Truck

avant 1735 · Apr 11, 2018

Looking to buy a used diesel 4x4 dually. I know there are pros and cons of the 3 major truck brands. I really like the older fords with the 7.3, but I have to say I have been impressed with Dodge trucks as well. So here is my question all factors be equal, condition, mileage, transmission, year model, etc. which truck would you recommend, standard or automatic. I have a 40 ft. dual tandem axel gooseneck flatbed, my biggest load will probably be my dozer, about 17,500 lbs. Probably won't pull it very often, maybe a couple times a year, also will be hauling an 856 with a 15 ft. batwing shredder a couple of times a year. I currently have a freightliner FL-60 single axel with an Allison 6 speed, but my pulling needs have changed and I no longer need something that big. Thanks in advance for your comments.

Andy Martin · Apr 11, 2018

Keeping what you've got is the best deal unless it will bring a lot more money than I think it would. You know what is wrong with it, and I've never seen a problem working a piece of equipment under capacity. Unless you buy from someone you know you don't know what the issues are.

DeltaRed · Apr 11, 2018

Keep what yoy have. Those diesel pickups have a lot of snort,but can be lacking in brakes. Plus,the DOTs these are cracking down on heavily loaded pickups.

grizz02 · Apr 11, 2018

stick with the FL-60 , if you must chev or ford stay away from dodge good motors the rest junk my son had a 07 super cab 90.000 mile replaced trans, had nothing but brake problems a real P.O.S.

JD Seller · Apr 11, 2018

Your truck will not sell for enough to buy anything better to pull the kinds of loads your talking about. A forty foot trailer and a 18K dozer is going to over load a pickup. I would keep the truck you have as it will last for years longer than a pickup trying to do the same thing.

SVcummins · Apr 11, 2018

I haul a lot of loads like you do with the freigliner with my one ton it handles it fine and has all the brakes I need the plus side I can drive it to town and get 16 mpg when I?m not hauling my other one ton single cab would get over 17 pretty nice going 650 miles on a tank of fuel . I license for 30, 000 pounds I have a cdl so that part doesn?t really bother me . I?d go with a standard trans if it was me

VADAVE · Apr 12, 2018

Listen to JD Seller's advice. That dozer will over load any pickup! And a 40 foot flatbed with all most any load is going to be too much. The Freightliner is enough just get a 1500 truck to run around in.

Mike M · Apr 12, 2018

I'm another one saying listen to JDSELLER and keep what you have. These high dollar pickups are a joke !

moresmoke · Apr 12, 2018

In the Ford's, the E4OD auto behind the 7.3 left a lot to be desired. The manuals had a dual mass flywheel that tends to fall apart. The newer Ford's switched to the 5R110, which is a solid auto, but then the engine issues started.

Can't comment on other brands as I don't have any experience with them.

BarnyardEngineering · Apr 12, 2018

Even registered for 30,000, you are going to be overweight towing a 17,500lb dozer. Trailer's gonna weigh 6500lbs so that puts you at 24,000 just for the dozer and trailer, plus another 8000 for the truck... You're at 32K.

The only thing you might be saving on by downsizing from the FL60 to a pickup is registration and insurance. However it will take a long time to recoup that cost through just those savings alone.

On the other hand the pickup is more useful the rest of the time, as I assume the FL60 probably just has a gooseneck plate and fenders on the back...

It's a tough call. All I know is to stay away from the 6.0 and 6.4 Ford diesels, and the best combination for the Chevy is the 2006-early 2007 Duramax and 6-speed Allision.

Other than that buy the truck that you like the best and is the best value for the money. Unfortunately when it comes to used diesel pickup trucks, there's rarely good value for the money. They tend to be overpriced, or junk, or overpriced junk.

Hobo,NC · Apr 12, 2018

When I ventured into the diesel market I wanted a Dodge I have a bud that has one its a nice truck I think its a 03/04... I have used it a few times all around I love it I had rater drive it than anything I have ever drove for work are pleasure.

I brought a Ford 7.3 powerstroke the famous best engine of the bunch with 123K on the clock. I did not take my own advice of if you are not willing to spend 10K on it pass it up... I have got it right it took a bunch of time and $$$$ it does PULL will get'er done.
I have no choice but to love it I am so deep into it :wink:

While I had the engine out of it I looked for a Dodge and was considering junking the Ford take my licking and move on with life... Everything about a 7.3 has a problem of some kind how did they get there reputation are is it just my luck!... I would buy another now that I am indoctrinated are a sucker don't know which. They are not that bad to work on I just did not want to work on....

dhermesc · Apr 12, 2018

If you are going to pull the dozer you still need the FL-60 unless you move up to a Ford F550 or the equivalent in Dodge/Chevy. A "1 ton" isn't near heavy enough to be legal or safe. My FIL had a similar semi tractor (old yellow freight truck) to use on his farm - it was cheap to buy and operate - it only left the farm with a load. Probably be a lot cheaper to keep it and buy a nice half ton for light loads.

DoubleR · Apr 12, 2018

I'd keep the Freightliner, put a Farm Plate on it if you are eligible, get a half ton gasser for the light stuff.

hd6gtom · Apr 12, 2018

Hobo - not just your luck. I owned a repair shop, we did everything for 1 construction company. They had 20+ fords with the 7.3. I hired 1 man from Colorado just to work on their 7.3's. He worked 6 days a week on just their 7.3's. One day they came to me and said they were trading all the 7.3 "joke strokes" - their name for them - off for new Duramax's. Their repair bills were reduced substantially. My 7.3 mechanic moved back to Colorado as I did no longer had enough work for him.

Ronnie Budd · Apr 12, 2018

I concur with those who advise keeping the Freightliner for your occasional heavy hauling and then using a pickup truck for everything else.

I'm in a similar situation as the one you describe. I only need to haul heavy stuff a few times per year. For those, I have a Chevy Kodiac (C70). It is overrated for the loads I haul, and understressed when I do. I keep farm tags on it, registered for 30,000 pounds, which costs me $44 per year. I keep full coverage insurance that covers the truck and trailer, which costs me $209 per year. It's a gas motor, but no more than I run it per year, the fuel cost pales in comparison to the price of a used 1 ton diesel truck. I use a regular 1/2 ton pickup truck for all my other hauling needs.

I've tried to justify buying a diesel 1 ton "to do everything with one truck", but it just doesn't pencil out.

Keep the Freightliner for the heavy stuff. Get a used pickup truck for light hauling/ everyday driving.

mmfan55 · Apr 12, 2018

With what you want to haul: I would not promote a "dually". May consider looking into a f450 or f550 type truck. That would give you a pickup size truck but heavier frame, springs, etc... at the least, a true 1 ton . My regular cab super duty dually and 32ft, 20k trailer is 15,00 empty. The load you're wanting to haul will push the limit imo.

VicS · Apr 12, 2018

Thats really no more weight than a new 580 Case backhoe. My neighbor pulls a 450J JD crawler with a srw 2500 Chevy gas. I have went to a tractor pull with my friends dually Dodge 3 tractors 4 of us many hundreds of miles 70 mph pure luxury. Believe a dually is big enough. Don't get a 6.0 6.4 Ford. Won't be happy long. If you get a Ford step up to a 6.7. I pull with a 6.2 gas. But its pretty flat.

dhermesc · Apr 12, 2018

They probably brought their Duramaxes to somebody else. We cured our diesel woes by getting rid the diesels, the small amount saved on fuel was nothing compared to the massive costs of keeping diesel pickups on the road.

ss55 · Apr 12, 2018

What do the general contractors in your area use to tow a dozer that size? Would towing a dozer behind a dually pickup with farm tags invite extra suspicion for both overloading and abuse of farm tags for commercial use? For only two moves a year you could probably hire someone to move the dozer for you or tow it on your trailer?

oliver power · Apr 12, 2018

I agree with others. Keep the big truck, or hire the dozer moved. A lot of weight for a pickup.

Destroked 450 · Apr 12, 2018

Personally I'd hang onto the FL60 and get a good 1/2 or 3/4 ton gasser for light duty stuff.

I had a 95 F-350, 7.3 auto but couldn't keep transmissions in it.
Presently have a 04 F-450, 5.9 Cummins 6 spd manual, love the truck but it took some time and money to make it like it is, if I'm not hauling anything a drive my small pickup.
Most of my loads gross 30,000 or less, I wouldn't want to haul 30,000 or more with a 1 ton to often, the truck would handle it but that's pushing a 1 tons braking capacity even with good trailer brakes.
I have a F-800 for the heavier stuff.

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