Flatbed tractor questions

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by NYCgorilla, Nov 24, 2020.

  1. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    What are the pitfalls of having a heavy haul truck as a general flatbedder?


    Lower mpgs?

    Rough ride?
     
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  3. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    All of above and some. If your gonna be general skateboarding, look at something as said already. If you like what your looking at, it’s your money, go for it.
     
  4. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    Wrong tool for the job.
    Regional:
    1 generally you want at least a small bunk.
    2 10(+) gears (8LL is for mixers and dump trucks using the LL)
    3 rears that start with a 3.xx
    4 200 or so gallon fuel capacity
    5 wheelbase 220+
    6 air ride
    7 475 or better for HP
     
  5. Landincoldfire

    Landincoldfire Heavy Load Member

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    Compared to a normal duty class 8. This truck is also going to be heavier. Also the heavy spec'd parts are going to cost you more to repair or replace. The posting says it has 425 floaters on the front. Those will get 20k on that front axle legally.

    I agree with the rest that this isn't good for regional application. If you wanted to move some heavy crap in the city. Then it would be the right tool.
     
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  6. Crude Truckin'

    Crude Truckin' Alien Spacecraft

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    Gonna be honest, if you're asking these kind of questions, you're not ready to be buying a truck.
     
  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    You could slap 11R24.5 tires/rims on the front axle.........but that 4.56 rear gear is gonna kill you.

    you’ll never find a flat bed that can load 48K and be under 80K gross with that truck.....think double frame....

    look elsewhere .
     
  8. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    Gotta start somewhere.

    I appreciate you guys pointing me in the right direction.

    After reading more about drive ratios, I guess the gearing and double frame are the biggest issues.
     
  9. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    1980 Peterbilt 359 -
    395,375 Miles
    400bc Cummins
    13 Speed
    220" Wheelbase
    7" Stacks
    24.5 Tall Rubber - 50%
    Vortox Cleaners
    Original Truck


    What do you guys think about this one?

    I'm guessing the big cam might be a little underpowered...
     

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  10. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    that would not be a truck to buy for a guy that doesn’t know about and like working on old trucks a lot. Like a LOT.


    Whats your budget?
     
  11. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    Maybe $30k to $60k... Possibly more if it was a good deal.


    I just read a lot here about the newer engines being a headache.


    So I was hoping to get a big cam or n14. But honestly, I don't know much about working on engines. I was hoping the truck wouldn't be too problematic initially, I could bring it to the mechanic and learn as I go.
     
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