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).

How heavy are you talking?If you are in question about the abilities of a 1-ton then I advise going with a MDT if for no other reason the peace of mind. Sounds like you have some doubts. I would move to minimize those doubts.

A MD truck should be a towing improvement in handling, braking, and weight carrying ability. It will likely have less HP than a pick-up because they de-tune the engines for longer reliability under heavier service.My preference for towing a large heavy FW would be a MTt without question. They are generally no more expensive than a comparable DRW pick-up.While the Chevy trucks your looking at would work well I would also consider any Dodge trucks on their 4500 or 5500 series chassis.

Where to start? Several years ago I made the mistake of weighing my F350 and loaded goose neck trailer... 30,000 lbs. Decided this was stupid:S and I needed a bigger truck. It need to be a crew cab so my kids could use it to haul ATVs on it and their 5er. While the Cummins 5.9-6.7L, Cat 7.2L, Duramax 7.8l, International 7.3L & 7.6L are all good engines they are all lacking in torque. Settled on finding a Cummins 8.3L in a Freightliner FL70 Crew Cab... 250 to 300 HP and close to 1000 ft/lbs torque. Talk about something hard to find... especially in a automatic. Flew to CA for a no rust 96 with a 9spd and put a longer hauler bed on it for around $19K. Upped the HP from 250 to 300 by changing the fuel plate...$50 and a hour time. I can highly recommend a FL70 for it's handling, visibility, and ease of driving. *and most important...stopping ability!

IF trailer is within the trucks GVWR (payload for pin weight) thn really no problemTruck brakes stop truck, trailer brakes stop trailer and a good exhaust brake/grade braking transmission helps considerably.IF trailer is not within trucks ability then need bigger truck.If you buy trailer first it's a lot easier to match with proper truck.If you buy truck first......get a big one

Commercial 19.5 tires, heavier axles, bigger brakes, thicker/larger frames are all good reasons to go with a medium duty truck. :)Be advised, however, that in some states, a commercial cab/chassis truck is much more expensive to register and insure than a pickup, regardless of how you use the truck, or what kind of bed/body is installed on it. I have 2 F350's, one a cab/chassis commercial flatbed truck and the other a pickup. Both are similar enough in year and value to make a meaningful comparison on operating costs. The commercial truck insurance is double the cost of the pickup and the registration was also double the cost in CA and 4 times the cost in AZ (pickup is way way way cheaper to register in AZ than in CA, while the commercial truck is just alot cheaper in AZ but not way way way, lol).Since I'm already paying the high cost of a commercial truck, but not really getting all that much greater payload or pulling ability with it than a similar year pickup, my next commerical truck will likely be a late 90's or early 2000's Ford L8000 with the 8.3 Cummins, 26k GVWR and hydraulic brakes (so I dont need a CDL to drive it). Maybe then I will finally not be overloaded! :B LOL

1 ton dually or Medium Duty for large 5er? | Good Sam Community

64 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 20, 2013
IF trailer is within the trucks GVWR (payload for pin weight) thn really no problem

Truck brakes stop truck, trailer brakes stop trailer and a good exhaust brake/grade braking transmission helps considerably.

IF trailer is not within trucks ability then need bigger truck.

If you buy trailer first it's a lot easier to match with proper truck.

If you buy truck first......get a big one
Ivylog
Explorer III
Nov 20, 2013
Where to start? Several years ago I made the mistake of weighing my F350 and loaded goose neck trailer... 30,000 lbs. Decided this was stupid:S and I needed a bigger truck. It need to be a crew cab so my kids could use it to haul ATVs on it and their 5er. While the Cummins 5.9-6.7L, Cat 7.2L, Duramax 7.8l, International 7.3L & 7.6L are all good engines they are all lacking in torque. Settled on finding a Cummins 8.3L in a Freightliner FL70 Crew Cab... 250 to 300 HP and close to 1000 ft/lbs torque. Talk about something hard to find... especially in a automatic. Flew to CA for a no rust 96 with a 9spd and put a longer hauler bed on it for around $19K. Upped the HP from 250 to 300 by changing the fuel plate...$50 and a hour time. I can highly recommend a FL70 for it's handling, visibility, and ease of driving.
*and most important...stopping ability!
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Nov 20, 2013
A MD truck should be a towing improvement in handling, braking, and weight carrying ability. It will likely have less HP than a pick-up because they de-tune the engines for longer reliability under heavier service.
My preference for towing a large heavy FW would be a MTt without question. They are generally no more expensive than a comparable DRW pick-up.
While the Chevy trucks your looking at would work well I would also consider any Dodge trucks on their 4500 or 5500 series chassis.
Engineer9860
Explorer
Nov 19, 2013
How heavy are you talking?

If you are in question about the abilities of a 1-ton then I advise going with a MDT if for no other reason the peace of mind. Sounds like you have some doubts. I would move to minimize those doubts.

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1 ton dually or Medium Duty for large 5er?

64 Replies

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