What do you think of medium duty trucks? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Big John 57 · RV-Dreams Family Member

What do you think of medium duty trucks?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

John,

When we were doing our research, we looked at some used SportsChassis models based on the Freightliner. While they were really nice and would pull any fifth wheel, the cost put them out of our league. The ones we looked at in Oklahoma City (where we live) were only about 5 years old but were selling for around $90,000 dollars.

When we stumbled upon our Ford F450 (used) at an asking price of $36,000, it was a no brainer. We could have bought a used HDT and converted it and perhaps done that for even less money, but I used to drive 18-wheelers and I don't like the lack of visibility around me in one of those.

Terry

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm happy with our Chevy C4500 MDT. It's a 100 percent better tow vehicle than the Chevy C3500 dually I used to tow with. I feel much safer, especially going downhill or stopping.

The only change I would make is in the front suspension. I have a LINK air ride rear suspension but the front is the factory setup. Others have gone with new springs from Deaver along with high performance shocks and say their ride improves tremendously. It's a $2500 expense and right now I don't drive the truck enough to warrant the cost. In the future it will be something I change when we travel more.

I was looking at a new C3500 crewcab dually and then spotted the C4500 crewcab dually. After test driving both I parked them side by side. They both had the exact same footprint, width and length. The only difference was the MDT has a much higher cab height which is great for visibility in traffic. I really expected the C4500 to be longer.

Here's another advantage with the MDT. It has a 53% wheel cut. That means it has a very tight turning radius. It comes in handy when trying to get in or out of tight spots. Without the 5th wheel I can do a U-turn at most intersection or in the middle of the block of commercial area width street.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Wednesday 11th of July 2012 10:11:16 AM

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with the Bear II’s comments based on the model years he has presented. Quite true and important.

I think the FL would be a good rig to consider, but addressing the generic MDT question, it depends on the year and anticipated use. Independent of the FL, some of the MDT’s built in the 2000’s don’t have the trailer towing specifications that some of the 2011 and forward 3500HD / F-350 trucks. They may have a 14,000+ GVWR (I.e. the total truck alone weight) that make them an MDT “officially,” but they don’t have the GCWR or axle ratings of some of the new Ford, Chevy or Dodge 3500HD / F-350 series trucks now produced. So you just have to check out all the specifications based on the year and band and compare those with your trailer’s requirements assuming you might be looking at a model year prior to 2011.

Specific to the FL, I mentioned anticipated use. I spent a lot of miles traveling with Freight Liners towing smaller 5th wheels. They did well, but some were quite underpowered and their owners were talking about having to “chip” the engines. They could well stop the rig quite well, no question, but couldn’t pull it very well with the small engines some, not all, have. A point to check out naturally.

Also, and this maybe a zero factor for you, they didn’t have 4-wheel drive. Seldom needed, until you do. We had to pull FL’ers out of the CG's twice on one trip because they were two-wheel drive. Same deal when they tried to get on and off some ferries. Now, if you think you will never need 4-WD, that’s fine. Just answering your generic question based on experience and observations.

It’s all about the numbers for safety and the intended use and type / year of MDT you are considering.

My 2 cents

Bill

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 11th of July 2012 11:56:02 AM

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have had the the benefit of owning a 2006 Chevy 4500 up fitted by Chariot Vans, every one of the bells and whistles. Full air ride except the front axle and cab. Link air ride, air ride seats etc. Excellent tow Truck, only 300hp Allison with exhaust brake and a 5 speed Allison, (2007 added 6 speed Allison) still needed about 75 more hp.. GM no longer makes the Chevy 4500's. The ride was very good..

I have also owned a 2006 Freightliner and was up-fitted hauler bed, full air ride Chassis, cab, seats etc. Mercedes 900, 300hp, 6 speed Allison, 2 stage Pac Air brake with every bell and whistle.. Awesome ride, would recommend the 450hp Mercedes, the 300hps was under powered. Up keep will be more that the GM 3500HD's. I never had but one issue, which was a brake light switch which is air operated, $200.00 repair by Freighliner.. The only reason I went with the Freightliner was we were double towing a Chevy HHR behind the Mobile Suites. As said needed more HP....

I have now down sized to a Chevy 2012 Chevy 3500HD and still towing the Suites but not double towing. The 2011 and now the 2012 are the best GM 3500HD's I have owned. The ride is much better that the other GM 3500HD's we owned (2005, 2007 and a 2008 3500HD's) the new generation are night and day difference... The way we travel now I wish in the beginning we would have had a HDT built with a walk-in sleeper compartment, for traveling and overnight in Truck Stops until arriving at destination... Would save lots of money....

But I'm still towing the Mobile Suites and the 2012 Chevy 3500HD handles the Suites as well as either the Chevy 4500 or the Freightliner. I pulled the Colorado Rockies with the Freightliner and the 2011 Chevy 3500 and the Chevy done a better job than the FL, because of the difference in HP and weight.. The Chevy exhaust brake was better than the Pac Air....

Our Suites is for sale and if the Suites sales we will sell the Chevy 3500HD and downsize to a GM 2400HD. Thinking of buying another house but it will be on the beach..

sower volunteers · RV-Dreams Community Member

we have a 2009 chevy kodiak 4500. we are full time pulling a mobile suite. would be nice if the truck had a little more hp but so far it has done fine. we like the visibility, the added brake capacity, exhaust brake, and turning radius. as mentioned you can turn circles around a pick up and really helps in parking lots. the truck came with air ride on the bed and air ride seats. we had a link cabmate air system installed on the cab and that helped the ride especially the back seat. not a cadillac but good. we were pulling with a chevy 3500 but over the gcwr about 2500 lbs. we are now at or a little less than the gcwr for the 4500. we purchased the truck in 2011 but it was new, never sold. the cost was about what you pay for a 6-7 year old FL.