questions on costs

donn0128 wrote:
See, I much preferr driving my long bed dually to my wifes car any day of the week.

We currently own a 2006 Chevy 3/4 ton duramax. I would sell and buy or trade up to a short box dually diesel. Max gross on the candidate trailers is 15-16k.

We are looking at 37-39 foot 5vers and similar size v-10 and dps class as. The tow vehicle would be a Dually 3500.

You need to factor the toad maintenance into the calculation. You will be maintaining two vehicles not one. If you don't use a toad then everytime you want a bottle of milk or whatever you'll have to unhook, go get it, and hookup nd level again once you are back at the CG. And parking a pickup is a lot easier than parking a Class A

If they both are running the same engine, a V-10 say, I would not expect any real difference in cost.

You may want to be specific on what models you are considering.

I think you need to specify what size you are talking about. A 40 plus ft Diesel Class A with all the bells and whistles or a small Trek with a 454 V8. Just as a triple axle 5er cost more for axle service than a double axle and a Diesel engine cost more to service than a gas engine.

I believe a CLass A generally requires facility set up to handle large vehicles while the pick-up does not. However, for the DIY inclined I suspect you can change the oil, filters, etc on either in a convenient driveway if you are so inclined.

See, I much preferr driving my long bed dually to my wifes car any day of the week. But if you look at a pusher costs compared to a luxury fiver, hands down the fiver has a lower overall maintenance cost. Even throwing in a duallies maintenance costs it will be far lower.

I think the cost would be much higher with a class A especially when it comes to repairs and maint. items like tires.
BUT! It's one of those times when you get what you pay for.
Many (most?) Class A's are built far better than any trailers are. And the option to pull a nice car around that rides nicer, is more maneuverable and fun to drive and is also easier to park than a huge PU makes it a more attractive choice IMHO.
Whether one is willing to pay the cost of admission is the question.