Need help with choosing truck

RogerRabbit · Oct 4, 2004

Hi guys I have yet another question for all of you.
I have narrowed down my choice to the following two trucks,and would like your opinion on them. THx in advance

The first one is
Year: 2000
Make: GMC
Model: C7500
Model Detail: EXPIDITOR
Price: $36,900.00 CDN
Mileage: 235000 km

Features: 7 spd. man., cruise, tilt, A/C, AM/FM cass., air horns, diesel eng., 24' box, landing gear, lift gift, 60" sleeper. The body is in ok shape

the second one is

Sleeper type High Rise
Transmission type 6 Speed
Year 2000
Manufacturer Freightliner
Model FL 80
Engine Manufacturer Caterpillar
Engine HP 210
Condition Used - Good
Front Axle 12000
Odometer 450000km (276923mi)
Rear Axle 23000
Rear Axle Ratio 3:91
Tires 11 R 22.5"

Price $41000 CDN

EXPEDITE TRUCK WITH 24' DRY VAN BODY, BARN DOORS AND REAR MOUNTED DOLLY LEGS

Dreamer · Oct 4, 2004

The GMC probably has the same CAT engine, so the power will be about the same, but I have driven both and prefered the FL.

The last fleet owner I drove for had both availible, and allowed me to drive both, then pick which one I wanted.
My reason for picking the FL was simply comfort at that time. It had more headroom, legroom, and was easier to get around inside the cab. Being as big as I am, that was important to me.

The other thing would be the sleeper size. You didn't say what sleeper the FL had, I'll assume it's the same or bigger.

Depending on the rears in the truck, they'll probably get similar fuel milage and performance.. so it would just depend on which style you like, and whether you care about the extra room enough to pay the extra for the FL.

Dreamer

RogerRabbit · Oct 4, 2004

I forgot to mention that they both have 60" bunks(no appliances) and the gmc has hydraulic brakes and tailgate which i realy dont need.

RobA · Oct 4, 2004

>Hi guys I have yet another question for all of you.
>I have narrowed down my choice to the following two
>trucks,and would like your opinion on them. THx in advance
>
>The first one is
>Year: 2000
>Make: GMC
>Model: C7500
>Model Detail: EXPIDITOR
>Price: $36,900.00 CDN
>Mileage: 235000 km
>
>Features: 7 spd. man., cruise, tilt, A/C, AM/FM cass., air
>horns, diesel eng., 24' box, landing gear, lift gift, 60"
>sleeper. The body is in ok shape
>
>the second one is
>
>Sleeper type High Rise
>Transmission type 6 Speed
>Year 2000
>Manufacturer Freightliner
>Model FL 80
>Engine Manufacturer Caterpillar
>Engine HP 210
>Condition Used - Good
>Front Axle 12000
>Odometer 450000km (276923mi)
>Rear Axle 23000
>Rear Axle Ratio 3:91
>Tires 11 R 22.5"
>
>Price $41000 CDN
>
>EXPEDITE TRUCK WITH 24' DRY VAN BODY, BARN DOORS AND REAR
>MOUNTED DOLLY LEGS
>
Do you already have your D license with the "Z" endorsement?
The GMC, having hydraulic brakes, shouldn't need the "Z".
I wonder what it means by the body being in "OK shape" rather than good. OK shape might be a warning flag of possible roughness.
The Freightliner is a heavier duty truck.
Air brakes ,12 fronts & 23 K rears.
Obviously you need the "Z" endorsement on your license to drive that one.
What is the axle capacity of the GM?

Hard to say without seeing the trucks; are you going to get a mechanic to check them?

Best of luck.

Glen Rice · Oct 4, 2004

>>Hi guys I have yet another question for all of you.
>>I have narrowed down my choice to the following two
>>trucks,and would like your opinion on them. THx in advance
>>
>>The first one is
>>Year: 2000
>>Make: GMC
>>Model: C7500
>>Model Detail: EXPIDITOR
>>Price: $36,900.00 CDN
>>Mileage: 235000 km
>>
>>Features: 7 spd. man., cruise, tilt, A/C, AM/FM cass., air
>>horns, diesel eng., 24' box, landing gear, lift gift, 60"
>>sleeper. The body is in ok shape
>>
>>the second one is
>>
>>Sleeper type High Rise
>>Transmission type 6 Speed
>>Year 2000
>>Manufacturer Freightliner
>>Model FL 80
>>Engine Manufacturer Caterpillar
>>Engine HP 210
>>Condition Used - Good
>>Front Axle 12000
>>Odometer 450000km (276923mi)
>>Rear Axle 23000
>>Rear Axle Ratio 3:91
>>Tires 11 R 22.5"
>>
>>Price $41000 CDN
>>
>>EXPEDITE TRUCK WITH 24' DRY VAN BODY, BARN DOORS AND REAR
>>MOUNTED DOLLY LEGS
>>
>Do you already have your D license with the "Z" endorsement?
>The GMC, having hydraulic brakes, shouldn't need the "Z".
>I wonder what it means by the body being in "OK shape"
>rather than good. OK shape might be a warning flag of
>possible roughness.
>The Freightliner is a heavier duty truck.
>Air brakes ,12 fronts & 23 K rears.
>Obviously you need the "Z" endorsement on your license to
>drive that one.
>What is the axle capacity of the GM?
>
>Hard to say without seeing the trucks; are you going to get
>a mechanic to check them?
>
>Best of luck.
I'm not a big fan of either, but would go with the Freightliner for virtually the same money. Good luck and let us know how your doing.

geo · Oct 6, 2004

don't forget maintance records to if no records wouldn't get'em

RichM · Oct 6, 2004

Minor point but the turning radius for the GMC is much greater then the FL.Due to that long hood you need a football field to turn around in. I would go with the FL,dealer network is probably better then GMC.

Tom Robertson · Oct 6, 2004

I hope you have driven in the industry (expedited) before making a mojor investment like this. If you don't know the ropes you may be in for a rude awakening. Also remember that you must have a nestegg to make repairs on these trucks. Both have some age and one has quite a few miles... infact the FL80 could be nearing overhaul time. A remanufactured engine will set you back $10K USD or more. If you don't really know the truck history I would plan on an average of $1000 a month maintenance alone. hope this helps!

RobA · Oct 6, 2004

> Also remember
>that you must have a nestegg to make repairs on these
>trucks. Both have some age and one has quite a few miles...
>infact the FL80 could be nearing overhaul time. A
>remanufactured engine will set you back $10K USD or more.
>If you don't really know the truck history I would plan on
>an average of $1000 a month maintenance alone. hope this
>helps!

And buying an inverter too (!)
Just a question: where are you looking at these trucks?
I'm guessing from your icon, you must be from Ontario.
Have you checked dealers outside T.O.?
RJ Trucks in St.Agatha near Kitchener have some expedite trucks in stock.
Who will you be leasing to?

vernon946 · Oct 7, 2004

First, we have run a GMC for the past 4 years, and overall, it has been more troublefree than our previous freightliner. Service has never been a problem as we co to Kenworth or Peterbilt shops most of the time, or some generic shops.

That said, I'm leary of the FL80 because it only has 210 hp, and most likely has the 4.63 rears. Translated, you're working a heavier truck with little hp and having to spin it with high revs to make 65mph, while our GMC has a 3.91 rear and doesn't work as hard to move the truck. The FL80 also has high mileage and coupled with the work that engine has had to do, it is due for wings as I don't expect it too live long.

So far the GMC could be better, but you didn't specify the hp or rear ratio so I don't know. You also described the appearance as OK shape for one and good for the other. Sounds like you should keep looking.

One other factor, the GMC has hyd. brakes with a 24 ft box and liftgate. You're talking a C truck as far as load capacity, as usually they go with air brakes on anything above 26000gvw. I suspect the real load capacity will be well under 13k even if it is a real D unit. As far as toughness, the GMC is a heavier truck and stands up as well or better than a freightliner.

Vernon in C2197

RogerRabbit · Oct 7, 2004

Hi guys,
rob the company i will be leasd to is thompson emergency freight, and you are right i have just been looking in toronto. I am really having a hard time finding a good used expediter in t.o.. Thompson does not want me to go with the gmc, they say the 7 speed tranny is not reliable but it does have low km's whic is attractive. The fl80 is in good shape but I am concerned about the high mileage. I am going to look at a 2004 sterling with 45k on it today owner needs someone to take over lease. If you guys know of any other dealers down here please let me know. As far as rj trucks go I am going to call them right now.
Thx alot guys and keep it coming.