Cheap tow vehicle

Ranger50 wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: I'm not from CA, but here in VA, The PO had the truck registered as a "Truck" with a GVWR up around 15,000 lbs. The guy at DMV said I could register it with a lower GVWR and pay less if I wasn't going to be pulling 6-horse trailers around.

This is correct. DOT officers are cracking down big time on the people who are running "commercial" on regular truck and trailer plates, plus licensure. Basically, it is a cash grab for everyone's money. As long as you aren't a donkey and stay below 26k combined, you shouldn't have a problem.

Its always good to have excess......this is why I bought a legitimate 15k lb gvwr truck. I think I will plate and register it as a grain truck though

Just remember that other people have worked on it. I found out that someone cross threaded the spindel nut on and saw chisel marks around the bearing. I won't come apart had to locate a new spindel. I really hate people working on things that don't have a clue.

1988RedT2 wrote: You can tow stuff with a duallie that would give the driver of a 1/2-ton truck a major case of butt pucker.

Not necessarily in a legal fashion you can. Just thought I'd point that out.

HiTempguy wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: You can tow stuff with a duallie that would give the driver of a 1/2-ton truck a major case of butt pucker.

Not necessarily in a legal fashion you can. Just thought I'd point that out.

Maybe you could add some detail and explain that a little more thoroughly. I don't believe I've ever towed anything illegally. From my experience, and from others who have owned both trucks, the stability of the duallie over a SRW axle, particularly in a light (i.e 1/2-ton) truck is like night and day.

1988RedT2 wrote: Maybe you could add some detail and explain that a little more thoroughly. I don't believe I've ever towed anything illegally. From my experience, and from others who have owned both trucks, the stability of the duallie over a SRW axle, particularly in a light (i.e 1/2-ton) truck is like night and day.

The tow ratings of older 1 ton duallies does not necessarily match the newer 1/2 ton ratings. Tow ratings are almost strictly based on horsepower (look at a 1988-1998 GMT400 based 1 ton dually with a diesel, I can tow more with my 93 tbi 350 1/2 ton than a 1 ton dually diesel can).

Depending on the rules of the road where you are, towing over the maximum towing capacity of a vehicle is illegal. Food for thought.

HiTempguy wrote: The tow ratings of older 1 ton duallies does not necessarily match the newer 1/2 ton ratings. Tow ratings are almost strictly based on horsepower (look at a 1988-1998 GMT400 based 1 ton dually with a diesel, I can tow more with my 93 tbi 350 1/2 ton than a 1 ton dually diesel can).

I hear you, and I'm not going to argue that point. What I'm talking about has NOTHING to do with horsepower. It has to do with vehicle stability at speed. If you've never pulled with a duallie, you should try it one time.