3500 vs 4500 vs 5500

Yeah it's because the 3500 has more hp.

Our trailers are rated at 24,900 and the trailer only ways 7,550 lbs from the factory. We run 3500, 4500, and 5500 series trucks here but we will not load more than 16,000 lbs in freight weight on a 4500, or a 5500. And on our 3500's pulling the same trailers we will rarely load more than 15,000 lbs in freight weight? Why? Because the brakes, tires, and springs are not as big as what's on the 4500, and 5500.

There are people out there who will haul mode weight with these trucks. We won't.

Hauling within our self imposed weight limits for the last 12 years has proven to us that these trucks will last a long long time and substantially lower operating costs compared to the semis we ran for 20 years prior. Back when we switched from semi trucks to Dodge/Ram 3500 trucks we seen a lot of guys out there pulling gooseneck trailers that weighed as much as 10,000 to 13,000 lbs from the factory and they were hauling as much as 24,000 lbs in freight weight. Those are the guys you hear about who's trucks only lasted a year or two. They were wearing them out before they got their 5 yr loans paid off.

These trucks are great if you don't over load them.

Our trailers and the max weight we will put on them comes out to 23,550 lbs. you're wanting to use a 9,000 lbs trailer and load 24,000 lbs on it. That's 33,000. In my opinion you'd be asking to much of these trucks. I wouldn't do it.

Those are our max weights, we don't look to max our trucks out here. Many of the loads that we move weigh from 4,000 to 8,000 lbs.

If you can't reduce your load weight to within the ranges I'm talking about? A mid sized two axle Freightliner, Peterbilt, kenworth, or even a International may be better for you?

Hope this helps.

 

@Bdog A question that may clear some things up for us, how much deck space do you need for this equipment?

 

Another thing to note is weight of the truck itself. A 2500-3500 usually steps in at around 7-8,000ish lbs cab and chassis.
A 4500/5500/6500 truck will come in at around 11,500-12,500ish cab and chassis.

Plus, it seems most class 4-6 trucks are detuned for longer engine life and class 2-3 trucks are tuned up a bit more for maybe less engine life.

 

@Bdog It seems like the trouble you are having is that the trailer is too long to get into some of the sites easily. How about something like this with a pintle hitch and a 28' deck....


And use that to pull something like this for the truck. Always put the pickup on the trailer so if the truck breaks down you can still get the pickup off the trailer to run for fuel, parts etc.

 

Or something like a Freightliner M2 106 with a gooseneck trailer. I am thinking you are going to step up from the 5500 and below to maybe a F650 or 750 or the freightliner.

 

I don't see any reason you couldn't

 

A new Ford, or a Ram whichever brand you choose will work fine for double duty. I use my truck for a daily driver, and so does many of the owner operators I work with. I think you're on the right track.