Community Forums

Imurphy907 · 07-06-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigg-limo

A 21k lb trailer behind you with that truck, is gonna make you an unhappy camper. It's just simply not enough power and torque, to live up to your expectations. A slight headwind is gonna send that tranny on a gear huntin trip. The slightest incline is gonna slow you down,...and a 5 or 6% grade is gonna have you down to 35 mph or less. From experience, with the same truck,...an '04 with a 300hp C6 Cat, the headwind wasn't really an issue with a 16k lb toyhauler. 6% grades did slow me down though. Some even had me down to 35-40 mph. At that point, the overall performance is why many people have moved up to an HDT.

My current rig is a '93 Monaco Dynasty with a 8.3CTA 250hp 660lb/ft. It is 28,000lbs before I tag on the 1,500lb trailer and 3,500lbs cargo/toys. I have no need to go fast. So my current 250/660 is moving around at ~33,000lbs.

Keep in mind our roads here in Alaska can suck. We have grades on our main roadways that exceed DOT slope guides in the lower 48 and they don't even have runaway truck ramps or signage. Its not uncommon to chug up a 5-7mile long hill at 35-40mph @12% grade. The grade is only about 1.5 miles long on the main highway North-South between the largest city and 4rd largest in the state. Our coach will hold 55(limit is 65, start the hill at 70) on that section @7%. We will be spending a few years making the rounds coast to coast.

Will the FL60 at 300/860 not be about equal at 37,000lbs(truck & trailer) in performance?

I really like the FL60's not a fan of Cats but I am willing to learn and adapt. We looked long and hard at HDT's but don't like the idea of traveling the country with our 3 kids stuffed in the back, and rob them of the ability to enjoy the very things we are trying to let them experience. Wish I could find a FL60 with a M11 under the hood and a 9 speed stick. I'm a CDL driver and understand how to drive a truck in the mountains.

We don't plan to drive alot. Figure move 200 miles, stay for 2 weeks and explore the area. Then move another few hundred miles and explore some more.

I am more concerned about stopping, than starting.

We have spent the last 2 months deciding on a 5th wheel. Now we are looking at how to move it around. Started with a brand new dodge. Even thou it works on paper, it just seems crazy.

grassy · 07-06-2015, 02:55 PM

Alaska is on our bucket list.

We went through the RAM 3500 numbers..much more expensive in Canada ...and rejected it..

The 4 door sport chassis is cool..you can (I cannot due to import laws) buy a m2-112 up from the states..pricy..I can give you a web site if you like where you can buy used....cannot post it so PM me..

Grassy

Imurphy907 · 07-06-2015, 03:51 PM

We have been looking nation wide. But there is also a nice one local for sale. its an Xpress FL60. Have yet to find any info on an Xpress upfitter. They want 35k. NADA for the same year sportchassis is 27k. If we decide on that unit we will be offering below the sportchassis NADA value.

grassy · 07-06-2015, 04:23 PM

There are more in the 'states than Canada so the prices are a bit higher but if you buy in the provinces below you, you get an auto 20% off..and i don't think there would be an importation issue since they all originate from the usa...

BTW, what is an "Xpress FL60" ?

Imurphy907 · 07-06-2015, 08:49 PM

Best I can tell Xpress was an up fitter, like sport chassis. I think it was part of the pony express line. But have not been able to find any info on Xpress unfitting or Xpress truck conventions.

I have a '03 GMC that is Canadian. Great rig. Bought it at auction from the B.C gov.

Bigg-limo · 07-07-2015, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imurphy907

My current rig is a '93 Monaco Dynasty with a 8.3CTA 250hp 660lb/ft. It is 28,000lbs before I tag on the 1,500lb trailer and 3,500lbs cargo/toys. I have no need to go fast. So my current 250/660 is moving around at ~33,000lbs.

Keep in mind our roads here in Alaska can suck. We have grades on our main roadways that exceed DOT slope guides in the lower 48 and they don't even have runaway truck ramps or signage. Its not uncommon to chug up a 5-7mile long hill at 35-40mph @12% grade. The grade is only about 1.5 miles long on the main highway North-South between the largest city and 4rd largest in the state. Our coach will hold 55(limit is 65, start the hill at 70) on that section @7%. We will be spending a few years making the rounds coast to coast.

Will the FL60 at 300/860 not be about equal at 37,000lbs(truck & trailer) in performance?

I really like the FL60's not a fan of Cats but I am willing to learn and adapt. We looked long and hard at HDT's but don't like the idea of traveling the country with our 3 kids stuffed in the back, and rob them of the ability to enjoy the very things we are trying to let them experience. Wish I could find a FL60 with a M11 under the hood and a 9 speed stick. I'm a CDL driver and understand how to drive a truck in the mountains.

We don't plan to drive alot. Figure move 200 miles, stay for 2 weeks and explore the area. Then move another few hundred miles and explore some more.

I am more concerned about stopping, than starting.

We have spent the last 2 months deciding on a 5th wheel. Now we are looking at how to move it around. Started with a brand new dodge. Even thou it works on paper, it just seems crazy.

I'm a Cat fan,...but given the weight of your trailer, and comparing it to my past experiences with that truck and a 16k trailer, I just don't see it. If you're content with the actual handling of the truck and trailer combo,...and for sure of the extra stopping power,...then you'll be fine. Going into it, you just can't expect that truck to maintain a pretty decent speed while ascending steep hills.

The seating arrangement and the visibility is kinda hard to beat. So I understand your needs in that regards.

Imurphy907 · 07-24-2015, 11:28 PM

Wife fell in love with the idea of a semi truck. We now own a 2001 VNL 660 with a 500hp cummins and a 10 speed.

grassy · 07-27-2015, 05:55 AM

Just arrived home from 2 weeks on the road...man, I love the way it handles he trailer...should have done this years ago...

JEEPOHOLIC · 12-19-2015, 09:27 PM

I see there hasn't been much to add to this post sense Aug of this year, Grassy we have a 1999 Freightliner Sport Chassis, and we love it, no it will never compare to the power of a HDT but the seating and view can't be beat by any light duty truck, and of course not everyone has ever seen a 4 door MDT before and have a hundred questions, that part never gets old, as in the what do you haul with that, I like to respond with I pull a 15 foot tent trailer, that look on their face never gets old, anyways I will send you my phone number in a PM if you want to chat and compare I'm just a phone call away