Posted 2010-03-26 9:00 AM (#118022) Subject: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
OK so I want a bigger truck (we are wanting a bigger trailer but will need a bigger truck to get a trailer the size we want). In looking, it seems to me that the price on a used medium duty truck is actually cheaper than a used dually (go figure). I have driven trucks before, but never one with air brakes. Will I need to get a CDL to drive one that has air brakes? I found a local one I really like w/ crew cab but the air brakes have me concerned... I know nothing about them (air brakes vs. hydro/disk). The GVW on the truck is 25K so just under the CDL requirement, but I think air brakes may make a CDL a must, but am not sure.Thanks in advance!~KevinPS- we trailer over 15K miles a year so a medium duty truck would be just fine- I don't think I will have any issues driving one and my wife will not drive our 2500 with the trailer already!
Posted 2010-03-26 10:28 AM (#118028 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
If you're hauling commercial you'll need those CDL's with the "Air Brake Endorsement"... Here's a practice test with things you need to know about air brake operation whether you need CDL's or not. Operating a vehicle with air brakes is different than hydraulic brakes. These statements and questions on these practice test are not just suggestions. They are thing you should know..... And not have to guess at an answer. Good luck!!
Posted 2010-03-26 5:51 PM (#118040 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Location: Central Arkansas
Are you sure it has air brakes? My Freightliner Sportchassis does NOT have air brakes. It has a air assisted parking brake and regular disc brakes on the wheels.
Posted 2010-03-26 9:20 PM (#118042 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
I would advise getting the CDL to cut down on the hassles. What most people don't realize, but here in Kansas the DOT looks at this, is the trailer GVW. If you need that truck to pull your trailer, your trailer probably throws you into CDL. If the listed GVW of your trailer is over 10,000# you legally need a CDL, commercial or not. My "little" trailer is a 16' stock combo and it's GVW is 10,400#. I don't have a horse trailer on the place that doesn't require CDL. Also, don't be fooled by GVW of the truck. Law enforcement is looking at the GVW of the truck and GVW of the trailer added together. If over 26,000 GCVW, you need CDL. Don't worry about the test, it's no big deal. My 17 year old daughter is going to get her restricted CDL as soon as she turns 18 and I'm not worried about her passing. Just study up and go take it.
Posted 2010-03-26 10:34 PM (#118046 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Member
Posts: 13
Location: Grafton, West Virginia
301 Duster you are correct. You add the GVW of the tow vehicle and the GVW of the trailer and if the combined weight is over 26,001 you are required to have a CDL in our state. Exception being if you are a farmer and do not travel more than 100 miles from home, you can file for a farm exemption.
Posted 2010-03-26 11:19 PM (#118047 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
220 hp isn't near enough, mine with 250 hp isn't enough. It'll get you there but any hills will be long and slow.... and by hills I don't mean big ones.
You are looking in the right direction by getting a truck that has plenty of brakes and can handle a big trailer, I would look for one with a DT530 or DT570E and a minimum of 275 hp...... 300 would be better. This size truck is also moving 12,000 to 15,000 pounds of truck in addition to what you tow.
Posted 2010-03-27 5:46 AM (#118048 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Poolville, Texas
220 hp is not NEAR enough. Not even close. If you are looking at MDTs (medium duty trucks) that are "cheap" there will be a defining reason. As far as a CDL goes, as long as you are private, not for hire, and not for commercial interest or gain, you are not required to CDL.... BUT...If the truck (by itself) exceeds 10k pounds (on a scale) OR if the truck, trailer, and payload exceed 26k then you need a Class A. If the truck has air brakes, you will need a Class A with an air brake endorsement. If you are private, you will be a Class A Non Commercial. If you are commercial, you will be a Class A Commercial.The easiest thing to say if pulled over is "we are going trail riding"..... But here is the kicker. SInce Obama has got control of our butts, the DOT can come in and do a "DOT audit", just like the IRS. If you "write off" your fuel expense, then "technically" you are commercial. If you are going to ANY horse events and "trying" to earn prize money or money equivalent then "technically", you are commercial. Does not matter if you do not make a dime, ever. It is the "intent or possibility". These guidelines are federal, by the way. Any differences from state to state, is purely a result of misinformation. And there is alot of that.Wayland Long, pres.2L Custom Truckswww.2Lcustomtrucks.com A horse trainer, in a 450 and an LQ or 6/7 horse rig "should be" commercial, "technically"...
Posted 2010-03-27 12:02 PM (#118055 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
2L you are correct about the class A vs. CDL. What my officer told me is go ahead with the CDL, as you jump through the same hoops for the Class A as you do the CDL. When I asked about my soon to be 18 year old, his response was intrastate (inside Kansas) they will recognize the CDL. If she goes interstate (outside of Kansas) the you'd better HOPE they recognize the Class A portion. A lot of this is interpretation by the officer, as admitted by an officer. My main point is, if you have a CDL in your pocket they gotta find something else to hassle you with. I've seen more people around here going after CDL's just for that reason. The one advantage of Class A vs. CDL is 2 extra years between renewals, that's about it.
Posted 2010-03-27 1:40 PM (#118056 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Veteran
Posts: 105 Location: Illinois
Get the class A CDL and if you can get a truck with air brakes to take the test do so. One thing, the person that will be with you for the driving test will monitor you from the time you do the walk around till you complete the driving portion. When you get in the cab wait till they fasten their seat belt then proceed not before.
Posted 2010-03-27 10:16 PM (#118072 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Poolville, Texas
I totally disagree. With a class A there is no limitations on driving time. With a CDL you are limited just like a trucker. Would take us two and a half days to get to our cuttings on the west coast. Also the blood alcohol rule is different. If I drink a beer at a horse show, get pulled over, and officer detects it, with CDL you are going straight to town.
Posted 2010-03-27 10:50 PM (#118075 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
Thanks for all the input! I will look into getting the Class A, although my wife has nixed the "big truck" idea for a while. I test drove an '10 Ram 3500 and almost drove it home. Going to go to a couple other dealers on Monday before I pull the $50K trigger!
As for the DT466 only putting out 220HP, that doesn't scare me at all. The DT466 can be tuned to 400HP with nothing but a chip, and a DT466 pushing 600+ can be done my an average mechanic on the cheap. :-)
Posted 2010-03-28 10:09 PM (#118114 - in reply to #118075) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
Originally written by statzk on 2010-03-27 10:50 PM
As for the DT466 only putting out 220HP, that doesn't scare me at all. The DT466 can be tuned to 400HP with nothing but a chip, and a DT466 pushing 600+ can be done my an average mechanic on the cheap. :-)
You can do that with a DT466 but the DT466E isn't very tuneable. There are a couple companies that make performance stuff for them but it's pretty big $$$ for very little gain, anyone that tells you it's easy or cheap to add hp to them doesn't know what they are talking about.
Posted 2010-03-29 10:06 AM (#118131 - in reply to #118022) Subject: RE: Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
The truck in question is a 1993 4600 crew cab w/ DT466, not the newer DT466E- tuning can be done on it. :-)Although I believe I am going to go with a much smaller truck- narrowed it down to a Dodge 4500 cab/chassis or a 3500, depending on the deal I can get and the best price I can find on a 10' flatbed w/ gooseneck.Cheers!~K
Medium Duty Trucks w/ air brakes?
