Pulling Power

[grahampconrad]

I have a 2012 new off the lot Big Country. I did not have a truck at all, so i think i have a say. First off i did some research and found that the 38 ft. ran at 17000 lbs. So i bought a brand new 2011 trailer kit GMC SIERRA 3500 HD long box 4 wheel drive crew cab and put a 16000k hitch by Reese. No dully just 4 wheels. My wife and I fill it to the 9s. It rides just fine. 4 wheels are a whole lot cheaper than a dully and less repairs. You have to think parking space, can wife drive that big a truck i do not think so, mine would kick me around the block. You do not need a Dully.

[JIMNLIN]

delete ...jim

[blofgren]

Oh and in response to the "it's more expensive to buy tires for a dually". I don't really think this is true for 2 reasons:

1. The rear tires on a dually last much longer than a single rear wheel truck because there is half the load on them. A good quality set of rear tires will last almost twice as long as the front tires

2. Newer single rear wheel trucks take ridiculously large tire sizes such as 18" and 20" that are very expensive. Newer dually trucks typically take 17" tires which are much more reasonably priced.

Short of the obvious advantage of still having one rear tire on a side in the event of a blow out, a dually also has the advantage of being able to run much lower rear tire pressures than a single rear wheel truck resulting in a much better ride. I have also noticed that the rear tires tend to run much cooler on a dually.

Just my 2 cents worth after having both types of trucks!

[blofgren]

Fact is that most people have no idea how much better a dually handles a fifth wheel than a single rear wheel truck because they have never towed with one. I had a 1996 F-250 Supercab 4x4 when I bought my current trailer and the handling was "OK" but the braking was not very good. I then traded for a 2003 F-350 4x4 dually and the difference in handling and braking was day and night. Short of the weight it was possible to forget the fifth wheel was back there. My current truck is that much better yet with the increased torque and excellent upgraded chassis on the new Ram!

[Francesca_Knowl]

Allworth wrote:
Dully is as Dully does!

Dully noted...;)

[Cummins12V98]

ependydad wrote:
I'm mostly bothered by the insult to his wife's driving ability. Mine drives our dually with no issue. Is this uncommon?

Same here. Mine has even towed with the beast!

[Allworth]

Dully is as Dully does!

[Dtank]

grahampconrad wrote:


You do not need a Dully.

But......need it or not -

this forum got a *dully*.....a genuine "dully" thread!!..:S

.

[sayoung]

ependydad wrote:
I'm mostly bothered by the insult to his wife's driving ability. Mine drives our dually with no issue. Is this uncommon?

I had same thought.my wife drove our 1st dually as her daily driver.

[ependydad]

I'm mostly bothered by the insult to his wife's driving ability. Mine drives our dually with no issue. Is this uncommon?

[lee_worsdell]

are 1ton axelses and brakes not the same as 3/4 ton. sure look like it when we had it all apart on my truck. same rotors, rear end no difference other than a extra tire

[Slownsy]

My comment was in regards to to Winged ones picture, he has a single wheel trailer ataced at the back, (a joke)
Frank

[grahampconrad]

I had a post some time ago about, Pulling a 38 ft . This post had some mistakes of witch i am sorry for. And all of you told me that. Try it again Sorry. My rig is 15000lbs and i pull it with a 16k Rease . with that i think i should okay? Sorry again i will proof better next time.

[Bamaman11]

Many trucks will pull a load. But will they turn a corner and stop safely?

PIN weight is the biggest concern for single rear wheel trucks. I agree that you need to run your rig over a set of scales.

If you're packing heavy, chances are you may be overloaded somewhat.

Anyone towing one of Heartland's full size trailers should consider going a 1 ton dual rear wheel truck--if just for the Pin weight carrying capabilities.

[NC_Hauler]

grahampconrad wrote:
I have a 2012 new off the lot Big Country. I did not have a truck at all, so i think i have a say. First off i did some research and found that the 38 ft. ran at 17000 lbs. So i bought a brand new 2011 trailer kit GMC SIERRA 3500 HD long box 4 wheel drive crew cab and put a 16000k hitch by Reese. No dully just 4 wheels. My wife and I fill it to the 9s. It rides just fine. 4 wheels are a whole lot cheaper than a dully and less repairs. You have to think parking space, can wife drive that big a truck i do not think so, mine would kick me around the block. You do not need a Dully.

So OP hasn't been back since posting the above to answer any questions asked? Does the 5er actually have a GVW of 17,000#? IF so, why go with a 16,000# rated hitch? What does OP mean he "fill's it to the 9's"?

It does cost more to replace 6 tires instead of 4, but don't understand the, "less repairs" comment on a dually:h

Maybe the OP will fill us in on some more details to help us understand a little better what exactly his post was about.

Bottom line, if it works, it works...just don't understand the post, but I'm not real bright:)

[Swamp_Man]

I have said this several times, but here we go again. You better know you weights and what the truck is rated for. You can move any fifth wheel made with a Ford F-150/Chevy 1500/Dodge 1500 series but you can't tow it safely. Also, have an accident, you might be in a court of law with a lot of smart engineering types and have to PROVE you were not overweight. I am not an engineer but retired LE, and I see more and more of this "lets make a half ton pull what a 3/4 to 1 ton can". Then it goes up with one tons pulling what a class five or six vehicle should pull. You can move a parade float made up of an semi-trailer with a dolly under the front with the air brakes pinned off, with a Ford F-150. But you sure can't control it. I have pictures of what happens when you try it. Bottom line, know you numbers.