Help choosing a 1 ton dually

[bdog]

My truck was wrecked last week and instead of fixing it I think I am just going to trade it in get a new one. I have a backhoe that weighs 17,000lb and want to put it on a tandem dual gooseneck trailer that weighs 6600 lb and haul it around. This puts the gross trailer weight (backhoe and load) and 23,600.

The dodge 1 tons are rated to tow 29,360 with a payload capacity of 6,030lb. It seems I would have no problem hauling it with a dodge.

The Chevrolet is rated to tow 23,200 which is just slightly under my weight but the payload capacity is 7,180b which is more than the dodge. I think it could handle it no problem but being slightly over the towing spec concerns me. The added payload capacity seems like a plus as I will be adding a flatbed to it which will add some weight.

I didn't even look at the ford specs. My current truck I wrecked is a ford and I like it but just want something different as 3 out my last 4 trucks have been fords. Also price wise currently the fords are several thousand more than comparably equipped chevys or dodges.

If it matters it is flat as a pancake here and I would only be towing the backhoe 20 miles or less to local jobs and not every day. I can also haul it behind my dump truck if need be I just want the ability to haul it with my pickup.

I really would prefer the Chevy as I really like the interior but I am worried if it will be enough truck. I know I will not be over the registered weights or axle weights, just a few hundred pounds over the manufacturers GCVWR. I have been stopped by the DOT numerous times and they have never checked this. They just have made sure I wasn't over any axle ratings, tire ratings, or registered weights.

 

[tcartwri]

F450/550.

Not that much difference in price over a 350. Huge difference in performance.

 

[bdog]

F450/550.

Not that much difference in price over a 350. Huge difference in performance.

Thought about that but from what I can tell only ford offers the 450+ trucks with the fancy trim levels. I want the king ranch, high country, longhorn level of truck. I don't think dodge or Chevy offer that in anything bigger than a 350. Nothing against ford I have two 2015 f-250's now just want something different.

Also I am pretty sure the f-450's & 550's are de tuned and have less HP /torque than the 350s.

 

[tcartwri]

Think your pin weight is going to put you into a chassis cab whichever brand you go with.

 

[Diamondpilot]

With that load I would be shopping for a 450. That leaves GM out but both Ford and Ram have nice offerings. Fords have been doing the 450's a long time and have a well oiled machine. Ram is sort of the new comer but have a good reputation around here with construction companies including mine, we have 3 2014's. Just make sure you get the Asian tranny in a Ram.

Chris

 

[bdog]

Think your pin weight is going to put you into a chassis cab whichever brand you go with.

With the trailer at 23,600 20% on the tongue would be 4,720 on the pin. Both trucks can handle that. The Chevy says you can put 7k in the bed.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

The rams will tow that while meeting the new sae spec for a one ton truck. Personally, I'd try and figure out how much truck I could live with. Towing right at the maximum was never comfortable for me but I have some pretty steep and twisty hills in PA. as always, stopping the load is far more important than how fast you can get it to 70.

The max tow package on the rams is a very specific package. I think in the 1 tons it's somewhere around a 4.10 gear, the c&c trucks get a 4.88 or they used to. The c&c trucks may be detuned but they are a heavier built truck.

 

[700R]

I am voting with the group for a 450/550 truck. Why buy a 1-ton and stress it to the limit, wearing out parts much quicker...when you can get a bigger truck that can handle the load with larger frames/axles/brakes/suspension, and be fine for years?

 

[JESSE1]

Thought about that but from what I can tell only ford offers the 450+ trucks with the fancy trim levels. I want the king ranch, high country, longhorn level of truck. I don't think dodge or Chevy offer that in anything bigger than a 350. Nothing against ford I have two 2015 f-250's now just want something different.

Also I am pretty sure the f-450's & 550's are de tuned and have less HP /torque than the 350s.

Nope, if you get an F-450 pickup you get the full 440 hp/ 865 tq engine. The F-450 pickup also has a 40,700# GCWR. Dana 130S rear axle and very heavy suspension components. The truck is no taller than an F-350.

 

[bdog]

I am voting with the group for a 450/550 truck. Why buy a 1-ton and stress it to the limit, wearing out parts much quicker...when you can get a bigger truck that can handle the load with larger frames/axles/brakes/suspension, and be fine for years?

I get a new truck every two years. I am somewhat concerned about the 450 not being as popular and hurting me at trade time.

I drive about 30k miles a year. Probably 20k of those are towing but are much lighter loads maybe around 15k load which includes truck an trailer.

In all reality the backhoe might be towed 500 miles a year.

 

[bdog]

Nope, if you get an F-450 pickup you get the full 440 hp/ 865 tq engine. The F-450 pickup also has a 40,700# GCWR. Dana 130S rear axle and very heavy suspension components. The truck is no taller than an F-350.

I must have been thinking about the f450 cab / chassis. It is the one that is derated.

That is a beautiful truck and looks very capable. For what it is worth the ram 3500 has a 39k GCVWR.

 

[JESSE1]

Is the Ram a crew-cab or regular cab? Most of the time the manufacturers list the maximum payloads/towing capacities with a regular cab truck so the weight of the truck is less and can haul more cargo weight. The F-450 pickup only comes as a crew-cab and with 4wd.

 

[Garycw]

Thought about that but from what I can tell only ford offers the 450+ trucks with the fancy trim levels. I want the king ranch, high country, longhorn level of truck. I don't think dodge or Chevy offer that in anything bigger than a 350. Nothing against ford I have two 2015 f-250's now just want something different. Also I am pretty sure the f-450's & 550's are de tuned and have less HP /torque than the 350s.

I've always been a ford truck man other than one Silverado back in the 80's. Recently got a comparable Z71 and have found I really like the interior and controls better. After around 6 ford trucks, my next will most likely be another GM.
I only tow around 7000 though occasionally.

 

[msb1766]

The Dodge Ram website states: 31,210 Lbs Max towing, 7390 Lbs Max Payload.
That is for the 2016 Models with the Diesel engine.

 

[JESSE1]

I looked at the Ram website and that's for a regular cab 3500 dually. Not bad but most people are going for the crew cabs.

 

[bdog]

The 2015 ram 4x4 crew cab 3500 long bed dually has a max tow rating of 29,010 with 4.10 gears and aisan transmission. GCVWR is 37,800

By comparison the 2015 Silverado crew cab dually 4x4 has a max tow rating of 23,200.

A similar Ford F-350 has a tow capacity of 24,000.

 

[JESSE1]

Looking at the Ford towing guide, https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/16RV&TT_Ford_SuperDtyPU_Sep28.pdf , if you get the 4.30 axle rating the F-350 has a tow rating of 26,500#. The F-450 is rated for 31,200. No matter what brand you look at, they all have much higher ratings than you could get just a few years ago.

 

[NorEaster]

You should be looking at drivetrain reliability more than how much you can tow... Can't tow squat when the truck won't start. I assume you will be staying emissions compliant..

 

[Lt CHEG]

The good news is that Ford, Chevy and Ram all make great trucks and any of them will serve you well. The bad news is that Ford, Chevy and Ram all make great trucks and any of them will serve you well. Seriously, in the last 5 years I've owned new diesel trucks from Ford, Chevy and now Ram and they're all great. I switch trucks often enough that I go with the best deal. However this time Ram made me the best deal and I truly like this truck the best out of all of them that I've owned. I personally believe that Ram has a very slight edge and actually makes the best truck overall, but they all have their pluses and minuses. Based on my experiences I'd give a slight edge to the Ram, but I think you'd do well with any truck.