20,000 Teton 5er - Truck Needed (legally)

Cummins12V98 wrote:
The 13 or 14 RAM Dually will easily and legally handle that RV.

Our combo is 28K+ and the RV is 18K+. The truck handles the RV with ease in all conditions.

I agree. I weigh about the same, 28k+, and, with the 2014 RAM Dually, it handles it great. MUCH better than a few years older model would. Exhaust brake, etc. I am amazed at how well it works.

And, I am a commercial trucker, Peterbilt lover! I had been thinking about converting one of my Petes with CAT C-15 and 18 speed, but not anymore. The new model DRW's are impressive.

I would never call it that ,its just they are rare with the power you got .The low power intercity delivery types are more common,I remember your search ,you did good.
Getting them with class 8 power is usually a 'you order it' new and big bucks for us retirees ,result compromise -2 doors, tall climb in,awkward transmissions,no financing HDT.
but I love it.
The OP never came back ,I would like to ask ? Why a truck that will barely do the job?
only travelling a short distance couple times a year?
Size intimating ?
Thinks minium truck will cost the least ?

hone eagle wrote:
..true reason the MDT's might be on the market , its really hard to find them with any more power then a pick-up ...... should consider one when the pick-up is worn out.

I drove an HDT with a stick tranny, and decided right then that a stick was not in my future. The only fully automatic I was aware of was a Volvo. An RV hauler builder I knew in Calgary didn't get one of those all too often, and they got snapped up pretty fast.

Time being a factor, I soon found my FL online, in Colorado. I knew full well the engine was not going to swallow hills, but, since that's about 0.1% of my driving, I could forego that. She's a beauty with air everything, heavy as hell, and pretty as a picture. You should see the looks I get! The mpg is almost identical to my 7.3L PSD.

Thanks 2oldman
Cummins12v98 I don't think you understand the true reason the MDT's might be on the market , its really hard to find them with any more power then a pick-up ,( usually less )combined with a heavy chassis the owners are not satisfied .This was the light that went off and resulted in the HDT trend, more power, less cost.
Other draw backs for sure ,but a full timer like yourself should consider one when the pick-up is worn out.
They all have the same 'footprint' MTD and HDT and long bed dually pick-ups all about the same size.

hone eagle wrote:
Yours truly at 10;45HI guys :B

Sweet ride.

I am sure the MDT's are even better and the HDT's are even better. But the fact is with the newer big 3 you can safely tow some big RV's.

There are many with MDT's that are switching to 350/3500's (mostly RAM's), I have talked to several. The problem they have is there is not much of a market for the MDT's. So if you are interested in one then you could find a good used one for cheap these days.

20K empty or loaded? Any of the big 3 diesel duallys will easily handle a 20K fiver, at least on paper. If 20K is empty weight, then you are looking at 23-24K loaded. Some configurations of Ram and Ford will tow that much and still be under max specs but that's getting up there in weight. Maximum GCWR of GM is 30,500, so that truck is out for pulling 24K, at least if you are concerned about not exceeding factory towing specs.

ib516 wrote:
Full time or weekender?
If you're going to be touring the Country, I'd suggest a converted class 8 tractor or MDT.
For weekend warrior use, Ram 3500 Cummins/Aisin/4.10 is rated to pull just under 30,000# and can still be used by the family. With a class 8 or MDT, it's RV hauling or parked.

Its ponderous but we use ours for trips to the store and sightseeing.
I've gone to the hardware and beer store (get some looks there ),some of the escapees have only the truck as their daily driver,after all for a driver earning a living its driven daily.

You may want to pop on over to the Escapees HDT forum.

Some real knowledgable folks over there.

Full time or weekender?
If you're going to be touring the Country, I'd suggest a converted class 8 tractor or MDT.
For weekend warrior use, Ram 3500 Cummins/Aisin/4.10 is rated to pull just under 30,000# and can still be used by the family. With a class 8 or MDT, it's RV hauling or parked.