tchdodg

I'm going to be getting into the business part-time. Mainly just weekend stuff to give a friend who owns his own business help. Looking at used 3500's. My question is auto or stick, and 4.10 or 3.73? I tend to overdue things, so I'm leaning towards a 4/10 stick. However, the truck will be a daily driver also. I'm planning on pulling a 32 + 5 with 12k axles. I've searched around, but would like opinions from people in the business. Thanks.

cincydiesel

I would think fuel millage would be a major concern with Hotshot drivers. Being said, 410's will kill your fuel economy. I would think a 6 speed manual with 373's would be a better fit. You also get the granny gear down low with the stick. Auto's get better fuel millage but I'd much rather pull heavy with a stick.

jhenson

The 4.10's will pull better, but ultimately mileage will suffer. I used to routinely haul 20k plus pounds on a daily basis and the 3.73's with the 6sp worked extremely well for me. I, personally would stay away from the auto's.....but that's my opinion. If you plan on hauling any long distances do yourself a favor and get a bed mounted tank.....trust me, you don't want to have to stop that often to fuel up. I carried 135 gal with me and that would generally get me to and from my destination if I had 1200 or so miles to travel.

You have to factor in head winds, cross winds, etc......that will kill your mileage. Most of the time I could average around 8-10 miles a gallon......on a good day. Worst I ever got was 4 mpg going into a strong head wind with a 14' load for almost 500 miles......that was a horrible trip.

Just make sure you charge enough per mile to recover your losses!!!!!! Good luck with it.

haulin-rv

Heavy loads and a G56....PASS. Been there LOST $$. Skip the 3500 by a real truck, like a Detroit powered single axle semi.

roughstock

Im with Cincy.
I have 6spd nv5600 and 373s.
works great. pullin my stock trailer, i have never seen below 10 mpg.
my old truc had 3.55s and a 5 spd with taller tires and would Pull like a freight train, my buddy had the same truck but with 4.10s and was rapped out at 65.

pocketchange

If I had to do this again, I WOULD NOT do it with a 1 Ton and a float. The single axle is a much better and much cheaper path to follow.

DO NOT QUIT YOUR DAY JOB...!!

sean.marble

i run with my flat bed,and my enclosed trailer man,i have a 01 24 valve. My suggestion,get an automatic,with 373's. The only other thing i would really suggest would be to get a set of airbags to level your rear end for towing.I haven't ever had an issue with my pickup,i have a built motor with about 1000 horse, and fully loaded towing 15 to 20k i am getting 15 mpg,there are always to improve mileage,towing included