Sad but great memories.....................

[RVTRKN]

Pulling a 5ver is different than a horse trailer due to live stock movement and they can cause swaying from time to time. If the MDT is what Barry recommends then more than likely that should be used to pull a horse trailer, but I think a 5500 would work if the drivers skill and knowledge compensated for the live stock movement. Again do you think a 5500 would be enough truck.

 

[Terry Jay]

RVTRKN, agree they can be different. Mass is in control, as in momentum, The one down side to the 5500 is weight. An MDT will scale around 13,000, and HDT around 19,000. Details will vary by individual truck, Add somewhere around 3,000 to 5,000 lbs for the pin weight. In most situations the truck has control, and the brakes to stop the whole mess if the trailer connection is lost. The 5500 comes up short in the mass or weight department, but no question it could pull it. The issue the RVers and horse and race people were dealing with was lateral stability and braking NOW.
YMMV

 

[jgillott]

I've had the opportunity to put quite a few miles in medium duties since the early '90's, in everything from mid-70's GMC gas powered trucks to brand new 2012 Internationals. These new ones are absolutely amazing in their comfort and ease of use. Way too much truck for the average weekend RV family. But something that everyone needs to have the opportunity to drive at least once.

 

[NIsaacs]

An FL70 is huge compared to a Dodge 5500 or class 5 v/s class 7. The above FL70 is in a class of it's own, I never heard of one with that size engine, not even an FL 80. A class 5 has a maximum GVW of 19,500, a class 7 single axle can be rated to 33,000 GVW with GCW's in the 60,000 range. For normal personal use I see no reason why a 5500 would not do anything you would need including pulling a very large horse trailer.



Nick

 

[RVTRKN]

If, and more than likely never, I have horses to pull that I own, I would prefer the 5500 over the very expensive MDT option if its the HT that Barry buys and sells. But I did just put in a offer on some horse property although its only a half acre, so who knows.

 

[KB0OU]

I used to haul some of the big "horse trailers" from the assembly factory to the place that put in the interior of the camper part for the humans. Some of them were a very good load for my Dodge and there were no horses, air conditioner, interior, or other stuff that we carry when we go places.

I also used to go to the Morgan shows in Oklahoma City, some of the rigs they hauled those horses in were really nice,,, lots of money involved... .

 

[NIsaacs]

If, and more than likely never, I have horses to pull that I own, I would prefer the 5500

Don't under estimate your 3500 cab/chassis, it will do some serious work



Nick

 

[RVTRKN]

I wouldn't hesitate to pull a large 5ver, as long as my axles are under the legal weight. But when you have a couple of 1000 pound horse's moving around and wind and heavy pull combined I would rather have the 5500. But Nlsaacs, your correct about the 3500 C&C ability, it has amazed me of the ease it pulls at 22K GCVW. I even had to haul at 23K GCVW 400+ miles with no trailer brakes through Nevada & Utah, and it safely made it to its destination in Salt Lake, even through the city driving W/O trailer brakes.

 

[Mark31]

RV, 1/2 acre horse property? That ain't enough room for three hobby horses! That's as bad as houses so close together you have to suck up yo belly and turn sideways to go between 'em. You'll never have BIG for a neighbor! LOL Mark

 

[Barry]

I MADE A MISTAKE and Mike, the Freightliner Guru that he is caught it. He was even so kind to pull the build sheet for me. The truck, even though advertised as an FL 70 is actually an FL 112... . a class 7 truck with a gvw of 33K... ... ... ... ... . Mike said that while that rig is way overkill for its intended purpose, it is indeed a super rare truck.

THANKS MIKE!

While I have pulled several large trailers with MDTs and loved every minute, I have never driven a 4500 or 5500... ... ... ... . I have driven the 450s and 550 Fords and they are sick. I will run up on a 4500 or 5500 or a Sterling someday... ... ... ... .

 

[Barry]

I forgot to show y'all this one. This is an '06 IHC 4400 with a DT466 Factory set at 300HP coupled to a 6 speed manual. It was one of Harley Davidson's factory trucks that pulled a mobile training shop around the country and then to Sturgis each year. I picked it up in Dubuque, Ia. Bobtailed over to Bristol, Indiana where I picked up a big Lakota HT going back to the dealership in Ala. I never dropped a gear on I 65 unless getting off the interstate. One sweet little ride.

 

[RVTRKN]

RV, 1/2 acre horse property? That ain't enough room for three hobby horses! That's as bad as houses so close together you have to suck up yo belly and turn sideways to go between 'em. You'll never have BIG for a neighbor! LOL Mark

ya I agree, but it is zoned for horse's, and there are stalls with horses, with the satellite over view. There are bridle paths instead of sidewalks, and trust me with horse dung in front of the house I want to purchase, I have to say there are horse's. It is so my daughter can live in a house with cheap rent and I'll be able to store my 5ver and boat in a barn.

 

[Mark31]

ya I agree, but it is zoned for horse's, and there are stalls with horses, with the satellite over view. There are bridle paths instead of sidewalks, and trust me with horse dung in front of the house I want to purchase, I have to say there are horse's. It is so my daughter can live in a house with cheap rent and I'll be able to store my 5ver and boat in a barn.

Yeah, RV. It seems everything is a trade-off these days: We have to put up with a little so we can do what we have to do. Hope everything works out for you and family. Mark

 

[Okie-Go]

Some of you may remember back in August I bought a freightliner. No regrets at all, I have had two Dodge 3500 drw. And also two 2500. For the past three years I have averaged very close to 100k miles a year. Sure the 3500 can pull it but get in traffic with the road wet from a shower of rain and try to stop it when someone pulls out in front of you then goes down the road 1/2 mile and turns off the road to a driveway. The FL is much more comfortable not to mention safer. The heaviest trailer I pulled with the 2012 3500 was a horse trailer from Ocala Florida to Checotah, Ok. Total weight of the trailer was 20,220. Pin weight was 7480. Got 8. 5 mpg. After 6 months and 42k on it the trade in value was 30k, I gave 46. 5 for it. While looking for A fl I found some that were 60k with 300-400k miles on them. A Dodge dually wouldn't hold it's value like that. Like Barry said, I haven't noticed a lot of difference in the fuel milage. I am getting a bit over 11 pulling a 32ft tandem dual gooseneck. Of course it is empty. At the end of the day 10-11 hours and close to 700 miles or a bit more you appreciate the comfort of the mdt's. If you pull or haul a lot they are the way to go. Go drive one and see how you like it instead of talking about someone that has one. If you ever see me holler at me and you can drive mine.

 

[RVTRKN]

Do they have sleepers and are they legal for logging when in sleeper? That would save a lot of hotel bills, thats the only advantage I see if other than a 5500.

 

[Okie-Go]

The back seat does fold down to make a bed. As for as a dot certifed sleeper it is not. Neither is a 5500

 

[RVTRKN]

Thats why I asked, it seems the 5500 looks like a better option in my opinion, but you know the saying "opinions are like *******s, and everyone has one. " :-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf