gg923 Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 Greetings! I have been considering upgrading my dually to a MDT. As I have been looking through ads I have noticed some 106's have air brakes while others have hydraulic. For those of you that have had both ( in a MDT) what is your opinion? I know HDTs use air exclusively. Are the units with air more pricey than the ones with hyd? Any other "watchouts" I should be looking for as I shop around? Any help or experiences are appreciated! Gene & Lisa (and Abby) 2014 Chevy 3500 D/A 4x4 Dually 2015 DRV Mobile Suites 38PS3 Trailersaver TS3 2012 Toyota Prius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morelli Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 Having had both, currently I have m2-106 with hydraulic disk brakes all around and works great. I tow a gross of 50,000 lbs and no issues ! I also have air brakes and electric brakes hookups for the trailer and on that, prefer the air since it works great !! Great thing with hydraulic, no adjustments needed but then the same applies to air disk brakes, drums need slack adjustments unless changing to auto slack adjusters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 2 years ago when we were looking I was told that the units with air brakes required a commercial license. It didn't make sense to me, but because we came across a used one without air brakes and only 2700 miles on it we jumped on it without checking further. We tow a 22000 lb DRV and with the 2 speed exhaust brake have had no trouble stopping. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ms60ocb Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 2 hours ago, Bobi and Dick McKee said: I was told that the units with air brakes required a commercial license I also found that to be partially true. The CDL would be if your are driving for hire or business purposes. . But for Private use most states allow the standard operators license to operate Class 5 vehicles with Hyd brakes . That allows my wife to able to drive Bob-tail . That being said ,when you hook on to the 10,000 pound plus RV, the weights no longer allows my wife to drive with the standard operators license. I pull with a Class A Non CDL license. I haven't had problems stopping with my FF M2-106. I had a F350 Dually when I found my new MS 38PS3 weighed much more than I believed it would when ordered. I was looking for newer Class 4 when I was tested with city braking occasions and decided to look for a used Class 5. Very happy I have the Class 5 especially my wife is happy with the stopping after an older Class A RV pulling a vehicle run a stop sign when I had no option but slow down quickly Clay 2016 MS 38PS3/Dallas with Generator and 5,000# in the pin Clay & Marcie Too old to play in the snow Diesel pusher and previously 2 FW and small Class C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Don't have an mtd, hdt but I do like having air brakes. Also allowed me to do away with electric controlled trailer brakes. Converted mine to disc and Bludot air over hydraulic. Sweet setup. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlcarsonak Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Hydraulic or air is not as important as axle weight rating. The heaver the rating, the bigger the brake, the better the stop. If you have deep pockets or are mechanical inclined go air. I have only had one issue with air brakes, but I have only driven 3,000,000 miles. I am running at 75% of my axle and brake rating. Glyn (KL0PG) & Diane Carson2002 I-H 4400 Papa's Dream (Mama's Nightmare)2015 Space Craft V400Furkid Maxemail: dlcarsonak@hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewacowboy Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 While shopping for MDTs I found that different states required different ratings. For instance - in Washington state I am legally licensed to drive the MDT as long as it has a rating below 26,001#. If I were licensed in Texas, any truck requires a special CDL if it has air brakes. Different states different laws....once you are licensed for your domicile state requirements you can drive any Federal highways without worries. The difference between my DRW and MDT stopping power is night and day. The air brakes and 2-stage jake brake really make a big difference towing our 21,000# DRV. I can usually descend a hill without touching the brakes and am not as concerned when that "twenty-something" in a compact car jets in front of me at 50mph and slams on her brakes. Jim and Kellie 2017 DRV 38RSSA Mobile Suite 2016 Western Star 5700xe YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 You are wrong about Texas. I'm a Texan with a HDT and non commercial liscene. Class A. You are only required a CDL for commercial work, for hire or making profit with it. Air brakes have nothing to do with this 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewacowboy Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 15 hours ago, GlennWest said: You are wrong about Texas. I'm a Texan with a HDT and non commercial liscene. Class A. You are only required a CDL for commercial work, for hire or making profit with it. Air brakes have nothing to do with this My apologies....while researching I read that there was a special "air brake test" that was required if the truck had air brakes. Maybe it isn't called a CDL - but it is a "special" licence and test, which was my point. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the correction. Jim and Kellie 2017 DRV 38RSSA Mobile Suite 2016 Western Star 5700xe YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 Big difference in Class A and CDL. I have no DOT numbers, no log book, no truck stops, no required physicals, etc. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLghtning Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 3 hours ago, ewacowboy said: My apologies....while researching I read that there was a special "air brake test" that was required if the truck had air brakes. Maybe it isn't called a CDL - but it is a "special" licence and test, which was my point. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the correction. It's strange but yes the CDL license includes an air brake endorsement you must have, however if you are non CDL, having air brakes doesn't mean you need or CDL or even a requirement for the Non CDL license. So basically in short, an air brake endorsement is usually only a requirement of having a CDL license. Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 In short, an Air Brake endorsement is only required if your licensing jurisdiction requires one. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 4 minutes ago, Darryl&Rita said: In short, an Air Brake endorsement is only required if your licensing jurisdiction requires one. And you are commercial. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 17 minutes ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said: And you are commercial. Wrong. Only dependant on the requirements of your licencing jurisdiction. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gg923 Posted October 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 Thank you all for your replies. I have a good handle on the licensing requirements. I do have a few follow up questions though: 1) it appears the FL may install the Allison 1000, 2000 or 3000 - any easy way to tell which a unit has (8.3 Cummings)? (2) easy way to tell what reared ratio is? (3). Towing near 20K - normally run 60-62 - what is the best guesstimate for mpg? ( and I understand there are lots o variables - just looking at what folks are experiencing) (4) on a sport chassis - does the jack knife sofa fold up ( I know it folds out flat) but does it fold in a manner to expose the floor? Or is it easy to remove/ install or is it bolted in? many thanks!! Gene & Lisa (and Abby) 2014 Chevy 3500 D/A 4x4 Dually 2015 DRV Mobile Suites 38PS3 Trailersaver TS3 2012 Toyota Prius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 We have 2015 with a Cummins ISL9 and a Allison 3200. The rear end ratio is 4.63. The Bostrom/Serta back seat folds up just like a normal seat, there is no way to access behind the seat, but there is a ton of space under the seat. When we leave for the summer, along with all the other crap I put under the back seat is a 40 LB bag of dog food. It is raised and lowered electrically. At 60 mph, our normal cruising speed, we average about 8.3 to 8.6 mpg. That mpg is uphill, down hill, head wind, tail wind. Without the trailer the mpg jumps up to about 8.7 mpg! We tow a 22k DRV. I've attached copy of the component information that came with the truck. If you can find on the the truck you are considering, it contains a lot of information. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLOY Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 On 10/1/2017 at 1:34 PM, Bobi and Dick McKee said: the units with air brakes required a commercial license. Here in B.C. Canada any combination of truck&trailer with air requires a Class1 (commercial) license. Class 1 requires a fitness test every 5 years from age 25-45, every 3 years from 45-63, every year above 66 years old. Municipalities in Metro Vancouver will issue tickets (complaint from a resident) when a MDT/ HDT is STOPPED on a residential street that is not loading or unloading. MDT/ HDT are "suppose to" pull in at the BC scales. If the trailer exceeds 10,00lbs and there is no air on the truck/trailer a House Trailer endorsement is require but no fitness tests. On a positive note the being charge with DUI while padding a canoe/kayak may soon be a thing of the past in Canada. 2011 Cameo 34SB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grassy Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 In Nova Scotia, all that I am required for my class 5 is air certification. 15 dollars. I think that is the same up through class 8...as long as you are none commercial. I quite like my air brakes and if you have ever had to fix a blown brake like on a hydraulic system, you will love the fix on air. AS well, with air, you know when your brakes are failing before you put your foot down unlike the other... J-T...they didn't change the law so watch your consumption of bubbly pops while canoeing. . Arctic Fox 29-5T . Beagle co-pilots - Faffy and Lulu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 gg923 if you have the VIN # you can call Sportchassis and they will give you all the information on that truck. I have found them to be very helpful and friendly. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted November 18, 2017 Report Share Posted November 18, 2017 On 10/3/2017 at 12:28 PM, gg923 said: (8.3 Cummings)? - what is the best guesstimate for mpg? Ouch. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted December 30, 2017 Report Share Posted December 30, 2017 Just as a point of clarification, a CDL A or B would have a RESTRICTION if you didn't test in an air brake vehicle. In other words, a CDL generally includes a written and skills testing on air brake operations. If you buy a truck with air brakes, learn how to inspect, test and, monitor them for everyone's sake. Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morelli Posted December 30, 2017 Report Share Posted December 30, 2017 Just as a note, M2-106 with air brakes was not produced by SportChassis. SportChassis always made the smaller engine model in hydraulic brakes so no special endorsement needed and larger engine model with air brakes (always drums) which required a different license to operate. There are lots of conversion places that use the generic M2-106 setup and has a wide range of configurations. Do your homework with the VIN number otherwise you will have a nasty surprise !! NOT ALL M2-106 are a like. SportChassis is a manufacturer and not a brand / model. When it was once owned by Frieghtliner, it was a custom truck division and now a employee owned manufacturer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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