NC Hauler wrote:
Mr. Cob wrote:
BurbMan wrote:
What's that Trailer weigh loaded? I notice the pic of the Dodge is out in a field, any issues off road with no 4x4 on the HDT?
Howdy BurbMan,
My toy hauler loaded is around 18,000 pounds. I haven't and don't plan to use the HDT to camp in some of the places I did with the Dodge, the HDT weights 16,600 pounds, much of that on the front axle so its NOT the type of truck you want to go booni-boppin with.
That's not that heavy of a 5er, what prompted you to go the route you did? I do understand the better mpg, and I bet it rides smoother with air ride, but any other reasons?
thx.
Howdy NC Hauler,
When I bought my Dodge in 2003 it had the highest tow rating of the big three, and I wanted the Cummins engine. However this was my first experience with a diesel engine coupled to an automatic transmission. Where I live and where I travel I am either climbing or descending mountains, the diesel had next to NOTHING for engine braking power and coupled to the stock auto transmission the truck was down right dangerous when going down a steep grade. MANY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and a Pac-Brake later the truck did an acceptable job but I soon tired of lack of power, more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and I had the power but now I had to drive with one eye on the road and the other glued to the Pyrometer to make sure I wasn't building EGT's that would melt pistons.
What really convinced me was going for a ride in my friends Volvo towing his huge trailer, after that I simply HAD to make this up grade. I have close to 65 thousand dollars in my Dodge with the purchase price and all that I have done to it, I paid $25,000.00 for the HDT you simply can't beat the math. Now I am hoping to sell the Dodge for a bit more then what I paid for the Freightliner.
Driving the HDT while towing is so much less stressful then with the one ton, so much more comfortable and a LOT quieter. Add to that its CHEAPER to insure then the Dodge, and even if the trailer brakes were to fail completely the HDT would SAFELY be able to stop in a controlled manner without endangering myself or others. I drove big rig for a while when I was younger and enjoy driving big trucks, this brings back some fond old memories and puts a bit of fun back into what was a sometimes stressful task needed to get to where I enjoyed my toys.
