Which Dodge Ram for hauling Flatbed Gooseneck 40' trailer?

Better off going with a Ford F-350 with the 7.3,or a F-450 or F-550 flatbed.I don't see much transporters using Dodge that much even tho people clam that they get better fuel mpg than the Ford 7.3.

 

Ford ???????????

 

You're not going to get a 450 or 550 with the 7.3 so you don't want to go there .
The Dodge 3500 isn't beefy enough for the heavier loads . They all use the same engine and transmission so you won't get better power with the heavier trucks but will get better handling and braking when loaded .
Really , you're better off with a Freightliner FL70 or M2 . They are a small big truck . Dodges are a big small truck . One example is engine access . Freightliners have the flip nose like a big truck . Dodges have the hood like a pickup . On a Ford the whole cab has to be removed for some engine work .
The Freightliners also get inspected less at scales . Some states love to pick on 1 tons with trailers because they find so many of them in vilation .

 

I had have to agree I used a Chevy 3500hd when I started and I would have been much better off with a larger truck. That said for hot shot work if you properly outfit a one ton it will work. But after you beef up the engine, suspension, tires, tranny you will still have a smaller truck. If you dive in some states RickG is right they will harass you to no end. My truck and some great mods and I was getting over 13 MPG loaded but stopping, at times, was spooky.

That said I'm putting the truck back into service soon! I to will be pulling a 40ft and a wedge at times. I just don't have the money left to buy something bigger right now. Why am I going back to the Chevy ........because the Pete did not return the cash like I had hoped!

If you use the Dodge you will benefit greatly from getting advice from guys who have heavily modified trucks so you know how the get the most from your mods. Which is odvious but many guys just throw in a bully dog and go at it. This will surely lead to failure.

The problem is not getting the truck to pull it getting it stopped in slippery conditions and getting it to last!

Buying a new truck is the worst thing I see guys do. If you use a one ton its my belief that you'll need to built it. Not from ground up but enough that's its not about "which" dodge its about your dodge!

Good luck man

 

As you can see there are as many opinions on this as there are hotshots. My pick is the 5500. I've been hauling with the one I have for over a year now, and am permitted at 45K.

Not sure how heavy is heavy to you, but I've hauled oilfield stuff up and over mountains with it just fine. (26K on the trailer, 8K for the trailer itself, and 10,500 for the truck, full of fuel)

So if it's the Dodge you specifically want to haul a 40', go with the 5500. Just don't expect fantastic fuel mileage with a big load on. On the flats you might do 7, on hills down to 5. Empty trailer, expect around 10-11. Truck only, up to 17 but average around 15.

One pointer... I have the longest wheel base model with an 11 foot bed and it put my 40' trailer truck combo over the 65' limit by 2 feet, so if I wanted to drag a 40' I'd get the shorter wheel base.

(I got rid of the 40' and just have a 20' float now, turns out I make better money in my specific hotshot niche.)

 

If you do get a Dodge, get the power chip. I put one on my 2500, my mpg went from 14 and some power (8,000 pound farm tractor and a 25' gooseneck) to 17 mpg and could stay in 5th gear on the hills.

I believe it is a Atkins chip (only 60 hp). 24 valve 1998 cummins HD, 5 speed. 4x4

 

A 3500, with the 4.10 rear end, will do good, but a lot of drivers are going with the 4500s, Have a 3500 p/u with a 40ft PJ lo boy , tri axle, is right at 65 ft, oal. go with a chassis truck you will not be restricted to 65 feet.
Check out the LTL hot shot forum, alot of good info.

 

Now that there is funny, lol.

 

For what you'd spend on a dually, I'd go with a single axle semi, especially if you get a sleeper. You will like it much better and it will last longer.