Dodge 3500 vs 4500 vs 5500

[mepull2]

Planning on buying a new Dodge truck within the month to mainly be used pulling a 35 ft gooseneck with about 18000 pounds of antique tractors. Currently i use a 97 Dodge 3500. Looking at going bigger. Any negatives to buying a 4500 or 5500 over a 3500? (Like insurance or license or some other line it would cross??)

Exclude cost and please dont responded telling me to buy another brand.
 

[MisterT]

[snoopnc]

It might be helpful if we knew "where" you're located and be a bit more descriptive of your planned usage of your rig. Farmer or hobbyist?

Rick
 

[john in la]

Please help me check my figures so I can give you the proper responce.

You are loading 18,000 lbs of tractors on a 35 ft gooseneck that most likely has a 20,000 lbs gross weight rating (total trailer and load) and pulling it behind a truck (3500) that has a 11,800 lb towing capacity.

So you are thinking about upgrading and your new choices are a 4500 with 18300 lb towing capacity or a 5500 with a 18250 lb towing capacity.
 

[puln70]

There's some info here:
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/4500-5500-chassis-cab-trucks-f158.html
 

[KYGarrett]

I would stick with the 3500. When you step up to a 4500 or 5500 your automatically going to goofy 19.5 tires and wheels, and usually a 4.88ish rear end gear. Those 2 things alone were enough to steer me to a 3500. I bought mine in aug of last year did all the deletes, and tuning and love it. By the way i regularly tow a 9 ton dozer and have no complaints/problems.
 

[souNdguy]

those 'goofy' 19.5" tires aren't so bad. a lil spendy.. but ride nice.

I have a f350 and a f450.. both 99's.. my f350 has 16" tires, my 450 has the 19.5" tires.

the 350 has a 4.10 rear end gear.. the 450 a 4.88 rear.

as was said.. the 4.88 rear is no speed demon. I usually don't run over 72.5 mph but it pulls great. ( has air bag suspension too.. like that better than the sprigs only, on the 350.. )

good luck with your purchase

soundguy
 

[mepull2]

Not see how it matters......18000 is 18000 pounds....usually 6000 pound farmall M times 3.

Live in Illinois. No i do not farm....just haul toys....probably 5000 miles a year.

Thanks
 

[MikeinKy]

I don't know where John gets his information. Maybe a Dodge is weaker, but my F350 towing capacity is rated at 21500 if I remember correctly. Which i regularly violate by as much as 14000#.
 

[ericlb]

id get as much truck as i could swing, there is no such thing as too much truck, but there is sure such a thing as not enough truck, these guys haulling 20 thousand behind a little one ton just scare me, sure they got the engine to pull it, but what most dont get is they sitll dont have enough suspension, wheelbearings and brakes, its still a 1 ton, and thats why they make bigger trucks , ive driven big trucks for more than 30 years, if your paying the insurance on a 3500, you can pay the insurance on something bigger, as long as you dont pull for hire, if you do, that changes everything, insurance wise, buy the bigger truck, a 1 ton may get the load there if everything goes right, but the bigger one will get it there safer and last much longer doing it , and you'll have much less excitement doing it
 

[D1206]

I am with Ericon this one.I ran highway trucks close to 20 years and the same thing he said,you see way too many guys pulling 20,000lbs+ with a 3/4-1 ton.He is right,they will PULL it,but I would be more concerned with stopping and controlling that load if you have to do so quick manuevering for whatever reason.It is still JUST a light truck.I know its probably a licence issue getting into a 3 ton or even an older class 8,BUT you have something in front that will control the load.Maybe you might only gaul 2 tractors instead of 3 and be safer for all.This is just my opinion,but there are lots of other current or former class 8 truckers that will probably tell you the same thing.
 

[john in la]

From the Ram Trucks web site.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/

Is it they are weaker trucks.
Is it dodge has them rated (GCVW) at 26,000 to get under the CDL laws even for the 5500 when your Ford F350 has a GCVW in the 30's.
Is it I am reading something wrong.

He is looking at spending close to $40,000 on a truck of this size.
Giving him good advise includes knowing answers to all the above; and for what; where; and how often he will use this truck.

We talk everyday on this site about how the DOT is cracking down on one ton trucks. This thread is a perfect example why they are.
 

[MSD]

Saw a new Dodge 4500 on the road the other day. Had a flatbed on it. Looked good. What is the price difference between the 4500 and the 3500?
 

[scotc]

I'd look for a low-profile 4700 or 4900 with a DT466 for all the more use it would get. But if you are set on the new Dodge, go with the 5500. May as well get as much truck as you can if you can afford it.
 

[VicS]

I know most people on here think you can't get to big of a truck, but. The mileage on a 4500-5500 will be terrible! I also can't see how the 4500-5500 would stop the load any faster than the 3500. The 3500 seems to be the most popular size truck to pull a backhoe around here 16000 to 18000 lb. I would lean towards the 3500, because I might want to drive it to the coffee shop and bragg. A new F150 eco=boost is rated to pull 11500 lb which is more than my 03-F250. Which will handle 15000 lb easily. I have hauled 2 tractors 400 miles one way.The new disc brakes will not fade like the brakes of just a few years ago. Just one guys opinion, worth just what it costs! Vic