Best sub-GVW (under 26,001) Medium Duty

[FATCAT]

Who, in your opinion and experience, makes the best most reliable sub-26K GVW truck? Something that would have a 5 yrd dump body or 12 ft. shallow dump bed.



What would be the optimal engine/transmission combo (NO AUTOMATICS!!). Something in the 250 hp+ range.



Int. 4300 w/DT466 and 6 spd.

FL60 or M2 Business class w/ISC or MBE

F650 w/C7

GMC 6500 with 7. 8l Duramax



Something that would be good in the snow (I know that these are 2WD only ... 4WD versions would be way too much $$$).

Something good for towing as well. (And in extended cab or crew cab configuration).



An alternative to the largest pick-up trucks ... the prices these days of the 3500 - F550 are only just short of these med-duty trucks, so why not just spend the extra and get more than twice the truck.

 

[FATCAT]

Come on folks ... someone has to have some opinions/recomendations.

 

[SGibson]

I looked hard at med duty trucks a few years ago and was sold on the pete 330, price was right, aluminum cab,split windshield,great frame and running gear,a real quality piece,w/ a 8. 3 &9sp. it would be hard to beat and good resale,IMHO.

 

[DTangstrom]

The F650 can be configured with an extended cab and CAT engine. Mechanically I never cared for working on the fords.

International also makes a great truck and the DT466 has been around for a long time. Not to sure about cab options.



As for the GM and the Freightliner I don't see to many of them in this part of the country. I've driven a few GMC Top Kicks and 6500's set up with rollbacks and I found them to be very uncomfortable just to sit in.



I have also done work on a newer Peterbilt that was set up at 26,000. Air suspension, air brakes, chrome everything. Without reading the certification tag you would think it was 33,000 lbs, a real heavy truck.



In summary I think International is the way to go. Parts are easy to come by, the price is right, and the new line has alot of comfort features.

 

[DTangstrom]

One last thing. I test drove a customers F650 exteneded cab the other day. I hope you plan on driving loaded all the time because the ride empty is awful. You are right, much heavier then our pickups and you feel it. Air suspensions can help with some of this if it is an option.

 

[SGibson]

I think they make a juicebrake 330 now.

 

[FATCAT]

Originally posted by DTangstrom

... I hope you plan on driving loaded all the time because the ride empty is awful. You are right, much heavier then our pickups and you feel it. Air suspensions can help with some of this if it is an option.

That is primarily the reason to look at something bigger than the 1-tons. Long driving would be left to my Jetta TDI (55. 65 mpg last tank ). Probably no more than 10000 miles a year ... so something that would last a long time, but also something to pull a large camper to a sight in northern NH to be left for hunting season, then tow back afterwards.

Maintenance is another important factor ... it seems that Internationals (older 4700s, and the new 4300) are as plentiful as misquitos around here. I like the small 4300's with the DT466, my only concern is there ability to get around in snow or a little mud/dirt on work sites since they are not 4WD.

 

[BBarry]

I vote for International. Like DTangstrom said the new GMC are just uncomfortable to drive. The older models were alright, same as a GM pickup. I have yet to drive a Ford truck I liked it seems like everyone has a huge turning radius. Have you considered an Isuzu or Mitshubishi most people I know who have owned them are happy with them.

 

[FATCAT]

Originally posted by BBarry

Have you considered an Isuzu or Mitshubishi most people I know who have owned them are happy with them.

Those are nice, but I have a thing for cab-overs. I don't like the "floating out in space" feeling. I have looked at the UD's as well, but that cab-over is too scary ... I want something in front of me just in case.

 

[JHerr]

At work, we run a 1990 Chevrolet Kodiak Rollback with an older, juiced 3116 Cat. The engine pulls like crazy, but the Chevy chassis has been terrible. It is the highest cost-per-mile vehicle I have ever experienced. We don't put many miles on it, but it seems that we are always replacing brakes, front end bushings, etc. To add insult to injury, the Kodiak drives mean, too. All over the road.



Consensus at work is that it should be replaced with a "real" truck chassis, not an overgrown pickup truck. We would look at either:

* Navistar with the DT466 (a real, 6-cyl. diesel)

* Freightliner with the 5. 9 or the MB engine.

Both the Navistar and the Freightliner trucks offer a good, solid cab with plenty of room.



Does anybody know much about the new MB engines? How do these Mercedes diesels compare in power, driveability, and fuel efficiency? The numbers for the Mercedes look good on paper, but so do the numbers of a certain, nameless 6. 0 V8 diesel and we all know that numbers don't tell the whole story.

 

[FATCAT]

Originally posted by JHerr

Does anybody know much about the new MB engines? How do these Mercedes diesels compare in power, driveability, and fuel efficiency? The numbers for the Mercedes look good on paper, but so do the numbers of a certain, nameless 6. 0 V8 diesel and we all know that numbers don't tell the whole story.

I think at this point there is not much experience out there to work on the MB engines at this time. I'm sure parts are very expensive. They will need time to prove themselves here in the U. S. before they will be accepted ... I would think.



That is why many folks seem to be going the International route.

 

[CatManTom]

Well I do not recommend the Gmc because the one that came in to the shop for repair of a cracked head,{Cat C7 2004] I had to pull the complete cab off the the frame too get the head off to replace it. what a job that was areal bear.

And for the Freightliner wiring harness are not there strong point, then again I had Orange Countrys Choppers New dual cab FreightLiner in the shop with a Cat 3126 30,000 mile on it with a automatic . After replacing all six injectors because it was putting eng oil into fuel system, [ there complaint was excessive eng oil consumption. That truck was nice ride had the fifth wheel set up on the back.

The ford is the same cab of the F- 250, F-750. Cat is having problems with the high pressure pumps on there C7 engines. I don't care for hyd unit injector . . Common rail is the way to go ... ... ... .

 

[bmoeller]

I drove a IH 4300 Uhaul truck to Florida from Illinois. If you are 6'6", like I am, you won't have enough leg room. At least the older ones. Don't know on the newer ones. It did have air-ride, and rode pretty good (loaded).



Have been in The Topkicks before. I'm just not a GM guy.



If the KW T-300s are as good as the T-800 I drive, I would get that myself. They can be built with a Crew-cab or ext. cab.



Can get a Cummins ISB, ISC and Caterpillar C7 engines from 190 to 330 horsepower.

 

[nickleinonen]

out of that list, i think the 466 engine would be best. easy to get parts for, pretty reliable...

 

[JUeckert]

i make my living in the construction,asphalt buisness ,my brother makes his in the wrecker buisness. my vote, the international without a doubt ,a great truck that can be had with a engine that has no equal,the dt 466... second would be a tie between the ford or gm...

 

[FATCAT]

Does anyone have any experience with the Sterling trucks? The Acterra would be a consideration in this sub-GVW class. They have a new crew-cab option which is nice.