Heavy haul new truck specs looking for input

OK but would add

Set back axle,(not sf, better turning with sb axle)
Double frame,
20,000 pound front
20,000 pound drop axle
52,000 rears(in case ya get in some mud and can not use the drop axle)
1900 cubic inch rad.
Transmission cooler.
A/C and bunk heater.
Heated seats (he would like that)
Double insulated bunk(cool in summer/warm in winter)
On spot chains(that will save his back from throwing chains, flip a switch)
12 volt coffee maker and cup holders
Microwave to heat up stuff.

 

I agree with most of this except the 20,000 front and 52,000 rears. Most trucks don't have enough 5th wheel slide or enough kingpin swing to ever get that front end anywhere near 20,000, plus it kills your turning radius especially on a Western Star. I run 46,000 rears and I get in plenty of bad situations and never had a problem, I'm not sure they're worth the extra cost and weight. The rest of it sounds pretty good.

 

I don't know if you are aware but you can order the truck with a 2004 emission motor. Even with a CAT if you want one.

On our heavy haul trucks we run 46k rears on all of them. I think the rears on most of them are 3.73 but the ones that pull the 9 axle setups have a dual range rear with 4.10 in the high range and 5 something in the low range. Full lockers for them also. These 3 trucks have walking beam instead of air ride suspension. None of them are double framed and they have been running this type of truck since '78.

We also run 16k fronts but we are limited to 14k running tall 24 rubber. You can almost never get all the weight on the steers. The drops are 10k or so because 42k or there about is what you are limited to for a tri axle group. We only have one truck with a 20k drop. Even with that, we are limited to 16k because unless it is the steer axle we are limited to 500 pounds per inch of tire width.

On the transmission, make sure to get the 18 speed auto. I believe that is the only one that is guaranteed up to 140k.

 

Nothing out there is getting any lighter weight now a days when hauling anything, and a lot of companies manufacturing trucks are offering 20,000 axles now a days with very little loss of turning radius. I said 52's for the extra load capacity off road untill you can drop the drop axle on flat pavement.

 

I run a 2014 4900 SB 269" WB double frame 46k rears (3.91) airliner suspension hendrickson 20k lift axle 18918B DD16 @560 1850tq 18K steer I was running upto 150K on 8 axles and am moving upto 10 axle shortly. My fuel mileage from IFTA reports for all miles has been consistant at 5.00, I might get 6.00 empty and I never run over 65 and mostly around 60 mph. I really like my truck and have had very few problems with it overall. I would probably change the rearends to something deeper like 4.11 and I am considering upgrading to 600 Hp ($650 charge).

 

I like it and it has been good to me, but I do not drive fast. The issue I have but you probably won't is when I get in low rolling hills. I have trouble maintaining my desired 60mph roadspeed.

I did order the oversized brass copper radiator - mine is 1560. I had to do a 6" cab lift to fit under the short hood, I will post a photo so you can see,with the tall cab vision is really good. I also spec'd the door mounted extra wide mirror option - gret vision pain in butt because everytime you closethe door you have toadjust the mirror

 

You'll be luckily to get 26-28 ton net in a 3 axle dump trailer with those specs....