we are looking to move up to a medium duty truck, our fifth wheel is an 2007 forest river "all american sport" toy hauler at 38 feet long and 14,000 dry weight, so who has one and what do you have, just so you can give me your 2 cents, here's what we are looking at right now; 2 different freight liner FL 60, both are a 1999 model, one has 112K and the other has 147K on the tickers, both are in the $30K range, and both are crew cabs, both have the cat 3126 motor, thanks in advance everyone

To me maint records mean a lot. Either receipts from the do it yourself guy or dealer. But who did what and when and compare to manufactures service schedule you download somewhere. Best maint equals best rig IMO.

do you really think a medium duty truck will pull a 14K alright? You had better check out the tow ratings on that truck before you buy it.

I have a 2008 Freightliner Sportchassis. 8.3L Cummins pulling a 34' 14k 5er. Air ride, air cab, air seats, air hitch. It's a dream to drive, pulls great, but, hard on the wallet. FL60s are work trucks, and, judging by the ones I've seen, you'll have a lot of work to do to make one a good RV hauler. They ride pretty rough.

If buying used take an oil sample (many companies around on internet)and have it sent out for analysis. For only $20 it's well worth it and can tell a lot about the cond. of oil and injectors too. Also, you may be interested in buying one that is pre emission stuff. 1999 and older should not have all of the extra EPA/smog stuff on it. A MDT won't have any problem with that load (I hope previous comment was a joke)?

I would recommend that you hook your trailer up to a newer 1 ton (2011 or newer) just to see how capable these new trucks are before buying a Freightliner. Whether a Freightliner has 112k miles or 147k isn't going to matter any to me. I'd pick the one that looks the nicest if I could be convinced to go with a truck that size.

MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS | Good Sam Community

path1
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
To me maint records mean a lot. Either receipts from the do it yourself guy or dealer. But who did what and when and compare to manufactures service schedule you download somewhere. Best maint equals best rig IMO.
old_guy
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
do you really think a medium duty truck will pull a 14K alright? You had better check out the tow ratings on that truck before you buy it.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2013
I have a 2008 Freightliner Sportchassis. 8.3L Cummins pulling a 34' 14k 5er. Air ride, air cab, air seats, air hitch. It's a dream to drive, pulls great, but, hard on the wallet.

FL60s are work trucks, and, judging by the ones I've seen, you'll have a lot of work to do to make one a good RV hauler. They ride pretty rough.
2500_Grunt
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
If buying used take an oil sample (many companies around on internet)and have it sent out for analysis. For only $20 it's well worth it and can tell a lot about the cond. of oil and injectors too. Also, you may be interested in buying one that is pre emission stuff. 1999 and older should not have all of the extra EPA/smog stuff on it. A MDT won't have any problem with that load (I hope previous comment was a joke)?
4x4ord
Explorer III
Sep 10, 2013
I would recommend that you hook your trailer up to a newer 1 ton (2011 or newer) just to see how capable these new trucks are before buying a Freightliner. Whether a Freightliner has 112k miles or 147k isn't going to matter any to me. I'd pick the one that looks the nicest if I could be convinced to go with a truck that size.
mrkoje
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I've seen a few people on this forum and a few people on the road with big rig type TVs. What are the real benefits of going with a MDT? I see with the new 1ton DRW that are now pushing 30000lb tow with 5000+ payloads stock.

It just seems to me that you could buy one of those or almost buy one of those brand new for the money that you will be dropping on a 12 year old Freightliner.
gmcsmoke
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
heck most on here tow 14k with a 3/4 ton
mpierce
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I had the same trailer, except a 2006. LIked it, traded for a Voltage 3600.

I pulled it with a 04 Dodge Cummins 3/4 ton. Handled it well. Under on all axle weights.

When I went to the 3600, I went to a dually RAM.

You can certainly use a MDT to pull it, but it is waaayyy overkill. A good, newer one ton diesel pickup, SRW, will pull that tandem axle trailer very nice, and still have a very nice run around vehicle. Do not even need a dually.
wirenutz
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
2oldman , your just the guy I would like to talk to, guess I should of said both are fully converted to Sportchassis, and yes I would have to say old guy is joking with both being rated at 60,000 lbs GCWR, right now I tow with a 1 ton older diesel and just feel at 6,000 lbs its not enough truck and with the rough ride, the air ride cab and seats would make it so much easier to put 500 miles a day behind us
Stefonius
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Wirenutz - It's nice to see someone who is trying to get more truck than they need instead of making do with far less than is safe.

I pull around 14k with my F450 (chassis cab model), and have about 3.5k of headroom left on my max towing rate. I cringe when I see people with 3/4 ton trucks doing the same weight.