I bought an fl70 and I am happy with it right now. This is a good entry level truck for people who are making the upgrade.
The thing I feel is an advantage for me is size, I love the compact size of the truck. I can swing my truck around when D units have to back up. I also like the idea that I can park in a parking lot, fitting in a two parking spots length wise and within a single car width.
What I would build for my next truck is rather easy question to answer, Class 8.
I would like to have an Argosy, but with the prices of Argosy’s going up for some reason I can find a lot of trucks that are inexpensive in comparison. My second choice is KW T2000, driven a few T2000 tractors and liked them. My worry is not finding a truck but getting it accepted.
The Argosy is to me the perfect truck to start with, I guess I like cab over trucks and liked the one I drove a few times. The length of the truck with an 18 foot box according to my calculations is the same size as what I am driving now. Out of curiosity I have looked into if I can extend the cab from 110†to say 134†to add 2 feet to the interior but the cost is around $2000 just for the extension and the reinforcement needed to the cab to properly raise it. This would in effect let me have a 96†sleeper, which would make my life easier (you know that the 72" plasma screen TV and theater equipment just does not seem to fit right in a 72" sleeper).
I took a look at several T2000s and Centurys and found out that I could find a truck that would not have to be stretched but extended (not moving the axles but just add some support for the box). I put my truck right next to a T2000 front wheel to front wheel and the back rear axle lined up perfectly with my rear axle but the frame was a few feet short if I put a 16 foot box on it as is. The cab size is just a little bigger than my combo cab and sleeper.
Of course I would get as much HP as possible and an auto-shift or if I could find an ultra-shift. I would consider a DD 60, but if I would go to a cat engine truck, it would be something like a tricked out 3516b (for those who know the engine know it is nice to dream).
I would also seriously consider using singles on the rear axle. Looking at the X ones, I think this would give me better mileage but as someone said (I think Leo ) there is a safety factor against the idea. I am going to keep my eye on them.
I also have been reading a lot about skirting, which leads me to thinking about adding skirts and a few tool boxes on the sides of the truck. I read a really good article about UPS and the use of skirts. I figure that with a class 8 loafing with 5000lbs on it, the idea of a possible 11 MPG or maybe even 12 MPG sounds good to me.
Another thing that I would consider if I had the money is retrofitting with air ride up front and disc brakes. I like the idea but that is a long term investment and just had to throw it in.
As for equipment, I would limit the box size to 16 feet (nothing smaller) unless you want to carry a lot of stuff (bikes, BBQ, Jacuzzi, wood shop, an area for restoring that GTO while on the road) I would consider getting an 18 foot box. I have a 16 foot box and the reefer unit inside the box takes up 18 inches and I intend take an additional 6 inches for the truck (and tell FedEx the size is only 14 feet available for a load) and build cabinets that will hold important things like straps, blankets and what ever. Right now it all looks ok back there, but I like cabinets and believe it or not organization. I met one D unit owner who stores a lot of stuff, like the contents of his home (Really!).
Speaking of the box, I would also highly recommend a roll up door, a flat entry way, four rows of e track and some sort of 16 inch or higher aluminum or steel panel along the side (I forget what it is called). I have barn doors but there is an extension for the lift gate and an aluminum step that a fork lift has to tackle to get anything in the truck. I have had a lot of trouble with idiot forklift drivers who don’t know how to get passed it. Beside this, the extension prevents sealing of the area when backed up to the dock loading and with the cold weather the fork lift driver try to rush loading to get the doors close.
I would get an APU or build one. I am torn between a generator and a true APU. But that has been covered. I will most likely build one using a similar engine that I have in the reefer unit. I can’t see spending $7000 and not being able to service it myself.
I would get a reefer and lift gate, but that is me. The return on investment is long term.
I would also get some sort add on or something that I can lower my dolly without me cranking it in the rain/snow. Beside this stuff, I would get a tire monitor, cameras and all the nice stuff to make my life more fun.
Hope this helps.
