RAM 3500 vs 5500. What is the biggest difference?

This post ^^ should be required reading for all past, present, and future dually threads !!

 

Everyone I know says the same thing when they go from a dually to a class 8.

 

I think I'm included in that lol.

I ran a Dodge 3500 pulling a 4 car for 2 years and I wish my semi had been my first truck(98 Volvo midroof, 12.7 Detroit and super 10). While I liked the dodge I will never again go without air ride/air brakes! My back feels so much better and the semi pulling the 7 car brakes with more confidence than the Dodge and 4 car.

 

Where did you see one of those? Very few SA with a sleeper on truck paper. Mostly day cabs. Wouldn't the maintenance costs be higher? I hear it's $300 for an oil change. Then repairs are very expensive with more components to go wrong.

 

Here is another detail when considering start up costs (at least I am considering it) - truck financing. Even if that Dually is $60K and you can get 0%APR, $5,000 down and payments are around $1,500/mo x 36. Interest rates are higher on a semi truck which adds to total expense. Even if buying it for cash, you still need at least $20K in reserve in case there are repairs so you don't go out of business.

 

Yes but your oil changes happen less frequent so it evens out. Brakes are awesome, costs less than a dually and lasts 5 times as long. Tires cost twice as much but last 3 times as long. Then lets talk about the trailer, I will never again mess with Dexter axles OTR. Brakes on that stupid trailer costs 4 times what a brake job on the 7 car cost and I was replacing them once a year. So when these guys are telling you that you're making a big mistake with a 60k truck that will be worth 9k in a few years take the advice

 

Ditto on the advice that Terry mentioned. You are getting free advice and info from others who have "been there done that"
You will never get 1 million miles on a dually without lots of money spent on it not to mention it would be dead way before that.
If you treat a class 8 truck right and don't abuse it you can get 1 million out of rears, tranny and even the engine. Yes there is cases that it doesn't happen but again all in how you treat it. You sound and come off like you have your mind made up on a dually. Get one and a trailer and go for it!

 

Thanks for your input. I'm not debating that semi is more suitable for car hauling or that it will last longer but I'm thinking start up costs will be lower with a dually. What kind of 4-car trailer did you use? So Dexter axles have expensive brakes. Are there better alternatives?

 

Not sure it's directed to me, but I certainly appreciate everybody's advice. I don't have my mind made up and still looking at different options. My initial plan was to get a single axle day cab and a 5-car trailer similar to Sun Country for mostly regional work. That's why I went to CDL school and got a job with one of the big carriers to get 6 months experience. I don't have a problem with driving/shifting a semi. I like the sleeper and all the comfort. Then I talked to some hotshot guy at a Pilot. He was hauling 2 cars on a flatbed trailer. He gave me some details on rates, MPG, etc. He had a used Dodge 3500 and seemed happy with his business. So I'm thinking cost per mile would be lower on a dually. Better MPG, lower insurance. One of the huge factors is maintenance and repairs. I have a buddy who can work on cars but finding a good semi truck mechanic can be a problem. Then if something goes wrong it's a big expense. I know eventually I will want a semi with a bigger trailer but I'm looking just to start and have more predictable expenses. I wouldn't keep a dually for very long, probably get brand new and sell it in 2 years.

 

This same question seems to get asked over an over. All these "real" truckers who drive a class 8 truck always are going to say a semi is the only way to go. Yes, they will haul more weight, stop better, and be much more comfortable to sleep in. No ones going to argue with that.

As as far as costing less to operate that's a joke. Everything is more expensive on a class 8. There is a market for hauling whatever it may be with a dually pickup. If your charging enough or getting freight that pays decent you can afford to stay in a motel and have a hot shower every night.