best truck fro flatbed. fuel efficient and reliable.?

mid roof if not always hi loads

 

Glider. 13 speed.

 

Not expensive and brand new don't mix. If you're not looking to pick up a glider kit. If you've got a motor and trans you can use I'd say a glider is going to be your best and most cost effective way to go. Freightliner, Western Star, KW, Pete take your pick. Throw yourself in a Motor and trans and you're good to go. Better fuel than mileage than you'll ever get out of the DPF and Urea engines. You can get a rolling glider depending on the model, make, options, etc for about $90-100k. That does not include everything that's going to be needed for installing your motor and trans. It's about another 7-8k for parts and about 12-15k for labor to have everything installed for you. We looked into gliders when we started out of course couldn't afford it. That would be your best bet you're stll looking at almost $130k, but when it comes down to it, $130k for a truck that's going to get good fuel mileage and be reliable. $200k for a brand new truck that's going to get bad fuel mileage, be in the shop because of unproven and unreliable emissions equipment, and cost you an arm and a leg in the long run.

For flatbed I'd go with a midroof or flat top. You really don't need a condo or high roof sleeper unless you're hauling cans all the time or tall stacks just my opinion. I run a midroof even when I'm stacked above the sleeper fuel mileage doesn't drop that much. maybe 1-2 tenths. So I personally don't see the point of a taylor wing, or a high roof sleeper just my opinion on the matter though.

 

i wouldn't get a flat top. you'll have more loads taller then the truck.

right now i'm hauling to backhauls. and the front one is KILLING my fuel economy with that bucket scooping up all the air. and it's angled downward.

the load wasn't a bad rate. but apparently not good enough to compensate for the poor mileage.

 

How many times are people going to ask this question?

 

The high rise sleeper allows you to feel less out of place when you hang out at the Loves.