What Class of Truck for Hot Shot

Just to give you an idea, Oil and fuel filters cost more for my 6.0 Ford, than my 3406E CAT.

 

I wouldn't consider anything that isn't made for hauling.

An m2 class 7 is the one I would consider at the bottom of the list, I drove one for years and it held up ok. Once I got into class 8 trucks,mi found that the costs dropped, so you can save more money in the long run, even on the used end of the spectrum. It wouldn't matter if it is a freight liner or kW or what ever, the driveline is the most important part. For me, I would never get a Columbia or a Coronado, I just don't like them but I would consider a kW 600 series or 800 series. I have been driving western stars for the last 16 months (among other trucks) and if I go back into otr or what ever I would get one.

 

Go ahead and grab some vin numbers from various trucks. Then get insurance quotes with them. You would be surprised at some of the differences.

 

We run a lot of 3500, 4500, and 5500's here and we have very little problems with them. Across the board all our guys end up at 10 mpg on their IFTA reports.

I ran big trucks most of my life, I swapped out to smaller trucks for a lower operating cost almost 12 years ago. Was the best move we could've made. If they were giving semi trucks away to today, I wouldn't take one. Everyone has different experiences though.

Heres a few picture to give you an idea of what can be done with the smaller trucks.

HS 66 by flatbedcarrier posted Mar 17, 2014 at 5:40 PM

286pm by flatbedcarrier posted Apr 22, 2014 at 7:22 PM

Helicopter load 1 by flatbedcarrier posted Apr 23, 2014 at 8:44 PM

HS 32 by flatbedcarrier posted Apr 23, 2014 at 8:48 PM

HS 117 by flatbedcarrier posted Apr 23, 2014 at 8:50 PM

Hotshot pic 13 (2) by flatbedcarrier posted Jun 10, 2014 at 7:58 PM

Hotshot pic 24 by flatbedcarrier posted Jun 10, 2014 at 7:59 PM

Hotshot pic 61 (2) by flatbedcarrier posted Jun 10, 2014 at 8:14 PM

IMS Sept 23 by flatbedcarrier posted Apr 23, 2014 at 8:45 PM

 

Image by flatbedcarrier posted Jun 15, 2015 at 8:54 PM

Image by flatbedcarrier posted Jun 15, 2015 at 8:54 PM

Hotshot pic 69 by flatbedcarrier posted Jun 10, 2014 at 8:18 PM

 

All three trucks are good. As far as braking, all the late model Rams have exhaust brakes, and with the Aisin Trans option you'd be surprised at how well they slow these trucks down. I barely touch my brake peddle.

There's no law that says you have to have a sleeper on a truck. I know owner operators that get motel rooms, I know some that sleep in sleepers, and I know some that Have modified their back seat for sleeping. They sell sleepers, and sleeper kits for all these Rams.

As far as cost, do yourself a favor and call a truck stop that has a service bay, or a semi truck dealership and ask them how much a oil change is, and then call a tire shop and ask them how much a brand new semi truck tire costs. After that call Dodge and Ask them how much a oil change costs for a ram 3500 with a cummins diesel. And then call your local tire shop and price a new tire for a dodge truck.

I can tell you, the last two semi truck tires I purchased, about 12 years ago cost me $550.00 a piece mounted and balanced. That's $1,100.00 for two steer tires. The last time I purchased new tires for a Dodge truck I paid $900.00 for all 6 (a complete set) mounted and balanced. I just had the oil changed in my 2015 Ram at the dealer, it cost me $69.00. I don't keep up with oil change prices on semis anymore so you'll have to check on that yourself.

Best advice I can give you is to sit down with a calculator and run all the numbers before making your decision.

 

2003 and older = pre emission trucks .