Buy new truck but which one - gasoline or diesel ???

A gas truck will get 2 mpg.

 

I'd go diesel. While gas engines have come a long way in the last decade I don't think you're going to see the fuel economy and pulling power like you would with a diesel. The diesel will easily last 2x the mileage of the gasser while under load.

If you were just toting around the occaisional 10k lb RV a few times a year I'd say go gasser. 36k+ lbs daily is beyond what a gas engine was designed to do.

 

Forget the pickup truck. Buy a used single axle sleeper tractor. More power, more brakes and a LOT longer life. Check any truck out at rigdig.com like a carfax for trucks. Choose wisely, it may be the last truck you ever buy.

 

Get you one of these jobs. Can buy, oh 5-8 of them for about the same money as a new Ram pickup.. LoL

 

Probably cost a fraction to fix it compared to the Chrysler dealer too!

 

The problem with going the single wheel semi route for the hotshot, is.. now you are a really big hot shot truck but a small semi. Not really ideal for either. Might as well go full-size semi and not be limited on loads. I mean really what advantages do you get out of a single wheel tractor still hauling a hotshot trailer? Might as well be hauling a semi step-deck or flatbed at that point then add on the 2 extra rear wheelsets on the tractor and get any load you want.

Also, I know with cars at least when I haul them vs freight the smaller truck/trailer lets me go into residential neighborhoods that I couldn't take a single wheel tractor into.

Don't get me wrong, I 100% get the idea about it being a real commercial truck that will last longer, but if going that route I can't understand why stay with a hotshot and not just go full-size semi?

Oh and for the record prior to CVid19 I was very much considering buying this truck/trailer.



Then the freight market died so I started hauling more cars and was reminded quickly where the smaller trucks shine and that's being able to go into smaller/restricted places

 

In my opinion.....

Single axle is cheaper to buy, cheaper to service, less parts to buy.

Is it worth it for a little less capacity?

For me, yes.

 

Each setup has advantages over the other. Hell, if i wanted to up my registration weight, I could get 45k lbs on deck. I will have a hard time keeping the drive axle legal, but 45k is all a step is generally asked to load..

I'm 6'3", & even the small bunk on a tractor is 10 fold better than sleeping in my dodge was, or taking the time to find a motel I could park at. Not to mention, if you dont like bedbugs, your dropping at least $50-$70 bucks a night..

You run a really small rig. You got what, a 156" wheelbase short bed truck, & a 32' wagon.? Sure that will get someplace I can't, but a "normal hotshot", with a 40' mini float, & crewcab longbox cant get nowhere I can't. I'm only about 2' longer than one, with more wheel cut on the steering, & can dump my rear trailer axle to shorten up the off track..

You aren't supposed to go on restricted roads either in a CMV. If going into a residential, or restricted road to make a delivery or pick is the only way in, than so be it. A semi has the same right to be there as a hotshot does..

I also enjoy still running paper. You could do it in a small truck, but you'd basically be limited to '99 f450-550's if you wanted to be over 26k lb. The rear axle in the dodges didn't have enough weight rating back then, & running one of the GM twins with that anemic 6.5L diesel seems like an exercise in futility too me..

Lots of tolls actually double in cost when going from 4 axle to 5 in the north east. For example the tolls up i95 crossing the Delaware go from $12 on 4 to $24 on 5axle last time I was up that way..

My inspection rate is waaaaay down too. I'd get level 1'd about 4 times a year, & level 2'd another 4 times on average. I've been inspected 4 times total in the tractor. Two level 2's while still pulling the gooseneck. One level 2 while hauling empty plastic tanks with the step because the cop thought I needed a tanker endorsement (wrong), & a level 3 few weeks ago during pandemic. LoL, cop was scared to take my logbook. Germs!!!! LoL


Not to mention, more & more shippers are refusing to load hotshots. I see a few on the board everyday that would easily fit on a one, but they flat out say in the posting, "no hotshot!" Gets tiring be lumped into a group because a few jabroni's screwed up..

I can go on, but I'll leave it here. Everyone can find something that works for them & be happy..

For the 1st time, because of this nonsense "pandemic" I did wish I had a twin screw, or a pusher axle. The open deck segment took a nosedive, & had I had an extra axle, I could have hooked to a hopper & stayed making money.. So yes my next move will probably be to add a pusher to still take advantage of tolls, turning radius, fuel economy, no HUT, or KYU, but be ready to get heavy if need be..

 

Seeing that pic reminds me why I like cab mounted mirrors.