when operating a 26,000 GVW combination.
The insurance is typically more when going over 26,000 GVV and subject to prior violations,becomes exorbitant.
The more power,the better,within reason.However, the engine with 330 HP and the heavy duty Allison is a good combination.A factory spec 330 HP should automatically require the HD transmission,but verify it.
The brakes should be maintained to best condition....nothing worse than mashing the brakes when not towing( BOBTAIL) and have the truck swap ends.The same thing can happen with good brakes on a wet street or highway.....Some conversion companies have added 2,000# or more ballast, over the rear axle to provide the rear axle more traction,for the BOBTAIL stop.However,one will appreciate ballast, even when towing.
Rear axle Air ride suspension is mandatory.Springs will work,but you won't like it.

It's the torque number that counts, I'd go for at least 900 ft lbs, preferably more, 8 litre and up in line diesel. Don't buy more truck but a "dually" light engine. They just throw low gearing at it to make it work, it'll be a screamer, shorter life, a dog and will drive you nuts.

Air ride is your friend, air seats too.

I tow a 10 k lb race trailer 25k miles a yr with a 17 k 12' toterhome. Toterhomes are "Rv's" and cheap to insure and you get around the 26k thing, at least if that's the law in your home state, which most are that way. I've got a 7.2 cat which is teaked to 920 ft lbs and I'll call it adequate for our 27-28k going down the road. Will run in the low-mid 80's but fuel burn is betteraround 68 or so so if we have time....
Mine's an FL70, fuller 6 speed OD, 3.90 gear with 80 series 22.5 rubber, 2k rpm is 76 mph

Toter might not work for the double duty thing though- before you buy anything- hook it up and run it 100 miles, getting up to speed a little on the slow side is ok as long as you can keep the speed rollin.

Consider an exhaust brake or Engine brake if you have big hills.

Good luck

thanks for the input. any experience with cummins/powerstroke/duramax in these good or bad. thanks hammer