Posted 2013-11-13 8:24 AM (#155779) Subject: 550 vs. small semi
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
550 vs. semi its about time to trade and would like to know the benefits of going bigger than an 550 ford or 5500 dodge vs a freightliner or international we are pulling an Lq that gross's around 18,000 pounds at the moment but may trade it also in the future and get a little larger LQ.
Posted 2013-11-13 3:08 PM (#155783 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Price, and possible license issues are the biggest IMO. The larger the truck and more it looks like the "commerical" over the road professional haulers, the more issues you will have with DOT. Inconsistent treatment from the DOT/law enforcement is the biggest issue we have in our area.
Air brakes are another concern (maintenance, licensing) that might show up.
When we went to a small semi from a 3500, besides the price, we found that they are harder to get worked on, find parts or add ons for, and maintenance is about double if/when needed. Most car/pickup dealerships do not work on vehicles larger than the 350/3500.
But we have had less issues than with any 350/3500. The tires last longer, the truck turns shorter, the brakes last forever, safer (IMO) and they should last 2x as long or longer.
Please remember these are "trucks" and have more road noise nor do they ride as nice as a 3500...
Posted 2013-11-13 4:28 PM (#155785 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
If I hadn't been able to find my C4500 worth the money I was going the converted semi route. Personally I'm not impressed with Ford or Dodges version of a medium duty truck, they're just one tons with beefed up springs. My C4500 has the curb weight to keep a handle on the load behind it. But that's just my opinion, I haven't driven a 550 to know how it feels behind the wheel with 12,000-14,000 pound trailer pushing behind it.
Posted 2013-11-13 5:37 PM (#155786 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
we are on our 3rd 550 ford and we had an 06 5500 Kodiak, they all weigh within 500 pounds or so decked out so comparisons are close and all have had 4:88 gears and we have always had trailers weighing close to 20,000 but if the little semis with 22.5 tires have bigger brakes and more empty weight that is what I think I am looking for and we may go to a little bigger trailer as well, some have told me to go to a reg. over the road truck but I still need something to drive when we are gone for several weeks at a time, in all probability we should stay with the 550 or 5500 .
Posted 2013-11-13 7:19 PM (#155789 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
Not to start an argument, but I just check out the 2012 curb weight ratings of a 4x2 crew cab F550, it shows 7200-8100 pounds depending on engine choices. My 2006 C4500 crew cab 4x2 weights 10,960 pounds.
Posted 2013-11-13 8:31 PM (#155790 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
Have had both. My preference is the 550, mainly because I like 4wd. Brakes are better on freightliner. Tires wear a little longer but are harder to find. Those baby 22.5's cost me almost $600 each. Daughter was on the road so I replaced all 6 and they came from 3 different dealers to get them within a week. Pulled same trailer with both and I think the 550 (7.3 with banks mods) had more power. Trailer is 21k loaded, both get about 7.5 mpg. Freightliner is harder to find someone to work on it. Never owned a chevy, but friends with them haven't had great luck.
Posted 2013-11-13 11:04 PM (#155791 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
You will be hard-pressed to get a non-commercial insurance on a class 6 truck...you will be looking at either your farm insurance policy or a commercial truck insurance...
Posted 2013-11-14 8:02 AM (#155802 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Elite Veteran
Posts: 602 Location: md
I have had Freightliner, c4500 and 3500s of several flavors. I had to get comm insurance, as Paul suggests. When i lived in Delaware there was a good service place , close by. In TN, not so lucky. Had to take my 4500 to Nashville for service, as the local chev dealer was not versed on "big" trucks, and could not do anything beyond basic oil change.
Was working 6 day weeks, so I sold the 4500 and went back to a one ton.( Dodge). I take the Dodge to the local Dodge dealer for service, and they had a brochure of 4500 -5500 dodges. BUT - they dont sell them , and won't service them!!
I would love to get another either med duty or small tractor, but just not sure. I belong to another forum, more devoted to RV lifestyle. It is good reading about singled tracors and the like.
I saw a F 450 with a set up I liked. I guess there are pros and cons to every rig.
I' m susposed to be getting an exhaust brake on my Dodge, but haven't gotten around to it!
Posted 2013-11-14 8:33 AM (#155803 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
I think I have already made my mind up to keep with the 550 Ford or 5500 Dodges, we have had both and no real trouble with either brand but all of the dodges we had always got better mileage but the fords will pull better in the mountains but on rolly and flat ground I never saw any difference, by the way in our one tons we still have ,they have 4:10 rear gears and in the 550 4:88 gears.
Posted 2013-11-14 9:19 PM (#155807 - in reply to #155789) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by hornet on 2013-11-13 7:19 PM
Not to start an argument, but I just check out the 2012 curb weight ratings of a 4x2 crew cab F550, it shows 7200-8100 pounds depending on engine choices. My 2006 C4500 crew cab 4x2 weights 10,960 pounds.
I think the F550 figures maybe off a little. I have an 07 Dodge Ram 3500quad cab (factory cab n chassis) with a 9'4" hauler bed 2 wheel drive and empty weight on it is 8260lbs with 52 gallons of diesel.
Posted 2013-11-14 9:32 PM (#155808 - in reply to #155779) Subject: RE: 550 vs. small semi
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
I will be going to a single axle large car as our next LQ hauler. I have been seeing quite a few around here with single axle, small sleeper that I can convert to a fold out sofa and install a 12' flatbed on pretty easy..... Will increase my braking, full air ride and not have to spend $70-k plus on a used Sportschassis. As far as insurance goes, when we bought our Dodge we had to get a commercial policy because it was a cab n chassis model truck and the actual price was not that much more money but we did have to insure each trailer we pulled or the trailer would not be covered.....
You are correct, but I am using figures from what people actually buy to haul with, not plain base model trucks. The figures on a F550 4X4 CREW CAB with no bed is 7622lbs to 8585lbs, so the time you add a bed and ready to hit the road you are still looking at right at 10-k lbs for just the truck!
550 vs. small semi
