Tell me if this is a mistake.

[bigjoep89]

Robin and I real close to closing a deal on what I will refer to as a true C-unit. 2007 Kenworth 315 hp with 96 inch AA sleeper with 16 ABC box. Truck will be rated at under 26K GVW. We owned a D-unit in 2005 we had the M2. In 2006 we had a sprinter now we want to try a true C-unit. Tractor 10.300 pounds sleeper approx 3000 pounds, box around 3000 pounds. Total close to 16.300# this still allows 9700# for personal and freight. Should we think reefer and /or lift gate? No intentions of going White Glove as we will not give up our 6# best friend dog (Killer dog) for anything.
Leased to FedEx
Run team
Out three weeks home one
very little debt
I have class A-CDL Robin has class B-CDL
I think I have left enough information for evaluation all input is appreciated. If you think this is a crazy idea please tell me. I can take it but tell me why so I can learn. If you like the idea please tell me so I can pat myself on the back. All replies is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Joe

 

[targuard86]

I'd have to go with a liftgate but if your not thinking white glove I would leave off the refer.

 

[unorthodoxneon]

A question that comes to mind is a lift gate is about an extra 1000lbs, then when you add you and all your stuff in the truck thats cutting down how much you can haul. Now thats just my thoughts, i'm not experianced enough to really give my thoughts :+

 

[bigjoep89]

Turg: Thanks for your input.

Unor. Another 1000# would put us at around 17.300 still allowing around 8700# Thanks for you input.

 

[DanJ]

Take away the weight of the 3 of you, your stuff, fuel. Does your sleeper have a shower/toilet, with associated water/waste tanks? Unless full fuel is already built into the weights, I think your payload is closer to 7k.

 

[x06col]

Can't imagine you are going to be less than 17K empty.

Why less than 26K GVW?

You are approx. 35ft with your spechs. Why stop at that?

 

[x06col]

Forgot one, yes, this is crazy!

 

[greg334]

But the question is how many times do you think that you would not get a load because the payload is 8700lbs ... scratch that .... better yet.... how many offers do you think you will lose out on if you have only a 5000 lb payload capacity opposed to a 8700 lb or a 10,000 lb payload capacity?

I have yet been loaded more than 6000 lbs and the one load over 6000K was a unique load in the course of the 75 loads which averaged 1800 lbs I have had on this truck so far.

as for a true c truck, I am wondering what that is too?

 

[Pilgrim]

Considering the costs and overhead involved with the equipment you've described, why would you want to limit yourself to the C-sized loads and their reduced rate? Seems like the smart business move would be to go ahead and step up to the D unit for a few more dollars and maximize your revenues.

 

[nightcreacher]

I wouldnt invest that kind of money in a c unit,also,does service expedite use lift gates,I dont think so,the lift gate will stop you from many auto parts loads,and if lift gate are w/g loads,you will miss most of the lift gate loads too.
c units haul up to 5000# I thought,your weight will be fine

 

[bigjoep89]

Night: Good point about automotive and lift gate:
Everyone thanks for the input.

 

[LDB]

I don't know how FX works but with Panther a D unit makes a dime a mile more for every loaded mile. Costs are going to be pretty similar but revenue and options are going to be greater with a D. Liftgate yes, reefer I'm not so sure. Elite Services / White Glove yes. Otherwise I'd get an Aerocell and skip logging and IFTA. Good luck.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[simon says]

I wouldn't do it, but I don't need a big house. Why not get a bigger box while you are at it. Once that 16 is on there, it will be there a long time. I would at least get a twenty right now! You could do a take-off and find yourself a good used 20- might have to have a roll-up door.

 

[lanier1]

How does a lift gate stop you from taking an auto parts load?

 

[highway star]

Most lift gates don't allow you to be locked into a dock and that is required at GM, Ford, ect. There are lift gates available that will work.

 

[CaptainKangaroo]

>Otherwise I'd get an
>Aerocell and skip logging and IFTA. Good luck.
>
>Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
>Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
>Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
>EO Forum Moderator
>----------
>Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you
>like.

Leo, Have you rsearched an Aerocell?

What size Body, 15' or bigger? Diesel or gas engine? Floor above wheels or wheel boxes? Chevy or Ford? I wonder what the empty weights are for various lengths?

Thanks

Cap'n Kangaroo

 

[davekc]

I would agree with the others. Unless you are doing WG/Elite loads, skip the reefer. A big waste of money. Even the liftgate is somewhat questionable. If you get one, make sure it is the type that you can be locked onto the dock. Anything else wouldn't be worth the money because you might gain a few loads, but you lose many as well.
A T300 with a 96" sleeper will accomadate a 22 foot box. I think that would be your better choice verses a 16 foot. Alot of times it isn't whether it will fit in your truck, it is what the customer requests.
Might also want to consider resale value. A 22 footer will bring alot more than a 16 footer as the larger size is in more demand by the majority of carriers.

Don't want to rain on your parade, but there's my penny in pond.








Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[nightcreacher]

good answer dave

 

[LDB]

I would go one of two ways if I were putting together an Aerocell for myself. I'd either go 14' body on GM 3500 platform or I'd go 17' body on GM 4500 platform and put up with the logbook. Either one would allow 3 floor spots plus personal space. If I did the 17' body I'd have somewhere like Sportsmobile build a sleeper in it for me. I'd have it built in a configuration that would give 3 floor spots for skids provided the frontmost skid is no more than about 54" tall. If you could look in from the passenger side with your xray glasses it would be something like this.. provided this stays the same when I click post.
__________________
| ^ ^ | z x |
| ^ ^ |_z_ x |
| ^ ^ ^ |x |
|__^___^___^_|x__|eng

^^ That's the floor in the cargo area. The pair of ^ above points to where the bed (marked with z's) would be inside the sleeper area. A single high skid or parts tub would fit under that in the cargo area marked with 2 ^'s. The area with 4 ^'s would take taller freight. The area with the x's is part of the sleeper that is full height. It would be wide enough for a cabinet/counter on one side with a sink and cabinets above for microwave. The other side would be closet and pantry cabinets.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[greg334]

Lift gates and dock locks?

I delivered to GM, Ford and Cat all having locks and not one word about my truck and my lift gate. I pull in, drop the dolly and tell them not to lock the truck to the dock get un/loaded. Beside Both at GM and Cat, I am glad I could not be locked to the dock. At Cat the mechinism failed on a friday afternoon and the poor driver of the other straight truck was stuck there all weekend and was still there monday evening when I delivered again. At GM the controls failed and would not release any of the trucks in the wells.

Beside all of that, who cares about Automotive loads, I think that this is not the focus of FedEx any how.

If the goal is to cover C loads with FedEx, yes it might not be a bad setup.

But as a suggestion do what I did, go to Green and work with your soon to be changed CC to find out if there is an advantage to having one. Go through the runs to see how many needed a lift gate.

The reefer, I would only consider it if I was going to white glove or like in my case, the truck already had it. The ROI for a new reefer is a long road to follow only if you are W/G.