Med. duty vocational truck

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Brew, Apr 26, 2011.

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  1. Apr 26, 2011 #1
    Brew

    Brew Bobtail Member

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    Apr 26, 2011
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    Our current fleet of trucks are getting ready for replacement. They are sterling accteras with 210hp C7's and eaton six speed syncro trannys with a splitter. 48,000gvrw, 12,000 fronts, 20,000 rears and 16,000 air ride pushers. These trucks are stripped down gutless piles that the drivers beat to death just to get them down the road at freeway speed. Most average 6mpg or less. I am not sure of the gear ratio however they turn 1950RPM at 65mph. Needless to say they are a poor setup for heavy local delivery loads.

    Our next trucks are going to be bigger and stronger and have higher weight capacity.

    I need some ideas on a good setup for a 26' box truck that will get good MPG, be dead reliable, last longer then 200k, and have a good resale value when it is time to sell, but still not cost a fortune when new. (alot to ask i know)

    We are thinking along the lines of a Shaker M2-112V with the DD13. Kenworth 440 with the PX8. KW T800. Pete 386, 384, or 337. Or like trucks from other manufactures.

    We are also thinking of going with a glider with the 12.7L Series 60 so we don't have to deal with UREA.

    The ultimate deciding factor is going to be initial cost, however big picture is going to get A LOT more consideration then before.

    Thanks, And sorry for the long first post
     
    Brew, Apr 26, 2011
    Brew, Apr 26, 2011
    #1
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  3. Apr 26, 2011 #2
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    The Mack RD688s sounds like it would be right up your alley. Unfortunately, those are out of production, and my experiences with the Granite.. I would describe them as less-than-encouraging.
    The 95 series Sterlings were popular for daycab applications... big, spacious daycabs. Again, out of production now.
    T800 is a very popular vocational truck. Not the best for space in daycab configuration, but a very solid truck, indeed.

    But the one I stand by the most is, was, and always will be the Mack RD688S. There's used ones out there.
     
    WitchingHour, Apr 26, 2011
    WitchingHour, Apr 26, 2011
    #2
  4. Apr 26, 2011 #3
    dieselpowerrules

    dieselpowerrules Light Load Member

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    I also kinda have my doubts about anything brand new being "dead reliable" through 200,000 miles, lol sad but true...
     
    dieselpowerrules, Apr 26, 2011
    dieselpowerrules, Apr 26, 2011
    #3
  5. Apr 27, 2011 #4
    Mack185

    Mack185 Medium Load Member

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    The above recommendations sound a little too big for what your wanting but a buddy of mine works for a fleet that has some medium duties so I'll throw my 2 cents in.

    They run F750s with C7 Cat Acerts/6spd Allisons and Kenworth T300's with the Allison as well but I can't remember the engnes. They've also got a handful of GMC's that they like but GMC is out of the medium duty market I hear.

    The Ford's get better reviews then the KW's but they are completely happy with both. F750's are common so it shouldn't be a problem finding them and you have a good dealer support network.

    I hear ya on the Sterlings. I've driven Sterling tri axle dump trucks and to say they are turds is an understatement. They look like a Freightliner and a Ford had sex and the Sterling is what plopped out.
     
    Mack185, Apr 27, 2011
    Mack185, Apr 27, 2011
    #4
  7. Apr 27, 2011 #5
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    The one thing they do have going for them is their spacious daycabs, though - at least in the AT/LT 95XX Sterlings/Fords.
    My last job in NC rotated me between tractor-trailers and straight trucks. I was able to fit my cooler and two Mexicans in there with me, and we all rode comfortably.

    [​IMG]
     
    WitchingHour, Apr 27, 2011
    WitchingHour, Apr 27, 2011
    #5
  8. Apr 27, 2011 #6
    Brew

    Brew Bobtail Member

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    Apr 26, 2011
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    So true which is why the glider is super tempting.

    And mack, i know the trucks i mentioned seem like overkill but my thoughts on them are; We are a beverage distribution company. We usually run our trucks at 35,000 total weight, sometime right up to the 48,000. The little trucks and little engine have to work so hard that they are guzzling down the fuel quick, i was being generous when i said a 6MPG avg. So the bigger truck would give some advantages to us IE, same or better MPG, higher GVRW, longer life, less wear and tare, and better resale when all is said and done.
     
    Brew, Apr 27, 2011
    Brew, Apr 27, 2011
    #6
  9. Apr 27, 2011 #7
    The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    I would go with Freightliner Columbia glider kits or T660 extended day cab with the cummins 435ISX and Eaton fuller 10spd.

    KH
     
    The Challenger, Apr 27, 2011
    The Challenger, Apr 27, 2011
    #7
  10. Apr 27, 2011 #8
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    With the glider kits, don't you have to provide your own rear axles, as well?
     
    WitchingHour, Apr 27, 2011
    WitchingHour, Apr 27, 2011
    #8
  11. Apr 28, 2011 #9
    Nitropickup

    Nitropickup Bobtail Member

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    Some dealers are selling fully assembled glider kits.
     
    Nitropickup, Apr 28, 2011
    Nitropickup, Apr 28, 2011
    #9
    The Challenger Thanks this.
  12. Apr 28, 2011 #10
    The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    The Challenger, Apr 28, 2011
    The Challenger, Apr 28, 2011
    #10
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