Looking at 40ft toy haulers, now how to choose a truck

ouroutdoorfamily wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
You need to trade off at least a couple of those kids. Put them all on notice.

Then you will be able to get a smaller truck & trailer & not have to worry about fitting into sites.

Get rid of perfectly good tax exemptions?!?!:B

Well the oldest is 11, the others are 4,3,0, lol.... They are not going anymore anytime soon

Good :B

NC Hauler wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
You need to trade off at least a couple of those kids. Put them all on notice.

Then you will be able to get a smaller truck & trailer & not have to worry about fitting into sites.

Get rid of perfectly good tax exemptions?!?!:B

Well the oldest is 11, the others are 4,3,0, lol.... They are not going anymore anytime soon

the bear II wrote:
How old were these 350/3500's you speak of?..The better one's towing heavier have only been out 3 years
>>>>> An HDT is rated for 2 to 3 times or more the payload of a 3500/350 A 20,000 lb trailer would be way under the max capacity of an HDT so the HDT would have an easy time towing or stopping the trailer Prices are $24,000 and up for a good HDT with under 500,000 miles.

What do they use to drive around in once the HDT is parked? One on another forum stated they purchased a Smart car...Well we need to figure THAT cost in, AND the extra insurance..So now, you are towing a car around that barely seats 2...What about my 2 boxers...I'd hate to have a wreck in a Smart car..
>>>> Surprisingly a single rear axle HDT is about the same size as a crewcab dually long bed truck only taller. Many drive them around town and for sight seeing.

Is it as easy getting into a HDT than it is getting into my 3500? ?My wife and I had a chore climbing up in several we looked at, and we'd have to pick up our 80# and 50# boxers to get them in the truck, unless I carried a ladder or a ramp with me...more money..
>>>> no it's not easier and that's the reason we went with a C4500 MDT chevy. There was no way my wife or my 90 year dad could get into an HDT. There are lifts (elevators) see http://www.burractuators.com/lifts/handy_lift.htm

Do you go thru drive thru? I do, almost all of them...I load up the bed with supplies...throw it in 4 wheel drive when needed, it rarely sits..It's my daily driver..Nowhere at my work place to park a HDT.
>>>> Size of a dually crewcab

Again, when was the last time you researched the newer 350/3500 dually's and their capabilies?
>>>> all the time...

The ride of my C4500 Kodiak dually crewcab even with air ride suspension on the rear, air ride cab and air seats rides rougher than an HDT.

Here's another website for HDT info
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/choosing_between_an_mdt_and_an_hdt.htm

I know far more than you give me credit for about the HDT's, came really close about 10 years ago to buying one, and looked at them again 3 yrs ago, Did A LOT of research.. and now only pay insurance on a vehicle and a TH..The HDT wouldn't be realistic as a city driver, grocery getter, daily driver to and from work, NOR do I need it tow my TH..The truck I own is more than capable of towing it and stopping it,,You obviously don't know that much about the 2013 plus class 3 350/3500 trucks and their capabilities. I doubt you research the 1 ton dually's, "all the time", but I'm not too bright..I've owned them since 05', and I don't even research them "all the time".

I rarely see a couple driving around in a HDT "just sightseeing"...not saying some don't...but it's a rare bird not often seen.

extra money for lifts, ect?? more cost..

size of a crew cab dually??...hmmm., I could have sworn they were MUCH TALLER:h, not real easy to take thru Micky Dee's drive thru

Funny how the HDT is so highly touted when going up mountains while towing, I can pass all of them, and when descending mountains while towing, I'm passed by them breaking the speed limit trying to slow down:h...I can hold speed quite easily..All this based on my own experience and personal observations over the last 40 years while towing Interstates and secondary roads in the mountains of WV, VA, TN, NC & SC.


The HDT has it's place and applications in towing 5er's, 10 yrs ago I wouldn't have towed a 16,950 GVW 5er with a 350/3500..I'd went MDT or HD?T..thus I stayed with lighter 5er's..Now today, a 17,000-20,000# 5er isn't that big of a deal with the 350/3500 Dually...

But, when "dyed in the wool" HDT get into these discussions, It's a no-win discussion, The HDT owner doesn't want to hear any of it..Mind set and no changing,

SO, you win, you're right, I don't know what I'm talking about, but will try to be safe..I bow to your superior knowledge.

How old were these 350/3500's you speak of?..The better one's towing heavier have only been out 3 years
>>>>> An HDT is rated for 2 to 3 times or more the payload of a 3500/350 A 20,000 lb trailer would be way under the max capacity of an HDT so the HDT would have an easy time towing or stopping the trailer Prices are $24,000 and up for a good HDT with under 500,000 miles.

What do they use to drive around in once the HDT is parked? One on another forum stated they purchased a Smart car...Well we need to figure THAT cost in, AND the extra insurance..So now, you are towing a car around that barely seats 2...What about my 2 boxers...I'd hate to have a wreck in a Smart car..
>>>> Surprisingly a single rear axle HDT is about the same size as a crewcab dually long bed truck only taller. Many drive them around town and for sight seeing.

Is it as easy getting into a HDT than it is getting into my 3500? ?My wife and I had a chore climbing up in several we looked at, and we'd have to pick up our 80# and 50# boxers to get them in the truck, unless I carried a ladder or a ramp with me...more money..
>>>> no it's not easier and that's the reason we went with a C4500 MDT chevy. There was no way my wife or my 90 year dad could get into an HDT. There are lifts (elevators) see http://www.burractuators.com/lifts/handy_lift.htm

Do you go thru drive thru? I do, almost all of them...I load up the bed with supplies...throw it in 4 wheel drive when needed, it rarely sits..It's my daily driver..Nowhere at my work place to park a HDT.
>>>> Size of a dually crewcab

Again, when was the last time you researched the newer 350/3500 dually's and their capabilies?
>>>> all the time...

The ride of my C4500 Kodiak dually crewcab even with air ride suspension on the rear, air ride cab and air seats rides rougher than an HDT.

Here's another website for HDT info
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/choosing_between_an_mdt_and_an_hdt.htm

Veebyes wrote:
You need to trade off at least a couple of those kids. Put them all on notice.

Then you will be able to get a smaller truck & trailer & not have to worry about fitting into sites.

Get rid of perfectly good tax exemptions?!?!:B

You need to trade off at least a couple of those kids. Put them all on notice.

Then you will be able to get a smaller truck & trailer & not have to worry about fitting into sites.

DutchmenSport wrote:
"You CAN get a 3500 Ram with bench seat up front..That would give you seating for 6..Don't know about Ford 350 or Chevy/GM 3500 Dualy...may also be able to get front bench seat in them also"

My 2014 Chevy Duly has the full front bench. The console in the middle flips up, becoming the back rest, thus making a full front bench. My wife can snuggle up to me, like we use to 30 years ago in my Chevy S-10.

I figured you probably could...same with Ford, just wasn't sure...Thanks for the info:)

"You CAN get a 3500 Ram with bench seat up front..That would give you seating for 6..Don't know about Ford 350 or Chevy/GM 3500 Dualy...may also be able to get front bench seat in them also"

My 2014 Chevy Duly has the full front bench. The console in the middle flips up, becoming the back rest, thus making a full front bench. My wife can snuggle up to me, like we use to 30 years ago in my Chevy S-10.

I think I want to have the OP's garage and toys :) That's quite and arsenal you list.

I can't be a lot of help on the truck but as a guy with a wife and 4 kids can tell you having a second vehicle is REALLY nice. There are countless times when different groups of the family want to go to different places. I'd be looking at a dually 350/3500 for the main hauler and plan on bringing the van or whatever else as a second vehicle. Ideally, the dually would have a front bench seat so you could pack in all 6 in a pinch, if needed.

ouroutdoorfamily wrote:

Me Again wrote:
RAM 3500, duallie, long bed, 4x4 (Tow Hauler, duh!), without bucket seats, 4:10 gears, Aisin optional transmission, rear air suspension. Trim and other options are your choice. We like our Laramie trim and included features. Chris

Well we were going this week to ok at Fords, we will plan on looking at the Dodges next week. I also just got off the phone with my wife and the option of me hauling the trailer with a 5 seater truck may be okay, that way her and the girls can ride in the 12 passenger van. I make custom M416 trailers, which we have one for our Van, this way we could have a chaser vehicle complete with trailer and full roof rack, to haul boats, bikes, etc and thus keep the weight down in the trailer. I also like the a of having a second vehicle, in case I have to travel for work when set up somewhere.

I own (2) Fj60 Landcruisers, loaded, lifted and locked. The plane would be to park one in each area, say one in ID and one inTX, then when we are in those areas, we simply need to just go and get the truck for the fun stuff, lol

You CAN get a 3500 Ram with bench seat up front..That would give you seating for 6..Don't know about Ford 350 or Chevy/GM 3500 Dualy...may also be able to get front bench seat in them also