need advice on tweener truck

Jack_Berry · Oct 29, 2008

gracie and i are talking more about teaming. she is d trk shy. we have discussed an aerocell van at 17' or more with a gvrw 12k to 19k#. ramps used for dock high. we would carve out 5 ft in the box for sleeper space. this would get us b and c loads ans still be a relatively small vehicle not much larger than a sprinter which she has driven.

open to all thoughts.

late4dinner · Oct 29, 2008

Well for one thing, you will not really be a "C" unit so i don't see any company paying you C rate. However I can see them expecting you to carry C freight. The second thing is your empty weight. Even with a GVW of 12,500# you wont be able to carry much more then 3000#

I know that logging won't hinder you that much comming out of a D unit but remember, every mile must be logged even when one of you comes out of the truck for a week or so.

Don't expect to get over 10 or 11 mpg, I don't care what the dealer says.

All that said I would never return to a regular van. If I was not able to keep my aerocell, I would just find something else to do. The condo cut and stand up sleeper is worth every dime of the cost.

highway star · Oct 30, 2008

I have a friend that recently had one of those Areocell's built. He's a team with Landstar and downsized from a D-unit. It's a Ford E-450 with a V-10. 14k and change GVW. It was a big mistake! He's sitting and doing nothing. Something like 3 loads in a month or 6 weeks. The gas mileage is terrible, my M2 D-unit with a Mercedes gets better mileage. Not a good idea, IMHO.

Jack_Berry · Oct 30, 2008

late4dinner said:
Well for one thing, you will not really be a "C" unit so i don't see any company paying you C rate. However I can see them expecting you to carry C freight. The second thing is your empty weight. Even with a GVW of 12,500# you wont be able to carry much more then 3000#

one of the trucks available is 12k another is 14 and change which shoould carry 4500 lbs. anything over 3k with bolt is a c rate.

I know that logging won't hinder you that much comming out of a D unit but remember, every mile must be logged even when one of you comes out of the truck for a week or so.

Don't expect to get over 10 or 11 mpg, I don't care what the dealer says.

would like a diesel. the 14k truck owner claims 18.5 mpg with the d-max.

All that said I would never return to a regular van. If I was not able to keep my aerocell, I would just find something else to do. The condo cut and stand up sleeper is worth every dime of the cost.