Deisel vs. Gasoline
We bought a new 41 ft Redwood last fall (16,400 GVWR) and plan to start FTing next winter, after retirement. I'm planning to buy a Ram 3500 (or perhaps 4500) crew cab dually chassis, and put a hauler-...
Forum Discussion
"rhagfo" - ".......many with less miles were in far worse shape".
Thank you! - Well said.
MDTs in *commercial* service are mostly city delivery trucks. No creature comforts, not intended for long hours on the road.
Can't be registered as a MH - which is a detriment in states which do *not* have a NON-commercial ("Private Truck") registration option.
HDT drivers.....
"Buying an HDT or MDT who knows how it was driven, the drivers aren't owners so they tend to abuse the truck they are driving."
Sort of opposite of what you say.
Owner/Operators *may* abuse what they own - and maybe not. It needs to be in good shape to pay the bills.
However the *owner* is paying the repair bills - and may "put things off".
Usually HDT fleet drivers are assigned to a specific tractor - often for it's entire life with the company. Some drivers even buy "their" tractor when their employer has taken the available depreciation, and is replacing it with a newer tractor.
Fleets govern (program) the maximum speed of their tractors.
Mechanical problems are repaired by the fleet's maintenance facility.
Drivers who abuse their equipment will be found out, "weeded out", and looking for other employment in short order!
Also, drivers aren't interested in risking citations resulting in points against their CDL - which puts their "work permit" in jeopardy.
Lastly whether it's an Owner Operator - or Company (fleet) owned tractor, it's subject to DOT inspections - usually at weigh stations, and sometimes by city, county or state LEO's doing inspections on the road.
Serious mechanical "failures" may result in: Park it until mechanical discrepancies are corrected, along with serious fines.
Simply stated, regular maintenance -and good driving habits- is/are a *requirement*, NOT an option!
~
Thank you! - Well said.
MDTs in *commercial* service are mostly city delivery trucks. No creature comforts, not intended for long hours on the road.
Can't be registered as a MH - which is a detriment in states which do *not* have a NON-commercial ("Private Truck") registration option.
HDT drivers.....
"Buying an HDT or MDT who knows how it was driven, the drivers aren't owners so they tend to abuse the truck they are driving."
Sort of opposite of what you say.
Owner/Operators *may* abuse what they own - and maybe not. It needs to be in good shape to pay the bills.
However the *owner* is paying the repair bills - and may "put things off".
Usually HDT fleet drivers are assigned to a specific tractor - often for it's entire life with the company. Some drivers even buy "their" tractor when their employer has taken the available depreciation, and is replacing it with a newer tractor.
Fleets govern (program) the maximum speed of their tractors.
Mechanical problems are repaired by the fleet's maintenance facility.
Drivers who abuse their equipment will be found out, "weeded out", and looking for other employment in short order!
Also, drivers aren't interested in risking citations resulting in points against their CDL - which puts their "work permit" in jeopardy.
Lastly whether it's an Owner Operator - or Company (fleet) owned tractor, it's subject to DOT inspections - usually at weigh stations, and sometimes by city, county or state LEO's doing inspections on the road.
Serious mechanical "failures" may result in: Park it until mechanical discrepancies are corrected, along with serious fines.
Simply stated, regular maintenance -and good driving habits- is/are a *requirement*, NOT an option!
~
