Posted 2014-05-03 11:30 PM (#158918) Subject: upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
Regular
Posts: 82 Location: The Land of Ahs
Dodge truck folks
I have a new to me trailer that is prompting an upgrade to a ton dually truck from my 2007 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel, but I'm not sure which way to go, stay with the 5.9 L diesel I know or go newer with the 6.7 L.
the trailer is 11,100 lbs empty and will be at most 14,500 loaded. The truck will only be used to pull the trailer, not for general driving.
I would appreciate advice from those of you knowledgeable about Dodge trucks. I know I want the long bed dually but not which engine and rear axle ratio will be most durable and reliable. Also, how many miles are too many to consider on an older truck? This truck needs to last me at least 10 years!!
Posted 2014-05-04 8:57 AM (#158920 - in reply to #158918) Subject: RE: upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
depends on what part of the country you live in and how many miles will you pull a trailer per year. I have 2 dodges both are diesels one has 373 gears and the other has 4:10, the 4:10 truck gets a little better mileage than the other but both will get better than 12mpg most days and I pull a trailer grossing 20,000 most of the time. I just came back from our place in Co. to another we have in Ok I was shocked when i was getting close to 15 mpg all the way home, but the cummins engines get better mileage with more miles on them than when they are new. One of my trucks is a 2010 and the other a 2013 and both are duallys.
Posted 2014-05-05 8:50 AM (#158921 - in reply to #158918) Subject: RE: upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
If it is also a daily driver, look at the 3.73 gears. If mostly towing, go with the 4.10. The 3.73 in 6th manual get 2,000RPM right @ 70 MpH, so not enough power for much of a hill. Especially at the weight you mentioned.
Posted 2014-05-11 10:03 AM (#158993 - in reply to #158918) Subject: upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
Veteran
Posts: 185 Location: riverside ca
Unless you just want a new truck you may be better served by switching tires to 19.5 sized rims. Most manufactures use the same axles and brakes on 3/4 ton as 1 ton trucks, obviously the power train is the same as well. So really all you get for a 1 ton truck is Dual rear wheels, and the 19.5 wheels and tires will perform better than 4 16-17.5 tires any day. Keep in mind that your GVWR on your door jam will not change, but imho the actual differences between a 1 ton and 3/4 ton truck are so minuscule there is no sense "moving up", unless you just want a new truck, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Posted 2014-05-13 9:34 AM (#159006 - in reply to #158918) Subject: RE: upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
Veteran
Posts: 185 Location: riverside ca
The only reason you Pin weight is increased in the dual rear wheel version is that 4 tires can carry more weight than 2, however if you use higher rated tires you can get pretty darn close. The rear axle, brakes, and frame are all the same on both trucks
Posted 2014-05-13 12:33 PM (#159010 - in reply to #159006) Subject: RE: upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by HOUSE on 2014-05-13 9:34 AM
The only reason you Pin weight is increased in the dual rear wheel version is that 4 tires can carry more weight than 2, however if you use higher rated tires you can get pretty darn close. The rear axle, brakes, and frame are all the same on both trucks.
3500 dually trucks have a thicker stronger axle tubes.That 2500 will need some more spring ability also.
Posted 2014-05-22 1:30 PM (#159177 - in reply to #158918) Subject: RE: upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Hmm to properly answer the OP question, the regular 3500 one ton dually should be fine. My rig on a cat scale and almost fully loaded was 21,600 GCVWR. So my trailer is between 13 and 15,000 depending on how many horses I load, etc. I have pulled this same trailer with a 2005 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel. 5.9 HO and 373 axle which is standard with the Dodge High Output 5.9 Cummins. After a bad wreck (not truck related) we had the opportunity to upgrade to a Dodge 3500 dually. Its an 07 model, again 5.9 HO Cummins with the standard 373 rear end. First truck had a 6 speed manual and current an automatic. Both trucks pulled this trailer equally well but the 1 ton is so much more stable. My trailer is pin heavy due to the nice LQ and we had the 3/4 ton bagged. We have put a Super Spring under the dually. Really improves our loaded ride (and this truck is seldom driven empty). Dodge mechanics told us the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton have the same transmission, but the 1 ton has a much heavier transmission. Also the brakes are larger in the 1 ton. While you can get a single rear wheel 1 ton, the dual wheels greatly improve stability of the load and help with the pin weight. I have been pulling trailers 38 years and logged lots of miles. I am of the opinion (no matter how unpopular it may be) that it doesnt really matter how often you haul, or how far, or only 1 or 2 horses, hauling is hauling and it is far far safer to be over-trucked. My accident happened less than 2 miles from my home. Pulling this trailer for the last 5 years, in many areas of the U.S., that weighs the same as yours, I would take the 4 WD 1 ton dually as my choice every time. It might be hard to find a lower mileage 5.9 Cummins, but there are still some out there. We actually have two, the other being a 3/4 ton, at 119 K and 168K respectively. I wouldnt be scared of the newer engines though, with exception of the 2009 and 2010 which I think had a good bit of issues.
upgrade 3/4 ton truck to which ton dually??
