At what point does one need a dually truck?

I've been looking at used trucks for purchase. I need something to serve as a workhorse. The Subaru station wagon is just too small for tasks like hauling junk to the dump, picking up gravel/mulch, any kind of furniture moving etc...etc...etc... I'd like a truck in the Ford F250, Chevy/Dodge 2500 series area or high mainly due to the diesel engine. Not really a fan of using gasoline to haul stuff. Of course when looking at diesel trucks in this area, it is inevitable to also see alot of duallies.

The heaviest load I can see myself pulling would probably be a trailer full of coal. Having a truck this size makes trips to NEPA possible. Probably something in the area of 4-6 tons weight, maybe more who knows? I've seen some single wheel trucks pulling what looked like heavy loads, but at what point do you need or is a dually recommended? So far I cannot find any hard set rules of thumb about dually trucks, other than they have better towing capabilities. I am also a newbie when it comes to trucks/towing in general. Any experienced towers care to respond?

Joe

We run light trucks with horse trailers up to about 15000# trailer weight. A dually is about bed carrying weight and road towing stability. Strangely 250 trucks in theory pull more but can carry less in the bed (3/4ton). We can discuss this all day but if you are pulling one load of coal per year that overhead of owning the truck does not compute. If you want a shiney new truck, hey have a blast. Just don't pretend you are buying a truck 'cause you need it.

Personally, I'd stick w/ a 3/4 ton (250--2500, etc) with a tow package--just an old farmers opinion, but, I'd stay away from the dually's. Just my preference. I don't think there is anything written in stone about either or. At least in my experience.

freetown fred wrote:Personally, I'd stick w/ a 3/4 ton (250--2500, etc) with a tow package--just an old farmers opinion, but, I'd stay away from the dually's. Just my preference. I don't think there is anything written in stone about either or. At least in my experience.

What he said!

I jammed a pair of JC Whitney coil helper springs in my '91 GMC Sierra years ago. I've hauled over a ton in the old Big Bopper many times. It's a tired old truck but has overall been extremely reliable. The 700r4 trans gives me good mileage considering it's a 5.7.
The thing with a dually, or any used pickup really; is ya want to find one that was somebody's baby. The majority of used pickups come with the caveat that you don't know how hard the previous owner has beaten it. Also, a dually jacks up the price of new tires by two when you need them. sometimes you'll see a truck for sale with all new tires. Then you don't know if it has alignment issues and ate up the previous set.

I don't know if you are looking for used or new, a used dually may already have hauled a lot of loads uphill and brought the trans up to some damaging temperatures. Just check out anything you get very thoroughly.

I bought an old Dodge 250 pickup a few years back, jumped into the deal like an ass. The truck had holes in the bed from where a fifth wheel setup had been. Should've rejected it on that alone. The trans was bad, I had to drop the trans and have it rebuilt. I put it back and sold the truck at a loss. Two thugs came out here from Queens and paid for the truck in FIVE DOLLAR BILLS!

In winter in N MA you need 4x drive, so yes 250/2500 trucks will suit you best. BTW our barn girl is out taking a horse to a vet and phoned in complaining of no brakes. It's a 16000# trailer with two 8000# Dexter axles that are wayyyy overdue to be replaced. Come on over and gain the experience of changing those axles for me, it will do you good.

Life is just a bowl of cherries. Me. I'm off to Van Pukefaces garden to plant roses and paint all tomorrow. HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I slay myself.

NJJoe wrote:at what point do you need or is a dually recommended?

The text-book answer is when the load on the rear axle exceeds (or approaches) the weight rating of a single-rear-wheel axle. Those that have pulled trailers with a lot of tongue weight and/or a heavy load in the bed will tell you that a dually is more stable thanks to reduced sidewall flexing. On the other hand, dual rear wheels don't run in the same track as the front tires...and that makes for some "squirrely" driving in slush/snow with no load in the back. If you are going to some occasionally towing that is within the capability of a SRW truck, I suggest you pass on the dually trucks.

If you want a diesel, I would try and find an older truck that is in good shape. Out-of-warranty repairs on the current emission-tuned diesels are not for the faint of heart. Particulate filters, excessive fuel in the engine oil, high levels of soot in the oil, poor fuel economy...no thanks.

I have a '99 F350, reg. cab, single rear wheels, and a V10 gas engine. It pulls a 10k boat & trailer with no problem, and would probably do it just as easily with a ton of coal on the back.

i don't know about your state but in ma. w/a dually you have to reg it commercially

If you want a diesel, I would try and find an older truck that is in good shape. Out-of-warranty repairs on the current emission-tuned diesels are not for the faint of heart. Particulate filters, excessive fuel in the engine oil, high levels of soot in the oil, poor fuel economy...no thanks.

Ford 6.0 and later (2003+) forget it, just get the coal driven in by limo, it will be cheaper.

The best answer it it's based on the axle rating. A dual wheel axle is rated higher than a single wheel axle. Each axle is rated for so many lbs. So figure what the load your going to cary is, appx front to rear bias (worst case all load on rear axle) add in the weight of the truck on the rear axle, and compare to the weight rating. And you should do this all legally as to not go over your Gross vehicle weight (GVW) or Gross Combination Weight (GCW includes trailer weight) (not so simple huh)

I have a chevy 2500hd single wheel. It's not very often that I wish I had the dually. On the contrary I often am thankful I have the single wheel.
I often tow a trailer between 12,000-14000lbs and it tows great, both goosekneck and bumper pull. The only thing the dual weel will get you is a bit more flexability on where your load center is on your trailer. (you could transfer around an additional 1500lb to the truck with a dual wheel configuration)

The only difference between the 2500hd and 3500 is the 3500 comes standard with overload springs so you can put more weight in the bed. The dual wheel gains you an additional 1500lb on that axle.

NJJoe wrote:Having a truck this size makes trips to NEPA possible.

Possible, yes. But at 8 MPG, economically feasible?

Tires.

This may be a consideration, four tires 1,100 $, 40,000 miles equals .027 cents per mile or as I like to look at it 1.37 $ per 50 miles
1.37 $ per 50 miles becomes 2.06 $ per 50 miles with duals.

I prefer to look at it in fifty mile quantities, just applies to trips better.

I often tow a trailer between 12,000-14000lbs and it tows great, both goosekneck and bumper pull.

I would never bumper pull over 9000# multi-axled long trailer with this class truck.

Can a 2500 pull 14000# - yes but once you have done that with a dually you will never go back --- stability, stability, stability. Commercial pullers in this class all use duallies and there is a good reason at least in the horse and cattle world. remember the total of everything can't exceed 20,000# so once you are pulling much over 12000#. you are out of spec. RVers dream a lot.

coalnewbie wrote:remember the total of everything can't exceed 20,000# so once you are pulling much over 12000#. you are out of spec.

I'm legal to 22,000#, both by the state of PA based on my combination plates, and by the manufacturer since the truck is rated at 22,000# combination. A dually would get me to 23,500#.

I've towed with a dually, I also have a dually dump truck. I really don't notice that much of a difference. It does help that my truck is a 4 door long bed, but so are most of the duallys you see running around now a days.
Only time I notice a difference is when the weight is not distributed properly, and that is operator error, not the fault of the truck.

coalnewbie wrote:

I would never bumper pull over 9000# multi-axled long trailer with this class truck.

Can a 2500 pull 14000# - yes but once you have done that with a dually you will never go back --- stability, stability, stability. Commercial pullers in this class all use duallies and there is a good reason at least in the horse and cattle world. remember the total of everything can't exceed 20,000# so once you are pulling much over 12000#. you are out of spec. RVers dream a lot.

Chicken!! LOL .

Just messin with ya. R u going to the Sussix co fair? I will be there Sunday with Don.
Dave