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What size truck do i need?

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Patrick Md. Va.

01-11-2003 12:37:44




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I am ready to buy a truck to haul the 2n with. Do you guys use 1/2 ton trucks or are they just not big enough? I was thinking Ford powerstroke turbo or Dodge cummins turbo.I have driven them both today but i am not sure which to get. I am really a chevy guy. I do not want to drag around a truck that is really too big for what i need. Thanks for any thoughts, Patrick.




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MarviN (OR)

01-12-2003 07:53:55




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Whatever size truck you get might not matter as much as how you drive it with the load...

I pulled my 9N home on a borrowed trailer (single axle tilt deck 5,000lb rated) with my 95 F150. I did not have the trailer brakes as they were not working on the trailer. Up and over a few hills and through traffic for about ten miles. Slow and easy and made sure that I was not racing up to the stops and slamming on the brakes.

For work I run a backhoe (Cat 420D) and have to transport it with a GMC Topkick with a Cat engine. The brakes on the Topkick have never been known to be all that great so being aware of stopping distance and all is important.

My advice is to just be aware of what you are doing with what you have! When it snows the big rigs slide just like the little ones when an inexperienced driver is behind the wheel!

Just my opinion, your experience may vary

Marvin

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Mike S

01-12-2003 06:09:17




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
In the 70s when I was doing landscape work with the Jubilee, I used a 1/2 ton Dodge with a 318. The trailer was a triaxle with brakes on the front two. I used a Kelsay Hays brake controller. I usually carried a pulverizer and a box blade at the same time. Never had a problem with it. Put lots of miles on it before I got out of the business. Now I have a 99 Ford 1/2 ton with the 4.2 V-6 and the 6600lb package. It is not all that speedy pulling a load but it does the job for short hauls which is all I ask of it. It came with 4 wheel disc brakes and a transmission cooler. I even pulled an old Ford F700 dump truck with it for a few miles when the dump quit running and the pickup would even shift into overdrive on the flats. I do wish the Ford had a limited slip rear end, tho.

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Mountainman

01-11-2003 21:39:39




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Patrick,

If you get the half ton truck, then get brakes on all four wheels of the trailer. It only adds about $100 to the trailer cost and the saftey factor is well worth it. If you already have a trailer they can easily be added.

Be safe and N - joy.

Mountainman...CA



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Patrick Md. Va.

01-12-2003 04:10:49




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 Re: Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Mountainman, 01-11-2003 21:39:39  
The 1/2 ton chevy has 4wheel disc. I do not have the trailer yet. When i get it i would want the biggest brakes that will fit on all 4 wheels. I have driven some rigs that stop very poorly and it is not good for the heart! I would mostly tow on flat ground.



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If Your Not Getting 4wd Go Chevy/GMC 1/2 Ton

01-11-2003 21:04:51




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
The Chevy/GMC 2 wd 1/2 ton is they way to go. More refined drive train and gets decent milage. If you are going 4wd then get Ford or Dodge as they have live front axles. The new 6.0 Ford diesel kicks arse.



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Rusty2N

01-11-2003 21:03:29




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
3/4t no less!! been there done that... Any truck will get you down the road. BUT can it stop the load. 3/4T has the weight & brakes& suspension to the job right. Gas or diesel your choice. My choice would be diesel but my truck is gas & does the job rightly. Did a 1/2T once & stopping was a joke at best. I do have some stories to tell about using to small a truck to stop the load.



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SteveB(wi)

01-11-2003 20:30:39




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Occasional hauls less than 100mi and no mountains.get the 1/2T and trailer with brakes. It'll make the rest of your everyday life (and back) better. Frequent hauling, long hauls, mountains probably better off with the3/4 and deisel



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heybusdriver

01-11-2003 17:36:09




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
I didn't get time to read all the other post, I'm going to work, but I think any will pull the tractor, but the best and the most safe way is to
get a 3/4 ton at least not to pull , but to STOP the truck and trailer, they have bigger brakes and heavier suspension. My opinion only. Stan



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John,PA

01-11-2003 16:22:54




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Hi Patrick,

I haven't had the time to read all of the posts, but, it has always been me experience: Always have a trailer large enough to "haul" the truck, regardless what make or model. The sickest feeling is to have to call a JERDAN type rig to haul both the tractor and truck combination. All I know is if I can't git my 1980 Ford van back to my shops, I AM BANKRUPT! Hope this helps!.



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MikeC

01-11-2003 15:22:27




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Patrick, we just finished pulling an 8N around today. We used a 93 3/4 ton Ford with an 18' 2 axle trailer. If I was gonna do it very often or very far I would use a truck that size. If I were to do it on rare occasions or only for very short hauls(10 or less) miles a 1/2 ton set up with a towing package would work. If you do it very often (like several time a week) you will be a lot happier with a 3/4 ton. We had no trouble keeping up 70+ mph on the hilly interstate.

Good Luck!

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Tyler (MD)

01-11-2003 14:42:58




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
third party image

Ford F150 1/2 ton with 5.4 liter Triton. Does a fine job. Don't even know the trailer is behind ya.

Tyman



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Patrick Md. Va.

01-11-2003 16:49:56




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 Re: Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Tyler (MD), 01-11-2003 14:42:58  
Looks like i will go back and look at the Chevy 1/2 ton that i really liked.



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I agree Tyler..... Ultradog MN

01-11-2003 15:33:43




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 Re: Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Tyler (MD), 01-11-2003 14:42:58  
There is No reason a decent running 1/2 ton PU
wont pull an N on a trailer just fine.
And when you think about the difference in fuel mileage between a 1/2 and 3/4 it just doesn't make a lot of sense to run the bigger PU all those miles that you don't have the N behind.
Nice looking combo btw.



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ScottT

01-11-2003 17:19:55




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 Re: Re: Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to I agree Tyler..... Ultradog MN, 01-11-2003 15:33:43  
That's why you get the diesel, I have an F250 with at least the mileage of a 1/2 ton (18+ empty, and 15+ towing). You don't need a diesel for an N, but, you don't even know 5,000 lbs is back there.

Scott



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Tyler (MD)

01-11-2003 14:42:33




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
third party image

Ford F150 1/2 ton with 5.4 liter Triton. Does a fine job. Don't even know the trailer is behind ya.

Tyman



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Colin in WI

01-11-2003 14:18:57




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Patrick, if you end up deciding to go towards Ford and the Powerstroke Diesel you should be aware that Ford has a new Powerstroke engine. It's a 6.0 L rather than the older 7.3 L and is supposed to be stronger and more fuel efficient. We're buying an Excursion and I test drove both engine sizes last week. The 6.0 was definetly peppier than the 7.3 but I have no idea if the mileage claims are true. We ordered the 6.0.

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Colin in WI

01-11-2003 14:18:39




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Patrick, if you end up deciding to go towards Ford and the Powerstroke Diesel you should be aware that Ford has a new Powerstroke engine. It's a 6.0 L rather than the older 7.3 L and is supposed to be stronger and more fuel efficient. We're buying an Excursion and I test drove both engine sizes last week. The 6.0 was definetly peppier than the 7.3 but I have no idea if the mileage claims are true. We ordered the 6.0.

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raytasch

01-11-2003 13:48:34




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
Patrick, An N with implement on a decent trailer is going to weigh 5,000 + lbs; Tractor 2500, hog 500, trailer 2,000 is how it is going to break out. Add a few hundred more if your N is weighted. Look at the truck you are considering and see what it is rated to tow. If you are going to drag the N around all the time get a bigger truck than a 1/2 ton. A bigger truck will do the job easier and safer, bigger tires brakes, heavier suspension and use more fuel. You don't need a diesel to pull a 5K lb load unless you are pulling across the Rockies and want to go fast. Make sure you have a good frame hitch and trailer brakes; Brakes mandated by state law most states. Many newer 1/2 tons are sprung too lightly and have passenger car tires, P prefix, to be effective as a truck. I have pulled more weight than this with a half ton but had it set up right. I now pull with an F350 extended cab dually now but that is just what I have. ray

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duey's 2 Door Yukon is what...

01-11-2003 13:21:21




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
he's happy with... also tow the skidsteer with it. Love those trailer brakes.... gotta have 'em. When driving with a trailer, leave early, plan ahead, and go easy. Let that little blond in the red two-door go first, keeps her from cutting you off 1/4 mile down the road.



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Evil Steve

01-11-2003 12:58:02




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
pull mine with a Chev Silverado 327 cid with no problem.



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Patrick Md. Va.

01-11-2003 13:01:45




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 Re: Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Evil Steve, 01-11-2003 12:58:02  
Ok, thanks. I did see a really good 1/2 ton chevy today that i really did like. It was way less than all those big trucks.



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Bill Priday

01-11-2003 12:48:05




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 Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md. Va., 01-11-2003 12:37:44  
I pull my ol' 9N around with a Ranger pickup. I DO have brakes on the trailer; wouldn't think of doing it with something small otherwise.

Bill
41 9N88110



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Patrick Md.Va.

01-11-2003 12:52:25




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 Re: Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Bill Priday, 01-11-2003 12:48:05  
Yes i was thinking of using a two axle trailer with brakes! Thanks.



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Evil Steve

01-11-2003 12:59:05




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 Re: Re: Re: What size truck do i need? in reply to Patrick Md.Va., 01-11-2003 12:52:25  
Never pull anything that heavy without 2 axles. Brakes are a good idea!



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