Hello,I'am thinking about getting into this type of hauling and need some input on buying a truck! 3500 or 4500? Dodge with the cummins or maybe GMC with the duramax? Also input on gear ratio to get the best mpg? Thanks for all input!!!!
Tom Cobb
Welcome to the forum.
First of all let me make a recommendation. Don't buy a truck until you have researched this forum on the how to's and the problems in the LTL or hotshot business. Buying a truck is not important until you determine what segment of the business you plan to get into.
That is determined after you have studied the various segments and decided which one and where your business is going to come from. Are you going to use brokers, find dedicated customers, etc. What kind of loads will they be and how far are you willing to haul and how much are you willing to haul.
Truck and trailer are important after you determine the above and once you have the capital to operate on and the finances to get your own authority and insurance.
Once you have the money then you can decide which truck and truck will meet your needs. You must also decide if you will be on the road a lot if a sleeper is necessary rather than paying for hotels. It is illegal to sleep in your truck.
These issues are covered in a lot of posts on this forum so some research is in order to get the answers and start asking questions once you have done the research.
May God bless you in this endeavor.
mhlogistics
Re: Any input on buying the right truck!!!!
Dieseldudde wrote:
Hello,I'am thinking about getting into this type of hauling and need some input on buying a truck! 3500 or 4500? Dodge with the cummins or maybe GMC with the duramax? Also input on gear ratio to get the best mpg? Thanks for all input!!!!
Dodge 3500, I like the 4:10's with the automatic. Our guys average 12 to 14 mpg under a load with the types of trailers we use. Running with no trailer some of us see as much as 21 mpg running 70 mph. With no trailer 55/60 mph the mileage can increase to as much as 26mpg.
Dodge 4500, 4.44's with the automatic. our guys see 10 to 14 mpg under a load with the types of trailers we pull. Running with no trailer our guys are saying they see up to 16 mpg running 70 mph.
We use the lowboy style trailers 48 to 53 foot in length and only load up to 15,000 lbs of freight. our trailers weigh between 7400lbs and 9200 lbs. Trailer type, weight, deck height, load weight, speed, and the type of terrain you run will make a difference in your mpg.
Cummins & Duramax both are good engines. Brad, Brian, and Vegas Max are on this forum and all run the duramax's and will give you good information on them.
Make sure you check the rear axle weight capacity on all of these trucks before buying. Dodge 3500 should say 9350 lbs capacity, Dodge 4500 should say 12,000 capacity, and with the newer Chevy/GMC 3500's we've been seeing 8800lbs capacity. I have no clue what it says on the Chevy/GMC 4500's?
And like Tom said make sure you do plenty of homework before buying any equipment.
Hope this information helps. Gary
Dieseldudde
Will having a class A cdl help me out any?
Thanks guys this info was very useful and I'm going to do as much as homework that I can for this type of buiness.By the way do you'll think having a class A cdl help me out any?Once again thanks guys for all input!
Tom Cobb
If you stay under 26,000 lbs combined gross wt it is not required. If you go over that then you have to have a CDL. Some insurance companies will give a discount if you have a CDL. It won't hurt anything either way.
mhlogistics
Re: Will having a class A cdl help me out any?
Dieseldudde wrote:
Thanks guys this info was very useful and I'm going to do as much as homework that I can for this type of buiness.By the way do you'll think having a class A cdl help me out any?Once again thanks guys for all input!
No Problem glad to help. You should get the CDL. Trying to stay under 26,001 lbs and make enough money can be difficult.
Dieseldudde
Any input on buying the right truck!!!!
Do any one have an idea of how much mpg does the 08 Dodge 3500 get with a 6 speed manual verses the auto transmission?I'm thinking the manual gets more plus more torque!
bth9461
I doubt that a 5/6 speed manual will do you much good over the Allison (chevy) or the Asin (Dodge cab & Chasis). I would get the CDL, under 26k takes a lot of specialized dedicated freight to be profitable. And if you go over 26k go Medium duty, 5500 Chevy or Dodge, you can add a sleeper to these trucks, and you should get 10 MPG. Low to mid 4's on the gears I would think.
FL60/70 with a 8.3 (ISC) Cummings and a super ten tranny with a sleeper, 3.73 to 4.11 gears, and 300-330 HP. 800K+ motor, mileage about 8-9. I have heard of guys getting 10+, but most usually say 8-9.
I think if you stay under 42k any of these trucks will work.
In my opinion the 3500's work best at 30k or less.
I came close to buying a automatic FL70 expeditor truck, it was too much of a project though. After talking to some guys running them, I have decided to go larger. For 54k I think it is best to go with the 10+ liter motors in a Single axle. It all depends on your situation. Converting a well spec'd Expeditor can save you 20-40k over a sport chasis FL/Business Class M2. Plus many have nicer sleepers than the Class 8's.
A 4 car trailer and cargo, plus truck puts you at about 35k-42k, this is where a Medium Duty excels. Much safer and a dually might get the same or less MPG with the same load.
A 3500 running a lowboy and stay 30k or less most of the time should get 11-13 MPG. You can add a small sleeper to a Cab and Chasis.
I like to combine heavier LTL flat freight and cars to fill in the gaps. Length of trailer, weight capacity, and air ride trailer all help my type of operation. So I am looking at the larger trucks, adding a 12' stepdeck (total 52') and air ride to the trailer.
It all depends on the market you serve, load flexibility is what I need in my type of operation.
Hard to make it with 26k or less operation, but over 26k you can make it with any truck if it is matched to the trailer to serve the right market. Have a good plan and work hard at it.
