Ultimate tow rig?

[B Gillespie]

Parameters:
-Comfortable seating for 4 minimum.
-Something that can be used on a job site, so no RV's or toters. Turning radius of the big stuff sucks.
-19.5" or 22.5" wheels, nothing stupid huge though (ride sucks). 33-35" tires
-Power and capacity to tow a gooseneck 45' race trailer with 3 rigs inside
-Decent ground clearance
-4x4
-Preferably no CDL
-At least decent MPG. Im not expecting Prius here, but 4-6 MPG is terrible.
-Short beds do not have enough room for boxes, fuel tanks, etc. that I (read employees) need to carry on the job site.
-I know anything custom wont be cheap, but I do not want to sink unreasonable money into this, like $100k.

Any plans for a Dodge 5500 Mega Cab? Anyone own a 4500 or 5500 Chevy? I know some people with F450 pickups and they seem to hate them. I dont mind a project, but I dont want to build something from scratch; wont have the time, and I hate paying people to do stuff that I can do better. We currently have three Dodge 3500 ext cabs and one single cab, I love them, but the seating for four is aweful. They do get great fuel economy, have waranties, and plenty of power. This isnt a vehicle I am looking into building tomorrow, just bored and looking for ideas. I also have access to an extra 5.9 Cummins to put into something... I also come accross a lot of F450 and F550 base model crew cab work trucks at auctions for cheap.

The best option I could think of is 3500 Mega Cab, 19.5's, long bed, and better suspension. Anyone have a better solution that isnt $100k?

 

[Juan_Hong_Loe]

The best option I could think of is 3500 Mega Cab, 19.5's, long bed, and better suspension. Anyone have a better solution that isnt $100k?

I don't think you can get a mega cab long bed. Would be badass though!

 

[Marty]

Except for the 200" wheelbase when parking at the Mall

 

[InDaShop]

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[B Gillespie]

whats wrong with a F350 or K3500 and just putting 19.5s on it?

Seems like everything you list can be done with one. I've seen tons of 1-ton duallys pulling 40+ trailers.

I agree, and we do quite often. When we tow a bucket truck, the trailer and bucket weigh 20-25000, depending on which truck, fuel, and tools. I would like to have a heavier frame and brakes. I can imagine a long race trailer with three buggies and sparse living quarters would be getting there as well.

I really like how your truck turned out after the wheels and steps. A friend just bought an 08 Chevy CC SWB single wheel, and I really like it. I havent cared for those trucks much, but I really like the new models, especially the duallys. Hopefully everyone will hate them as much as Hardline does and they will be cheap when I am looking to buy. Having never owned a one ton IFS truck, my concerns would be with the suspension, accelerated wear and $ of the IFS front end, and braking capacity. How do you feel about those questions? I certainly think the back end of a newer CC Chevy would be comfortable enough to be considered.

 

[B Gillespie]

I don't think you can get a mega cab long bed. Would be badass though!

Except for the 200" wheelbase when parking at the Mall

Dodge turning radius is definately not great. This vehicle definately would not be my daily driver. I dont even like driving the P Wagon daily, and usually roll one of the company beaters, E's car, or my road bike.

The main thing I like about the mega cab is the room you get in the back seat. It is actually comfortable to ride in the back on a road trip. With at least two people 6'2" plus in the cab, it makes a difference. Having the safety factor of something bigger than a one ton would be wise as well.

The cheap ass in me wants to say F it, use the herd of 3500 CTD's I already have, and throw everyone in the trailer. laughing1

Oneal needs to get on the horn with Chrysler and get them to start making a 5500 Mega Cab with at least 84" C-A. The Chevy 5500 seems like a viable option, but havent heard many reports on them. The have extremely deep gearing, that could be made up with a little bigger tire, same for F450/F550. Duramax would be a little underpowered stock, but there is probably a fix for that $$$. The F450 pickups have a horrible e-rap, no one likes the 6.4 and apparently the suspension is aweful. How do the 5 spd. Allisons hold up, tranny upgrades, exhaust brakes available?

 

[Marty]

5 or 6 speed allys will hold up with a stock truck or a 100 hp tune...NO MORE. And only towing with it at about 75hp, otherwise you need an Transgo, ATS,Suncoast PPE, ETC. PAC brake makes a exhaust brake for them for about 1200. But Brayden at Fleece perforamance in Indiana came out with a turbo brake which spins the vanes in the turbos and is a boost controller (adds about 200 brake HP) They are out for the LLY but not the new ones. He said the new ones (LBZ) will come out after SEMA, so anytime now....when they do I will order, cost about 895. And I would not think you will be underpowerred in a Dmax, they are the quickest, lightest, and I pulled 17K in the mountains here with my SRW and you know its back there, but the problem is not "pulling" its stoping. And please do not even look at a Ford....most unrelieable piece of **** I have ever seen.

 

[B Gillespie]

Thanks for the info. If I went with a Ford, it would be an F550 4x4 body and frame. Probably a clapped out auction truck with a new interior and 5.9 power.

Another friend just built a single cab short bed Super Duty, custom paint, lariat front clip, 08 bumper, forged 20's, go fast parts, and an 08 lariat interior complete with trailer brake and upfitter switches. Ill have to get some pics, it came out nice. The whole project came out around $15k, including the truck. The interior work wasnt hard to make it very nice. Getting a built 5.9 in there would be.

 

[blacksheep10]

For me its the chevy cab, a c7 cat with the allison they put behind it. We have a Kenworth T300 that has the c7/allison. 850 ft/lbs at like 1300 rpm. ****ing little monster in a small package. the 6 speed behind it is cool too. I would want a real tranny or a bigger allison, **** a 6 speed dodge like mine, it'll go out soon enough, the ford doens't have anything for real power weighing 35K, and chevy only does if you don't chip the **** out of it. If we are really talking grossing 35K, you'll be pushing the edge of a 1 ton's capabilities.
that said, our 1 ton chevy dually ext cab auto weighs 16K empty. heavy ass trailer behind it, only been unhooked to change oil, goes right back on. That thing does it every day adn loves it. when the backhoe is on it, you are about 34K, and it still goes like crazy. better than my 2 years newer cummins does I feel, mainly because I lose boost to shift. I really am impressed with those trucks and would have one if the money was right when I bought mine.

That said, I don't feel its good for long road trips. Ask brian shirley about his, he can tell you. he has a loaded the fawk down 3 buggy trailer behind his all season.



brian, you replied while I was typing.
If you could get a ford or chebby cab (good back seat) with a cummins and a real tranny behind it, it'd be the ultimate tow rig.

 

[B Gillespie]

For me its the chevy cab, a c7 cat with the allison they put behind it. We have a Kenworth T300 that has the c7/allison. 850 ft/lbs at like 1300 rpm. ****ing little monster in a small package. the 6 speed behind it is cool too. I would want a real tranny or a bigger allison, **** a 6 speed dodge like mine, it'll go out soon enough, the ford doens't have anything for real power weighing 35K, and chevy only does if you don't chip the **** out of it. If we are really talking grossing 35K, you'll be pushing the edge of a 1 ton's capabilities.
that said, our 1 ton chevy dually ext cab auto weighs 16K empty. heavy ass trailer behind it, only been unhooked to change oil, goes right back on. That thing does it every day adn loves it. when the backhoe is on it, you are about 34K, and it still goes like crazy. better than my 2 years newer cummins does I feel, mainly because I lose boost to shift. I really am impressed with those trucks and would have one if the money was right when I bought mine.

That said, I don't feel its good for long road trips. Ask brian shirley about his, he can tell you. he has a loaded the fawk down 3 buggy trailer behind his all season.



brian, you replied while I was typing.
If you could get a ford or chebby cab (good back seat) with a cummins and a real tranny behind it, it'd be the ultimate tow rig.

I estimate that work towing, our gross weight is 35-37k, can be a little less on occasion. I am curious how much Shirley's trailer weighs, but I can guess that a 45' trailer with three buggies, parts, tools, genset, water, fuel, etc. would be in the mid twenties, minimum. I have little experience towing with the lighter medium duty trucks (450, 550, 4500, 5500), so I do not even know if all of the hype about the massive gains in towing capacity are valid. Bigger brakes and a better frame are obvious plusses, but it seems some of these trucks of more hype than upgrades.

Are any brake upgrades available for the 3500 Chevys or Dodges? I also think it is amusing than my power wagon has bigger brakes on it than the kodiak we had on the farm.

Another concern is that when towing a bucket truck, its obvious were not using it for recreation or farming. I can claim we trim trees on the ranch with it, but I am worried we will eventually get nailed and be extremely overweight with light pockets. I would think a larger truck than what were towing might not raise as much suspicion with law enforcement. This is where a true medium duty truck would be beneficial.

 

[Caddishack18]

you are going down the same road Ive already been down. Ive had a 4500 chevy before, they are a POS. I,ve had the best luck with semis, I've had three using them in the trailer business. We've started using my Volvo to pull the race trailer. It gets a half to 1 mpg better than the dually at 8.5! toys with the load and stops way better. I'm getting ready to spend some money on it and trick out the inside with better seats and a sofa in the rear and a bunk bed above that. Tag it as a pickup and you wont need a CDL,,,,, as long as you keep it recreational, not for business. So,,, when we're on the road we arent going racing for prize money we are going trail riding. BTW my trailer is for sale.

 

[jtreeves1]

i would like to have the extreem 4x4 shows tow rig

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[Marty]

If you are grossing over 26K will you not have to have a CDL anyway? It varies state to state, but in NC I woulld at least have to have a different lincence class or a CDL to have over 26k, whether its recreation or not. Most of the big trucks do no require CDLs as they do not have air brakes.

 

[Toddy]

http://www.innovativecustoms.net/mega_cabs.php
http://www.innovativecustoms.net/images/gallery/large/9_main_2007_Dodge_Ram_Mega_Cab_3500.jpg

Here you go mega cab long bed duel rear wheel would be the shiz.

Seen it on TV I think it was like 7G for the work to put the long bed on it.

And Dodge has the best turning radius between it and the Ford. Not sure on the Chevy but you need twice as much room to turn a Ford.

Toddy

 

[Marty]

Chevy is a little better than both I believe....for the small tars and IFS FWIW.

 

[Caddishack18]

If you are grossing over 26K will you not have to have a CDL anyway? It varies state to state, but in NC I woulld at least have to have a different lincence class or a CDL to have over 26k, whether its recreation or not. Most of the big trucks do no require CDLs as they do not have air brakes.

How do the old farts get away with no CDL driving their 45ft 450hp twin screw coaches with air brakes?????? Simple, one word, RECREATIONAL!

 

[Marty]

Ya, on the back of a license it says something about RV in some states. SO they are exempt

 

[B Gillespie]

Extreme 4x4 does have a tight tow rig, but its impractical for any kind of cable construction and out of my budget for sure. Getting all of the parts for free really helps. I would agree its very close to the ultimate recreational wheeler tow rig. I havent watched that show in over a year, but saw this weekends episode, which got me thinking...

Brian, what did you not like about the Chevy 4500?

Weight and no 4x4 for an 18 wheeler would probably kill it for me. I have seen several at auctions that were 4x4's or 6x6's, but they had stupid low gearing, about a 55 mph top speed and drank diesel. I tried to buy a sweet 6x6 Pete, but it went higher than I wanted to pay and only had a day cab. I also see a few crew cab heavy duty trucks with enclosed utility beds that would be way cool, but most lack power and drink fuel (DT466 is the biggest engine they come with). I dont think they would have the power to pull a large trailer at speed limit, let alone up a hill.

 

[jtreeves1]

Extreme 4x4 does have a tight tow rig, but its impractical for any kind of cable construction and out of my budget for sure. Getting all of the parts for free really helps. I would agree its very close to the ultimate recreational wheeler tow rig. I haven't watched that show in over a year, but saw this weekends episode, which got me thinking...

todays episode was a good one they talked about most of the good stuff

 

[Travis]

And Dodge has the best turning radius between it and the Ford. Not sure on the Chevy but you need twice as much room to turn a Ford.

Toddy

The 05 up Fords have awesome turning radius, my 176" wb will turn circles inside of the 02 141" wb F250 I used to have.

I have my dream tow rig. Its a 05 f450, w/ a 6.7 cummins under the hood. I love the interior and looks of the Ford, but hated the 6.0.