Class D Truck Question

[carstea]

I have been on the phone with some of the truck dealerships - just to get educated not necessarily to purchase - and I am getting some confusing answers to some of my questions.

I was basically asking about prices for a class 7, D unit, straight truck with a 22 foot box and a sleeper cab (also a 13,000 GVW - is that sound right for GVW?). This seems to be the type of unit that FedEx CC is most interested in contracting with. Anyway folks look at me kind of strange in that they say that they really don't have any such truck with a sleeper cab unless you go to a class 8 (which is a tractor/semi). Am I using the phrase sleeper cab incorrectly, and that is why dealers are telling me that they have only seen one such straight truck in 15 years? I tell them it is for expedite shipping but that does not "ring any bells." Anyway they indicate the cost of the truck I describe without a sleeper box is in the neighborhood of 45K to 60K which is about what I expected. Anyway can you folks talk me through how I should phrase my question or if I just have it all wrong, and does the 13,000 GVW sound correct for a 22 foot D unit class 7 straight truck with a sleeper? I know I sound extremely ignorant, but as long as a person is courageous enough to admit his own ignorance he will never stop learning ).

Thanks for your help and patience!

 

[redytrk]

The Expediting business started in Akron Oh serving mainly the Auto plants in the Oh,Mi,In,On area. It is for this reason the dealers most involved with setting up these trucks are in these states.You will probably save your self from a lot of mistakes by staying away from dealers who dont have a clue how to set up your rig.
BEST OF LUCK

 

[carstea]

Thanks for the advice. What you said makes very good sense. I think when I am ready to buy I will consider the part of the country you mentioned. I was just kind of surprised that the concepts were so foreign to these folks.

 

[Dreamer]

carstea,

may I suggest you look at the home page of this site. On the left hand side you will see a list of dealers who advertise on this site. Clicking on any one of them will take you to a list of trucks they have for sale, along with pictures, specs, etc. This will give you an idea of what's out there.

By the way, the GVW would be around 33,000... 13,000 is the amount of weight you would want to be able to haul.


Hope this helps,

Dreamer

 

[ATeam]

carstea,

redytrk, says, "You will probably save your self from a lot of mistakes by staying away from dealers who dont have a clue how to set up your rig."

Amen to that! Like you, I once spent time calling truck dealers to learn more. After wasting a lot of time talking to dealers that knew nothing about expediting, I concluded that it was a waste of time.

Dreamer has it right. Use the dealers that advertise here to get your questions answered. They understand expediting.

The trucks for sale section of the Free Classifieds section on this site (link on top of page) may also provide info of interest to you.

 

[RichM]

Reddytrk (Don) did you ever get your M2 engine problems squared away??

 

[davekc]

You for example would be lucky to find a dealer in NM, AZ some parts of TX that would have a clue as to what expediting is. They use alot of flatbeds and pickups for "fast freight" You will do much better to look at dealers in the midwest ect. Oh,Mi,In,Tn, ect. If you jump in, you may consider driving for someone. This will give you some idea as to the type of truck you want to pursue. Alot of the posts on EO can steer you in the right direction as well. You don't won't to spec a truck incorrectly or pay more than you have to.