We have a horse trailer that is 11,200 lbs empty. Add 4 horses @ an averaged weight of 900 lbs, 1200 lbs of hay, 400 lbs of horse tack and equipment, probably 200 lbs of human food and clothing in the camper part, and 460 lbs of water. Plus another 65 gallons (about 543 lbs) of water in the truck bed. We need to keep the price under 30K.

What truck do I need?

 

F350 diesel dually. Maybe even a 450

 

F-450 or F-550.

 

An #11k empty trailer is in MDT range IMO... Sure, you could probably hook it up to an F150 and get it moving.... Obviously, it's a goose neck trailer.. I'll bet the axles are all the way in the back too, right?? That means a whole heck of a lot of pin weight, so you'll need something that can handle that kind of load, and a dually with load range G tires are probably going to be the only thing that will handle that kind of load... What is your estimated pin weigt going to be... That's the figure you really need to concentrate on...

Mitch

 

You are looking at 18k gross trailer weight. That's more than a F-350 DRW (that's only gonna cost you 30 grand) can safely do (I think you MIGHT be able to do it with a 2011). F-450 at the very least, F-550 preferred.

If you want to research tow ratings for 2008 and earlier vehicles:

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

 

In that price range?
Dodge 2007 3500 dually or newer with the 6.7 liter diesel.
Sorry, but that is the only trucks that people pulling these big horse trailers are using... mixed in with an occasional Chevy/Ford. After the big Ford 6.0 FLOP many have converted to Dodge.

I'm the service manager at a trailer service and sales place and we also install hitches. I install ten plus Gooseneck Dodge hitches for every Ford or Chevy hitch. The numbers sway a little closer in the camper people with 5th wheel hitches, but the Dodge is still king in the towing department presently.

If you feel you must get a Ford, look for a low mileage F350 dually 1999-2002 with the 7.3 liter diesel. The 6.0 was a bust and the 6.4 although better has less power and less fuel economy than the earily 7.3

These older Ford's are easily in your price range.

I know my position stinks on the Dodge... I HATE MOPAR TOO!! I just wish Ford would get their act together. The 6.0 has left a bad taste in the mouth of many.

 

Thanks, that was great info, I think I will try to open my mind to 'other' trucks.

 

CO, does the 3500/350 have the frame, axle, tire, and payload capacity to run a trailer that heavy?

 

I'm not sure the manufacturer's are rating their truck that high, but lots of folks are doing it without breaking anything.
Horse trailers are pulled like babies so people are not mashing the gas and the brake because they have a lot of money invested in their horse and trailers. They are careful with their cargo... and tend to baby the truck when hauling these loads.

Tires in the trucks are not the issue. The trailer tires however have major failure rates. Some people blow a tire every time they go out. The issue is running 16" tires on these trailers with GVWR's over 14k. Even with load range 'G' tires blow outs are very common.
Upgrading to 17.5" usually eliminates the issue.
Upgrading the trucks to 17.5" will also allow unbelievable awesome tire wear on the trucks. (read 100k plus before needing new tires)

 

Again, excellent information! No big surprise, but we do blow out tires quite often on the trailer. The weights I listed are absolute maximum, it is possible for us to take less hay, and less water, depending on where we are heading. Often in the mountains in the summer our hay needs are very minimal as the horses can graze. Usually we travel with only two horses, but it would be nice to be able to take all 4 sometimes.

 

if ur looking at a 1999 to 2002 ford try and get a manual. with that big of a trailer your gonna want to pick and choose your gears. I know from experience cuz I worked at a feed lot with my brother transporting cattle. hope u find a truck!

 

Actually Ford detuned the 7.3 after 2000 due to the torque wrecking the manual tranny in the 1999's. So if you get an earily 2000 or a 1999 the auto is preferred. 2001-2002 a manual might be better.

 

You have so much miss information here I don't know how you stay in business. Dodge isn't even in the tow game as of 2011. With there current ratings, a 3500 DRW is almost if not maxed out with the trailer described and with serious lack of power compared to the competition. The Ford and gm can pull a 21,000lb gooseneck with the F-350 or 3500 DRW.

The 6.4 Ford had more power than any 7.3 did. It's main downfall was poor fuel miliage. I had a 6.0 that did hard work for 100,000 miles when I traded it and it had very few problems. Most were maintanance related or tuners. Sorry... I call your bluff. You are a fiat fan and love it for the cummins. No problem there.. to each his own.. just don't blow smoke up our butts.

To the OP... My 2011 F-350 DRW 6.7 would pull that trailer around like it was a toy.

 

Did you get your 2011 F-350 DRW for $30,000?? That's what the OP's truck budget is...

Mitch

 

I am not referring to 2011 as the price won't fit the OP

BUT... apparently you didn't know that the new Heavy Duty Super Duty's F650-750 etc. is ONLY available with the 6.7 Cummins... YES in a Ford!
The question you need to ask yourself is why? If Ford is producing a better diesel with better numbers why install a Cummins motor?

I'll stop before a rant that doesn't require my attention