Truck30Haul

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?

rich

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

haulin-rv

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.

Truck30Haul

3500 Chassis eh? Sounds like a good idea since the 4500 and 5500 are more expensive. I wonder what kind of sleepers can be installed on such a chassis? What about flat beds, where would you get one from?

skirsman

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

Colo_River_Ram

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..

brazos

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

Cummins610

Go with the 4500 with an auto. My 5500 just beats you to death and the 4500 is just right.

floridagc

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

johnjudge

http://www.turnoverball.com/custom.asp#

Jim Wilson

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.

Colo_River_Ram

Here is some Pics of the first bed B&W made for the 4500/5500 's:

Barry Smith

I'm pretty sure the 4500 has the 110 Dana and "Super 60" front axle.

Jim Wilson

[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.

rfeiller

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.