Real thoughts/experiences with military trucks

[4570Man]

Here’s the weight chart I’m looking at for you country. 10 tons on the steer axel and 19 tons on a tandem. 29 tons combined. 29 metric tons is around 63,000 pounds. And putting 93,000 pounds on 5 trailer axels plus the steer axel is a lot less per axel than 73,000 pounds on a tandem plus a steer axel.

 

[Hay Dude]

That was always the problem with the military trucks. The axle weight ratings many times were “off road” ratings. Same with the towing ratings.
I’d really like a GVWR of about 45-50,000 and a GCWR of about 60,000.
If I dropped to a single axle, GVWR of 35-37,000 and GCWR of about 56,000 would be fine.

 

[plowhog]

If I did a 16’ flatbed, my scenario would be to load (8) 4x4x8’s @ 1500-2000 each (6-8 tons)

Do you have a Class A driver license, or would this truck be applicable for some sort of Ag exemption in your state?

My Ford F-800 requires a Class A license. Taking it across a state line triggers all sorts of complexities. So I just use it on the property only.

 

[RoyJackson]

Import one of these bad boys and put a bed that suit your needs.

Around 23 metric tons of payload, 400 HP 10.5L Man engine, 6x6, AC, etc

Between the purchase of the truck (even if a used vehicle), shipping costs...upgrading to meet US safety and emissions laws, it's quite unlikely this would be feasible
Than, one would have to consider parts availability...
Don't see this being a good option, compared to the surplus military vehicle

 

[Hay Dude]

Do you have a Class A driver license, or would this truck be applicable for some sort of Ag exemption in your state?

My Ford F-800 requires a Class A license. Taking it across a state line triggers all sorts of complexities. So I just use it on the property only.

Yeah I’ve had a Class A with Air brakes since the early 90’s.
Did over a million miles of trucking all short haul.

 

[4570Man]

Do you have a Class A driver license, or would this truck be applicable for some sort of Ag exemption in your state?

My Ford F-800 requires a Class A license. Taking it across a state line triggers all sorts of complexities. So I just use it on the property only.

It’s possible you’d be limited to 100 miles or so from home but no CDL needed for farm equipment.

 

[4570Man]

Between the purchase of the truck (even if a used vehicle), shipping costs...upgrading to meet US safety and emissions laws, it's quite unlikely this would be feasible
Than, one would have to consider parts availability...
Don't see this being a good option, compared to the surplus military vehicle

Agreed. If you wanted to spend the coin there’s options to be had for American made 6x6s. The power company has lots of them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Best all around option for me is a 6x6 digger derrick, stripped down to a chassis.
Theyre out there, but $50,000 is what they want for one that’s not totally trashed.
Power companies don’t typically sell them direct, they sell them through brokers who mark them up 25-50%

 

[4570Man]

That was always the problem with the military trucks. The axle weight ratings many times were “off road” ratings. Same with the towing ratings.
I’d really like a GVWR of about 45-50,000 and a GCWR of about 60,000.
If I dropped to a single axle, GVWR of 35-37,000 and GCWR of about 56,000 would be fine.

I think you’d be happier with a tandem. I have no experience with a 4x4 single axel or a 6x6 tandem but a tandem with rear lockers will make a fool of a single axel going off road. If you had an equal load on both trucks my money goes on the 4x4 single axel getting stuck before the tandem without front wheel gets stuck. If both trucks were loaded to capacity my money still goes for the tandem. The single axel turns a lot sharper is about the only advantage but with a 16’ bed you’ve lost most of that advantage.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think you’d be happier with a tandem. I have no experience with a 4x4 single axel or a 6x6 tandem but a tandem with rear lockers will make a fool of a single axel going off road. If you had an equal load on both trucks my money goes on the 4x4 single axel getting stuck before the tandem without front wheel gets stuck. If both trucks were loaded to capacity my money still goes for the tandem. The single axel turns a lot sharper is about the only advantage but with a 16’ bed you’ve lost most of that advantage.

I’m looking every other day. My guess is it’ll be a IH7400 6x6 chassis, probably 2005-2015.
Pre emissions would be great, but man they are low on power. 260HP is pretty typical on them.
My 4x4 single axle would get in/out of places a tandem would screw itself stuck sideways. I drove a couple Pete’s back in the 90’s, one a tandem and one a tri axle, and they were ok off road, but there’s nothing like a live front axle pulling you. It’s also better because many times the front axle is sitting in a good traction spot when the back axle(s) are not.