My brother is a long haul driver, delivering 5th and 7th wheels from point of manufacture (Indiana) to all over the country. He currently has a 6.0, and he's not happy with it due to durability issues.

Additionally, he would like to switch companies to one that has a lot fewer deadhead trips as they have quite a few terminal around the country. The the new company requires a 3 year old truck or newer.

Mileage is key, since he's paid by the mile and fuel comes out of the gross. Conservatively, he puts 100k on his truck/year, probably closer to 120k.

I need to help him crunch the numbers in terms of cost up front, depreciation, fuel mileage, etc. 7.3s and 6.0s are too old, the 6.4s are too thirsty. So, the only Ford he could go after is the 6.7. If not that, he's gotta consider GM and Dodge, and he's leaning Cummins as they have a good rep among other commercial drivers provided you get a manual.

Input?

 

Personally I think I would be looking at F350/F450 dually for this type of work. Class leading payload and towing.

In other words with a Cummins he cannot tow as much.

 

OK, I will bite, what is a seventh wheel? Scott is right on with the weight limitations of the Dodge. However, I did a stint with the largest at the time "RV delivery company'' back in 2003-4. The weight issues sure did not bother the "towaway haulers" back then. If they could hook to it, they delivered it. I have seen some Ford 6.7 hot shotters with 75000 miles post their absolute happiness with their trucks. Just do a search here on fuel mileage for those numbers. There are many posts with many different truck configurations. There are also truck cost threads. Too many unanswered questions to help much on price. Does he want a CC or SC, 2wd or 4wd, King Ranch, Lariat or XLT? Good luck in your search

Regards

 

Was wondering about the 7th wheel myself, I took it to mean the tag along varity. In which case I think you can get a 16K reciever with the Ford.

 

My dad always called triple axle 5th wheels as 7th wheels when I was growing up; never gave it a second thought. My brother has his CDL so he always seems to get the longer triple axle units. Given that he delivers in all weather conditions, he is leaning F450 dually 4x4. Trim level not as important. His current truck is an F350 dually 6.0.

Ideally he'd pick up a 2 year old truck with average miles that has already depreciated to half it's original value, since a 30k mile 2 year old truck will wear out in the same time as a 2011 with 0 miles. But of course the 6.7s are new. . . and 2 year old F450s have the thirsty 6.4.

I hate to see him flush money down the toilet with a premature truck swap given how thin his margins are, and was contemplating helping him out with maintenance costs so he would hold the 6.0 for another year then pick up a 6.7 used.