I'm new to all this and need some help. Can somebody tell me the advantage of using a class 8 straight truck over a business class truck other than longevity? Is it true that you make more money with a class 8. Can a tag axle be put on a business class truck? Anybody know of a fleet owner selling any used class 8 straight trucks with 84" sleeper, reefer, autoshift, and tag axle? Can't find a good used one anywhere.
trucks for sale
- Thread starter Ben470
- Start date
Longevity is going to be one of the major advantages. You'll also find that some class 7 engines aren't designed to be rebuildable. Resale of the class 8 should be stronger as well. Depending on specific models the ride of the class 8 will be better.
Thanks to Katrina and the ATA et al you will probably see a large number of trucks for sale in 60-90 days.
Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Thanks to Katrina and the ATA et al you will probably see a large number of trucks for sale in 60-90 days.
Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
BEN 470
I can share with you some and maybe offer a little insight RE: a straight truck equipped with a tag axle.
It is of course possible to install a tag axle on a 33k gvw straight truck. Positioned close to a live axle, in most configurations this'll increase a truck's gvw to 56k. In a perfect world, one would expect to generate more gross with the increased capacity. I'm not sure this is the case.
I operated a tag-axle-equipped straight truck for a little over two years; leased first to Tri-State, then to Con Way NOW. With both carriers a higher freight rate exists for loads in excess of 13-14k.
Some time back, Tri State rolled out what they told us was a new computer-assisted dispatch system. Among other changes, they created a special category for their leased 56k GVW straight trucks, began referring to them as "E" trucks, and began attempting to dispatch them on "E" rate loads only at $1.35/mile. Trouble was that the "E" rate loads were few and far between (days and days between, for months!!!). When many operators complained about too few loads, Tri-State allowed as to where we'd also be eligible for the "D" and "C" rate, $1.15 loads that had previously been our bread and butter.
Sadly, Tri-State's then new computer dispatch program apparently refused to effectively blend the "E" units on their dispatch boards with the "D" and "C" units. When a "D" rate load became available on a certain board where a 56K GVW "E" truck had been parked a while, the load would be offered to the first eligible "D" unit instead, failing to recognise an "E" unit had been on the board longer. In response to many complaints, Tri State attempted to put a band-aid on the problem and claimed the issue had been resolved. However many of us felt we were still being "dispatched around" in favor of "D" units (caught 'em red-handed myself, twice!!). Quite a few of us felt we needed to lease elswhere. In my experience with Tri State, I don't feel I made any more money with a tag-axle-equipped straight truck.
The exposure to an occasional "E" rate load didn't make up for the lost "D&C" rate loads.
Con Way NOW, who I'm currently leased to, also has a higher rate for loads in excess of 14K. However, in a little over five months of team driving with them, I've only been offered one load over 14K.
As such, I can't claim the my tag axle is making me any more money than if I were operating a truck without one.
For me, there IS a compelling reason to install a tag axle on a 33k gvw straight truck: That's in support of a chosen lifestyle on the road. If one desires to drive a single-axle straight truck with advanced creature comforts, for instance a six-cylinder engine, an auto shifting transmission, a large condo type sleeper, nicer seats, exterior storage boxes, APU's and etcetera; and maybe a few toys in the cargo box; AND if one desires to carry more than 9000 lbs of freight, a tag axle becomes a necessity.
A modern, well-equipped straight truck can weigh over 22k empty. Without the addition of a tag axle, one simply can't scale much freight.
Good Luck
I can share with you some and maybe offer a little insight RE: a straight truck equipped with a tag axle.
It is of course possible to install a tag axle on a 33k gvw straight truck. Positioned close to a live axle, in most configurations this'll increase a truck's gvw to 56k. In a perfect world, one would expect to generate more gross with the increased capacity. I'm not sure this is the case.
I operated a tag-axle-equipped straight truck for a little over two years; leased first to Tri-State, then to Con Way NOW. With both carriers a higher freight rate exists for loads in excess of 13-14k.
Some time back, Tri State rolled out what they told us was a new computer-assisted dispatch system. Among other changes, they created a special category for their leased 56k GVW straight trucks, began referring to them as "E" trucks, and began attempting to dispatch them on "E" rate loads only at $1.35/mile. Trouble was that the "E" rate loads were few and far between (days and days between, for months!!!). When many operators complained about too few loads, Tri-State allowed as to where we'd also be eligible for the "D" and "C" rate, $1.15 loads that had previously been our bread and butter.
Sadly, Tri-State's then new computer dispatch program apparently refused to effectively blend the "E" units on their dispatch boards with the "D" and "C" units. When a "D" rate load became available on a certain board where a 56K GVW "E" truck had been parked a while, the load would be offered to the first eligible "D" unit instead, failing to recognise an "E" unit had been on the board longer. In response to many complaints, Tri State attempted to put a band-aid on the problem and claimed the issue had been resolved. However many of us felt we were still being "dispatched around" in favor of "D" units (caught 'em red-handed myself, twice!!). Quite a few of us felt we needed to lease elswhere. In my experience with Tri State, I don't feel I made any more money with a tag-axle-equipped straight truck.
The exposure to an occasional "E" rate load didn't make up for the lost "D&C" rate loads.
Con Way NOW, who I'm currently leased to, also has a higher rate for loads in excess of 14K. However, in a little over five months of team driving with them, I've only been offered one load over 14K.
As such, I can't claim the my tag axle is making me any more money than if I were operating a truck without one.
For me, there IS a compelling reason to install a tag axle on a 33k gvw straight truck: That's in support of a chosen lifestyle on the road. If one desires to drive a single-axle straight truck with advanced creature comforts, for instance a six-cylinder engine, an auto shifting transmission, a large condo type sleeper, nicer seats, exterior storage boxes, APU's and etcetera; and maybe a few toys in the cargo box; AND if one desires to carry more than 9000 lbs of freight, a tag axle becomes a necessity.
A modern, well-equipped straight truck can weigh over 22k empty. Without the addition of a tag axle, one simply can't scale much freight.
Good Luck
kwexpress
Veteran Expediter
KW Express
o/o till i die
Just do IT.
Its the only way to go if you are considering van expedite
the only thing better is to just spend 6 or 7k on a used one ton and buy a gooseneck 32' flat bed
you will get over 10 mpg when loaded and you dont even need a cdl if you keep the truck and trailer under 26k gvw
You do have to log and have a medical card.
but if your stuck on driving a straight van then the class 8 will last a million miles get around 6 mpg be much more comfortable ride
haul twice as much weight and you can really gas on it up the mountains there is about twice the hp over the medium duty trucks
o/o till i die
Just do IT.
Its the only way to go if you are considering van expedite
the only thing better is to just spend 6 or 7k on a used one ton and buy a gooseneck 32' flat bed
you will get over 10 mpg when loaded and you dont even need a cdl if you keep the truck and trailer under 26k gvw
You do have to log and have a medical card.
but if your stuck on driving a straight van then the class 8 will last a million miles get around 6 mpg be much more comfortable ride
haul twice as much weight and you can really gas on it up the mountains there is about twice the hp over the medium duty trucks
Doggie Daddy
Veteran Expediter
riverbob1,i would like to know how you think that adding a tag axle increases your GVW to 56k?.most states that i know of only allow 34k on a tandem set,so while the rear axles may be rated at 20,000 each you will only be able to scale 34,000 on the rear axles.DD.
The only way to get to 56K GVWR would be to spit the axles by minimum of 8 feet. Then you could have two 20K legal axles. I would assume a front drive with a pusher 8'1" behind.
My question...has anybody out there done that? If so what have your results been? Such things as: ride quality / max loads / frequency of heavy loads / tire life etc.
My question...has anybody out there done that? If so what have your results been? Such things as: ride quality / max loads / frequency of heavy loads / tire life etc.