4500 More Suited for Hotshot Work Over 1-Ton?
#1
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4500 More Suited for Hotshot Work Over 1-Ton?
This is a question I have mostly right now for research purposes. A guy I was talking to today was telling me that whenever I can to get a 4500 series truck since it has better hauling capability than the 1-ton 3500's for hotshot work.
I have read a little so far about these trucks and was wondering, since these are cab chassis based trucks, would it be possible to add a GN hitch onto these? And how would the pulling power be improved with these type trucks? If it came to the point where I wanted to do that in the future, I could simply put aside cash now for one. But I wanted to learn more about them before deciding to look into them. Any thoughts?
I have read a little so far about these trucks and was wondering, since these are cab chassis based trucks, would it be possible to add a GN hitch onto these? And how would the pulling power be improved with these type trucks? If it came to the point where I wanted to do that in the future, I could simply put aside cash now for one. But I wanted to learn more about them before deciding to look into them. Any thoughts?
#2
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believe they have same drivetrain just can haul more weight and maybe bigger brakes. i would say gn is a yes but i believe you will only be able to run it with a flatbed
#3
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What kind of hot shot work?? The 4500 and 5500 can carry more weight on the chassis, but the gcwr is not much more than a 3500. Its only 26k. My opinion would be a 3500 cab chassis put a real sleeper on since the dot is cracking down on having a legal place to sleep, and a flat bed.
#4
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What kind of hot shot work?? The 4500 and 5500 can carry more weight on the chassis, but the gcwr is not much more than a 3500. Its only 26k. My opinion would be a 3500 cab chassis put a real sleeper on since the dot is cracking down on having a legal place to sleep, and a flat bed.
#5
I hot shot with a 4500 and I can see all the 3500 driving faster than me. I also know that the 3500 the can pull 16000kg but after 3yrs the are a big buch of problems.... My truck I drive with very low rpm and keep pushing and pushing. I thing I could use it for more 500.000km with no big problems
#6
With age comes the cage
Just why do you think they made the 4500 and 5500's ?? The thing that impressed me the most about my Sterling 5500 was the frame rail material 3/8" thick.
max speed is set at 75, with my 6 spd auto and 4.88 gears i'm turning 2500 rpm at 75 mph.. I am going to mount a hydraulic pump to the PTO on the tranny to run my winches / air compressors / welder, as engine mount kits are only rated to 10 HP..
As for GN hookups B&W does a flat bed mount ( you weld it right to your bed) I am about done with the bed when it is finished I will post some pics..
max speed is set at 75, with my 6 spd auto and 4.88 gears i'm turning 2500 rpm at 75 mph.. I am going to mount a hydraulic pump to the PTO on the tranny to run my winches / air compressors / welder, as engine mount kits are only rated to 10 HP..
As for GN hookups B&W does a flat bed mount ( you weld it right to your bed) I am about done with the bed when it is finished I will post some pics..
#7
Please check you "Private Messages" as I have sent you some information there that in your case might clear up some questions.
$.02 - Long run I think you will be happier, safer, and have more options with a 4500 or 5500 series over a One ton.
braz
$.02 - Long run I think you will be happier, safer, and have more options with a 4500 or 5500 series over a One ton.
braz
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#9
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I agree with 610 comment, I think the 4500 is a much better ride, I am at 13,600 on the scale with the utility boxes, welder and compressor. I also tow a 31 foot enclosed, I need to keep looking back to make sure the trailer is still there.
flgc
flgc
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If you are going with the 3500, the manual with 3.73 will put you at 63@2000rpm and 75@2400rpm only 100rpm less than the 4.88 auto 4500/5500. The only powertrain difference in a 2500/3500 MANUAL trans is the rearend. I tow at 60, so I'm not putting much power though mine either. The big differnce is deadhead miles- at 60mph you can get 25mpg in a 2wd 6sp manual 2500 vs 19mpg on a 3500 2wd dually manual. I would imagine that 4wd auto 4500/5500 would be even worse at 60mph- 16-18mpg?
Its hard to gauge with only 700 towing miles so far on my cab chassis, but from past trips with equal trailers the truck does not seem to effect mileage. I guess rolling resistance and frontal are what matter most when pulling a trailer. If you hotshot and always have a GN behind, mileage probably won't be an issue.
Its hard to gauge with only 700 towing miles so far on my cab chassis, but from past trips with equal trailers the truck does not seem to effect mileage. I guess rolling resistance and frontal are what matter most when pulling a trailer. If you hotshot and always have a GN behind, mileage probably won't be an issue.
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[QUOTE=Colo_River_Ram;2127388]The thing that impressed me the most about my Sterling 5500 was the frame rail material 3/8" thick. [QUOTE]
I've seen class 8 trucks with 1/4" frames. Are you sure the frame is 3/8" thick on the 5500? I know my 3500 is 3/16" and figured the 4500/5500 were the same, just a bigger c section. The rear axle of the 3500 cab chassis says 9350lb on the door. That is higher than the GVWR of the 2500(9000lb) I had. Even if you were way overloaded with a 30K GN and 6000lbs on the ball, you would be right under the rear axle rating for a 3500.
I've seen class 8 trucks with 1/4" frames. Are you sure the frame is 3/8" thick on the 5500? I know my 3500 is 3/16" and figured the 4500/5500 were the same, just a bigger c section. The rear axle of the 3500 cab chassis says 9350lb on the door. That is higher than the GVWR of the 2500(9000lb) I had. Even if you were way overloaded with a 30K GN and 6000lbs on the ball, you would be right under the rear axle rating for a 3500.
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the 26,000 combined weight of truck,cargo, and trailer is the limit set by the DOT so a class C license'd driver can use the 4500 and 5500 in states like CA if it is rated over 26,200 you need a class B or class A license. class B license in CA can only tow over 10,000lb if the use is for agriculture or RV as far as I understand. the truck is certainly capable of towing more. but be careful if you tow a utiltiy trailer over 10,000lbs.