Dually or HDT + toyhauler vs tag axle Class A and F150 toad

[me2]

I'm a long time RVer. I currently have a 36 foot 5th wheel pulled by a SRW F350.

I'm thinking of making a change. I'm trying to decide between buying a dually and upgrading the trailer to a large (probably tri axle) toyhauler OR getting a tag axle diesel pusher Class A and pulling an F150 as a toad.

The Class A might be a 45 foot Prevost or MCI bus conversion, I'm still considering options. They would have locking rear diffs. I'd probably run 365/70R22.5s instead of 315s for better floatation. The MCI air suspension has the ability to rise up 4-5" over stock. The stock ground clearance on a J4500 is 12 inches with approach, high center and departure angles of about 9.5 degrees. When raised, those angles would improve to 13ish degrees.

The big issues with this decision are winter driving in bad conditions and accessing remote campsites. By remote I mean logging roads, basically. But there are also times I'd like to camp close to the ocean. Any chance of getting either of these rigs on the beach at Pismo ?

I've seen a dually pull a 5er through a lot of stuff. But I've also seen stock Superduties with no trailers buried to the axles in easy sand. And I've seen a trailer bend up the box on a SD when there isn't enough clearance in pretty easy terrain.

A pickup is terrible for pulling a big 5er on icy roads. An HDT would be a lot better, but the rear axle will be light and that is a terrible combination on ice. Buses usually rip it on ice, especially if you chain them up.

I know that a bus conversion with non grip tires can get stuck on level wet grass. But I would run a grip tire and carry tire chains. The diff lock would help. The front axle in a bus conversion carries 12 to 16K pounds. I'd carry a long snatch rope. Of course I'd have the F150 if I needed it. I might also carry a winch.

Thoughts ?

[me2]

crazybanshee wrote:
Hey me2 let me dig out my scale ticket and I will post.
I carry a set of chains and two sand ramps.
Never air down. It would take forever and don"t know if tires would pop off rim. Been looking at a 15K winch for front bumper.

Thanks, Banshee.

I was thinking of a winch too, but didn't want to mention it because people would think I was crazy.

Have you thought about a "recovery rope" ? Those super springy ropes that use the tow vehicles kinetic energy to yank out the stuck vehicle ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZhpocu2wt8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJXpygqGVE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulkNNTNrLF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMqH3SBdRDw

[crazybanshee]

Hey me2 let me dig out my scale ticket and I will post.
I carry a set of chains and two sand ramps.
Never air down. It would take forever and don"t know if tires would pop off rim. Been looking at a 15K winch for front bumper.

[me2]

Prevosts have diff locks.

CrazyBanshee: how much do each of your axles weigh ?

How much do you have on your drive axle as a percentage of the total ?

What size are your front tires and how often are they sinking out of sight ?

What do you plan to do if you get stuck ?

Do you ever air down your tires ?

Thanks for the replies.

[crazybanshee]

We camp mainly national forests and sand dunes. I have never had a problem

[js218]

My super c had diff locks on the tandem drives.

[Bedlam]

I have a Class 5 4wd with a triple slide camper on the back. It offers the traction and clearance to boon dock plus has enough capacity to tow 12k lbs of additional toys.

[carringb]

me2 wrote:


A bus should be able to make it anywhere a logging truck can, traction wise ?

Not a chance! Logging trucks have a very short effective wheelbase, because the trailer is stinger-steered, so the trailer tires track almost where the drivers do. But also logging trucks run aggressive drive tires. And logging trucks have inter-axle and differential locks. I'm not aware of any modern coach conversion with even tandem drivers. I don't think I've seen one with a diff lock.

I have rescued plenty of coaches from treacherous scenarios like "the front lawn" or "one tire slightly off the driveway." And sometimes we were able to use a MDT wrecker, but other time the 80-ton rotator was needed. Runs about $600/hr from when it leaves the shop until it returns. You'll have about zero chance at self-rescuing using an F150.

[me2]

valhalla360 wrote:
Neither of your options sounds good for rough logging roads and beaches.

I agree with you. But which would work better for occasional use like that ?

An HDT would be stuck everywhere.

If the dually got stuck, you'd be done. And even in 4x4 mode the dually has less than half the GCW weight on the drivers.

The bus conversion has the most weight on the drivers, esp if you lift the tag. And if it got stuck I have the F150 with a snatch rope to try to get it out. Or get help.

A bus should be able to make it anywhere a logging truck can, traction wise ?

Could I get a bus into King of Hammers ?

[valhalla360]

Neither of your options sounds good for rough logging roads and beaches.