Greetings im currently in the Tri axle dump truck business here in florida with 1 truck a 2005 mack granite thats paid off. In the near future I am going to add to my fleet but since I havent been driving trucks as long as most of you I have some questions about truck specs. The mack I have is great bullet proof off road but gas milage on the highway and for longer distance hauls 80+ mile trips is average at best. The next truck I buy I would like to be better on gas for longer trips. I have been looking at this Peterbilt closley [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. # because I feel as if it could be what im looking for in my next truck. The truck above is a 18 speed I have never driven one and don't have to much knowledge about how they work in a dump truck config? How would the transmission hold up off road? And how do you guys with experiance feel about air ride trucks. When I say off road I don't mean 3 feet deep mud or anything hardcore like that I mean soft dirt medium duty off road. Hope I was detailed enough thanks for any help.

Anthony

Most Dump trucks get paid by the ton. So....how much does the Pete weight empty? (Full of Fuel and Driver) Petes with a big Cat are usually pretty heavy. Looking at the specs I would guess 5 mpg tops. Personally I like an 18 speed. Air ride is OK for stock piling but not for spreading gravel or asphalt...it works, you just have to be very careful rolling with the bed raised.

An 18 speed should be fine, although you'll want to keep an eye on your rear gears. Make sure they are low enough to get you out of soft soil and loose gravel, but tall enough to provide good fuel mileage. I also agree with the poser above, try not to spread with it and always dump your bags before lifting the trailer. I've seen a few land on there side because that wasn't done.
As far as a truck with good fuel mileage out of the gate, you should look toward a Freightliner (they weigh less) or a newer Volvo. Just my thoughts, good luck.

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Stupidity will get you killed.

18s are great and if you need a granny it has it. I used one to pull a 39 ft TIBROOK and it would get u up out of the mines but had to go to CAT and get the eng turned up to 2100 RPM or you couldnt shift on the hard pulls up out of them.I have a pump that will fit one too, has about 3 mo use on it, came off a 13 over. You'll love airride once you get used to it, you have dump valve so you cnableed them off bfo dumping.

I can't really tell but that Pete looks to have an aluminum body. Thats great for weight but you can forget trash loads like broken concrete, asphalt, rip rap, surge etc. etc. Around here the only time you see alot of Petes and Kenworths are trucks that haul 90% asphalt and millings. I say buy another Bulldog, nothing better in construction trucking.