New service truck

[shadow2]

Two years ago I got a f450 service body with no crane. The truck sits at 18000lbs and is 1500lbs over weight. I am looking at a new truck and think a f550 is too small.

I now take care of 5 excervator 4 skid steers 2 wheel loader cv 50 screen. 4 lulls 2 man lifts 3 trailer up to 30 ton 10 truck from 350 to kw. Various attachments and smaller pieces of equipment

I have 6000lbs of tools on the 450 and anther 2000lbs on the selves at the garage. Would a 25999 truck be big enough or would u. Go to 33000lbs.

Is a 30 foot reach on the crane necessary

Thanks

 

[CM1995]

I'm not the service truck expert but from experience in the business usually bigger is better.

Other than the obvious CDL requirements going from 25,999 to 33K there is also fuel tax reporting that goes along with a truck over 25,999. The real question is whether the extra capacity is worth the hassle of jumping from 25,999 to 33K.

 

[Junkyard]

Technically any diesel powered truck over 10,000 GVW is subject to fuel tax if it is tagged interstate. If it's tagged for one state and never leaves (intrastate) there is no fuel tax filing regardless of size. The way things are going you'll need a CDL for anything commercial. Might as well get it. With certain insurance carriers it'll save you a bit on premiums.

As far as GVW of the truck there's not a whole lot of difference, I'd make sure I had air brakes either way. Juice brakes aren't as good at those weights. Just my experience and opinion there. Some are the same axles etc just de-rated in the VIN tag to stay under 26,001 and avoid CDL. Even non CDL you're still supposed to have authority etc. A 550 and smaller can sure fly under the radar but once you're bigger you might as well plan on being compliant.

As far as the crane, 30' isn't necessary but it can be handy. I'd look more at overall capacity than how much stick. I've never said to myself I needed more stick but many times I wanted more capacity.

Junkyard

 

[CM1995]

Technically any diesel powered truck over 10,000 GVW is subject to fuel tax if it is tagged interstate. If it's tagged for one state and never leaves (intrastate) there is no fuel tax filing regardless of size. The way things are going you'll need a CDL for anything commercial. Might as well get it. With certain insurance carriers it'll save you a bit on premiums.

You're right I was mistaken, it's been many years since I owned dump trucks and the taxes blur together. I thought I remembered filing and paying extra fuel taxes for miles driven but it's the heavy use tax form 2290 for trucks over 55,000, which both dumps were. All the damn taxes we pay run together after a while but that's another topic.

However there is a federal excise tax of 12% on new trucks over 33K lbs. With the cost of new chassis that 12% can be alot.

 

[Junkyard]

Yes they tax any and everything they can! One of the things I sure don't miss from the trucking business.

 

[shadow2]

Is there a benefic between a knuckle boom crane and a telescopic crane

 

[Junkyard]

I've never run a knuckle boom but a friend that has one on his truck swears by it. He pushes stuff, drags stuff, bangs on stuff. Whatever he needs to do. I can see where one would be great in certain situations. There's a couple guys on here with them maybe they'll chime in.

As far as telescopic it's pretty straightforward. Make sure it's all hydraulic, some the third section of the boom is manual slide out. Not a big deal but it can be inconvenient at times. Wireless remote is awesome. My last truck didn't have it, new one does and idk how I got along without it. I would often find myself crawled up on a mast or under something only to realize it wouldn't reach or something like that. Telescopic do seem to fit on a truck better, especially after the fact. Maybe build a rig with both?!?! Well not really lol.

Junkyard

 

[DARO]

Im thinking 550 size are only rated to 19500. If you run them at max weight all the time. 7000 miles on brake pads. 30000 miles on tires. Sure is handy to have 4x4. And be able to pull your self out with a skidloader.just my 2 cents.

 

[shadow2]

Is it bad to idle truck engine all day or get the Vmac multi functions to power the crane and other functions


Do need 3phase power and a 500amp welder

 

[92U 3406]

Im thinking 550 size are only rated to 19500. If you run them at max weight all the time. 7000 miles on brake pads. 30000 miles on tires. Sure is handy to have 4x4. And be able to pull your self out with a skidloader.just my 2 cents.

You're correct. 19.5k lbs. My '14 F550 runs at 19k lbs all day every day. I'm just about to hit the 30k mile mark. Still original brakes and the original tires are still around 35-40%. About a 70/30 mix of highway and offroad. The powerjoke sure loves to drink the fuel though. Averaging about 7 mpg with it.

 

[Junkyard]

With all the emissions bs on these new trucks I'd seriously consider a self contained unit to power crane and compressor. The DPF doesn't like idle time. My freightliner with an 8.3 cummins will regen several times a day if I'm running compressor and crane for the day. Once in a blue moon it won't regen, goes into limp mode and needs to visit the dealer.

Junkyard

 

[DARO]

92u 3406 ...what tires do you run. I start to lose cords at 30k. Still lots a tread on them when they go. 7mpg is about the best. Get down to 3 with number 1 and running hard.

 

[92U 3406]

92u 3406 ...what tires do you run. I start to lose cords at 30k. Still lots a tread on them when they go. 7mpg is about the best. Get down to 3 with number 1 and running hard.

I want to say they're Michellin but I'm not 100% sure. I'm off work for a week right now but I will take a look when I get back.

 

[Birken Vogt]

Is it bad to idle truck engine all day or get the Vmac multi functions to power the crane and other functions

Most cranes have an engine on/off switch as part of the remote. If the goons at the body builders can figure out how to make it work. Most of the time it does not work.

So if you can get it to work it is great for cutting down on idle time, start the engine, move the load a little, shut it off. Rather than loading up the DPF with pointless idling for hours because the crane moves once in a while.

Also it is nice for peace and quiet when you are doing something that requires no power.

If you want the other functions (air compressor) can be tied in to some degree but most body builders don't "get it" as far as this goes.

 

[ohiofleet]

drill big holes in the dpf stops it from clogging up

 

[still learn'n]

Most cranes have an engine on/off switch as part of the remote. If the goons at the body builders can figure out how to make it work. Most of the time it does not work.

Well we are the second owners of the one I run but the engine shut off don't work but the start does so if the key is on it will start it but not shut it off btw it is a 2004 Kenworth T300 26,000 GVW. If I was buying a service truck it would be the highest weight rating in the total axles it is. My truck is 1000-1500 lbs over weight but last time I got inspected he didn't weigh my truck just weighed the trailer thank goodness. I also have a cdl for semis so more weight isn't a problem for me.

On the crane subject I asked the Teamco guy at Con Expo if they had ever put 2 cranes on a service truck and he said so far they hadn't but it might be a possibility. That would be really handy at times. My crane is a 10,000 lb not sure exactly on the reach it has 2 hydraulic extensions

 

[Birken Vogt]

It seems that if the start works but the stop does not work it ought to be easy to fix. Just break the circuit at the appropriate place as long as the switch is held down. If it was mine I would add some latching to the relay system so all the warning bells and buzzers would not be bothering all the time the engine was stopped with the key on. The latching would be unlatched when it was moved back to start both with the switch or with the key.

 

[shadow2]

Can u mount a 1500lbs welder on the side pack or lengthen the truck to 13 ft with a welding deck

 

[92U 3406]

92u 3406 ...what tires do you run. I start to lose cords at 30k. Still lots a tread on them when they go. 7mpg is about the best. Get down to 3 with number 1 and running hard.

I remembered to look today.
Michelin XDS 2
245/70R19.5

 

[shadow2]

Is it worth 20k to get 4x4 in a heavy duty truck

Looking at a western star 4700 fully loaded 4x4 for 105k
If the front axle and rear axle are 16k giving you a 36k gvw and in Ct it can only be registered to 33k do u still have to pay fet

Or get a freight liner m2 for 75k