Hotshot Connect Forum :: Mar 30, 06

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Preston

Mar 30, 06 - 6:06 AM Question about upgrading??

Good question for all the senior members!! Has anyone upgraded from a "pickkup" to a class 6? (Pete 330, FL-70, M2, ect.) If so what type of fuel milage are you getting and also are you getting better business with the added weight difference?
I have gotten numerous calls for weights that will put me over my 26k for this truck but I can run with a class 6.(40k under)
Also did you upgrade your rates for the difference?
Tom

Mar 30th, 2006 - 10:05 AM Re: Question about upgrading??

I upgraded to a freightliner FL-60 last fall. Best choice I've made so far. For five years I used two F-350's and a Dodge 3500. Put a lot of miles on them, had no sleeper (legal) and more maintance.

The FL-60 gives me better control on heavier loads, and the ability to carry them. Maint. is not as offten and I am told that with proper care and maint. I would have a million mile motor. (At least more than I would have in the pick ups). Longer tire wear helps too.

I took the back seat out and had a custome coach company build me a DOT legal sleeper with pillow top mattress and curtains. The bed has storage underneth for clothes, computer etc.

The truck has a 300 cummings ISC with an allison 6 speed automatic. Air ride seats, suspension, and air ride hitch. I can pull one bolt and have either a 32K fifth wheel, or a goose neck. Also, bumper tow.

Last week I was bobtailing in fifth gear, not overdrive and got 12 mpg. Pulling I get avereage of about 9-10 mpg in fifth gear.

Having this truck will put you in the CDL, apportion and IFTA range. But the opportunities to make money are greater. I've already moved loads that I could not other wise have done.

I will pick up my new trailer next week. It will have 45' of lower deck space, 8' of upper deck space 53 feet total, 9K winch with "C" channel down the middle, ramps, sliding rachtets, two 12K axles and more. But I think this trailer will give me more flexibility on loads.

I don't want to be limited in the type of freight I haul. The key here is to stay loaded with good paying loads, not the cheap stuff.

I missed out on buying a Pete 330 with sleeper, but then it was about 25K more. It had the same tranny and engine I have now. Though I would liked to have had the Pete, I saved a lot by not getting it. Either truck would do the job.

Had I know that I would be staying in this business, I would have bought the right truck the first time.

Hope this helps, it's what works for me.

Tom
Email: tgpilot@sbcglobal.net

Tom

Mar 30th, 2006 - 10:13 AM Re: Question about upgrading??

Does this thing have a spell checker on it? Boy, my one handed typing needs help...LOL

Tom
Email: tgpilot@sbcglobal.net

Tad

Mar 30th, 2006 - 5:39 PM Re: Question about upgrading??

When does it get to the point where you might as well go with a full size rig? Or is this most cost effective way for us to be in the trucking industry without going to that high priced rig yet be able to haul the larger loads?
Email: gocart@clearshottrucking.com

Contact # 888-248-8640

Tom

Mar 30th, 2006 - 6:04 PM Re: Question about upgrading??

Tad

I guess that is why there are so many niches for us to fill as a HS. Those that want to stay under the 26K limit. And those that want to take it up a notch. The untimae is guess, is the full size rigs. But then there are those like me, that will work in the middle of the stream.

Yes, I could have bought a full size rig for a lot less than I paid for my 60. But on the other hand, I get most of the benifits of the full size rig (licensed for 54,999), but I get better fuel mileage than they do at 5 & 6 mpg, smaller size allows me to go about anywhere a pickup can. Great at Wal-Mart for parking (lol).

Yes, I do have to go the extra mile like the big boys to have the benifits of better loads etc. But, I was willing to do that...that includes the CDL, IFTA and apportion plates.

There are those that do quit well running the pickup do HS or moving RV's. I moved RV's for quite a few years and did quite well. Now I am branching out because I want to do something different in life.

I started out 40 years ago driving the big rigs, then went into the aviation field a flew airplanes for a career. After retiring, wife and I decided we still wanted to travel. For us, this is a way to do it and stay productive. (Not dead yet)....

For those that want to go this path its going to be a lot of work, but it has it's rewards. There are those who will drop by the wayside, but then there will be those who stick to it and watch the bottom line...will succeed.

One thing I learned early on, and it takes decipline. Is to maintain a slower speed!! It really works...I try and stay between 57 and 67 miles per hour. The "Dave Nemo" show on XM 171 advocates this and has had experts on to tell you what and how to save.. The biggest being your speed.

At 57 mph I get 12 mpg in my 60 bobtailing. 9-10 under load. I didn't do much better than that in my Dodge 04.5 4x4.

Tom
Email: tgpilot@sbcglobal.net

Tad

Mar 30th, 2006 - 6:42 PM Re: Question about upgrading??

Tom,

I do understand, I looked at a topkick before and there about the same price as the 1 ton. I just couldn't afford the sleeper etc to go along with it. Plus I priced out a 40' alumline 5th wheel flat tandem dually. The apportioned plates etc, which I am going to get, aren't going to be anymore expensive on the 3ton than on the one ton. It all goes by how much weight you want to haul and if you can afford it. lol

It all comes down to the same ole thing, money.

You do have a good point, walmart doesn't seem to frown as bad on the HS than the TT. Then again, I am almost as restricted as a TT. There are places I can't go without hopping a curb here and there. lol

Tad
Email: gocart@clearshottrucking.com

Contact # 888-248-8640

Preston

Mar 30th, 2006 - 6:52 PM Re: Question about upgrading??

Tom

I appreciate the info. I know the cost diffence in the freightrain as compared to the pete, but is there any other reason for choosing the Fl-60? We have always used Pete 377's around the farm, and they have always been really good trucks. The only difference is that we have always ran Cat motors. I have read alot about the motors and they say cat has more torq. cummins has more top end, and detroit is an overall rounded motor. Why did you go with your engine choice? Also do you pull a 5th wheel now or a gooseneck trailer? I am leaning more towards trading my goose off for a 5th wheel that's atleast 45 if not 48. Again thanks for the info..
Tom

Mar 30th, 2006 - 8:44 PM Re: Question about upgrading??

Ok guys, I will state this from the beginning. I am not an expert on this, there are others out there that have more knowlege on this subject than I. I can only tell you what works for me and the reasons I have done it. Also, I am not a mecheneck (lol) not even the shade tree type. If I have problems I fine the first mechanic that I can.

I had found a beautiful 2003 Pete 330 with 48" sleeper (all red) It had never been sold or registered. Only had 16K on it. When I finally decided I wanted it, I started dealing on it. Got them down to $72K from $74,500. Was still tryin to get the dealer down to $69K when an old couple (so they say) came in and paid cash for it.

Started looking again, all the trucks that I looked at (Petes) where in the $80K range on up....ouch

So, this dealer had two fl-60's setting on his lot. After much deliberation, I decided on the one I got. It was a four door, western hauling bed and two 75 gal fuel tanks. Same motor and tranny the Pete had.

It had 120K on it and was in excellent condition. So I bought it. Removed the rear seat/bed and put in a nice 48" by 77" pillow top with botom storage.

I find that I get hassled less with it because of the four door (must be because I look the family type LOL). But so far it's proved to be a good truck. Without a trailer I can park in in almost any parking spot. Takes up no more room than my dulley Dodge.

I pulled a 40' Teton triple axle 22gvw to Easter Colorado last week throgh a bllizard and and truck did great. If your used to a big truck, then you will know what I mean about controlling your load. I would have hated to have pulled that trailer with the Dodge, though it could have handled it, it would have been much more dangerous. Winds, slick roads and mountain grades.

Trailers, I wanted to have a trailer that would do almost anything I wanted so that I would not miss out on loads. I wanted a step deck, but ended up with a goose neck for now. My specks are as follows:

1. 45' main flat deck
2. 08' upper deck
3. Two 12K axles dual
4. LED lights
5. Sealed wiring
6. Mid-way turn signal lights
7. 08' slide out ramps
8. Pierced beam frame
9. Bridged
10. Torque tube
11. (2) two spare tires & racks
12. 1 spare tire rack for truck tire
13. Lumber rack
14. (3) three tool boxes
15. RV plug 7 way with hot wire
16. Elect/hyd brakes
17. 9K lb. Winch and “C” channel down the main bed
18. Sliding rachet tie downs
19. King pin and goose neck hitches

Some may wonder why I did this, I know I gave up on some useful load, but the trailer is suppose to weigh about 10K. Again, I wanted to be more versatile. I planned on hauling more light loads, but also a lot of bulk. Things that were light, but just took up bed space.

I wanted the trailer to use on my fifth wheel, but yet if I wanted to sell it, it would also have the GN hitch.

As I have said, there is a place out there for the pickup's, the med. duty and the big rigs. We just have to find what works for us.

If you don't have a CDL and want to get one. I can give you a few pointers that will mkae it very easy, with just a few days of study. I had let my old chauffeurs license expire when I started flying airplanes (heck I was chauffering the skyways and byways). So, I got mine with just a few days of study. If you have any questions, just email me. tgpilot@hotmail.com.

There are others out there that can probably help you more than I can, but so far I'm having fun. And yes, those blamed apportion plates cost. Just over $800.00 for 54,999, to stay under HUT. And yes the IFTA, though free, will cause you headaches. I found a couple of programs online one for book keeping from http://www.pbstax.com/ cost $99.00, but worth it. If you go IFTA there is a company called Spinneker software. That looks good too...even painless.

I had been using an Excel spread sheet that my brother-in-law the CPA designed for my accounting. But, I liked PBS better...simpler.

I know I've rattled on saying a lot about nothing....but we all have our ideas, goals and plans for the future. Hope yours work out for you.

Tom
Email: tgpilot@sbcglobal.net