John White
Well-Known Member
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.