3500, 4500, or 5500? whats your opinion?

[Tony]

I had 2x 3500's and now have a 5500 long wheelbase. I know which one I prefer.

But what do you prefer and why?

[Buster]

I started with a 3500. I now have a 4500. I wish I had a 5500 or, better yet, an FL70.

[Tony]

Yeah, I keep overlooking the FL70's. I keep getting distracted by a few big trucks here and there. The only thing i don't like about the 5500 really is the rougher ride. I imagine with the right daydream and some time in the shop, I might be able to soften my seat a bit. My back kills me after a 600+ mile day on washboard asphalt.

[smr500]

I know this time old debate pops up on almost every forum but here goes..... If I buy a single axle semi w/sleeper at let's say $8500 (decent Mack on ebay right now). Pull a 3/4, or even true 4 car hauler with it. Would the savings on the truck make up for the poorer fuel mileage, operating costs, etc. Plus better comfort. I know some people have strong opinions about this but if I'm making a life changing career move I have to take every little bit of info, analyze it, and ultimately make my own decision. I go back and forth on this topic almost daily. Some of the prices on the bigger trucks are crazy low right now. It will come down to start up capital, but then need that low operating cost to keep it going.

[Tony]

I know this time old debate pops up on almost every forum but here goes..... If I buy a single axle semi w/sleeper at let's say $8500 (decent Mack on ebay right now). Pull a 3/4, or even true 4 car hauler with it. Would the savings on the truck make up for the poorer fuel mileage, operating costs, etc. Plus better comfort. I know some people have strong opinions about this but if I'm making a life changing career move I have to take every little bit of info, analyze it, and ultimately make my own decision. I go back and forth on this topic almost daily. Some of the prices on the bigger trucks are crazy low right now. It will come down to start up capital, but then need that low operating cost to keep it going.

You are right on the 'old debate' part, but as those of us with the newer 5500's with 6.7L Cummins(unmodified) can tell you... there won't be a huge decrease in mileage. When the 5.9L Cummins was the big dog it was an obvious difference. However, when I load up(full) my enclosed trailer and head off cross-country and hit typical highway speeds, I swear I can watch my fuel level drop on the guage.

From what I've seen there isn't much of a difference. When running a 4 car behind my 5500, it is sucking fuel like theres no more on the planet. On the larger truck, it isn't really noticing that much of a drag behind it, making the workload much less with the same load.

And thats not even touching the topics like driver comfort on and off duty. Imagine an 84" big azz condo sleeper, soft and cushy air-ride, etc... you get my drift. :)

Now when it comes to 3 light cars on my 5500 pulling the Take3 wedge... There can be a larger difference, but it also depends on the geography.

If a guy wants to take the current pickup truck and wedge trailer idea just slightly larger... The 5500 wins hands down. Compared to my 3500, no-brainer!

I'm not saying its a bad thing, or anything of the sort. Just some thoughts.

[smr500]

I appreciate the thoughts. Tony, if you were starting up from scratch within the relatively near future with current truck/trailer market, fuel costs, etc. What would you purchase?

[Tony]

I appreciate the thoughts. Tony, if you were starting up from scratch within the relatively near future with current truck/trailer market, fuel costs, etc. What would you purchase?

hehehe, want me to give you the exact truck and trailer I'm eyeballing right now? :)

That still depends on the direction you want for your company, etc.

If you wanted to stay specialized for a certain customer base, it would depend on their needs. For my 'Gotta Have It Yesterday' customers, I would keep my 5500 and Take3 or Enclosed. Less time spent in cities loading, finding cars, etc... more time on the road getting their cars to them. Of course for a premium rate.

But if I were just doing the auction to dealer stuff in a busier market...
Probably a single tandem semi with respectable sleeper. Figure in the 450hp+ range, under 1mil miles, used truck. But be very careful as you could end up with someone else's headache.

I'd consider selling one of my setups ready to go if someone were honestly interested and qualified for the purchase. I already have my upgrade planned for my equipment, but for reasons I won't go into here :D

[smr500]

Didn't mean to put you on the spot but I'm intelligent enough to recognize a successful entreprenuer as yourself so I do value your opinions. Hope you didn't mind. Starting out I will be TOTALLY dependent on CD. So I will not be specialized in any way.

[Tony]

Being dependent on Central will hurt you if you go too big. First you will have a harder time getting loaded in the current economy. If you have the option, go at LEAST with a 4500 as you will have issues with rear axle ratings trying to load your trailer.

If you go too large, you will spend a week trying to load your trailer. Attempting to future book cars, you will find that they won't want to assign a load too far out in the future. The longest I have experienced was 3 days. Imagine trying to fill 6+ spots. By the time you've loaded you 6th, I'm already dropping my 3 that I loaded while you were still booking.

The minimum you should aim for is a steady 3 cars on any one-way portion of a trip. Attempt to get those 4-car loads to make your money, but sometimes they won't all fit.

There is no 'one successful formula' in this business. The biggest variable is the customers, and theres no telling what they'll do next. So try to find the perfect balance between what you can use and what they can fill.

My balance is still a bit off, I feel I need 1 more car. (Always that way isn't it)
For your typical guy who likes pulling his wedge with his 1-ton, he will find he needs slightly more to accomplish his goal. My suggestion to that one guy would be to upgrade to a 5500 and slightly exceed what he was hoping to get. The difference between the 4500 and 5500 is simple... I never worry about my axle weight. Other than that, not much else different.

Thank you for the complement, I'll try to help you not make some of the mistakes I've made during startup and also to be a voice of reason when you start thinking of that nice Pete with a Cotrell for $225k :D

[short stack]

i have run both the 1 ton and an fl60. the fl wins hands down. air ride, air seats, 70" condo, big brakes and drive line. at my age i go for comfort. ave with 1 ton pulling rv was 14 and with fl 11.5 - 12
mark

[Tony]

i have run both the 1 ton and an fl60. the fl wins hands down. air ride, air seats, 70" condo, big brakes and drive line. at my age i go for comfort. ave with 1 ton pulling rv was 14 and with fl 11.5 - 12
mark

Betting that the 1-ton was a 'needle-in-the-haystack' 5.9L Cummins? :)
Sure wasn't with the 6.7... I can guarantee that :D

[short stack]

04 6 speed man with no tuner good truck just seemed to break alot with the miles, but the fl is down too!!

[smr500]

But I want that Pete, LOL! My current thought (subject to change at any moment) is a single axle tractor with a 3/4 wedge of good quality or a used infinity 4 car if I can find one for a good price. Starting out there is no way I want to take on more than 4 cars at a time. I will barely be able to afford the insurance on this set-up. But that is for another section.

[Tony]

Yep, the FL70's are definitely good trucks. I personally haven't used one for work, just pulling a race trailer and a personal RV. But alot of guys are still staying away from airbrakes, etc. And finding a FL60 that is in decent shape can be a problem. But for the headaches and prices of the FL60, I'd pick a 5500 Dodge anytime... just get the one with a CA Clean Idle Certified sticker if you plan on a sleeper.

BTW, I idle mine all the time and don't have issues. More recent flashes from Dodge solve alot of problems. The truck will idle up in order to run a regen cycle if it needs one. Plus with the Auto trans the PTO provision allows for Idle control using the cruise control switches while in park.
Sorry to go off topic. :D

[cosgo]

Id like to preface by saying that my comments are based on my business.

That being said: I still drive my dually, and my M2, and my Columbia. Hands down the first thing I notice when going from the small truck to the big truck is how much time I save each and every day trying to find a hotel with truck parking for a decent rate in a decent part of town. It gives me an extra hour and a half to two and a half hours a night rest. Not every trip is for every truck. Sometimes its just more cost effective to send the small truck out. Sometimes the big trucks win. Either way, I really enjoy being able to sprawl out on a nice mattress when the day is done. I can get changed in the bigger trucks, and when in a pinch I can pull into a truckstop and grab a shower and be back on the road in as little as half hour. If you are not getting a decent rest, you get sick of the road real quick. For me, the perfect rig is the one I just bought. Freightliner M2112, 450 horse, 10 speed auto, sleeper with generator, tv, fridge, microwave, heater, and air, single drive axle. it fits my business best. Took me a long time to figure it out though.

[Tony]

But I want that Pete, LOL! My current thought (subject to change at any moment) is a single axle tractor with a 3/4 wedge of good quality or a used infinity 4 car if I can find one for a good price. Starting out there is no way I want to take on more than 4 cars at a time. I will barely be able to afford the insurance on this set-up. But that is for another section.

Find something along the lines of a 5500 or find a Freightliner that has already been cut down to single. Dig up either a Detroit 12.7L or even a Cummins N-14 in good condition, have either dyno'ed before touching paperwork.

Then you can go hunt down a 53ft Take3 from one of the many in FL. there are plenty down there and in decent shape for really cheap prices. In my opinion, the Take3 is a well built and LIGHT trailer. If it doesn't have flips, I'd add at least 3ft to both ends. The suggestion would actually be 4ft both ends.
That should put you into 4-car neighborhood.


Id like to preface by saying that my comments are based on my business.

That being said: I still drive my dually, and my M2, and my Columbia. Hands down the first thing I notice when going from the small truck to the big truck is how much time I save each and every day trying to find a hotel with truck parking for a decent rate in a decent part of town. It gives me an extra hour and a half to two and a half hours a night rest. Not every trip is for every truck. Sometimes its just more cost effective to send the small truck out. Sometimes the big trucks win. Either way, I really enjoy being able to sprawl out on a nice mattress when the day is done. I can get changed in the bigger trucks, and when in a pinch I can pull into a truckstop and grab a shower and be back on the road in as little as half hour. If you are not getting a decent rest, you get sick of the road real quick. For me, the perfect rig is the one I just bought. Freightliner M2112, 450 horse, 10 speed auto, sleeper with generator, tv, fridge, microwave, heater, and air, single drive axle. it fits my business best. Took me a long time to figure it out though.

Agreed, but the M2's are still priced somewhat high in comparison. I considered a M2106 a few times and even drooled over a few SportChassis. But for the price and the wear of being on the road more than home, the used FL120's can't really be beat, especially at todays prices. :D

[cosgo]

I agree with you. I could never bring myself to buy a sportchassis. Even the ugly ones cost double what i paid for mine!! I must say though, mine cost me $65000 after upfitting for a brand new truck with 450,000 mile warranty. Its at 400k right now, and shows no sign of giving up. I would be surprised if I dont get 800-1 million out of it (I doubt ill have it that long though). I must say, even with whatever repairs ive had to have done, it is still a winner in my book. Of course, i do run it every week. very rare for it to sit, so it does earn its keep. i would do it all over again, knowing what i know now. I can sell the truck today for more than what i wouldve owed on it if i was still making payments (i paid it off early). not many people can say that about a truck after 4 years of use.

[sheamus]

What he said!!!!!! As in what short stack said about comfort. You guys type too fast for me.

[smr500]

Would this work for startup? They have them starting around 15k for 600k miles. Have a hard time bringing myself to buy new dodge 5500 for 30k and then having to spend more to customize it for the road. Idk

http://www.usedtrucks.ryder.com/Vehicle/VehicleThumbnailView.aspx?vehicleid=710163

[Buster]

I would not invest $15k on a truck with 600k miles when I could spend $25k and get one with 100-200k miles.