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What size truck do I need?

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reggie.blue
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-26 12:14 PM (#129290)
Subject: What size truck do I need?


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Posts: 5

Location: Lincoln, NE
Traded trailers, downsizing from a 1-ton diesel.  Will be looking for a used truck (2004 - 2008) to pull a Sundowner 2h gooseneck.  Empty weight 4,200 lbs.  Usually haul only one horse & hay, but on occasion will haul 2; so estimated max load (on the high side) would be 7,000 lbs.  Truck will also be used to drive to work, so only pulling approximately 20% of the time.  Requirements - Gas, not diesel.  I live in the flatlands & drive more than I pull so torque is secondary.  Fuel economy is important but the price of diesel engine + 30 cents per gallon more for diesel is not worth it to me.  Yeah, know about "long term" diesel savings, but I don't tend to keep a vehicle long term.  Other requirements would include crew cab & 4WD.  What size truck should I look for, what should I stay away from & be specific with regards to engine size & why.  Being that I am a chick, I want to make sure I have the right truck but not more (or less) truck than I need.  Inform me, guys.... 
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retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2011-01-26 12:53 PM (#129295 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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The new half ton GM's with the 6.0 gas, 6 speed auto and 3.42 rear axle are rated to tow something like 9600#. If it were my main means of transportation, I would look at something that will do the job and be half way decient on fuel when not towing...... Maybe a Tahoe/Yukon, Ford Expedition.... Maybe even a Mercedes ML-350, they are rated at 7200# max. trailer weight and their brakes are bigger than alot of 3/4 ton trucks.

 

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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-26 3:37 PM (#129306 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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I hate to be a downer, but anything you decide to get that will pull your GN trailer the best, is not going to get great fuel mileage. Personally, I wouldn't go any smaller than a 3/4 ton truck-for many reasons including handling the weight, braking power, and stability (the only exception being the Dodge 1500 heavy duty-which is a 2500 with lighter duty springs) I know some get by every day, but 20% towing duty is a lot and I wouldn't want a half ton truck, SUV, or anything with a short wheelbase. For 2004-2008 2500/250 series gas engines that leaves you with Chevrolet/GMC: the 6.0 or the 8.1 liter engines. Both terrible on fuel, the 6.0 has a disappoining power band, IMO. Dodge: the 5.7 Hemi (which would be my choice), and Ford: the 5.4 triton V8 or the 6.8 Triton V10. The 5.4 lacks in power for a crew cab and lacks fuel economy and and V10 lacks greatly in fuel economy, but will make the best power.

Like stated, I would choose the Dodge with the Hemi. I am not a fan of Chevrolet's front ends (they are independent suspension instead of solid axle). And since you said that fuel economy was more important than torque being in the flat lands, I recommended the Hemi. With Dodge in those years, you will either get the "quad cab" which is slightly larger than a standard extended cab or the "mega cab" which is really large, but leaves little room for the gooseneck. I also really like Ford's cab space they offer, but in a gas, I would only recommend the V10 for the crew cab but you're looking at about 12-14 mpg max with that engine.

Good luck!
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reggie.blue
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-26 3:50 PM (#129307 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Posts: 5

Location: Lincoln, NE

GRN:  Thanks for the detailed reply.  When I say fuel economy is important, I just didn't want everyone saying I should go diesel to get the best fuel economy.   But also don't want to get very, very poor mileage.  You mention the Dodge HD 1500 and then later mention the 5.7 hemi.  To clarify, is the 5.7 hemi in the Dodge HD 1500?  I own a Dodge Durango with a 5.7 hemi and it pulls my 2 horse BP trailer easily.  I get about 16 - 18 highway when not pulling.  It drops to 10 - 11 mpg when I pull.  Would you expect about the same with the Dodge truck you mentioned?  I can live with that & prefer a Dodge.  I also can live with a quad cab.

To the other person who replied, need a truck not an SUV as I'll be pulling a gooseneck.  But thanks for the tip on the 6.0.

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Tresvolte
Reg. Feb 2008
Posted 2011-01-26 4:00 PM (#129308 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?




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Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
If you prefer a Dodge, I would go with the Dodge 1500HD 5.7 Hemi. It will adequately do the job you are wanting to do.
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retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2011-01-26 4:18 PM (#129310 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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GRNMCHNEDAZE,  What is this..??  (the only exception being the Dodge 1500 heavy duty-which is a 2500 with lighter duty springs)

I can't find anything on a Ram/Dodge 1500HD pickup.... So it's a 2500 3/4 ton truck with lighter springs, 10.5" rear axle, 8 lug wheels, etc.??

 

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Tresvolte
Reg. Feb 2008
Posted 2011-01-26 4:29 PM (#129311 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?




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Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Drop the HD. Here's specs on the Dodge's though... http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_payload/2011/

Edited by Tresvolte 2011-01-26 4:30 PM
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retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2011-01-26 4:39 PM (#129312 - in reply to #129311)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Location: Rocky Mount N.C.

Originally written by Tresvolte on 2011-01-26 5:29 PM

Drop the HD. Here's specs on the Dodge's though... http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_payload/2011/[/QUOTE]

That makes sense, so it's just the regular 1/2 ton, 1500 series truck.... Then why did ya'll list it as a 1500HD? Same truck as a 2500 with lighter springs?.... It's a long way from being the same as a Ram 2500 with lighter springs....!!!!

 



Edited by retento 2011-01-26 4:40 PM
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Tresvolte
Reg. Feb 2008
Posted 2011-01-26 4:56 PM (#129313 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?




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Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
You're right. Don't know why I put the HD on mine.
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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-27 9:13 AM (#129341 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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There is a 1500 heavy duty. It comes in Mega Cab with 8 lug axles, 11.5 AAM rear axle, and the hemi engine only. They are pretty hard to find, but essentially, it is the 2500 frame and running gear with lighter springs. Maybe try to find 1500 mega cab instead of HD, although I believe for 04-05 it was marked as "1500HD".

A 2500 Quad Cab would be much easier to find, especially with a Hemi. This is what I would look for.

Let me try to find some info on the 1500 -- it is not a standard half ton, though...

For the sake of this discussion, here's an Ebay post of one. You can see the 8 lug axles, and the weight limits on the axles are the same as my F-250. It has LR-E tires, but only a GVWR of ~8500 lbs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-RAM-1500-MEGA-CAB-4X4-5-7-V8-HE...
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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-27 9:25 AM (#129343 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Posts: 342
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A quote from one of the many forum discussions surrounding these trucks:

"Let's set a few things straight here. A 1500 Mega Cab and a 1500 are COMPLETELY different trucks.

The 1500 Mega Cab is the exact same truck as a 2500 gasser with a rear lower spring rate..hence the 8500lbs GVWR.


You can not compare a 1500 mega cab to a regular 1500...Totally different truck.

2008 was the last year they made the 1500 Mega cab and there also is no power difference in the 5.7 between the 1500 mega cab and the 2500 from that year.

So those of you that want a 1500 mega cab don't have to worry about your rear diff over heating because it's the exact same axle as the 2500. You're basically getting a 2500 with a little bit of a better ride.

ENJOY!"

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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-27 9:49 AM (#129346 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Alright guys and gals...thanks for making me doubt my own statement as it made me go back and research. This is what I've found.

The 1500 Mega Cab, is what I was referring to as the 1500 heavy duty. My fault. However, the general premise of the truck remains the same (essentially a 2500 with a lighter spring rate). Also, the 1500 megas were only available from 2006-2008 and never had HD as part of the badging. My mistake, My ignorance

The 1500 Mega Cab was only available with the Hemi engine. Here is allpar's review.

http://www.allpar.com/reviews/2006/ram-megacab.html

 

Again to the OP, this thread kind of de-railed and I apologize. Like I stated, I would keep my eyes open for a good Dodge 2500 with Auto/Hemi quad cab. They are much easier to find.  Good luck in your search.

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reggie.blue
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-27 9:53 AM (#129347 - in reply to #129346)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


Member


Posts: 5

Location: Lincoln, NE

No apologies necessary.  This is the kind of dialogue I was looking for so keep it up:  :)  You are arming me with info.  I have a large window to look - the 1-ton isn't dead yet, but I really want to put it out to pasture - so I'm looking for as much info as possible.  I'm really liking the mega cab 1500 idea.... 

 

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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-27 10:04 AM (#129349 - in reply to #129347)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Originally written by reggie.blue on 2011-01-27 10:53 AM

No apologies necessary.  This is the kind of dialogue I was looking for so keep it up:  :)  You are arming me with info.  I have a large window to look - the 1-ton isn't dead yet, but I really want to put it out to pasture - so I'm looking for as much info as possible.  I'm really liking the mega cab 1500 idea....

From what I gather on the forums, everybody that has one likes it and those that have standard half-tons want one. I could be mistaken, but I believe the Hemi that comes in the 1500 mega cab has the "MDS" option which, for all intents and purposes, is a cylinder cut off for highway driving. It shuts off four of the eight cylinders to increase fuel mileage. A quote from allpar:

"We also had an opportunity to sample the 5.7-liter Hemi-equipped Mega Cab. The character of this engine is unchanged from previous Hemi equipped Rams, but the big news with the Hemi is that is now equipped with Dodge’s Multi Displacement System (MDS), which deactivates four cylinders when extra power is not needed."

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retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2011-01-27 11:38 AM (#129354 - in reply to #129349)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Originally written by GRNMCHNEDAZE on 2011-01-27 11:04 AM

Originally written by reggie.blue on 2011-01-27 10:53 AM

No apologies necessary.  This is the kind of dialogue I was looking for so keep it up:  :)  You are arming me with info.  I have a large window to look - the 1-ton isn't dead yet, but I really want to put it out to pasture - so I'm looking for as much info as possible.  I'm really liking the mega cab 1500 idea....

From what I gather on the forums, everybody that has one likes it and those that have standard half-tons want one. I could be mistaken, but I believe the Hemi that comes in the 1500 mega cab has the "MDS" option which, for all intents and purposes, is a cylinder cut off for highway driving. It shuts off four of the eight cylinders to increase fuel mileage. A quote from allpar:

"We also had an opportunity to sample the 5.7-liter Hemi-equipped Mega Cab. The character of this engine is unchanged from previous Hemi equipped Rams, but the big news with the Hemi is that is now equipped with Dodge’s Multi Displacement System (MDS), which deactivates four cylinders when extra power is not needed."

Thanks for that info, never seen one of those before. Looks like it was built to compete with the GM 1500HD which was the old style regular 2500, not the 2500HD. I guess Ford had something on the same order, I remember hearing something about a F-150 with 7 lug wheels....!! Everyone of the GM 1500HD's I've ever seen was a crew cab, 6.0 gas automatic, regular bed and they've all been painted white. It was like they were built to one specific spec. That blue Dodge you listed is sharp as a tack...!!

 

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reggie.blue
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-27 11:41 AM (#129355 - in reply to #129354)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


Member


Posts: 5

Location: Lincoln, NE
Ah, my friend has the Chevy you mention (6.0) in a steel blue color;  Pulls a 3 horse Keifer with it.  She said she didn't think they made them anymore... 
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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-27 12:27 PM (#129359 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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No problem on the info. That truck on ebay was very sharp and seemed to be well priced.

The mega cab 1500's and the Chevrolet 1500 HD's are very popular around here for some reason? This is a big camper/travel trailer area so that may explain why. anyway..

The F-150's have different GVWR packages. The 8200 lb GVWR package on the newer trucks, the 7700 lb package on older trucks, plus the light duty f-250 that was built in 98 all have 7 lug wheels, but IIRC, they are a different pattern between some model years. Ford did some weird stuff with their lug patterns...

 

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tvasa
Reg. Jan 2009
Posted 2011-01-28 10:06 AM (#129393 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Posts: 22

Location: Nebraska

Would this truck on ebay be one of the Dodge mega cab 1500's that you spoke of?  It has a 6 1/2 bed.  Is the long enough for a gooseneck, generally speaking, realizing all goosenecks are not the same size...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190494659292&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:MOTORS:1123

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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-28 11:43 AM (#129402 - in reply to #129393)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Originally written by tvasa on 2011-01-28 10:06 AM

Would this truck on ebay be one of the Dodge mega cab 1500's that you spoke of?  It has a 6 1/2 bed.  Is the long enough for a gooseneck, generally speaking, realizing all goosenecks are not the same size...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190494659292&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:MOTORS:1123



Yes, that is one of them. That particular one is only 2 wheel drive, though.

There has been a lot of discussion on this forum and others about pulling a gooseneck with a mega cab dodge. I think one would be fine as long as the nose of the trailer is tapered. Some suggest looking into the coupler extenders,etc. It comes down to what trailer you have and what will work best to fit your needs.

BTW, I don't think the beds of the Mega Cabs are 6 1/2 ft. I think they're shorter than that. If I'm not mistaken, the standard shortbed is 6 1/2 ft, but the MC bed is shorter than the standard short bed.
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retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2011-01-28 11:57 AM (#129403 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Mega Cab.... 6'4" bed and 20'8" in total length.

 

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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-28 12:34 PM (#129404 - in reply to #129403)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Originally written by retento on 2011-01-28 12:57 PM

Mega Cab.... 6'4" bed and 20'8" in total length.

You are correct. I thought the MC's beds were 6" shorter. Hm. Good to know. Thanks!

Which leads me to a question. Why is there so much talk surrounding it if it is the same length as any other short bed? I don't see nearly as many posts about ford short beds or chevrolet short beds..or even dodge short beds. I guess the "shorter bed" is just an illusion when in fact it is the same as any other old sb.

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bigfoot
Reg. Dec 2010
Posted 2011-01-28 1:36 PM (#129409 - in reply to #129290)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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I wouldn't recomend pulling any horse trailer besides a two horse bumper with a 1/2 ton truck. Stopping, accelerating, and quick manuevers maybe needed to stay safe. A 1/2 ton truck to me does not have what it takes to preform when pulling a horse trailer.
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Tresvolte
Reg. Feb 2008
Posted 2011-01-28 1:42 PM (#129410 - in reply to #129409)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?




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Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Originally written by bigfoot on 2011-01-28 1:36 PM

I wouldn't recomend pulling any horse trailer besides a two horse bumper with a 1/2 ton truck. Stopping, accelerating, and quick manuevers maybe needed to stay safe. A 1/2 ton truck to me does not have what it takes to preform when pulling a horse trailer.
It will actually pull the gooseneck much easier than the bumper pull. It transfers the weight from the end of the truck to over the axle. A two horse trailer is well within specs of the 1/2 ton. If you stay to that school of thought, you'd need to step up to a 4500 or 5500 for a 4 horse...
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GRNMCHNEDAZE
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2011-01-28 1:48 PM (#129411 - in reply to #129409)
Subject: RE: What size truck do I need?


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Originally written by bigfoot on 2011-01-28 1:36 PM

I wouldn't recomend pulling any horse trailer besides a two horse bumper with a 1/2 ton truck. Stopping, accelerating, and quick manuevers maybe needed to stay safe. A 1/2 ton truck to me does not have what it takes to preform when pulling a horse trailer.


I would tend to agree, however the "1500" in question is not a standard "1/2 ton".

Take a look at the earlier postings and ebay links.


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