never ran the other van anywhere close to overweight but ran it empty a lot. it was a manufacturing issue combined with poor workmanship not the way i drove it or loaded it. it was the very first model out there i bought the very first demo of the diesel transit even in canada. heard the warning dont buy first year .. reaped benefits 26 mpg on highway and cheaper maintenance, until all this **** happened 20,000km past warranty.
about the spritner.. they cant legally make me run over my weight but im hearing some complaints that other drivers do. i think it comes down to being assertive and standing your ground send me to places that are 3 skids but under 2500 use your transits and promasters or sprinters that have 3000 to those heavy load places.
are u saying without the 4x4 i would be ok to drive with all seasons in both laredo and calgary and all places in between, which includes the rockies. for sure winter tires are a waste.
Don't know about Calgary and the Rockies, sorry. Also sorry I don't know about driving the 4x4 vs my Sprinter.
Bolt doesn't/hasn't sent me out West there in my 4 1/2 yrs. of Expediting.
How long have you been driving otr?
This is some of what I have learned...(I'm still learning...and I listen and read)
On my 2011 Ext. 170" WB Sprinter (3 skids) I have only ever used and had no problems with Michelin LT245/75R16 Tires. Under Warrenty good for 70K Miles...I buy mine thru Discount Tire for about 1K every approx. 120K miles. My Tread Depth, my life and the lives of others OTR are my no. 1 concern. LIVES MATTER...SO DOES TREAD DEPTH, whether hydro planing, ice or snow or hard breaking to avoid! (Which should hardly ever happen)
Every 10-11K I have them rotated and balanced for free there which helps me get the most bang for my buck. Once had a leaky tire due to a piece of metal I'd picked up. They replaced that Tire for Free.
I have run as far west as Nebraska, as far south as the Nuclear Power Plant in Homestead, FL. and Laredo, TX numerous times, IA, NY, MD and CT. On black ice, in multiple blizzard conditions, -10 degrees with the wind chill and less at night. The Rockies I have not been to in this Van under load so I can't tell help you there. All I CAN tell you is that I never, ever go over my GVW. I am a former Trucker/Motorcyclist and am all about Safety, Appropriate Speed for the Conditions and my stopping ability when under a Full Load. I want ME, my Bank Account and my income-Making Vehicle Healthy, Sound and last as long as Possible. I know my Monthly Needs for Personal and Living expenses. I live within my means. I research and learn and glean good, helpful info here on EO.
If you ran your first Van empty a lot...then I'm assuming it is the company you were working for who could not adequately, consistently utilize you. Or enough to pay your Bills. WE ALL SIT SOME in Expediting.
It also matters as far as what your financial needs are Monthly, Annually. If it's just you, no Spouse, or spouse working, 3 kids, a mortgage, then yes, your $ needs may be more or less than many of us. I realize every company is different and has different needs and specifications. Most often utilized I bet is who's right smack dab in the middle...."The Straight Truck". I don't like to sit and wait, I'd like a decent amount of sleep and run, sleep and run, etc.. But I have come to realize, after the first couple months of driving another owners Van initially, expediting just isn't a "regular, daily or Preplanned type of hauling, like in my TT". Sure, I hate sitting, waiting. But I accept it and have my Bills and emergency funds in such a way, that I will be ok....averaging my income out over 6-12 months (not monthly becuz they can fluctuate so much!) I scaled all of my expenses down.
I am getting my loads through Bolt. Up front when going thru Orientation, they must have your Scale Ticket. This way they already know NOT TO EXCEED my GVW. They have in front of them the Max amount of weight I can carry. This keeps everything Correct, Safe and within the Law. My vehicle's parts and frame will be just fine with regular maintenance. Hoping for at least 900K!
I know that with proper Michelin Tires with good tread depth, at my Max. GVW on a 25 degree, wintery, heavy snowfall, icy night, at appropriate speeds for the weather conditions, I will navigate the Pennsylvania Turnpike just fine, leaving lotssss of space in front of me!!
Each and every Commercial and non commercial vehicle has a GVW. Your choice, your decision, your vehicle. I'm an old Libra...got that Scales, Balance, black and white annoying thing goin on.
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