• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Help on buying a used class 6 truck. Under 26000 GVW

J

John White

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
214
Location
Newark, Ohio
Need your opinions on truck. I am thinking about building up another truck and need your thoughts. I plan on mounting a septic pumper tank on it as on my older truck, most of the time it is run pretty well at max weight. Past experience and finding that out now also is that I can purchase a box truck cheaper than a cab & chassis. Plus I have to shorten frame also.. My present truck is a 1997 GMC 6500 series with a Cat 3116. I like the way the GMC cab looks. I don't like the newer ones built 2003 and up. They are junk (or the ones I have seen) . I may have to change my mind set on a GMC though. After reading about the CAT 3126 engine problems it has me scared. I see a lot of box trucks in the $8 to $9 k range with under 200,000 miles. I have found some Internationals with the dt 466 engine, Ford F700 with the little Cummings 5.8 (is this engine too small) and the Freightliners seem to have a Cat 3126 also. I know GMC and Ford both got out of the class 6 truck market but used ones will be around for a long time. I know International started having a lot of problems after 2003. So what would be your pick under 2003 and why. One thing I have noticed on my GMC is that with it fully loaded, it is a little weak on brakeing but have talked to others who run Int and Freightliners have the same problem. A few of the class 6 trucks were built with air brakes and the seem to be ok. But require a CDL endorsement. Give me your opinions.
 
CM1995

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,375
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Pre- 2003 truck choice - 4700 International DT466 with 6 or 6 +1 trans. You are right the newer style International med. duty trucks are not nearly as reliable as the older ones. I would find one with air brakes if you are worried about braking.

BTW - Ford still makes F650 and 750 trucks.
 
monster76

monster76

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
526
Location
Miami Fl
Occupation
Contractor
ford or the international, international are proven work horses they have some small problem here and there but to crazy. if you get a ford although the 5.9 is a little small it will move the weight not as good as a dt466 but the plus side is if you spend allot of time inside the truck a 650-750 cab is the same as the normal pickup and many of the interior items like seats dash all that can be installed in the truck and it will be more comfortable than the international if it were me i wouldn't hesitate with either one of those trucks
 
R

redneckracin

Senior Member
Joined
May 19, 2010
Messages
574
Location
Western PA
Occupation
Civil Engineer
I have a 2001 int 4700 LP with air ride, a DT530E and an Allison MD3060 trans and wouldn't hesisitate loading it to 26k. The hydraulic brakes are ok, but they tend to lock the wheels up pretty easily if not loaded pretty well. The truck has some electrical gremlins but mechanically the truck is stout. I have only had to replace the radiator here recently on it.
 
CM1995

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,375
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Monster I disagree on which one I would want to drive. I had a 2005 F650 with a hooklift in the past and didn't like driving it at all. I didn't like the visibility over the hood and felt like I was sitting in a hole while driving the truck and I am a Ford guy but I wouldn't get another one. I would take my old 4700 over it any day. Those older Internationals fell like a big truck, good visibility and a spacious cab.

Now of course that is my opinion and worth every penny that was paid for it.:D:rolleyes:
 
monster76

monster76

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
526
Location
Miami Fl
Occupation
Contractor
hey we all have one that why there is so many different brands and configurations of trucks because there is no one size fits all
 
J

JBGASH

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
760
Location
Missouri
Occupation
Plumbing & Excavation Contractor / farmer
John White, As you know stay away from any 3126. I have 2- septic vacuum trucks, 1-2250 gallon tank & 1- 3650 tank both are Mack with big block engines. I will never have anything but a big block personally. This also insures you have enough truck to pack a load of sewage. Air brakes are a must and 8 wheels as drivers are great instead of only 4. Good luck.
John White said:
Need your opinions on truck. I am thinking about building up another truck and need your thoughts. I plan on mounting a septic pumper tank on it as on my older truck, most of the time it is run pretty well at max weight. Past experience and finding that out now also is that I can purchase a box truck cheaper than a cab & chassis. Plus I have to shorten frame also.. My present truck is a 1997 GMC 6500 series with a Cat 3116. I like the way the GMC cab looks. I don't like the newer ones built 2003 and up. They are junk (or the ones I have seen) . I may have to change my mind set on a GMC though. After reading about the CAT 3126 engine problems it has me scared. I see a lot of box trucks in the $8 to $9 k range with under 200,000 miles. I have found some Internationals with the dt 466 engine, Ford F700 with the little Cummings 5.8 (is this engine too small) and the Freightliners seem to have a Cat 3126 also. I know GMC and Ford both got out of the class 6 truck market but used ones will be around for a long time. I know International started having a lot of problems after 2003. So what would be your pick under 2003 and why. One thing I have noticed on my GMC is that with it fully loaded, it is a little weak on brakeing but have talked to others who run Int and Freightliners have the same problem. A few of the class 6 trucks were built with air brakes and the seem to be ok. But require a CDL endorsement. Give me your opinions.
Click to expand...
 
J

John White

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
214
Location
Newark, Ohio
JBGASH said:
John White, As you know stay away from any 3126. I have 2- septic vacuum trucks, 1-2250 gallon tank & 1- 3650 tank both are Mack with big block engines. I will never have anything but a big block personally. This also insures you have enough truck to pack a load of sewage. Air brakes are a must and 8 wheels as drivers are great instead of only 4. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Mack is out of the question as I have to stay under CDL
 
J

John White

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
214
Location
Newark, Ohio
Any one have any opinion on the FL 60 or 70 Freightliners? How do they compare to the internationals? Again, it will have the Cat engine. After asking around locally, it seems strange that some will start having trouble with the Cat engines at 100k miles and others can go 4 or 500k miles with no trouble. Talked to one fellow and he said all he does is change oil. Said he has to stop and change it on a cross the US trip sometimes, another said the sales man who sold him the truck said every 10,k miles.???:rolleyes:
 
C

Catback

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
110
Location
WI
John White said:
he said all he does is change oil:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

...and that's all that I've done (along with check all the fluids and oils, air drier, connections, belts, etc.). I guess the devil's in the details. Aside from the mechanical or HEUI issues, and aside from a total lack of maintenance or not-so-bright attempts at "improvements" to the engine, my experience is the 3126B (I have two of them) is it is a true workhorse. But I've performed the maintenance (and changed the oil), and I don't have HEUI.
 
W

wheelman007

Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2013
Messages
16
Location
Tracy, Ca
My experience with all these trucks working on and owning is the International dt466 is great and reliable worker. There a little short on creature comfort there fleet trucks. Air brakes preform better and last longer.
 
Cretebaby

Cretebaby

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
284
Location
E. Iowa
John White said:
Need your opinions on truck. I am thinking about building up another truck and need your thoughts. I plan on mounting a septic pumper tank on it as on my older truck, most of the time it is run pretty well at max weight. Past experience and finding that out now also is that I can purchase a box truck cheaper than a cab & chassis. Plus I have to shorten frame also.. My present truck is a 1997 GMC 6500 series with a Cat 3116. I like the way the GMC cab looks. I don't like the newer ones built 2003 and up. They are junk (or the ones I have seen) . I may have to change my mind set on a GMC though. After reading about the CAT 3126 engine problems it has me scared. I see a lot of box trucks in the $8 to $9 k range with under 200,000 miles. I have found some Internationals with the dt 466 engine, Ford F700 with the little Cummings 5.8 (is this engine too small) and the Freightliners seem to have a Cat 3126 also. I know GMC and Ford both got out of the class 6 truck market but used ones will be around for a long time. I know International started having a lot of problems after 2003. So what would be your pick under 2003 and why. One thing I have noticed on my GMC is that with it fully loaded, it is a little weak on brakeing but have talked to others who run Int and Freightliners have the same problem. A few of the class 6 trucks were built with air brakes and the seem to be ok. But require a CDL endorsement. Give me your opinions.
Click to expand...

Air brakes don't require a cdl or any endorsement.
 
CM1995

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,375
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Cretebaby said:
Air brakes don't require a cdl or any endorsement.
Click to expand...

It depends on your state CDL rules so the OP needs to check that out. The Federal rules go by gvw and you are correct no cdl for air braked vehicles below 26K gvw, according to the Fed's.

States have to meet the minimum Federal guidelines for a CDL license but just like OSHA guidelines, they can be more restrictive.
 
Cretebaby

Cretebaby

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
284
Location
E. Iowa
CM1995 said:
It depends on your state CDL rules so the OP needs to check that out. The Federal rules go by gvw and you are correct no cdl for air braked vehicles below 26K gvw, according to the Fed's.

States have to meet the minimum Federal guidelines for a CDL license but just like OSHA guidelines, they can be more restrictive.
Click to expand...

This doesn't nor can it vary between states.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top