What Class of Truck for Hot Shot

I know some guys that use a ram 3500 to hotshot with. But not one of them is getting double digit MPG. Most are 7 to 8 MPG. and swapping over to class 8 trucks. The ones that's running no CA loads are buying up 2002 or older tractors with a 12.7 detroit 13 or 18 speed trans. Then run 2.76 gears in the single axle there leaving under it. And then the ride is 80% better then the pickup. There not as tired at the end of the day. Nice place to lay down and rest plus not pushing the truck to its limits..
Had guy offer me a Dedicated run 3 weeks ago $4500. per week and home 4 nights per week. Told him with my 5.9 I have now no way was I pulling that load for that amount.. Then he offered to buy my truck.
So now I'm in the process of buying a 379 peterbilt with 12.7 detroit. Will single it out and get as good or better MPG then my 5.9 gets now pulling 16,000 lbs 13'6" tall
Pete

 

With the trailers we pull, and the weight we carry here, all our hotshot owner operators are reporting a minimum of 10 mpg on IFTA. The more experienced drivers that moved from big trucks to Rams are doing even better than that.

 

Must be lots of empty miles to add that up. Not saying there not getting it. But none of them on the right coast is getting that good.

 

Sure there are. It really boils down to gear ratios and how you drive. Same as a big truck.

By saying "none of them on the right coast " your posting fact as fiction. Please dont do that.

 

None of the ones I know are getting that. How about that? And right coast is sure better then CA for me. Also used to get double digit MPG pulling a 53ft van with a 12.7 back in 1995. We did only have 3500 lbs in the box most times. So yes I know how to drive to get the best MPG a truck can get. But the 5.7 cummins when loaded to the max just will not get 10 MPG. Mix in a lot of empty miles and it may well average it. Same as the 12.7 we were running team 7000 miles per week and getting double digits. And we got fuel our bonus off that truck all the time. Next truck running the same run did good to get 7 MPG>

 

It's a rarity for us to deadhead more than 50 miles. Our trailers weigh 7,550 lbs new from the factory, and we load on up to 15,000 lbs. A lot of our loads weigh less than 12,000 lbs.

Here's a few of those loads.

 

How about a GMC Topkick 4x4? That's about the best truck GMC ever made. Unfortunately 2009 was the last year.

 

Topkicks lack power big time. And have major wiring issues. Not a good truck to be in business with.

 

I think this would be the ideal truck but unfortunately it has to be custom built.
Watch "Cummins Ford Allison" on YouTube

 

Which truck have you found is better (3500, 4500, 5500)? How about the braking? Do t you have to have a DOT sleeper on there? Are your costs really much less than a tractor