I am looking to upgrade to a dually shortly and want to see how many pull 28-30k on a regular basis, and what results you have. Right now I can haul about 7.5 ton and still be legal, but with a CC dually, my load will have to be less to get under CDL, which makes it not worth doing, so in order to keep the same load sizes, etc I must go the CDL route. Since my trailer is also de-registered, I can bump it back up, and be able to get in the 28-30k range. I plan to haul this amount to the market about once a week, maybe 2 times at most, so is it too heavy for frequent hauling with a built 3500? or should I look for more of a Medium duty truck?

Right now I average about 10,000 on the truck, and around 15,500-16,000 on the trailer. Braking hasnt been a concern yet.

I also do not do any winter hauling, just 3 season hauling only.

 

I pull a backhoe and/or dozer 3-5 times a week. My auto has 108k and the 6spd has 57k now.

It doesn't hurt either of them but the 6spd just pulls better than my stock auto.

I have to get up to 70 prior to a Texas overpass and then it knocks me back to 55. With the stick I can hold whatever speed I choose.
We also use a Ford F800 with 180HP Cummins and 5spd and it's just like having an auto to me. Can't keep up to speed on an overpass.

So I say go with the stick and you'll never be worried.

 

Well I guess im looking at chassis/tranny, and rear end strength. I just dont ant to be replacing stuff all the time, since its about a 320 mile round trip each week.

I can get a ex-state truck s2500/L8000 for a song, and considered just putting a GN plate on the rear, and going on.

 

Well I'm almost 100% stock (FASS) and I've been pulling for 2+ years on these trucks. The auto just takes some getting used to, and that's it. Like you when I switched from my 7.3 PS I was certainly worried about how the Dodge tranny would do. While it is very different I have not had any strength concerns.

An L8000 is in a whole other arena from a 1 ton or even a F800.

 

Well thats what Im considering. These ex state trucks are just a single axle, some with Auto's some with Sticks. I guess im looking big picture. If Im gonna wreck havoc on my truck in say 2 years or so, then maybe I should go to a larger truck.

 

Are you talking 30,000 load, or 30,000 gross??

Look at the dozens of bone stock ton trucks pulling big 28' and 32' cattle trailers, loaded to the gills.

Most do this day in and day out, and think nothing of it.

 

Na, 30k grosss weight.

I just dont want to keep replacing expensive items, where it may have been better to go the Medium duty route in the 1st place. I understand commercial hauling, and its not cheap on a truck, but Im looking long term results-ie a few years. I dont want to be in the 4 tranny's and 3 rear end club

 

30K gross shouldn't be a problem, these trucks are made to be worked, so I wouldn't be afraid to do so. My .02

 

I gross close to 30k an awful lot (cattle, hay and equipment) and other than lack of power (basically stock) on long/steep grades I can't complain! Good luck.

 

i tow that weight a lot and over 500 miles sometimes and the rears are fine its the tranny you need to watch just change the fluid every 30k or 6 months and youll be fine. work em like that all the time and dont have too much problems other then the usaull things and some of the unusaull but thats because i make mine earn their keep. brought back 23k on the trailer from ohio to tx with no problems. you just need to perform regular maint on it