Best Short Haul, Tandem Axle, Day Cab Tractors

theres still t600/378 Pete’s floating around that aren’t in much better shape, doesn’t have to kill a big hood to get the better parts network

 

Mack R model and a kidney belt You're talking glorified yard tractor ranges, nearly. Check your local port regulations, if its NY/NJ or CA you likely won't get away with an old tractor due to emissions so you'll have to take that into account.

For my personal preference, doing the work you suggest, I prefer older pre-emissions tractors with heavy duty specs. Something like Mack CH/CL, KW T800's, FL Classic or FLD, Int'l 9900, 9400, Pete short-hoods, with heavy front and rear axle ratings, 8 or 9 speed manual transmission, and the shortest wheelbase you can get find. You will beat a plastic truck down hard in that environment, and many of those are lighter duty setups anyway.

 

Mack Pinnacle

 

"As part of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, and Metro Vancouver adopted guidelines in 2008 for reducing the air emissions from trucks, in addition to ships and cargo handling equipment operating in and around our harbors."

 

Until recently we've used Mack's exclusively for 23 yrs hauling containers within 300 mile radius, including mountains, of Denver, never a complaint or issue.

 

I don't know what dealer you guys are dealing with but my Freightliner is a 1995 and I have never had to wait longer than the next day for parts.