sunflwrgirl wrote:

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So we are searching for that perfect truck and happen to notice some good trucks we find are "commercial". My question is, are commercial trucks a wise choice or should we skip over them?

-- Edited by sunflwrgirl on Friday 19th of October 2012 11:26:50 AM

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Actually, in many cases “commercial” is more of an insurance company definition – assuming you are not referring to “work trucks,” which are simply trucks without any amenities in so many words or have been modifed for specific types of service - like having a PTO for a dump bed installed.  Same basic specs, just not as nice interiors, etc.

Some insurance companies define “commercial trucks,” in the case of pickups, as any truck that is a technically a Class IV (4) truck.  Those are what some refer to as full medium duty trucks.  For example, a Ford F-450 is a class IV medium duty truck where an F-350 or Chevy 3500HD is not.  (At least up untill 2012.)

Here’s the deal:  if a truck is classified as “commercial” sometimes the insurance rates go up – way up.  So just getting a “commercial” truck, if you don’t need one, can increase insurance costs.  (I said can – like always, it depends)

The 2012 Ford and Chevy 3500HD / F-350 trucks just miss the class IV designation by marketing specification.  That is they purposefully kept the GVWR (just the truck) below 14,000lbs.  By doing that they are not “commercial” as defined by some insurance companies.  But for most trailers, not all, they are more than enough truck.

I say all this for “perspective” assuming the use of the word “commercial” as I outlined it above.

BTW, IMO, there is no perfect truck.  Everything is a compromise in some form or another – you give up to get and visa versa.

Bill

It may depend upon the insurance company.  We are insured with Oklahoma Farm Bureau and when we bought our F450, they had to do some checking.  Most of the time, farm trucks don't fall into that category.  Our F450 is NOT on a commercial rate, but it is a higher rate because of size.  It avoids being commercial because we don't use it in that fashion.

That said, the F350 wouldn't be the same as ours.  Just look for an F350 with the Tow Package.

Terry

Even with the Tow Package, the F350 won't be at the same level as an F450.  I only mentioned that in the event that you were really concerned about insurance being higher.  In my case, the truck's ability is far more important than the cost of insurance, and our insurance is higher because Farm Bureau didn't have an RV class for insurance.  Some other companies may have better insurance that isn't raised so much because of ours being an F450.

If you can find a good F450, you would still be good, especially if you think that you might later consider a better and heavier fifth wheel.  I think that a lot of folks could be like Jo and I are.  In the past we had a good camper, although it was a 26-foot travel trailer.  After about two years, we traded it for a 26-foot fifth wheel.  I thought that we were pretty set with a camper, although at the time we weren't considering full-timing.  Once that idea came along, we took a two week vacation to Colorado and found that trying to be comfortable in that 26-footer for two weeks (instead of just one week) was not happening.  The furniture began to get really uncomfortable.  That is when we knew for sure that we would need a bigger trailer; one with more capability of "upgrading" or modifying. 

I wouldn't worry about the commercial model trucks.  As the others said, they won't be quite as comfortable for long drives, nor would they be equipped with as much optional items such as a center console, power points or extra switches.  For instance, our F450 has what is called "upfitter" switches.  Those are four toggle switches that are at different amp ratings that can be used for accessories such as extra lights or whatever may need a switch in the cab.  (Note the four switches at the bottom of this picture.

Also, in my case with my "advancing age" and "larger than it should be" body, this little accessory is handy when I have to get into the bed of the truck for any reason.

Keep in mind that when we bought our F450, it cost less than what that one place was asking for that F350 at that one link you sent me.  One may just have to do some diligent looking, and if you find a Ford dealer that really wants to work with you, have them search to see if they can also find a used F450.  Sometimes they can find one that is going up for auction.

Terry