First off I think that the newer 1-ton duallies are all very capable and what you use is usually based on personal preference and finances. I am glad you are enjoying your trucks and the RV lifestyle.
Jim,
I have been a long time member on many RV forums and have seen many of your posts that have helped people regarding the weights of RV's and their tow vehicles capabilities.
NC Hauler wrote:
I was arguing that you don't need a HDT now a days since from 13 and on up, 1 ton dually's can tow heavy also..up to their recommended towing weights.
One thing I have found over the years is that the RV lifestyle is not really based on what we need but more of what we want. (IMO) Many people would ask why don't you just stay in the nicest hotel you can for the money you have spent on your RV. They can't make any sense of it but I know this group here on the forum can no matter if it is $5000 pop-up tent trailer or multi-million dollar coach.
tinner12002 wrote:
I'm sure our 1 tons are cheaper to insure, plate, fuel, drive, park and repair if needed and I bet more fun to drive in addition to being plenty capable of towing nearly any 5th wheel RV out there!!
Usually with the insurance companies I deal with the cost of insurance is based on the value of what you are insuring. I pay $200 more a year to insure my 2015 Volvo vs my 2015 GMC 3500 Denali based on replacement value. If I had built a used HDT from a base cost of 50K then it probably would have been less to insure the HDT. Plates are the same for both trucks in my area. I get about the same mileage with both trucks pulling my heavy trailer.....just a lot less stops with the HDT since it holds 264 more gallons of fuel and can pick where I fill up not when I have to fill up. As more fun to drive....well between my two trucks the Volvo is way more fun because it is a more relaxed comfortable capable ride. I agree your Dodge 3500's are plenty capable of towing nearly any 5th wheel RV out there.
NC Hauler wrote:
I personally agree with you on this, but they'll be HDH's/HDT's that will HGHLY disagree because they are behind the times and don't know or understand the capabilities of the new/newer 1 ton Dually's from 2013 and up..
I don't know how they figure "cheaper" for the HDT when MOST of them have purchased ANOTHER car to drive around instead of the semi...cost of the car/insurance/fuel and maintenance.. and then same for the HDT...If I were going to tow a 25-30# 5er, (though, supposedly, my truck could do that.)..I wouldn't buy the 5er... MOST people don't want a semi cab towing 5er's that only have a GVWR of 15K-25K( some HDT's on escapees forum SWEAR YOU HAVE TI HAVE A HDT to tow a 16K GVW 5er:h..
It's so much nicer with a truck you can drive everywhere you want to go, take it to work, haul stuff in the bed, drive it to church or go sight seeing in it and use it in 4 wheel drive and be safe about it when needed.
Some need to wake up and "smell the coffee":B
But, some of us that are behind the times do understand perfectly the capabilities on the newer one ton Dually’s that’s why some of us have chosen to use a HDT instead. You have mentioned many times that you are a professional engineer so you should drop in at the HDT forum and talk with some of the many engineers over there. They are very knowledgeable in many different fields of engineering and seem to have a very good understanding and don’t appear to be behind the times. (IMO)
As to your presumptuous and derogatory comments above that border on being prejudice……I would have expected more from a professional. It seriously calls into question your credibility.
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Don't forget the safety factor! A lot of HDT people load a "NOT SO SMART" car on the back thinking they are saving money and the world.
Well, this is a reply to your "NOT SO SMART" comment. Many of us enoy the RV lifestyle in different ways and buy things that make it more enjoyable for us. I know my DW loves driving the SC and having a way to get around when I have decided to take a tour with friends on our motorbikes. She won’t drive the Volvo or the GMC 1-ton Dually and she didn’t want to be stuck at RV parks with no way to do her own thing. She keeps telling me that the SC is safer than my motorbike but I haven’t been hurt on a bike in my 45 years of riding. The money and saving the world had nothing to do with my decision to buy a SC…just a happy wife.
