I'm just wondering whichtruck you guys wuold reconmend a 3500, 4500 or 5500 for hauling a big skid steer and attachments on a gooseneck trailer. I think the weight would be around 16,000 pounds plus the trailer.

 

3500 would do just fine! Just make sure the trailer has good, properly working brakes.

 

i ahul all my equip with the 3500, the other trucks will work also but then if you are going to use as a daily driver also i would say the 3500

 

You are pushing the upper limits with the 3500s especially the autos.

4500 would give you added capacity AND safety.

 

I would agree and say the 3500 would be pushing it. A trailer that hauls 16k would weight between 6 or 7k I would think and that is a lot of weight for a 3500...

 

20k plus you need more then a 3500

 

Like most others have said, you are at the upper end of the 3500. How often are you going to tow the skid steer? if daily (part of your job) I would look at the 4500-5500 no doubt as these are made to work hard ever day. I'm not saying the other trucks arn't, but they arn't built as heavy duty. They use ball joints instead of king pins for ride vrs strength and durability (just examples, not 100 sure) but mostly beefed up stuff. If you'll only haul it every now and then, I think a 3500 would be fine. Really depends on how often, what you really use it for, and of course what your willing to spend.

 

I was wanting to start my own skidsteer bisines in the future and am not wanting to buy a truck and it not be heavy enough for the abuse.

 

my trailer weighs 8k jd 325 about 9k i ahaul dozers that weigh 18k by them selves and other items. the truck pulls it just fine stops fine also but i have the trailer brakes working well would never use an auto. if your going to dedicate it as a full time haul truck then get an fl70 they are set up better then any pick up

 

ck the laws in your state. CA 3500 no way. plus a class "A" CDL over 10,000 lbs. TX no problem with the law, but the 3500 isn't designed for that kind of load, ask dodge.

in CA according to the factory specs, i can't pull a 20,000lb trailer with my RAM 5500. my truck weighs about 9000lbs according to california highway patrol scales, the truck is rated at 26,100 lbs. that leaves 17,000 about.

rich

 

Flame suit armed... My 06 2500 six speed bumper pulls a skid steer or a mini-excavator with no problem. It also stops it with no issues. Where I live if your tag is rated and your truck doesn't look ridiculous then you typically will have no problems. I think a 3500 would do great.

 

i dont know we hauled loads like this with duallies since i was a kid thats been over 40 yrs can only remember since the late 70's tho. you can over load them easy and i have seen a lot of guys do it heck i've eve done it . you just need to decide on how much of what your gonna have the truck do. their is no way i could drive one of these trucks with the low gear ratio that the 4500 and 5500 come with

 

Thanks for the input keep it commen. It will be a dedicated tow rig, probably pulling that load everyday. What brand of trailers do you guys like, it would be a gooseneck 25' and a 5' dove with dual tandom axles.

 

i run an excel make sure it has a torque tube