Dodge 3500 or Ford F450

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Local: http://rapidcity.craigslist.org/cto/3056979915.html

In Arvad CO, so would have to travel, but I travel to CO almost 6 times a year: http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3025728081.html


Which one would you pick? I would buy a flatbed, and tow our current H1 where ever, and when / If I get another one it would be time to upgrade to a 40 ft. trailer and tow two H1's. Is the 5.9 cummins capable of doing that? What do you think of the prices, ect. Post up your answer in the poll and say why.


Thanks!

Edit: Also would use it as a DD

 

[3Hummers]

Not sure about the Dodge but the Ford should tow your Hummer fine. 40' trailer plus two H1s might be too much for either truck. That would be about 25,000#.

 

[Pappibri]

I vote Ford.. For towing I do not believe the Ford can be beat... Love Fords. Just my 2 cents.. Powering the Ford F-450 is a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 that makes 400 horsepower and a massive 800 pound-feet of torque. The V8 is hitched to a standard six-speed automatic transmission. Properly equipped, an F-450 Super Duty can tow up to 24,500 pounds and carry up to 5,260 pounds. Nice...:huh:

 

[3Hummers]

Just to be clear the Dodge would tow the Hummer and a trailer. They generally don't seem to have the torque out of the hole that the Ford does. As to towing two Hummers on a 40' trailer...I have my doubts.

 

[erdlen65]

We always bought ford for our work trucks untill this year when I picked up a ram , I think the fords offer a heavier duty truck but my dodge is wayyy nicer of a ride and a better interior, for towing I would go with the f450

 

[Dennis]

Go with the FORD..they are a much better vehicle across the board in the American truck arena.

 

[Scarsman]

Well, if I was getting a truck to tow an H1 or two around with, I think there really is only one option for that. It would be this without question!

 

[Hunner]

Ford has wimpy, short piston rods as opposed to the long stroke Cummins for the deep down torque. (it's like the Jeep and Hummer thing) lol
I have the 95 Cummins 3/4 ton because I did not need duallies since I don't pull a three car hauler with one over the bed. That saves you some gross weight. I had a 40 trailer made with triple axles that can be adjusted. This model has the large pump you have to "wrench" on to turn it up as opposed to that one you can put a tuner on.
I run as high as 600 hp 600 ft lb but I also added a triple lock torque converter.
Pulling and grossing 25,000 with either one will toast most stock converters.
On whatever you get that lift will be a problem. You would have to have a massive strong drop down hitch added for a wag behind and for a gooseneck which I use and recommend for weight distribution you will have a problem with some trailers with that truck height and may have to cut and change the hitch on the trailer if it is not adjustable that much.
Also think about the width of H1's and the max in most states of 8 feet wide with out permits. (edit: 8'6")
How wide is an H1?
Seems that was going to be an issue with me and my old trailer if I moved Neo's rig from Memphis.
I think it really boils down to what you like overall. Ford has finally decided on an engine that seems to be working as opposed to some attempts that they bought back from people.
Talk to people with both and see what MPG they claim hauling heavy.
My little Cummins can pull.

http://s913.photobucket.com/albums/ac336/DHunter_bucket/?action=view&current=DCP_1559.jpg

or you could get one of these

 

[3Hummers]

You will need a deck over trailer or some set up where you can drive over the fenders. The H1 width exceeds the width of trailers with a deck between the wheels.

 

[Hunner]

You would need "sideboards" lol before and after the fenders and the fenders would not support the weight. I remember now the guy on Memphis said he could weld be on some and then remove the fenders and drive over the tires. Then there was a delay in him finishing some work and it got transported.
I checked that and it's 8'6" max, for trailers. My boat trailer is that wide but boats I haul are 10-12+ beam and require permits.
For the H1 then it would be one of those equipment trailers with duallies or triples like you said, over the wheel bed, like and 18 wheeler. Those by themselves are heavy. So an H1 must be 8 feet wide?? The fun part of that is at 8'6" one tire is on the shoulder stripe and one right next to the center line. You can't sneeze!
I put about 1500 lbs on the gooseneck in the bed to tow good and not squash the truck.

http://www.texaspridetrailers.com/PAGE-38-DO-24K-GN.htm

 

[seventwozero]

Well, if I was getting a truck to tow an H1 or two around with, I think there really is only one option for that. It would be this without question!

Trucks like this are surprisingly more affordable than you might think. You can score lightly used F650's with a Cat C5 in the 35-40k range on ebay.

IMO, if you're planning on loading up a 40' trailer and towing it extended distances, that would be the way to go.

 

[Kurt]

Trucks like this are surprisingly more affordable than you might think. You can score lightly used F650's with a Cat C5 in the 35-40k range on ebay.

IMO, if you're planning on loading up a 40' trailer and towing it extended distances, that would be the way to go.

Yeah, 2 H1's and a 40 foot trailer, it's too little truck. I'd look at a Kodiak, used F550-F650, or a freightliner sports cab, something like a class 6 truck or higher at that point.

Trying to haul two class 3 trucks with another class 3 truck is going to get you the hairy eyebrow by the DOT at weight stations and any other cop.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Well, I can always upgrade! Thanks for all the info. Just got back fromt the test drive of the F450, and it is very pristine. Very minor rust, as it was mostly driven in Texas. Talking to him, he said he would likely let if go for 28k. Not a bad price IMO. Thinking of turning towards the F450, and maybe later upgrading in the future.

 

[seventwozero]

Well, I can always upgrade! Thanks for all the info. Just got back fromt the test drive of the F450, and it is very pristine. Very minor rust, as it was mostly driven in Texas. Talking to him, he said he would likely let if go for 28k. Not a bad price IMO. Thinking of turning towards the F450, and maybe later upgrading in the future.

About 5k more would get you into a truck that you wouldn't have to upgrade! Not to mention would be just as much of a head turner as the H1... I get a little worked up just thinking about seeing a F650 with a H1 or two on a trailer behind it

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I havent seen any good condition f650's for 5k more. Link?

 

[seventwozero]

I havent seen any good condition f650's for 5k more. Link?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...4257555?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a75c9b913

The pickings today are a little slim, I've seen much better than this truck on there in previous weeks. Mileage is a little high, but still reasonable considering what type of truck it is on, and it looks pretty clean.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Ill keep an eye out! If I were to get an F650, it would definetaly haul!

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I just dont know about using an f650 as a daily driver though.:wink:

 

[Hunner]

It would be tough going into the drive thru at Starbucks!
I got to drive one of those but was a bit large for me at the time and pricey. I did have a friend with one strap me down a steep ramp with a big boat behind mine. It was nice to know I would not keep going into the lake with that big an anchor. He pulls a travel trailer with it.
Stopping two H1's with that size truck would be safer with more weight and rubber on the ground.
I got 238,000 miles on my Cummins so most big diesels with proper maintenance will last you a long time if you can justify the investment for other uses as well.
I have hauled two H3's at a time on mine is as big as I went with my 3/4 hauling vehicles. I hauled some pickups for a dealer two at a time but that trailer was a triple axle and like my boat trailer had electric brakes on all axles not just two like some made have on them.

 

[3Hummers]

Don't you need a commercial license for a 650?

 

[seventwozero]

Don't you need a commercial license for a 650?

I think in ND any rig with a combined weight over 30k lbs requires a CDL. So, even if the truck was a F350/450 (whatever), with a 40' trailer and two H1's, you would need a CDL.

Edit: Maybe not, I'm not sure what a H1's weight is off the top of my head... 10k give or take? I regularly tug two skid steers (10k and 12k lbs) behind a F350 and was required to get a CDL.

I had the pleasure of driving a F750 with a Cat C5 a few years ago. I didn't tow much, but it was much easier to handle than you would expect. The owner had a topper on the box, with a camera pointing to the hitch, you could hook up a trailer on the first shot! It swung a little bit going around corners, but not much worse than a 4 door long box pickup.

I can't imagine fuel economy would be any worse than an H1.. maybe a little better even!

 

[MaxPF]

Tough choice between those two. The F-450 is a medium duty truck with far fewer miles than the Dodge, but even though the engine is an improvement over the 6.0, it is still based on the same design and is known to have it's own issues. Unfortunately, the Dodge has a "STG 3" trans, which isn't further elaborated on in the ad. If it is an ATS Stage 3, I wouldn't touch it with a 10-meter pole.

BTW, Ford's new 6.7L Scorpion is stinging them in the ass. It has an issue dropping valves that somehow escaped notice in Ford's durability testing.... OOPS :fan I'd say your better off with a Cummins or a Duramax, especially if there is no warranty to fall back on. Repairs on a Powerstroke will quickly drain your wallet

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I should add that the Ford has a three year warranty or until it hits 105k miles. We've never had an issue with any of our fords. But I will keep an eye out on the F650's.

 

[Hunner]

Tough choice between those two. The F-450 is a medium duty truck with far fewer miles than the Dodge, but even though the engine is an improvement over the 6.0, it is still based on the same design and is known to have it's own issues. Unfortunately, the Dodge has a "STG 3" trans, which isn't further elaborated on in the ad. If it is an ATS Stage 3, I wouldn't touch it with a 10-meter pole.

I like your thinking and knowledge.
I am also amazed that so many of us have towing and hauling stories. What a diverse group. It is interesting that people that really get out and do all that also choose Hummer as their off-road vehicle.
I had Suncoast build my tranny and torque converter for the Cummins and got an interesting backstory about ATS from them!
I did a photo shoot for Suncoast in Fort Walton Beach while they did my tranny.

I also added a double deep pan.

tranny temps towing rarely get off the peg and then never very high at all. (well below engine temps) I have had the sensor checked but it works.
Very little heat build up.
The vanes are also cnc sharpened and the fluid drive is strong and positive.
I monitor the EGT very closely when heavy hauling to avoid melt down! lol
For those that have not seen these parts this is the stock plate and surface area.

 

[3Hummers]

I think in Texas a 450 and up requires a CDL. My F350 diesel dually pulls our tractor, flatbed and/or Hummer flatbed with zero issues. It does have a custom built engine in it.