I am contemplating getting back to haul on my own again. Owner operator setup.
What would be your vehicle choice and why ?

1- 2010/2011 Dodge Ram 3500/4500/5500 auto or manual ?
2- 20?? Freightliner F60/70/80 single axle 10 speed with 8.3 Cummins ?
3- 20?? Heavy duty semi tractor, tandem axle, 11l or 14l engines ?

Keep in mind I am towing a flatbed trailer 48ft or longer with miscellaneous loads (cars, ATVs, RVs, freight, equipment, etc)

 

None.

I'd go single axle tractor. Seems in that application a Detroit and a 10 speed are doing the best fuel economy wise. I'd also stay pre-emission for better economy.

 

2 or 3

 

What ^HE^ said.

 

4500 with 4.44's and the aisan tranny. small enough to drive around empty, and can pull a hell of a load. This is my next truck

 

A single axle Class 8 tractor will have a shorter turning radius and ride a whole lot better . A tractor with a sleeper will be hassled far less at a scale .
How fast can that 4500 stop that hell of a load ?

 

If you must stay in the lighter class, a 5500 is by far the better choice due to its higher rear axle rating.

And choosing your work truck based on how it will work as a personal vehicle is a bad idea. Heck by a cheap car as your daily driver and get the CORRECT vehicle that will earn the $$$.

 

Good point . It also sounds like he will have to register with IFTA . Why pay IFTA on private use miles ? The same with IRS reporting . The less private use the better .

 

I see this on so many towing forums it isn't funny. Since when is the tow vehicle responsible for stopping a load (read trailer) on it's own?

The trailer can be as much as 3 times the rolling mass of the tractor, or tow vehicle. You may not believe this, but the trailer brakes do most of the work in deceleration. In my case, both trailers and the dolly, which is also equipped with brakes, but by it's location is part of my trailer assembly.

If your argument is simply bigger is better, get a quad axle Heavy Haul Kenworth 800 to tow your ski boat.

A combination vehicle becomes a single braking mechanism when joined together. The tow vehicles brakes aren't superceded in mechanical bias or importance when in a towing combination.

The focus should be on how ALL of the brakes act TOGETHER to decelerate the rolling mass.

 

The best fuel economy will be the 3500.

It is the lightest of all the choices.

The Detroit and the 10 speed will be stupendously heavy for a Hot Shot operation, of which one of the main advantages of a Hot Shot is it's bigger profit margin in fuel spending alone.

A 3500 or 4500 with an Automated Safety Hitch would be a money making set up EVEN WHILE DEADHEADING, which is the name of the game in ANY OTR operation.

The thinking in these new economic times is reducing deadhead operation cutting into your profit and minimizing your 'effect on the enviorment'.

The hot set ups in Class 8 is the Super Single Tire and Tag Axles. Raised when empty on the tractor AND the trailer is yeilding some interesting fuel saving numbers. Something to think about when selecting a power unit. Big alone don't cut it in today's new market economy.

 

I'll agree with what you've stated above. I'll also stick with my class 8 vehicle for pulling our 40' bumper pull trailer. When that little blue wire that runs the brakes, breaks, or the brake ground is lost, I'll still be able to stop the unit.

What is an automated safety hitch? I've never heard this term.

 

Google it. It is some wacky dolly contraption. COMPLETELY USELESS for any type of commercial hot shot or trucking.

 

My guess is your NOT in the industry?

 

Since when is an extra or a drop axle useless??

 

Worked at Quality Drive Away for 6 years, now with Fed Ex Ground. I tow doubles ALL DAY, every day.

Do I meet your qualifications for being 'in the industry?

Seriously, since when is an extra axle to spread load, add an extra set of brakes, add an additional tire footprint to the road, and add wheelbase to the tow vehicle useless?