If I was doing the mechanical work myself I'd definitely not get a "big little truck " Ford or Dodge . They are the only medium duties that don't have the whole nose flip forward for engine access . The PACCAR PX-6 engine is made by Cummins .

 

it may not be the easiest to do any engine compartment work but ive been in some tight spots before and even the hood tilt foward is not the best, ever do a starter in the vision series macks? like a CH612... 4 hours for a starter is ridiculous.

And, if im gonna buy a bigger truck then a 5500 because it has a tilt forward hood im gonna buy a kenworth W900 and be a real trucker like my father wants me to do. A class 5 truck like a 5500 is cheaper to buy up front and cheaper to run, it may not last as long, but it will carry all the weight i want it to and then some.

The guy who is going to finace this for me has a client base and just wants to get in on the trucking type business and i believe him when he says i can make some good money (he owns a good % of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and various other companies and hasnt worked a day in prolly 30 years) and is the same guy that was going to finace my father 150,000 for a class 8 tractor/trialer combo (until my father found out he had another kid on the way, yes he had me when he was real young) im going to sit down with him these upcoming weeks and make sure we can do everything legit and still make money

niether him or I have a solid idea of all the paperwork/licencing we would need yet so i would very much like to talk with some one who knows. and if you do please drop me a PM so we can talk.

 

I have a 07 Dodge 3500 c/c with the 6.7 and 6 speed auto. Love it till the CEL came on at 24-k miles now been in the shop 4 more time in 6-k miles and the dealer can not tell me if it is fixed or not.

I am checking out the 07 Chevy 4500 (before the DPF grap was added) not much more money than the Dodge same money as the F-450.

 

I have 4.44s with a 6 spd and have seen 4.88s in a 6spd manual 5500. The 4.44s are workable but there is no way I would have the 4.88s!

 

Is f-650 too big? it has Cummins or Cat engine. Maybe not as comfortable though, or maybe not good OTR truck?

 

I wouldnt get the F650. They are expensive and dont run well. We rent box trucks with the Cats and I am less than impressed. Throttle is all the way to the floor to go and get single digit MPG. By the time I had $60k tied up in a Ford I would seriously look at a frieghtliner. Get a bigger more powerful cummins that nets decent MPG while working. Just so it doesnt look like I am bashing a Ford I did look at them for all of 5 minutes when I bought the 5500. The Cummins was derated and the trans options sucked. There must have been a dozen different ones but it always seemed to default to an expensive option! Be it a bigger clutch or a different trans. FYI the higher HP Cat takes a trans upgrade of around 10K!

 

My 05 3500 6pd stick w/ 3.73 is turning 2400 rpm @ 75

My 08 5500 6spd auto w / 4.88 is turning 2500rpm @ 75

 

Colo River Ram, Dont forget that they changed the OD gear in G56 for the 07.5 model year. The new OD is .75 vs .86 (IIRC). My 95 with 3.55 and 05 G56 churns just over 2200 at 70 MPH. 5500 is churning around 2500 RPM w 4.44s at 70-75 MPH.

 

I know the best way to improve something is to buy it.. then out comes the new model

I just picked up an 08 "company truck" the overhead was showing 19.5 mpg (hand calculated to18.5mpg on the first tank) at the rpms you spoke of..

I like the 4.88's in the 5500 as it is a work hoarse pulling heavy trailers up big hills..

 

I would go with the dodge IMO. I own both ford and dodge and I have to say the dodge has more power than my ford

 

A decked out 5500 Laramie would be just as comfortable as a Ford F-550 Lariat. The 6.4 PSD is FAR too complex. Plus with the Dodge you get 6 speeds in a better tranny, with a better warranty plus one more gear, and a superior engine (IMO); the ISB Cummins. I can't see what the dilemma is here. Seems like a no-brainer!!

 

I will put to you like I did one of our F450 customers. Just the fuel savings between the Dodge VS the Ford, makes the payment every month.
6.7 mpg on the Ford loaded, 7.3 empty.

 

i've driven a 6.4l ford F-550 and towed a triple axle dump trailer loaded with fill dirt with a gross weight right at 40,000lbs(only a 9 mile trip) and i've done it with a 08 6.7 3500 and i'd take the Ford over the dodge any day.The ford just seemed to pull it so much easier than the dodge.Towing our bobcats they both get around 11mpg so gas mileage is pretty close too.It all depends on what your needs are.Just my .02 cents

 

how well does the VGT turbo on the 6.7 boost on the low end? those compounds on the ford may be making it little bit easier to get that kinda weight moving.

 

Get some custom seats put in the Dodge and there you go