Pete 335

[Hay Dude]

Found a really sweet 2009 Pete 335 4WD with a Paccar PX8 (8.3L Cummins), Allison 3000 and air brakes. 33,000 GVWR. Has air to rear. 10/23 axles.
However, it only has 12’ of frame and 108” cab to axle. Makes a 16’ flatbed kinda tough. Ideally should be 120” cab to axle for 16’ flatbed.
I really like this truck, but sliding the axle back a door is pricey. Body installer says ”it‘ll be ok”, but as I told him, I want to pull a 10 ton hay trailer behind it and 6 ton hay on the bed (square bales).
Thoughts?

 

[BravoXray]

You should stretch it out so it makes it safe to haul or tow what you intend do.
Just depends on whether you want to do it the right way or not.

If you stretch it out, you will probably have to add a midship bearing and make a two piece driveshaft.

 

[Jstpssng]

Keep looking? As you said lengthening it can be done but...
Among other things just as soon as you bought this one, a deal on the right truck would appear immediately.

 

[Hay Dude]

I haven’t found a truck that “checks as many boxes” as this one.
I want a tandem all wheel drive, but they are as rare as a month of perfect farming weather…
Not many Pete’s with 4WD or 6WD, auto, good engine with good power, and oh I didn’t mention, has driver controlled locking axle.
Im trying to put together a budget for frame lengthening and 16’ steel flatbed

 

[Hay Dude]

Pic

 

[Citydude]

If it's going to haul out more hay and haul in more money ( no pun intended) then it makes sense.

 

[Gee Ray]

I would shop around for prices to do the stretching. With the lack of new trucks to sell there must be some shops that need the work.

What would the price difference be between longer truck vs short truck plus the stretching?

Would you be able to travel to buy the truck? I would think that there would be some used trucks along the areas where the Keystone pipeline was to go.

 

[Hay Dude]

Good points
The truck is close by (~50 miles away).
It would be spendy to move the rear axle back, double the frame, lengthen driveshaft, lines, etc.
I cant even find a 4wd thats longer and spec'd out this way.
But this truck is twice the truck of an F-550 4x4 for 1/2 the cost.

 

[4570Man]

I’d move the axel or put a shorter bed on. My 750 sticks off about 18” and it’s a pain in the butt. I totally agree about medium duty trucks vs tons and heavy tons. You can pile all the load on and the truck just doesn’t care and they’re cheap. Even if you’re not using the truck to it’s full potential which I’m usually not my 750 with air has WAY more brakes than a ton.

 

[Hay Dude]

I could also add an air lift axle behind the rear axle. That would increase my GVWR, allow 16' body with no overhang and increase available tongue weight for towing. Shorter than 16’ is not an option. Adds cost, too!