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3500 or 4500?
I could use some advice. I have been using my stock 96 dodge dually 4x4 , manual trans, that I bought new ,to pull a horse trailer that weighs about 13,500 lb fully loaded about 6,000 miles a year. During hay season I am hauling 14,000 lb hay + flatbed, making several short trips. I drive it another 6,000 miles or so unloaded or with lighter towing loads under 10,000 lb. I know I have been well over the limit on my truck and have just put in my 4th clutch plate at 145,000mi . Divide 4 clutch plates into 145,000 and you can see it gets expensive, not to mention a pain in the rear.
I want to go with cab and chassis because a flat bed would be more useful and easier to hook up. I want( and need) a quad cab 4x4. Will I be ok with the 3500(13,500 rated towing) or should I go with the 4500 , man trans with 4:10 rear (16,500lb towing) or automatic and have to go to 4.44 rearend?? I'd like to get the best mileage I can, but I don't want to tear up an under powered truck to save on fuel costs.
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