F550 vs MDT

[cptgregger]

How much of a margin do the MDTs have over, say, a F550?

I'd love to go the MDT route but getting around town (parking, etc) once parked at the CG seems like it would defeat the purpose. I'm sure MDT owners will say otherwise. But can you tell me why you went MDT vs F550?

[MnTom]

I don't have a MDT in fact I am planning on getting an HDT. Keep in mind that any MDT or HDT for that matter is just as wide as the 550. The only difference is the 550 is a bit narrower in the front and the MDT/HDT are the same width from the front bumper to the back of the bed. You can also get the MDT with a shorter wheel base so its "foot print" is no bigger than the 550 and might even be smaller.
The MDT platform has a lot better visibility due to sitting higher, has heavier drive train components, and also has brakes that are more heavy duty, plus you can find an air ride MDT easier than an air ride 550 not to mention the power increase.

[Gordon Dewald]

We have a 450 that works well. Makes 16 mpg when empty. We have a RollnLock that covers the box so when unhooked we carry whatever cargo we want (basically a heavy half ton).

MDT/HDT would be better for pulling but not for running around IMO. Nothing wrong with them for daily drivers except I can get mine into a parking garage. I see numerous 2500/3500/450 at the golf course but have yet to see a MDT/HDT. I have seen a few driving around town just not at the golf course.

Have to agree about the extra power and lack of issues over GVWR and GAWR.

[Steveoreno]

I have since switched from a toyhauler pulled by a MDT freightliner to a diesel pusher. It replaced a duramax dually. For a almost a year I drove it every day for work and a 50ish mile commute. It was easier (for me) to drive than the dually. I bet it turns as well as a reg cab shortbed PU. 30-40 better than the crew dually. It had more room crew cab and rode as well. Full millage was the same as well. Unless your buying a new MDT it was 1/2 the cost of a new dually with similar set up.

[D Lindy]

If worried about size around town I'd be looking at the Chevy Kodiak 4500 MDT. From what I've seen it seems to be a bit smaller then the Ford MDT 650. When we were looking at 5th wheels to full time in the Kodiak was our first choice.

[Steveoreno]

Originally Posted by D Lindy

If worried about size around town I'd be looking at the Chevy Kodiak 4500 MDT. From what I've seen it seems to be a bit smaller then the Ford MDT 650. When we were looking at 5th wheels to full time in the Kodiak was our first choice.

Before I bought the freightliner I looked for about a year before I bought mine. I looked at International, Ford 650, Gm's 4500 & 5500 and freightliner. I wanted a conversion with air ride and hauler bed. It did not seem like many fords were out and the ones I found were pricey and or higher miles. Internationals were the sames as the ford. Plenty of GM's were available but when you really dug in to the meat and potatoes the driveline came up short. Same engine and trans cooling as 1 tons. They did have big brakes, spring and axles. I did and still like the interior of a nicely equipped GM. Then they became orphans when GM killed of the MDT and HDT divisions. Where as the other 3 had big truck service shops more suited for this type of rig. Even when I had my dually it seemed like the GM dealer really struggled with working on the diesel which did not instill confidence. I have a 2014 crew cab silverado with a duramax and like it except for the DEF BS. I went to a place that sold both and was convinced after driving and looking at the FL and the GM. I will say that each one had a down fall. If going with a later model and spending in the 40-60k for a 1 ton/550 or MDT or more for a new one I would thick about a HDT conversion. More comfort, power, and so on. If I were to go the 5r route I would look really hard at going that way. As it is we switched to the DP with bigger power and wont look back unless in the mirror going up a big long hill

[Bedlam]

I needed the increased payload of a MDT for the truck camper we are purchasing this Spring. I wanted an extended/crew cab and 4wd which eliminated most MDT's that were affordable for me. It came down to the Ford F550 and Ram 5500 - Although I was leaning toward the Ford due to my previous familiarity and experience, the Ram won out on value for what I could afford to buy.

[grassy]

We looked at HDTs but there were too many negatives for what we wanted.

One big difference between the 550 and a MDTs are the seats. The 550s have the same crud seats that are in pick ups.

I use mine as a daily when traveling. I can stick it anywhere that I can put my RAM. Quite frankly, I will never (I hope) go back to pulling with a pick up. With 4 doors and a large cab, there is lots of light and absolutely no feeling of claustrophobia even when it is full of people.

The downside is that you cannot be anonymous. Where ever we park, it draws folks. We even had our pics taking while on the road.. too funny.

[JEEPOHOLIC]

One big difference between the 550 and a MDTs are the seats. The 550s have the same crud seats that are in pick ups.
I have nice cushy gray leather air ride seats, so if your short like my DW 5'1" she can jack the seat up and telescope the steering column up to her size



The downside is that you cannot be anonymous. Where ever we park, it draws folks. We even had our pics taking while on the road.. too funny.[/QUOTE]
Grassy we call that being eye humped, I don't notice it as much anymore, but DW sees it all the time and points it out me, a 4 door 450, 550, 650 is just another run of the mill trucks, you dont see to many OTR semis with 4 doors, but when one of our 4 door Freightliners pulls up to the stop light, everyone takes notice

[grassy]

Originally Posted by JEEPOHOLIC

when one of our 4 door Freightliners pulls up to the stop light, everyone takes notice

I am sorry...this is waaay off topic but it is funny..so I apologize..

As Jeepoholic mentioned, after a couple years of ownership of the sport chassis, we have now become used to folks wanting to talk to me about my truck when we stop. We are still kind of uneasy about folks taking pictures of us when we are on the way ...but neither prepared us for the hilarious situation that occurred this July...I guess we are now know in Japan .

Japan has a very strong fascination with Prince Edward Island..or more specifically, Anne of Green Gables. Tremendous numbers visit there for vacations and weddings. As an Islander, I kind of take it for granted.

Anyway, we were heading to Ontario in July...the route passed the PEI exit.. and we pulled into a coffee stop to walk the co pilots. There was a bus tour in at this stop and they were obviously Japanese and had what it looked like a professional photographer with them. Didn't think much about it and went in to order a couple of brews while the DW walked our dogs. When I came out, there was a small crown of the Japanese tourists taking turns kneeling in front of my truck with their arms on my bumper having their picture taken.

Wish I had my camera

I waited until they all cycled through and left.

Too funny.

PS..a pic of what my nose looks like now..

[MTK46]

I owned pick-up to tow with before I wanted a MDT. So bought a used FL60 with the 7.2 cat engine. It was set up to tow a goose neck horse trailer which I also bought. Bought it in Houston & drove it back to home in California. Towed 7 rode fine. Converted my Teton to gooseneck. Fuel milage between the two was the same 10 mpg towing. Liked the extra room of the MDT and the higher ride. Would out turn my longbed F-350.
Did care that I lost a pick-up bed to haul stuff in. Biggest difference was Ford diesel would out tow the Freightliner in the mountains. Cat 7.2 was fine on flat ground but on grades it was slow. Did some upgrades to it but still fell on it's face up grades. Sold it & bought the 2012 Ford 6.7l diesel. Tows circles around the 7.2 cat plus is 4x4 & has a real bed. Yes I know the newer MDT have more power but still no bed or 4x4. I'll stick with a pick-up to tow with.

[Bedlam]

Even if you get a MDT from Ford or Ram, they will derate their engines - The manufacturers expect longer duty cycles at maximum output than typical pickup truck usage. The 6.7 PSD is only rated at 300 hp and 6.7 CTD is rated at 325 hp in the chassis cabs.

[grassy]

Originally Posted by MTK46

Cat 7.2 was fine on flat ground

What HP was you cat since they come in a host of HPs ...

Pulling is one thing but stopping and turning..NO pick up can match the FL60 for that.. Plus you have air rear suspension, cab and seats, air brakes, amazing view, superior seats, turns quicker than a one tone, way larger fuel storage ( I have 2* 100 gallon), most parts are cheaper, working truck garages are usually open 7*24. Brakes and engines have been around that any mechanic can work on them..and I am averaging 13 mpg..and that is calculated. It also doesn't have all the pollution and electronic crap that when things go wrong, you pay $$$$$. No def as well. It also sleeps 2 quite comfortably if needed... lastly, they are build far more tougher than a pick up. If I need a box, I drive my RAM but with all our travel, I have never had a need to put anything on back except firewood when I buy on the side of the road road.. Oddly enough, it is quieter than my wife's car..esp if she has winter tires on..

I get ya on the little slow on serious hills but I am retired and are no longer in a speed race on the roads..

If we all liked the same thing, there would only be one truck on the market...great to hear other folks preferences..

[MTK46]

Mine was rated at 300 hp. I added methanol injection & a chip. MDT are not going to have air brakes. They will have air parking brake. Need to move up to a HDT & a class "B" license for air brakes.
My 6.7 PSD is rated at 400 hp & 800 torque. I installed a Bully Dog programer but only use tow mode. Don't tell CARB as it's not smog legal here in California. I remove the programer when I need to have it smogged.