Spec my truck

I'd probably go with a Kenworth T800 72" aerodyne mid roof with a cummins ISX in front of an eaton fuller 8 or 9 speed with 3.36 rears and 22.5 tires.

It doesn't sound like you haul heavy, so a 13/18 sounds like overkill.

I'd go with a tandem to have the option of the interaxle lock, and ability to haul heavier loads once in a blue moon. However, having a single axle for fuel/cost savings, and keeping a set of chains on the truck just in case may work better for you.

24.5 tires are better for offroad driving, but it sounds like 50%+ of your miles are on paved roads. 22.5's are easier to find these days, and a bit cheaper, too.

The T800 is generally pushed by KW as their more rugged model, and the sloped nose will improve visibility for tight manuvering over a W900.

http://www.kenworth.com/2100_vir_t800.asp

 

In that case, i'd absolutely go for a single axle. Your load range is comparable to a car hauler pulling around a 3 car wedge, and I rarely see any of them with tandems.

Running your distances, you might burn through a set of tires in a bit over a year. Having 4 fewer will likely save you around $1000 a year on its own, which is nothing to sneeze at.

I'd definitely go with the lower powered ISX's if you go that route. The 450 ST I used to drive could do about 11mpg pulling an empty van that weighed about 18000lbs through the ozarks.

 

Why not a medium duty KW or Pete?

 

T 800's also turn good and the front leafs are longer makes for a little better ride. If you go tandem, the AG 400 rear suspension rides better than any I've ever had.( Reyco 4 spring, AG 380, Pete Air Leaf are the others I have) I'm 6' tall and I can stand up in my Aerocab Flattop KW you should check out a 02 T800 Aerocab flattop with a Big Cat (6nz Ser #) mine has the factory wastegated turbo and gets good MPG @1200 RPM when I'm lightweight. 3.25 gears would do this @ 65 MPH

 

Personally I would go with a 386 Pete, if you stay in the truck more then a few nights a week go with a 63" midroof, if only a night or two on the road i'd go with a 50" flattop. Cummins/13 spd. I would also go with a tandem just for the interaxle lock, if your playing in the mud trying to get to a oil rig your gonna get stuck easy. Same with SS tires, i'd go with 22.5 Duals. I would also put a propane injection kit on it, since you wont have any tunnel issues it would save you a ton on Fuel, and since your basicaly local you'd be able to nail down some cheap places to fill up on Propane.


Exactly like this one except for my stacks would be on the side of the cab:






American Trucker

 

3.36 rears are too "highway" oriented if he does oilfield work. If my job description included the words "turn off the paved road", I wouldn't consider any rear gear faster than a 3.73, assuming a LP22.5 tire. Taller tires requires lower gearing. Hell, I've got 4.17's and I'm thinking about swapping them out to a 4.35 or 4.42. Proper gearing will get you farther once the pavement ends than big horsepower....and you're less likely to tear up your equipment.

Personally I like 11R24.5 tires. I've never had a problem finding them, and if you do any off-road work, they provide 2" extra ground clearance over a LP22.5. Open lug tires will keep you moving easier than a closed shoulder tire, and ribbed tires should be avoided on the drives if you plan to get off the pavement.

With a single screw, a differential lock is going to be a handy thing to have. If you do get a tandem, Mack rears or full lockers. Anything else and the tires with the least traction will spin, and you'll be stuck. Single screws will also perform better off road.

Since you're just looking to upgrade from a dually pickup to a slightly larger truck, an International 4700, or a Ford F650/F750, or any other similar truck would probably suit your needs. It'll allow you to pull slightly heavier loads with greater ease, and since you aren't asking it to work near it's limits, it'll last a lot longer, too....and if you do start pulling heavier loads and need to upgrade again after a few years, you can. If your loads don't increase along with your added hauling capacity, you aren't stuck driving around in a truck that is too large for the job...overkill. You can add a sleeper to a medium duty truck.

Duals will outperform super singles when you get off road. When you're pulling a trailer, you don't want your drive tires to "float" on top of the mud...you want them to dig down to where they can find traction so that they can bite & push you forward.

Manufacturer really doesn't matter. Which cab is most comfortable for you to sit in? Once you get down to the chassis, you can spec an identical truck (engine, transmission, rear ends, suspension) from all of the manufacturers. International, Volvo, Mack, and now even Paccar each have their own engines which you can only get in their own trucks...in addition to the vendor options available. Mack is the only one which also has their own transmissions, rear ends, and suspension....but again, you can still spec vendor components.

1) A 10-12L engine, 200-300 HP should be sufficient for the work you're wanting to do
2) 7-10 speed transmission is all you'll really need in a medium duty rig hauling the weights you are looking at.
3) 3.73 or taller (higher number)
4) matter of personal preference...but keep this in mind when selecting gear ratio
5) duals
6) doesn't really matter
7) probably

 

I have been down a few lease and ranch roads hauling mud to the rigs and you will want to think twice about a Class 8 with a single axle. If you go big, you will want a tandem with full lockers. Rememeber, right now you are hauling with a pick-up and I'm guessing it is 4WD... a Class 8 with a single axle is 1 wheel drive (well 2 tires, I set) and getting stuck IS gonna happen.

I honestly would just upgrade the motor you have now in your hot shot and call it done.

 

thatd be a decent idea, the 9L cat is solid. I have a freind with one in his F550 i think it is with a 6 speed alison transmission.




American Trucker