Towing Question

[Kenyon Blower]

I have a couple of questions for all the towing experts. I have a new enterprise starting up that will require a trailer or box type truck. I have given my client two options. A 40' tractor/trailer or a 28' Penske type truck. I have come up with a 3rd option. A 28' trailer towed by a diesel pick/up. The package will be on the road for 17 weeks straight driving over 17K. It will involve 2 long drives, San Diego to Atlanta in 4 days & Florida to Seattle in 8 days. What is everybody's suggestions...Dodge vs Ford vs Chevy? It will be at least a 1 ton. It will not be a 5th wheel. The weight will probably be 1500 to 2000lbs plus the trailer.

[harnishclan]

If they are new, doesn't matter much past personal preference. I have been going down this road myself and from all the info gathered, GM with Duramax engine and Allison transmission is a pretty solid combo. Likewise with Dodge and Cummins diesel/Allison transmission. The Ford diesel is a little suspect in durability and transmission, especially the 03/04 models. Having talked to 2 current owners that are on their 2nd and 3rd transmissions. So in the end I am going GM-but not 1 ton, I am buying a crew cab Kodiak. MPG is 16-18 pretty much regardless of what you are pulling and the towing capacity is 27K.

[lrayner]

If all you are towing is 2000 lbs plus the trailer you are going way overboard with towing capacity, unless that is a really heavy trailer. You can buy a honda ridgeline, I think rated at 5,000 lbs or more or a dozen other midsize options and still have excess towing capacity, better gas mileage and a more comfortable ride. And gas is cheaper than diesel these days! Heck, buy a full size SUV for a song. I've done a lot of towing with my Expedition with never a problem. I think it is rated at 7000lbs.

[Don Middleton]

Gross towing capacity is always misleading. Those numbers assume 5th wheel, but they don't tell you that little secret.

The key with rear bumper towing is the rating for weight on the rear end. A 150/1500 is typically rated at 500 lbs. If you are towing 3,000 lbs., you will probably be putting somewhere in the range of 300-450 lbs. on the rear end. You will be OK, but much closer to maximum than you thought.

[Don Middleton]

I should have added that, with the amount of towing you expect to do, I would purchase the HD version of the 150/1500, or better yet, go with a 250/2500 model from any of the big three.

[harnishclan]

Still recommend diesel. Inspite of diesel costing more per gallon, a truck towing on unleaded fuel will burn much more than it would when not towing. My Tahoe would get 18-19 MPG on the highway without a trailer and 9-10 with a trailer (1750# trailer, 2600# car). Diesel would get pretty much the same 16-18 regardless until the trailer gets really heavy. Honda Ridgeline sounds great, until the trailer gets hooked up.

[Jad]

I would just say, it is MUCH easier to drive a box truck than to tow a trailer. Backing up, parking, etc are so much easier, not to mention wind stability, that I would recommend the box truck over a trailer unless you need the truck/suv for significant daily use as well.

Kenyon, do you mean 1,500 or 15,000 lbs?

[Don Middleton]

Brian, I agree on the diesel versus gasoline fuel issue.

Diesel gets better mileage than gas. While towing, diesel gets MUCH better mileage. Bottom line, diesel is much more cost effective on fuel than gas. For towing, gasoline would have to be near half the price of diesel for the fuel costs to even out.

[RETII]

One aspect of this issue that has been overlooked is any Commercial regulations that may exist in the states you enter. Most make all trucks (even box trucks) stop and provide insurance, cargo manifest commercial licence if needed etc.It would be really not cool to be stuck explaining at a Port of Entry facility.Pickups always (unless carring livestock) never have to stop.Another issue is while most of the vehicles offered up can pull a trailer can they stop one? That question never gets answered until it's to late unfortunately. For my .02 worth get a late model 2500 diesel with a gooseneck trailer. They are easier and safer to pull, will turn where ever you can turn the pickup around and aren't as quirkey about load position as a bumper pull.Bu tthen again it's just my .02. Cheers

[Kenyon Blower]

Thanks for all the responses. I just have to wait for my client to approve the bid & sign the contract. If they go with the pickup/trailer combo, I will probably pick up a 1 or 2 year old 1 ton diesel truck. I am kind of partial to Dodge since I already own a 1/2 ton. I did mean 1500lbs of equipment. It will consist of 2 or 3 video editing bays to edit a show for next day network airing. If it is the tractor trailer combo, it will also have a "lounge area" & I will carry equipment for the client. Which ever they go with, I will be a BUSY boy. If I go with the tractor/trailer or box truck, I will have all the paperwork for port of entry stops.

Kenyon