Flatbed tractor questions

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

  1. Crude Truckin'

    Crude Truckin' Alien Spacecraft

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    For 60k you could find a good used 2016+ with a DD15, 10 speed direct, 2.64 rears, low 22.5s, make fuel mileage.
     
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  3. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    Yes, but then I need to be worried about all the sensor issues once it starts hitting 300k to 400k miles and I have even less chance of being able to work on it.

    I was hoping to have a truck that would last me a while without constant headaches.
     
  4. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I have 435hp, 2.64's, and a 10 speed. The shift from 9th to 10th sucks. Need more horsepower, lower gear ratio, or more gears in the tranny. I make do, but I hate the spec. Just some more info for you.
     
  5. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    What makes it suck?

    And by lower gear ratio, do you mean 3.xx?

    Or would it actually be a lower number since it's a 10 speed?
     
  6. tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Yea I drove a company Western with a 10 speed in front of a fresh preemission Detroit and the leap from 8 to 9 and than to 10 wasn’t bad unless you had to start dropping gears climbing .

    Looking forward to driving my 13 speed
     
  7. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    8LL and 4.56 rears you'll be screaming going down the highway. I run the northeast and I have a 485 hp Paccar 18 spd 3.31 rears and it does great. Lightweight is 29k with both tanks full and a 48ft spread axle.

    Not sure if you're a Mack fan or not but you could probably find a decent older CH series for a good price. A friend of mine has one with a 427 Mack engine, 13 speed and 3.86 rears and he keeps up with everyone else. Think he weighs around 27k empty. His truck has been very good to him. Just look at ones pre-2000 or so
     
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  8. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    I've been looking at the macks and have been curious about them but don't hear enough about whether the old ones were reliable.


    From what I understand, the big cam and n14 are reliable engines and less expensive to work on.

    The pre emissions Cat engines are more powerful but more expensive to work on.

    Not sure where pre emissions Mack fits in on that spectrum.

    Thx for the info.
     
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  9. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Because it's a gutless pig.

    Yes. "Lower gears" is a higher number. For example, 4.10's are lower than 3.55's.

    If I had more gears near the top, the 9 to 10 shift would be more bearable. Basically I wish I had a 9.5 gear. Something to go to in between them.
     
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  10. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    My experiences with them have been good, I drove an old RD dump truck that had a 350 and 8LL and a CL series with a 454 13 speed. Both were reliable trucks and caused little to no headaches. Just looked on truck paper and there's a bunch of decent looking older ones all under 30k
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2020
  11. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    @Brettj3876
     
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