Building a new truck

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Big Jim’s Hauling, Apr 17, 2021.

  1. Big Jim’s Hauling

    Big Jim’s Hauling Bobtail Member

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    Apr 17, 2021
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    Need some advice from seasoned professionals. Planning to buy a 2022 KW 900L w/86 studio sleeper. Will be running a 53’ step deck trailer with spread axle and fold over dovetail ramps (3). Truck will have 18 speed transmission. What should rear differential gear ratio be and what front end should I order? Understand float tires may be best, but educate me. Been running a Hotshot setup and moving up to a big truck under my own authority. Thanks in advance
     
    Lonesome Thanks this.
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  3. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    I’d say at least 13200 steer axle rating,
    3.36 rears
    Do anything you want it too.
    Bridgestone R284s 16 ply is what I run, have had good service 295/75r22.5
     
    slow.rider Thanks this.
  4. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    How far can you slide the step deck to get weight on the steers? Make sure step has a shallow king pin. I’d go 18 or 24 inches.
     
    Bean Jr. and slow.rider Thank this.
  5. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Spec it for MPGs, 18 speed probably over kill unless you really want one. You want to run a transmission in direct drive for better MPG. Then pick how fast you normally want to drive, say 65. Then pick the rear end to match that.
     
    bzinger Thanks this.
  6. Banker

    Banker Road Train Member

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    You probably want to visit Eaton fullers road speed calculator to see what rear end you should choose. Asking what rear end you should have is kind of like asking what is the best truck to buy. It is user specific or personal preference in many cases. On the site you can input the tire size you plan on using and the speed you will want to run and the site will help you figure your best ratio. I have a #14,600 front axle with 18 ply 295/60 R 22.5 steers
    (carhauler) 255/70 R 22.5’s on drives and trailer, 2:64 rear end and an 18 speed transmission. I like to run 65 much of the time in direct drive (16) as this is my most efficient gear with less parasitic loss than my overdrive. When I want to run faster I run in single overdrive (17). I seldom need to use 18. Some people who don’t understand this setup will tell you that it doesn’t work. It has worked great for my operation however it may not work for you. That is exactly where the Eaton Fuller Road Speed Calculator may help you. Years ago the saying was “gear fast and run slow”. That is kind of what I did.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2021
  7. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    The 18 has a higher torque rating, good for big power.
     
  8. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Did you talk to the sales dweeb?

    they should be able to give you a list of trucks with different specs that works.
     
  9. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    Floats are overkill for a road tractor up to the 100kish weight range, regular tall 22.5 or 24.5 rubber should be fine.

    depending on how fast you want to run, where you run and 22 or 24” rubber, a 3.36, 3.55, or 3.70 ratio should be about perfect
     
    singlescrewshaker Thanks this.
  10. HillbillyDeluxeTruck

    HillbillyDeluxeTruck Road Train Member

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    I'd personally spec a truck with something like 3.25's or 3.08's with an 18 if I was going to run very little overweight loads. The 18 gives you plenty of gears and you don't always have to run in top gear.

    My current truck has 11r22.5's and 3.55's. It spins right around 1400rpm at 65, which is good but it'd sure be nice too have another half gear.
     
    AModelCat Thanks this.
  11. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    you also have to take off from a stop, either forward or backing up to a piece of machinery at job site delivery’s in soft ground/mud, prematurely destroying a clutch or shooting the axles out of the diff will kiss that tenth of a mpg savings with tall gears good bye

    I have 11/22.5s and 3.55 with an 18 and my n14 sings right along at 60 in direst or 70 in the big hole perfectly
     
    baha Thanks this.
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