Is a 2000 Freightliner FL60 truck enough for my needs?

[meleavingsoon]

Hello everyone,
I'm back with more questions to further my education about trucks 🙂 ..... I have been trying to think thru the MDT and HDT truck options. Looking for advice from those who have worked thru some of the same questions.
We have purchased a new to us trailer that is too heavy for our current F350 so I am trying to learn what my next truck should be....MDT or HDT. I see the pros/cons with each and understand the decision ultimately comes down to individual circumstances. The first thing I must confess is I am not really knowledgeable about trucks and the drivetrain components so as to help know what I need....so I am asking for advice to help make a wise decision.
I have found a truck I am interested in and think it will serve my purposes but can't find any info on the towing capabilities. I am hoping you can give me some feedback. The truck is a ....
2000 Freightliner FL 60 with a 20k GVW....8k front axle and 12k rear axle....Cummins 8.3 motor....Allision auto trans....air ride....air brakes.....106k miles....cab and chassis that I plan to put a flatbed on and 5th wheel hitch.
The trailer we purchased is a 2008 Teton....24k GVWR....empty 20k....pin weight 4,500....triple axle....actual length is approx. 45'....for full time living
Any feedback would be appreciated....thanks,
Phil

[avvidclif1]

I wouldn't worry about the FL60 w/8.3. My opinion, I would like to find a nice one for a reasonable price...

[2oldman]

meleavingsoon wrote:
So should I then be prepared to look for a truck with minimum 300HP???

Yes, but HP is only one factor in all this. On level to normal ground you'd be fine. It's those 6% grades (up and down) where the problems happen. Heck, I can't blast up a 6% grade at 60mph but I don't care because I rarely drive in mountainous terrain. If a new pickup passes me I just ignore him ! (hahahaha) The mfrs are putting some pretty good muscle in these newer trucks.. but...

The thing I like about a bigger truck is weight. You want as much TV weight as you can get (esp with a coach the size of yours) for control. I barely know the wind is blowing with my current setup. And then there's the air ride. And the 22.5" tires. And the engine brake. And the 100 gallons of fuel. It all adds up to a very comfortable and safe ride.

Good luck in your search.

[meleavingsoon]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Yes, I have already been bugging them over on the Escapees forums...and the Teton group. Just trying to learn what I need from those who have had to go thru the process first hand.

And it seems I keep hearing the same thing, that I might need more truck especially if in the mountains much. I need to verify for sure but I'm thinking this particular 8.3 Cummins is approx. 250HP and 600 torque. That's what worries me a little, it's not a great deal better than the 7.3 powerstroke I currently have.

I remember reading once somewhere that a good rule of thumb is 1HP for every 100 pounds of weight. So I'm thinking that with a trailer and truck combo I could easily be in the 35k pound range. So should I then be prepared to look for a truck with minimum 300HP???

[Ivylog]

Having owned two, it's plenty of truck as long as the ISC is 300+ HP which will have 1050 torque. I would not want one with the Cat engine as most only make it to 250K miles in the 300+ HP version while the Cummins go 500K. I might put a sleeper on if the rails are long enough and it takes a very thin hitch on top of a flatbed. I mounted my hitch behind the rear axle to make room for a ATV in front.

[2oldman]

You actually may be a bit underpowered for that heavy a fiver. As suggested, try the Escapees forums. From my chair I think you need an HDT.

I pull 14k with that same motor and there are times I wish I had more.

[Jay_Pat]

Check here MDT and HDT forums..
Will probably have to join to see forums.
Pat

[rhagfo]

2000 Freightliner FL 60 with a 20k GVW....8k front axle and 12k rear axle....Cummins 8.3 motor....Allision auto trans....air ride....air brakes.....106k miles....cab and chassis.

Well is the 20K GVW the empty weight or the GVWR? If GVWR, what is the empty weight of the truck, I would think with the current axle ratings you should be good.