Opinions on Diesel Trucks???

[JohnMiller3]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

<font color="blue">...If anyone's looking to buy a truck for towing, hauling and is looking for long life out of it, I'd suggest looking at a used single axle tractor with a couple hundred thousand miles on it... </font>

Hi Gary,

What are some good recommendations as far as makes/models, and engines to look for...?

Sounds like an excellent idea! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

(I'm at mostly Manheim auctions)

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

John,

With big trucks you don't have to worry about buying brand A to get engine X or transmission Y. The major engine makers (Caterpillar, Cummins and Detroit Diesel), transmission and rear end makers (Eaton, Allison, etc.) each and all supply components to the major truck makers (Kenworth, Peterbilt, Freightliner, Volvo, International, Western Star, Sterling). Some make their own components as well (Volvo) or almost exclusively (Mack).

I hope you'll understand if I don't want to open a can of worms on big trucks here like I've seen on Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge in the past. I'll be happy to give you whatever help I can if you'd care to send me a private message. I'll look forward to hearing from you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[looch]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

That's what I was thinking. At our local summer fair last year, a ford dealer had an F650 on display. The engine was a small CAT and the rear was decked in bright diamond plate and was equipped with a gooseneck hitch.

I asked him how much. One hundred and thirty-five grand (Canadian). Tell me you couldn't get a sweet highway tractor for half that.

 

[cmsedore]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Gary,

I've thought about doing just this (though I might have to take up residence in the barn if I bring one home /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

I've always assumed I could pass the CDL, but I worry about other things: stopping at the truck weigh stations, people saying that you have to be careful when hauling across state lines, etc. It's sort of an unknown world which leads me to worry I'll get trapped by something I didn't know. Enforcement is fairly friendly to pickup drivers, but I worry that there will be no mercy to a tractor-trailer operator.

-Chris

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Chris,

How could spending less money for something that'll last longer until it needs to be replace cause you to end up in the barn? I'd think you'd be the hero with, "Honey, instead of spending $35,000 for a truck that might last 500,000 miles, I've decided to save over $10,000 and get something with half again that many miles left in the motor. The truck itself will go another half million miles after an overhaul and we'll STILL not have $35,000 invested in the time and miles we'd have worn out TWO dually trucks."

I can't imagine why anyone (wife or not) would consider that a bad idea; Less money now, less in the future, years longer before replacement. Where's the problem?

As to your other conerns, the vast majority of them are moot unless you're hauling for hire. That's why you see "Private hauler - Not for hire" on a lot of these vehicles. It increases the "friendly" factor of which you wrote. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RobertN]

Sac Spring Works did the re-arch for the IFS. It lasted about 2 years. The second time, I swapped the IFS out for a staight axle. . They re-arched and added an extra spring to the pack, to accomodate hauling the camper. That worked well. That old twin I beam with leaf springs was just harsh on the springs. I see trucks all the time with saggy front end.

The leaf spring rises and falls fine. But, the IFS adds some rotation to the rise and fall, since the axle pivots at the center of the truck. That rotation just thrashes the leaf springs.

With the straight axle, I also could turn tighter. That was nice with the log bed extra-cab.

I have a set of Monroe heavy duty gas shocks that have low miles(4k maybe), sitting in the shed, that would fit your truck...

The re-arch is simple to do; everything unbolts easily. The pain is the drive to the other side of Sac...

 

[_RaT_]

Thanks Robert. I'll have to consider it. It is 4WD and it has pretty new KYB's all around. My neighbor on the other hand has a 99 or 2000 F250, the drivers side shock is punctured and not functioning at all. I would have jumped on it immediately but some folks don't seem to care about that kind of stuff. Perhaps if your not planning on hanging on to them I could consider it for him, they appear the same as mine, thanks, Rat...

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Unless it's strictly for recreational use only Gary most states are now requiring you to stop. The not for hire doesn't work very well anymore as regardless if you are for hire on not for hire they will come after you. It's happened to a # of my friends pulling trailers. Big fine too and then they check you for everything.

If you're buying one strictly for hauling it's a good deal. But if you're trying to make it a hauler and a rig to drive it's a bad idea.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Doc,

I didn't say you wouldn't have to stop at a weigh station. I'm sorry that you inferred that from what I wrote. My only reason for mentioning that was that it's my belief that the folks there are a bit more congenial and helpful if there's a problem on a private vehicle than a commercial hauler.

As to problems your friends pulling trailers have had, I can say something very similar. I've know it to happen to guy's pulling three and four car wedge trailers with duallies in IN, IL, MI, and OH. I've not talked to anyone about it lately, but that seemed to be the trend a few months ago. Maybe it's changed. I don't know.

I certainly agree with you that something like a small tractor is a bit of overkill for a grocery-getter, but, then again, so is a $35,000 dually. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

$35k dually.

I wish they were that low Gary. Most of the 4wd crew cab duallys are over $40k and approaching $50k for the King Ranch and other packages.

What I meant by getting a pickup is that I use my dually to get fence posts, haul rock, shavings, farm supplies, etc. etc. It also serves to haul my 15k trailer most of the time. I thought and looked very seriously about getting one of the hotshot rigs this last time. What convinced me not to was the inconvenience of one. The dealer let me drive a used one they had for a couple weeks and it was a pain to take it anywhere. Secondly was the license. It was four times for the license per year over what the pickup was. Lastly was the insurance. My insurance for the dually is $720/year. On the hotshot it was going to be $2350/yr.