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sixtyninegmc 09-23-2011 23:24:40 209.112.184.32 Report to Moderator	I would look for a clean, possibly restored GMC or IH duece and a half from the WW2 era for cool factor, and put a 12 valve cummins in it. For cheap, I would find an old Kenworth or Pete with anything but a detroit (prefer cummins 400 or 3406A) and a 13 or 15 speed. Can be had for dirt cheap most areas, and much more comfortable on the highway, and can be made a single axle real easy if wanted. As for my tractor hauler, my dad and I go farther than most (bought most of our equip. in Washinton state, hauled it to Alaska) so we went a little classier. We shopped around and spent about half as much as a good friend spent on a heavy-duty gooseneck and dually duramax, and get better mileage per pound than a lot of medium dutys, per pound hauled at least. This post was edited by sixtyninegmc at 23:28:24 09/23/11. [Reply]   [No Email]
scotc 09-24-2011 19:43:29 75.245.223.135 Report to Moderator	Re: New tow rig, forget the 1 ton in reply to sixtyninegmc, 09-23-2011 23:24:40   The old Detroits were good motors, you just had to have them wound tight to get anywhere, and needed a 13 speed minimum, to keep it up in the powerband. The 60 series pre-emmissions engines are good motors, too. They get a bad rap, but they'll run a million miles, hold up to the rookies running them in the big fleets, and with both set at 470 horse, will pull as well with a 10 speed as a 3406E Cat will with a 13. Personally, I'd get a 4900 IHC with the 466 and Allison auto, with air ride (and a suspension dump valve), and short wheelbase. A longer wheelbase will ride better, but you give up a lot of maneuverability for it. And the suspension dump makes hooking up a gooseneck a lot easier. Less cranking.   [Reply]  [No Email]
sixtyninegmc 09-24-2011 20:40:12 209.112.184.32 Report to Moderator	Re: New tow rig, forget the 1 ton in reply to scotc, 09-24-2011 19:43:29   The biggest reason I would stay away from the old detroits is noise....they are the best thing out there for converting fuel into noise :) As for the 60 series, our Western Star has a 500 horse 60 series in it at 900,000 miles and runs great and gets around 7MPG, I`m fond of it. I spent quite a few miles with a 475HP 3406E, and my seat-of-the-pants dyno always leaned towards the cat making a hair more power, definately a bit lower RPM power band, but I can get a speeding ticket with either one, so it don`t add up to much. I have to say for a tractor hauler the versatility of a fullsize tandem axle truck is nice, mine has helped pay for itself helping other folks out with loads a single axle would struggle with, but generally the single axle is cheaper to register and insure. Either way beats apickup hands down.   [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 09-25-2011 03:17:21 75.226.204.101 Report to Moderator	Re: New tow rig, forget the 1 ton in reply to sixtyninegmc, 09-24-2011 20:40:12   I have to agree there. Though for pulling a gooseneck, you lose so much maneuverability with a tandem, with the extra wheelbase. You have to put the hitch way out back, and it's a long way to the back of the trailer from the seat, compared to a pick-up.   [Reply]  [No Email]