Upgrade to "C'

[Big Al]

Been in expediting for a few years and over 500k miles;however, it was a van. My wife and I are talking about going to a "C" unit because of better creature comforts while sitting.
C units seem to be a good fit for our lifestyle, we're retired from the Navy, lived in RV's for over 20 years and spent alot of road time in a van.
We would like "any"helpful info, especially about class of license (we have C), possible using a Ford f450/550 chasis with big sleeper, engine powerstroke or cummins 5.9?
:9

 

[RichM]

If your total gross,empty weight and cargo is over 26,000 pounds you will probably need a CDL B license. Also most companies require C units to be dock high,can a Ford 350 chassis be built that way?

 

[redytrk]

RE: Upgrade to

The E350 was the mainstay of the "C" fleet.The last time I checked,they can no longer be spec'd to run as a "C"(at least with FECC).I would Check out Freightliner M2,or International.

 

[LDB]

I debated van, C and D for quite a while and finally went with D for the broader range of options available to me. I am at the dock to be loaded on my first run. I was dispatched on a 6 skid 4447# run and now the shipper is looking at putting 10 skids and 6700# on. If I hadn't gone with the D unit I'd be out of luck. As it is, I'll make an extra dime a mile on 1636 miles. If you are going up in size it isn't that much more to go D and expand your capabilities. In any event, good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[vernon946]

We have been in a C unit for over 7 years, and chose that size for much the same reasons you mentioned (including US Navy retirees). The major differences between a C and D unit are the size of the cargo boxes and the load capacity, both size and weight. The cab and sleeper areas are the same. We fudge the issue by having an 18' box and 11000lb capacity, but to get us to take more than a C load requires some negotiation (and mo money).

C units are scarce, both used and new. I would reccomend starting with a used unit if money may be an issue. If you have plenty of cash, then a C unit can be set up on any of the popular chassis such as GMC or Chevy, Freightliner, International, Sterling, Kenworth, Peterbilt or Western Star, in reverse order.

For a license, all you'll need with your present Class C is air brake and hazmat endorsements, although plenty of chassis out there have hydraulic disk brakes like your family vehicle.

Vernon in C2197

 

[Big Al]

>If your total gross,empty weight and cargo is over 26,000
>pounds you will probably need a CDL B license. Also most
>companies require C units to be dock high,can a Ford 350
>chassis be built that way?
Thanks for all the replies. I was talking about F450 and F550's, they are used for an inexpensive replacement for the FL60 trailer haulers so I thought maybe I could get in at a lower price with a smaller unit. I consider the Powerstroke and the 5.9 Cummins as a better engine than the 3120 series Cat;however, I realize that they are limited on the power.

 

[Big Al]

RE: Upgrade to

>The E350 was the mainstay of the "C" fleet.The last time I
>checked,they can no longer be spec'd to run as a "C"(at
>least with FECC).I would Check out Freightliner M2,or
>International.
Thanks for the info. When we were with Roberts several years ago I used to see some small Mack's that were class c that didn't appear to have any stronger chasis or engine than an F450 or F550 so I was curious if it would be possible. Probally FEDEX cc wouldn't approve I know they seem to have some rigid rules; however, I did see a non white van that appeared new a couple of weeks ago so maybe they're a little more flexible lately.

 

[ATeam]

>Been in expediting for a few years and over 500k
>miles;however, it was a van. My wife and I are talking about
>going to a "C" unit because of better creature comforts
>while sitting.
>C units seem to be a good fit for our lifestyle, we're
>retired from the Navy, lived in RV's for over 20 years and
>spent alot of road time in a van.
>We would like "any"helpful info, especially about class of
>license (we have C), possible using a Ford f450/550 chasis
>with big sleeper, engine powerstroke or cummins 5.9?
> :9

You spoke of creature comforts you desire and a lifestyle fit. Then you talk about lower-end C-unit trucks as if that were the only option. Have you considered making your lifestyle and desired creature comforts the starting point for your truck specs? Have you considered a HUGE fully-appointed sleeper on a Class 8 chasis?

You've been in the business plenty long to master it. As retired military you have another source of income to fall back on. Do they still provide lifetime, inflation-adjusted retirement income and health care benefits to military retirees? If so, you have those major life issue licked! I know nothing of your debt, income, and savings situation. But it just may be that you can have all you want in a truck and more if you allowed yourself to dream a bit.

I'm not saying you should go nuts and buy yourself a show truck. And by no means should you buy more truck than you can afford. Let me say that again. By no means should you buy more truck than you can afford. But I do suggest that you at least consider all options, including a show truck for yourself and/or a D-unit, before you make your purchase. It would be a shame to move into a bigger truck today only to find out tomorrow that you really wanted something else.

It is significant that you began your inquiry with creature comfort and lifestyle considerations. That's what you are thinking about. Don't cut those thoughts short. Let yourself dream a bit.

Don't think just about the truck that costs less. Think also about the truck you deserve. Explore ALL the options, even if some of them seem out of reach to you at the time. Then you'll know that when you buy your truck it will be the right truck for you.

 

[Big Al]

>>Been in expediting for a few years and over 500k
>>miles;however, it was a van. My wife and I are talking about
>>going to a "C" unit because of better creature comforts
>>while sitting.
>>C units seem to be a good fit for our lifestyle, we're
>>retired from the Navy, lived in RV's for over 20 years and
>>spent alot of road time in a van.
>>We would like "any"helpful info, especially about class of
>>license (we have C), possible using a Ford f450/550 chasis
>>with big sleeper, engine powerstroke or cummins 5.9?
>> :9
>
>You spoke of creature comforts you desire and a lifestyle
>fit. Then you talk about lower-end C-unit trucks as if that
>were the only option. Have you considered making your
>lifestyle and desired creature comforts the starting point
>for your truck specs? Have you considered a HUGE
>fully-appointed sleeper on a Class 8 chasis?

Thanks for the input. My Military retirement is somewhat adjusted; however, I've been out almost 20 years. The reason I've wanted to stay away from bigger rigs is because I want greater flexibility,i.e. not so much a slave to truck stops for layovers.
Our van has about as many comforts as possible; however, it would be great to have a "little" more. Also when we were with Roberts several years ago it seemed as though the "C" units moved better than anyone.
>
>You've been in the business plenty long to master it. As
>retired military you have another source of income to fall
>back on. Do they still provide lifetime, inflation-adjusted
>retirement income and health care benefits to military
>retirees? If so, you have those major life issue licked! I
>know nothing of your debt, income, and savings situation.
>But it just may be that you can have all you want in a truck
>and more if you allowed yourself to dream a bit.
>
>I'm not saying you should go nuts and buy yourself a show
>truck. And by no means should you buy more truck than you
>can afford. Let me say that again. By no means should you
>buy more truck than you can afford. But I do suggest that
>you at least consider all options, including a show truck
>for yourself and/or a D-unit, before you make your purchase.
>It would be a shame to move into a bigger truck today only
>to find out tomorrow that you really wanted something else.
>
>It is significant that you began your inquiry with creature
>comfort and lifestyle considerations. That's what you are
>thinking about. Don't cut those thoughts short. Let yourself
>dream a bit.
>
>Don't think just about the truck that costs less. Think also
>about the truck you deserve. Explore ALL the options, even
>if some of them seem out of reach to you at the time. Then
>you'll know that when you buy your truck it will be the
>right truck for you.

 

[redytrk]

We are very happy after moving from a "B" to a "C".Creature conforts are great.Highrise 84"sleeper by Bentz.16'Box gives 2'storage space.Shore Power,3 isolated batteries for those layovers.Satelite TV,Microwave,Fridge,Freezer and a 2000 watt inverter.
FECC has kept us loaded constantly for the past several years.Present management has broken with the past.They seem to avoid having too many trucks where everybody sits for long periods.

 

[MSinger]

RE: Upgrade to

1997 Dodge Ram 3500 with 12' cube. Dock high with jackstands. 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel.


If you are going with a Ford F-450 or F-550 your only diesel engine choice will be the Powerstroke. Dodge has the exclusive contract for the Cummins 5.9L for the "pick-up" style chassis and unfortunately Dodge has not offered a cab-chassis option since the 2002 model year. You could go up to the Ford F-650 which looks a lot like a Sterling and have the option of the Cummins 5.9L. I also saw a Dodge Sprinter cab-chassis with a 14' box but I don't know what kind of weight they can handle or if the box can be mounted dock-high since it appears to be a "walk-thru" unit.

 

[geo]

RE: Upgrade to

if your looking for a c unit my old c unit is for sale again
from the person i sold it to it has low milage on it and has
alot of comfort as far as ride and is still small to side in most places and has 13,300 has a genset see eo adv's for it
if it's not a star it's not a truck