Which truck to purchase first?

[LBZ]

For someone just starting out, can some of you guys with experience share your opinion of which truck to purchase & why. Most starting out are in the class three through seven segment pulling wedges or low boys. However any & all opinions welcome.:)

Any specifics on motor/trans/gearing, tire size, wheelbase & cab configurations definitely welcome. I realize this is general & broad sweeping, but would have killed to have found multiple recommendations years ago.

[briartransport]

STAY AWAY from ford diesels.......bad motor's except the 7.3.....ford diesels don't hold up at all, if your on the road and have engine troubles nobody will even look at them, even the dealers cannot fix them. I have one that I putting a gas motor in it. Just my 2 cents. Merry Christmas and Good Luck to ya.

[Tosch88]

This is my experience:

I own & operate a Fl-70 (see in the parking lot section). The specs are as follows, 23k RA with a 3.70 ratio, 10k FA, Air Brakes, 7 Speed Manual, 255/70/22.5 tires with Alcoa wheels, 8.3 Cummins 275hp, Rear Air Ride, Pac Brake engine Brake, 60" walk in Condo sleeper, Air Ride Seats, Empty weight is 16k full of fuel, straps and gear.

I owned 4 3500 duallies before this truck 2 07 Dodges, 08 Ford and still have the old 95 Ford.

Fl 70 avg mpg on the last ifta quarter was 9 mpg running 62 to 64 mph.The worst mpg I have gotten is 6.8 mpg (pulling OS pools) and the best was 12.2 mpg with no wind on flats (2' high load of pipe). I am plated at 54k and generally average around 45k. I pull two trailers a 3\4 wedge (weighs 5k) and 50' step deck (weighs 10k). If you drew a line from Mn to Tx, I run east of these. I rarely if ever run out west.


This is what I spend on maintenance (I do my own):
Oil, Filter & Fuel Filter every 15k: $150
Air Filter every 30k or when needed: $60
Coolant Filter once a year: $30
Trans & Rear once a year Synthetic: $300

This is what I have replaced on this truck keep in mind it was used (200k) but you can use this as a price reference to potential trucks your looking at.
Turbo (this was an upgrade): $1100
Rear Brakes, Drums, Shoe Kit (I payed to have this done): $450
Fan Clutch: $295
Belt Tensioner: $100
Belt: $50
New exhaust manifold gaskets: $40
Alternator (160 amp): $200
Ujoints all Four: $240

I haven't replaced any tires as they were 95% when I bought it. I priced them at around $2000. The rears should last over 250k and the steer over 150k. Right now the they have 70k that I've put on them and the steers are about 70% and Rears about 85%.

As to why I would choose this truck over a 3500. I get about the same mileage (9mpg to 9.2mpg), I can safely carry more weight (this has made me about $10k more this year), less down time for maintenance, much more comfortable then a Woodhouse sleeper in a Dodge, its safer (if you lose the brakes on the trailer it will stop the load), These trucks can go 750k without any major problems, 3500's are normally worn out around 300k, Resale value is much better on the Fl 70's. Parts for these Fl series are generally the same cost as my 3500's. So the idea that maintenance cost are way higher on medium duty is a myth for me. My Fl70 is actually cheaper to operate when figuring in Maintenance, No Hotels, Repairs, Service Life.

The things I don't like: They are a little under powered, you normally don't use them as your everyday driver at home, its hard finding a shop big enough to fit it in to work on yourself, air brake trucks & elect brake trailers don't work well together (there is a new brake controller out to solve this but its on 2 month back order).

[short stack]

tosch, is your tranny a spicer 7 speed?

[Tosch88]

I thought it was but it is an eaton\fuller.

[short stack]

i just repplaced my spicer. i heard they were not the best tranny out there. i put 5000 miles on this one and all is ok. truck has 725000 but it looked like someone was into this tranny already

[Tony]

This becomes a tough question as opinions vary. Mostly according to proposed use of the truck. A guy that wants to run 3 cars on a wedge, or a guy that might split with freight on a 40ft/45ft flatdeck might be comfortable with a 1-ton dodge.

Personally I've been through almost all of it except for the big (class-8) trucks. However that day is coming soon. Even though guys with FL60/FL70's will have comments, I personally have not driven one under load. I cannot offer my own opinion on them due to not using them. They are obviously setup for the work more than a medium-duty dodge truck, but then also various unfamiliar maintenance for a new guy. Whereas the dodge maintenance would be similar but more frequent with a medium-duty dodge.

I have been the route of the 1-ton as well as the medium-duty dodge and of course would steer the direction of the 5500. But with larger trucks coming down in price, this also becomes a consideration. If your budget and operating capital allow it, I might suggest a good used big truck. But in the current economy, for those planning 3/4 car loads consistently my opinion is to stay in the medium duty category. Those with higher volume requirements should of course head into heavy duty markets.

[Tosch88]

Yes, the truck people use will be decided by what there customer base is. I totally agree with Tony on the being a different beast to work on compared to the medium duty Dodges. That is the only reason I had someone do my air brake job, I didn't know anything about them. Every truck has its place, it is up to the individual to do the research & decide which vehicle will work best for them:D

[LBZ]

Every truck has its place, it is up to the individual to do the research & decide which vehicle will work best for them:D

Exactly, the reason I posted the question was for someone just starting out is to look at every option objectively. When I started out, I wanted a dually in the worst way, these trucks just rock! But they are not made for commercial use over the long term. There is also a guy who told me he ran through two one tons before going to a bigger truck over the course of four years, he figures it cost close to $200k in lost revenue over that 48 month period.

There is a mindset that carrying more weight does not pay more, which can be true at times. When someone needs something NOW they may be willing to pay a premium to move their piece/car weighing 5k. However when you miss that on the lottery system load boards you will be left out of many other opportunities.


According to the numbers Tosch posted, my fan cluth & alternator for a Duramax one ton truck were more expensive. :mad:

To each their own with their choice of truck, just keep in mind that it is not a weekend warrior mindset of arguing Dodge vs. G.M. vs. Ford. There are many more options out there along with the big three.:cool:

[Buster]

As a side concern, the reason I will not go with a FL/60/70 any time soon is due to parking restrictions. I can not park it at my home and will not leave it to the thieves and thugs of the world. Otherwise, an FL would be my next truck of choice. Later today I will be posting my opinions of my Infinity GN 400. Mostly good, some not so good.

[haulin rv]

As a side concern, the reason I will not go with a FL/60/70 any time soon is due to parking restrictions. I can not park it at my home and will not leave it to the thieves and thugs of the world. Otherwise, an FL would be my next truck of choice. Later today I will be posting my opinions of my Infinity GN 400. Mostly good, some not so good.

Thats funny, thats my problem. I am currently pushing the envelope parking my Mega and Kaufman at home. If I go bigger, I could likely park the truck here but the trailer would have to go. Thats what worries me parking my trailer with a load of cars where I can't keep an eye on it.

In a perfect world I think my next truck would be a single axle big truck with an auto shift. I can say I don't see another 3500 ever happening again due to the rear axle weight limitations.