Medium Duty Truck

[Charlie175]

Been wanting to get a medium duty truck for a while now and can't decide. For those with experience:
I currently use a 2008 Ram 2500 6.7 for pulling a gooseneck (14k). It does perfectly fine, but I want something that is a bit different to drive (Like a small big rig). Maybe I am being naive as to what this truck rides and drives like. I feel a medium duty would be safer.
I pull a lot (Well, 30 or so times a year is a lot for me) with 10k on the trailer. Our area is hilly. Trips can be 10 miles or 100 miles.

IH S1900 (80's trucks) or IH 47/4900 series single axles with DT466 (Most of these are the 190 to 210 HP)
Ford L8000 (7.8 Ford or 8.3 Cummins) Single Axle

I would like to have a 10' bed with bed ball. Seems like I could haul stuff with it better than if was just a semi.
I see many of the IH's have either Hydraulic or Air brakes. All of the Fords I see are Air. I assume Air would be better but does this cause issue with electric brakes on my trailer?
Some are Autos but I prefer a stick. Any transmissions to stay away from?
Would love a Jake, but most do not have this feature.
I was hoping to have a 1995 or older so I could use Antique tags. I know there are limitations to this but I see a lot of trucks out there with them.
Called insurance and they said liability was very reasonable.

Any opinions on this?

 

[4570Man]

I don’t think you can use an antique auto tag on a truck your working. I use a medium duty for towing and hauling. The power isn’t good but I like towing with them. Sway is a non existent concern, and they blow a pickup out of the water when it comes to stopping and putting a load on the bed.

 

[Charlie175]

In Virginia it states you can tow/haul vehicles to shows/events, which I would be doing.

Wording:
Registering your vehicle either of these ways limits your use of the vehicle to:

Participation in antique car club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events.
Testing its operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, selling the vehicle or trailer, transportation to and from events as described in number 1 above and for the occasional pleasure driving not to exceed 250 miles from your residence.
Carrying or transporting passengers, personal effects or other antique motor vehicles being transported for show purposes.

 

[Charlie175]

I would also check in on regular tags and see what they are a year for personal use. Not business

 

[Charlie175]

Sounds good on the braking, had a few uh-oh moments when someone pulls out in front of me.

 

[Farmer495]

I'd go the "antique" route, but I take it you will still keep and own the 6.7 Ram. $$$ wise I'd just keep the Ram. Fun and style wise for shows, I like your idea.

I saw a 5.9 mechanical pump cummins powered Freightliner FL70 with 9 speed Road Rangers and air brakes. I talked myself out of that towing dream.

You can get an air to electric brake box from what I've read.

 

[om21braz]

Here is a new option to the table for you:

Photos: Mack Trucks announces new manufacturing plant in Roanoke County | Gallery | roanoke.com

 

[Hay Dude]

Been wanting to get a medium duty truck for a while now and can't decide. For those with experience:
I currently use a 2008 Ram 2500 6.7 for pulling a gooseneck (14k). It does perfectly fine, but I want something that is a bit different to drive (Like a small big rig). Maybe I am being naive as to what this truck rides and drives like. I feel a medium duty would be safer.
I pull a lot (Well, 30 or so times a year is a lot for me) with 10k on the trailer. Our area is hilly. Trips can be 10 miles or 100 miles.

IH S1900 (80's trucks) or IH 47/4900 series single axles with DT466 (Most of these are the 190 to 210 HP)
Ford L8000 (7.8 Ford or 8.3 Cummins) Single Axle

I would like to have a 10' bed with bed ball. Seems like I could haul stuff with it better than if was just a semi.
I see many of the IH's have either Hydraulic or Air brakes. All of the Fords I see are Air. I assume Air would be better but does this cause issue with electric brakes on my trailer?
Some are Autos but I prefer a stick. Any transmissions to stay away from?
Would love a Jake, but most do not have this feature.
I was hoping to have a 1995 or older so I could use Antique tags. I know there are limitations to this but I see a lot of trucks out there with them.
Called insurance and they said liability was very reasonable.

Any opinions on this?

Have owned and run many medium and heavy duty trucks. If you want my opinion, those trucks are built way heavier than a pickup, both structurally and on the scale. The truck you described will weigh about 12-15k, about twice as much as a diesel pickup. They are also underwhelming on power. Late 90’s and newer trucks like that are sometimes only 210Hp, sometimes a little less or a little more. They are a slug to drive. They will tow heavier weight and they will stop it much better, too. They will last longer under high stress loads. Other thing is you’re going to need a CDL to take full advantage of its capabilities, or you’re limited in the size trailer and combo weights.
Better choice would be a 4500/5500 smaller medium duty truck. More comfortable to drive day in and day out and usually north of 250HP and sometimes much higher depending on the model year you buy. They do very well pulling a 30’ gooseneck full of hay or equipment, but you can drive it around for smaller tasks easily. Heavier built than a pickup, but not a slow uncomfortable ride of a true MD truck.
Bigger trucks also attract cops like flys on poop. You’ll have to be on top of all the commercial truck paperwork and have the truck maintained perfectly. We are constantly harassed towing hay with bigger truck and they won’t even look twice at same trailer towed by smaller truck.
Just my .02....30 years of experience in farming and construction driving them. Seen pretty much everything.

 

[Paystar]

Be grateful you are not in Ontario Canada. I just had my insurance company call me and say they are cancelling the insurance on my F550. I said "I thought we went through this already, it is plated as personal use 4500 KG for non CVOR use.

They said "well when we put the VIN number in the computer it comes up as a commercial vehicle."

So I said "well I have a trucking business, insure it as commercial then, I don't care."

To which they replied "well we can't insure it as commercial because you are using it for personal use."

?????????????????????????????? LOL I'm currently changing insurance companies and brokers.

[to clarify, I am using it basically as a pickup truck. I don't carry anything on it, just got a good deal on it and use it a couple times a year to pull my antique tractor to the local fairs and tractor pulls.}

 

[4570Man]

Better choice would be a 4500/5500 smaller medium duty truck. More comfortable to drive day in and day out and usually north of 250HP and sometimes much higher depending on the model year you buy. They do very well pulling a 30’ gooseneck full of hay or equipment, but you can drive it around for smaller tasks easily. Heavier built than a pickup, but not a slow uncomfortable ride of a true MD truck.
Bigger trucks also attract cops like flys on poop. You’ll have to be on top of all the commercial truck paperwork and have the truck maintained perfectly. We are constantly harassed towing hay with bigger truck and they won’t even look twice at same trailer towed by smaller truck.
Just my .02....30 years of experience in farming and construction driving them. Seen pretty much everything.

I’d like to have a 4500/5500 truck and they’d work fine for the op. A 4500 is a huge step up from a 2500. But they’re expensive. A full size MD is a lot better value. If you were driving or enough for fuel consumption to be a concern the 4500 would start to gain ground. I’ve never had any trouble with the police and my 6500.