Best Compromise Truck Specs To Be Able To Pull More Trailers

I can only imagine all the answers you will get here. If I was in the same situation, I would first off go with a Paccar product (KW or Pete). Less parts fall off a paccar product, plus the cabs are usually better insulated. Then, it depends on your taste, do you like a hood or an aerodynamic truck, will a setback front axle be necessary for deliveries to customers etc, longer wheelbase to ride better, etc. The easiest question to answer if the engine, tranny, rear end ratio. I would spec a 2003 or older (pre-emissions) minimum 450 hp motor with a 13 speed or 18 speed transmission for splitting gears in the mountains, and 3.55 or 3.70 rears.

These older motors work best between 1400-1600 rpms for power and fuel economy depending on brand. The 6nz, 1lw, 2ws cats, basically any of the 3406 E model cats, are a great compromise between fuel and power. The detroit series 60 12.7 won't beat a cat up a hill but it will do a little better on fuel, and the n14 cummins is the best electronic cummins I ever drove. Now cummins has the ISX and it is a good motor too, if its the pre-emissions version especially.

You could get a t600 with one of those removeable wind deflectors so you could pull vans, tanks or flats, and a w900 has that same removeable wind deflector too. My personal truck would be a early 2000's model Pete with a 6nz cat(reprogrammed by Mr. Haney) a 13 speed tranny, and 3.55 rears on tall rubber. That should give you a general direction to go in. Like I said, though, you may get a ton of different answers.

 

The DOT sez you no longer need a headache rack pulling a flat/step/etc... but I do...

I've pulled reefer,van, flat, step deck and tankers with my 379...

 

One you can pay cash for, or, pay off in a year.

 

I'd suggest a midroof with a DD15, 13spd and 3.55 rears. 240" wheelbase max with 22.5lp tires. HP ratings are somewhat useless (as my old 3408 had 350hp and would go thru Colorado just fine), but I'd try to stick to 425-505hp range. A lot of guys I know are really liking the Cascadia's and most are spec'ing them to about the same as Maverick's fleet with the addition of a manual trans instead of the auto. Stay away from large condo's as they add weight and a stand-up sleeper will limit you on pulling tanker and some flat-beds as most companies have height requirements.

For example, one of our guys has a fleet of 4 2009 Cascadia's leased on with us. All with the above specs (515hp DD15) and they are avg 6.5mpg pulling loaded tanks at 44,000lbs. Another has a 2008 T660 with a 525hp ISX doing about the same, and my old 1999 FLD was avg over 7mpg. I guess it all depends on if you are looking to buy new, used, or "paid for"

 

Well a mid roof you can stand in so those are always good. I personally like the higher rear gears. I drive a 379 short hood(TMC) and it has 3.36 rears in it with a 13 speed and a 475 Cat. Its an 07 so its pre emmisions. The MPG is anywhere from 5.75-6.5 depending on what I am hauling. It has a 63 inch sleeper which is big enough for one person.

Now here is the thing, if you want a longer wheel base to put those longer loads on and have hang over on the front instead of the rear that is going to give you crap MPG when it comes to pulling a van or a reefer because of the large gap in between the 2. Something to keep in mind.

 

Well no offense but there is NOTHING Pre Emissions about 07. 04 CAT was the bridge year. So 03 was really the last year for pre emissions BS. However, good luck getting financed for older equipment. Most banks/lenders don't want anything to do with it. I am going through this right now.

 

When I say pre emmisions I mean no DPF or DEF as in pre 08 emmisions BS. Yes I know the motor in this truck has emmisions stuff on it