NIsaacs
TDR MEMBER
If you put a bigger engine in...then it would become a Class 8...
These Classes or Categories are for specific uses. There is no use for a Class 6 truck with a 500hp engine. Not needed....you need that kind of power then you spec a bigger truck. More power requires more cooling, stronger frame rails, larger drive axle, more cost, etc....
More cooling...requires a different hood to allow for the larger radiator, different frame design to accommodate the larger radiator, different spring hangers to accommodate the different end of frame design....do you see where I'm going with this??
Penske and Ryder for example could give a crap how fast the truck will climb a hill loaded as long as it maintains a roadable speed. They want a truck that weighs a specific amount and costs a specific amount and will haul a specific weight that gives a certain fuel mileage with a horsepower and torque rating adequate and reliable enough to rent out for several years and get a decent return on the investment. And with a minimum of downtime under warranty or not.
If I wanted ground shaking power in my delivery trucks...I would use a bigger Class of truck....but I don't need it. My parts will get delivered with that 300 hp DD8 just fine for a lot less money spent up front....
Does it make more sense the way I've attempted to explain it???
Yes, I kind of figured it was more a cost thing than a duty cycle. Keep in mind, all the bigger additions that a bigger engine requires is being done daily on the pickup and big trucks. All in the name of competition, not duty cycle. The duty cycle have mostly stayed the same all across the classes. Yet, light duty and heavy duty keep getting bigger, more money and more power. Just seems funny that the medium duty never reached that competitive nature.
A bigger engine don't make the classification, GVW does.
You say there is no need for a class 6 with 500 hp. I get that, but here we are with 450 hp pickups and 650 hp big trucks...and GCW's pushing 45k by the big three's pickups. Again, not needed but there it is. Big RV's are the same way, more and more power.
I am thinking the medium duty, class 4-7 is in for a shake up. The bigger is better, is going to sneak up on them too. I think it will start with class 4/5 pickups, because the class 3 and down have went as high as possible. I think in order to keep going up, they will build medium duty pickups.
I also get, if you don't need/want more power for your delivery truck, 300 hp is great. I am talking about what if you do? It is not available in the middle ground. If you want 500 hp ya gotta buy a pickup or a big truck. I would rather tow 45k GCW with a 500 hp class 6 than a 450 hp class 3. I think the market is there, but not at 300 hp.