DCB4":1lokltwv said:
Starting to think about upgrading to a newer truck. I'm currently in an 06 2500 Duramax. I hauled some hay for my uncle in his 3500 this summer and really, really liked pulling with the dually. Has anybody made the switch from a 3/4 to a 1 ton and regretted it? Also I would definitely want to go with a flatbed but have found a good deal on truck that currently has a regular bed. Anybody had any luck selling a bed they pulled off and replaced with a flatbed? Any recommendations on bed brands would be appreciated as well
The ddually will be harder to get around in most all parking lots. THe parking spots in most places these days are not stripped for a dually. Going through drive throuhs are tough at times. If you have blowout, the fenders will be toast. If you are in rocky terrain, rocks can and will get lodged between the dual's, causing havoc on the balance. If in deep mud, the same as mud will pack on between the dual tires and jack the balance up. Dualls will tear up the ranch roads when they are soft. You must check your tire pressures often. As a low tire on the inside and the tire on the out side inflated to capacity..when loaded heavy, the outside tire has a higher potential to blow out as it is carrying the majority of the load. Many more negatives can be addressed. Tire replacement time is expensive, you do not want to run a worn tire and a new tire paired up on the rear, new tire will carry majority of weight...
Why the desire to change? Are you hauling heavy most of the time? Most of these newer 3/4 ton trucks, meaning 2k and up have substantial towing capabilities. Is this a need or a want thing? I own both and prefer the 3/4 ton over the 1 ton in most cases.
Another thing to consider is your states laws on CDl requirement. Example in Texas any combination over 26,001 lbs requires CDL. So take your new 1 ton dually, it will have a GVWR around 13,750 lbs. so hook that up to your flatbed trailer with 2-7k axles, GVWR 14,000 lbs. Now if you are running a standard Texas trailer license plate you must have a commercial inspection on the truck and trailer because your GCWR is over the 26,001 thresh hold. You also no need a CDL. Now if running farm plates on the trailer, you are fine as the threshold for a GCVWR jumps to 54k-ish...cant remember the exact number.
I run farm plates on all my trailers and on the dually. DPS was hot and heavy enforcing this a few years back. It seems they go in cycles enforcing this law.
It got so bad at work from State DOT and Houston DOT stopping our small work truck/trailer setups and issueing tickets for what I described. I started buying trailers for work that had 2-7k axle but I had the MFG put new vin tags on, the existing trailers-I had new VIN tags made to say the same:
2-7k axles.
GVWR 12,000 lbs
So when I put a 1 ton under the trailer I was under the 26,001 lbs
Just things to consider