Trying to decide between 2 nearly identical trucks, both diesel 1/2 tons, 8 vs 10 speed transmission. Would occasionally pull a 2 horse aluminum trailer with one horse in it locally, horse would ride in the barn owners big rig on long trips to shows. Google has many varying opinions on which is better, any tips from experience? TIA
What brand truck are these? The 10 speed will probably get you better milage, But it is a lot of shifting. Are these Hi and Low speeds to shift between? Personally I would go with a 3/4 ton truck for better weight in trailer control, along with getting the 8ft box for length. Longer wheelbase gives better control. Sure lots of folks haul with the half ton trucks, but when things go bad, you have no “advantages” over the trailer with leverage and weight using the modern, largely plastic, half ton trucks. Hauled a lot of horses over the years, never regretted having a bigger truck to keep control of horse trailers, empty or loaded with horses.
No one in the USA makes a manual transmission anymore except for the Tacoma truck, I went to price out a 350 Ford cab and chassis last year and learned they ALL (Chevy, GMC, Ram) come as automatics now per the truck Dealer! Not a fan of automatics for hauling horses, so that was a big disappointment. Hoping my 22 year old, manual truck has a lot of years left in it!!
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We never had 1/2 tons but we have had 3500 diesel duallys before - both 8 speed (Dodge) and 10 speed (Chevy). We haul a very large/heavy horse trailer (28,000lb loaded) and our Chevy with 10 speed transmission (2018) hauled it perfectly (this is coming from a husband who has always had Dodges). He loved it as it shifted amazingly well, went up hills with 0 issues and never lost speed, never roared for more power and was nice and smooth.
He had to trade it in and decided to go with the newly designed Dodge again (always his true love - he loves their interiors really) which has a 8 speed transmission. It hauled terribly. It roars and hard shifts like crazy, loses speed going uphills etc. So much that he thought it had some machinal problem as soon as he got it and called Dodge to look at the truck. Nothing wrong with it, it just didn’t have the same shifting and does not haul as well as a 10 speed. Learned that the hard way.
We still have the Dodge though (2019) but did purchase a Freightliner to pull the big trailer. The Dodge now hauls his shop trailer, 5th wheel camper trailer and our 2 +1 trailer (all trailers about 15,000lb and under). I actually hauled our 5th wheel last week (14,000lb) and it did haul that like a dream. Didn’t even feel like I was hauling anything.
So I guess it just depends on the weight. Lower end weights a 8 speed would be perfect, higher end weights at 10 speed would be better. Just our opinion and experience with owning both.
When you mention local hauling is that 30 miles or less on flat, secondary roads? If yes, then you could get by with a 1/2 ton 8 speed.
If your local hauling includes hills, highways/interstates then I agree with goodhors, you will improve stability, control and handling with a 3/4 ton with an 8 or 10 speed. I always recommend an 8’ bed not matter 1/2 or 3/4 ton.
I once hauled a 2 horse bumper pull with a half ton Ford and when the wind was slamming me from the side it was stressful. Ditto accelerating on interstate on ramps. When I went to a 3/4 ton it pulled the trailer so much better.
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