To stretch or not to stretch

louixo · Jan 11, 2003

I asked this question awhile back, and didn´t get an answer, though I did gleen some info from other posters, I´m still not quite clear on the subject. I´m thinking of making the switch from D unit to class 8 when I come off winter vacation. I sold my D unit before leaving on vacation, so will need a new wagon on my return. I always heard that stretching a class 8 was not a good idea.I would appreciate hearing from any of you drivers, that have done it. Average cost, what to watchout for, where to get a good used box etc., and in general, the pros and cons of doing it.

Weave · Jan 11, 2003

I wonder where you heard it's a bad idea? Definitely not from me. I've been on both sides of the fence now, my prior rig an FL70 and now a class 8 Freightliner Columbia. I've gotta say I'll never go back to a class 7 after being spoiled with the class 8 power and luxury. My truck was not a stretch, however, it came from the factory with a long frame and just has 3 foot frame stretches at the rear to accomadate my 24' box.
Disadvantages? Really only one, it is front heavy. I usually start my heavier loads about 5 feet back from the nose of the box to keep from getting overweight on the front axle. But, sometimes class 7's have this problem too. I'm still running a single drive and no tag, and now that I know how to load the truck right I have not been overweight up front anymore. I also have dual 150 gallon front mounted tanks that don't help me- I just don't fill them all the way up.
Advantages? Too many to list, really just about everything. The class 8's are made for the highway, and make doing the job so much easier. Power, comfort, long life, etc-etc. I feel sorry for people who go out and spend $60K for a new FL70 Alumi-Junk expediter with throwaway components when I picked up my Columbia as a year-old repo with 54K miles on it for $56k. The Columbia will easily last 10 years or more should I decide to keep it that long, but I know I'll have at least 5 powerful, luxurious, quiet years with it that should be more or less worry free.
Before you consider stretching a tractor and finding a box, look on the web and in things like the Truck Paper for a used or repo class 8 unit. There have been a lot built at Freightliner of Orlando (Usually Centuries or FLD112's) that are not stretches that are out there if you look around.
If you can't find something, by all means stretch a tractor before wasting your money on a class 7. There are a ton of cheap tractors available, just pick a make and engine/tranny you like. Good used boxes can be had for under $10k, and a typical stretch job usually costs $5-7k. So if you buy a $40k late model used tractor, with the stretch and box you are still under the price of the underpowered noisey Alumi-Junk throwaway FL70, and you will have one hell of a NICE, REAL highway truck!

rollnthunder · Jan 11, 2003

I have to agree with Weave....I use to drive a Fl70 and then i started shopping around and found a Western Star...Boy what a difference in everything...Ride,options,less noise and etc...i still jump in a fl70 once in a while to help a friend out when he needs it and man i get home and i have a headache,back ache and im so beat its not even funny..Do the right thing and shop around for a class 8

geo · Jan 15, 2003

to stretch or not to, it will cost about 3,000 to 5,000 dollars,
and have to make sure they do it right, i would trade truck in and
get a truck from the factory already to go be about same and time and
money to , i have c unit that is class 8 westernstar with a 16'box
have all power that i need and don't have to worry about weight
and able to carry 13,300 and don't have to worry how it is loaded to
and the ride is unreal, and sleeper was put on at the factory
and not a add on like fl70 and other, if it's not a star it not a truck

bubba · Jan 17, 2003

I stretched a FLD120 back in June and let me tell you I could not be

happier. The truck is a twin screw with a 24 ft. box, 350 Cat and 10

speed. The stretch and box cost less tha $5,000. The one post said

that he was allways heavy on the front I have not had a problem with

that.

If you would like the name of the person who did the work for me

give me an email [email protected]

Bubba :7

mikecop · Jan 18, 2003

I have a FL70 which I bought new in 1998, which has 480,000 miles on it. I planned to trade it in, but couldn't get anything for it, so I put a driver in it.

I have a used JB Hunt cabover (since 1997 the cab is a flat floor) which I had stretched for $3800. I went with the cabover because I wanted a longer box for more freight capacity; my box is a converted Fruehauf 28' trailer. I kept the tandem rear axles, so I have good weight capacity. The unit has the Cummins M11 engine.

I agree with Weave--once you have gone this route with the stretched class 8, you will never want the class 7 units again. I am often loaded near the max capacity of the unit. With the FL70 I had to downshift 4 gears to get up the mountains in PA, WV, northern MD, NJ, and NY. With the International I almost never downshift, and the rare times I do, it is only one gear.

Larry · Feb 18, 2003

I also have a 1998 FL70 with @ 410,000 miles and Cat 3126 w/6 speed Eaton. I was curious what the trade in value was on your truck.

Thanks.

BanditMan · Feb 19, 2003

Mikecop

Any chance you could get a photo of the cabover rig posted? - I'd like to see it. What kind of tractor is it, and what did you do for a sleeper? Anything you'd do different?

mikecop · Mar 9, 2003

I tried to post a picture of my cabover straight truck, but couldn't get it to work (lack of cumputer skill on my part, I guess). The unit has a double bunk sleeper, and a high roof, so the sleeper is very adequate. So far, I haven't found anything I would do differently with the class 8 unit. I have put about 102,000 miles on it since it went into service about this time last year. Mike

TimmB · Mar 10, 2003

RE: To stretch or not to stretch (Mike ?)

Mike;

I would like to know what kind of MPG you are getting with the cab over. I think what you have done is a great idea for maximizing income! My only concern was the MPG of the cab-over with that non-aero front end.

Thanks Mike!