1 ton dually or Medium Duty for large 5er?

travelrider73 wrote:
We're looking at large 5ers and these things are HEAVY. I know a 1 ton dually diesel will get them moving down the road and that's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about getting the rig stopped if something bad happens and the trailer brakes don't work, especially on downhill grades.

I wish I could afford a Class 8 Volvo tractor conversion, but I just can't right now, so I'm starting to lean towards a used Medium Duty Truck such as a Chevy C4500 or C5500 series that's been set up for 5ers. (Class 8 used in good condition and ready to roll as a RV 5er hauler = $80k, Class 5/6 used = $35-45k from what I'm finding).

Is Medium Duty overkill or a good idea?

Also, any other suggestions on MDTs and which Diesel engine will last the longest in this category? I've been reading about different Diesel engines and some seem to be more problematic (Powerstroke) and some seem to be unstoppable workhorses (like the Isuzu/Duramax 7.8 or the International DT466).

Before I could give a sensible answer, just how heavy is the 5ver you are looking at? This past winter we were looking at a toy hauler version, very nicely equipped, but it EXCEEDED my 1 ton dually by about 3k pounds. In all reality, I'm certain the truck would have been up for it if I was just running around the flat grounds of Illinois, but we a about half timers and live in ours half the year while hauling from coast to coast - it just would not work.

We still have our TT and I still own my 1 ton dually because we can't make the MDT transition and I won't give up my travels or travel in a RV without the luxury we enjoy. Our existing TT actually offers us that where a lighter, but more basic 5ver would not.