Need to buy a used single axle tractor. What engine?

I've liked the DT466's that I've driven, and yes they can be turned up, not sure if any DT can get turned up all the way or if the initial spec matters but that's something to consider if you find the perfect truck with the wrong HP rating. I think the DT's started having emissions problems in 05 or 07 but I don't remember, best to find a forum where people are in the know about those engines specifically if it's coming down to getting one and picking a year. I own a moving company that's a mix of under-cdl straight trucks and a tractor/trailer set up. We operate in urban areas so we run a single-axle tractor & pup trailer combo. We had a 250HP cat and it wasn't enough power, I think 300 is about right. The single axle rental tractors I've used are 330 and that's more than enough grossing 45K. Check with your mechanic about the mbe, if they've got experience working on them and have the scantool and all that maybe it's a good idea. if not people knowledgeable about the DT are easy to find and it's very maintainable.

 

It's hard to take pride In your work when it doesn't pay off. I always kept my trucks spotless and perfectly maintained but the bosses never appreciated my extra work. As a matter of fact I get paid the same if I'm super trucking or wheel holding so where's the incentive to work harder?

 

They don't build them anymore for a reason. They're built a little on the cheap side. If you'll be driving it yourself and you're easy on your gear and maintain it, it'll probably be fine. If you're going to be putting a driver on it that'll abuse it, it won't last. The only thing that would scare me is the year. '08's were very problematic for emissions.

 

That truck is cheap for a reason. Parts will probably be a pain in the ### but at least it has the cummins in it. 2008 isn't a great year but maybe with recalls and whatknot that engine might be fine. I personally like the Sterlings interior, seems like a decent place to work. I haven't driven one but I looked at them last time I was truck shopping and decided not to get one due to fear of parts availability and all the ones I saw had mbe or cat engines. The parts I'd be scared of are the dumb interior crap. The controls for the heater, window regulators, switched, dumb stuff like that. We have a GMC t6500 and the horn button mechanism is unobtanium apparently as are a lot of steering column parts. It's frustrating when you have a perfectly good truck that gets sidelined for a week because of some tiny ######## part. But if it's cheap enough and in good condition it might be a good buy.