Windrider104

On 1/18/2018 at 12:50 PM, Steve from SoCal said:

Bill,

 

I am confused, with this being your first post on the forums how were you "disrespected"?    

 

The MDT option is valid, there are some very capable MDT trucks, they are as costly or more costly than many HDT trucks.     That is one of the more reasonable debating points, buying something like an RV hauler is a choice full of options.    The  HDT option has few true crew cab options, the MDT option with a crew cab has that option, that is a big point of contention for many.     Most MDT t rucks are not considered RV's and depending on where you are domiciled could have an impact on how you are licensed and what your fees will be.     There are no one size fits all in trucks hence the wide array of offerings.     The heavier class 6 MDT trucks are often class 7 trucks with down rated equipment, your insistence on staying with a class 6 truck limits your options IMHO.    With a 15K trailer ANY class 5 or 6 truck would be more than enough, the limiting issues would be in power and braking.     It is your choice, no one is able to make your choice for you.     The folks on the forums are relaying their own experiences and, many here have gone through the fleet from 3/4 or 1 ton pick ups incrementally to HDT or MDT trucks.   

 

Your trailer weight is a consideration along with future plans like a heavier trailer, where you plan to travel and, what your budget is.     Travel in the mountains with a heavy trailer will be slower and more stressful on a low powered truck, yes it will haul the trailer but, work hard pulling grades.      That is one of the biggest complaints of MDT trucks, they don't have the power options of the heavier trucks.      Class 6 trucks will have hydraulic brakes and, some will have transmission brakes instead of engine brakes for down hill speed control.    Many class 6 trucks were not designed as air ride bodies and the air suspension is not as well integrated as the semi tractors.       Last, buying a prepackaged MDT is like buying a pick up, you get what the manufacture offers.     If that is what you want, go for it.     The cab and chassis options offer much greater choice at nearly comparable price but, you do the leg work and, spec the features YOU want.     

 

Steve  

As a watcher and reader I have seen many hard core HDTer jumping all over newbies and either saying or implying anyone not doing a HDT is two bricks short of a full load. So, my note was a bad attempt to wave them off - apologies for bad wording.

Our need is a step up to a class 5 or 6 MDT and would prefer pre-DEF. while our trailer is 15k, when truck is loaded, we are 500 over and trailer not fully packed. Adding an extra fuel tank an tool boxes with tools put me over. I suspect with trailer fully loaded and all my tools and such, we will easily blow past 14k which is what the newer f350/450 do.

Finding used MDTs is not easy - especially on the west coast. Where can one find them?

Understand it’s a package - but so are pickups. As I understand it, even in the mountains something with 300-350hp should handle it just fine. Sadly, have no clue where to look.

apologies if anyone as offended.

Bill

On 1/18/2018 at 12:50 PM, Steve from SoCal said:

Bill,

 

I am confused, with this being your first post on the forums how were you "disrespected"?    

 

The MDT option is valid, there are some very capable MDT trucks, they are as costly or more costly than many HDT trucks.     That is one of the more reasonable debating points, buying something like an RV hauler is a choice full of options.    The  HDT option has few true crew cab options, the MDT option with a crew cab has that option, that is a big point of contention for many.     Most MDT t rucks are not considered RV's and depending on where you are domiciled could have an impact on how you are licensed and what your fees will be.     There are no one size fits all in trucks hence the wide array of offerings.     The heavier class 6 MDT trucks are often class 7 trucks with down rated equipment, your insistence on staying with a class 6 truck limits your options IMHO.    With a 15K trailer ANY class 5 or 6 truck would be more than enough, the limiting issues would be in power and braking.     It is your choice, no one is able to make your choice for you.     The folks on the forums are relaying their own experiences and, many here have gone through the fleet from 3/4 or 1 ton pick ups incrementally to HDT or MDT trucks.   

 

Your trailer weight is a consideration along with future plans like a heavier trailer, where you plan to travel and, what your budget is.     Travel in the mountains with a heavy trailer will be slower and more stressful on a low powered truck, yes it will haul the trailer but, work hard pulling grades.      That is one of the biggest complaints of MDT trucks, they don't have the power options of the heavier trucks.      Class 6 trucks will have hydraulic brakes and, some will have transmission brakes instead of engine brakes for down hill speed control.    Many class 6 trucks were not designed as air ride bodies and the air suspension is not as well integrated as the semi tractors.       Last, buying a prepackaged MDT is like buying a pick up, you get what the manufacture offers.     If that is what you want, go for it.     The cab and chassis options offer much greater choice at nearly comparable price but, you do the leg work and, spec the features YOU want.     

 

Steve  

As a watcher and reader I have seen many hard core HDTer jumping all over newbies and either saying or implying anyone not doing a HDT is two bricks short of a full load. So, my note was a bad attempt to wave them off - apologies for bad wording.

Our need is a step up to a class 5 or 6 MDT and would prefer pre-DEF. while our trailer is 15k, when truck is loaded, we are 500 over and trailer not fully packed. Adding an extra fuel tank an tool boxes with tools put me over. I suspect with trailer fully loaded and all my tools and such, we will easily blow past 14k which is what the newer f350/450 do.

Finding used MDTs is not easy - especially on the west coast. Where can one find them?

Understand it’s a package - but so are pickups. As I understand it, even in the mountains something with 300-350hp should handle it just fine. Sadly, have no clue where to look.

apologies if anyone as offended.

Bill

Getting ready to go full time and realizing our 2008 F-350 6.4 king ranch dually just is not gonna cut it with just our 15k 5er. In our learning curve, learning our rig is best for occasional trips, but not continued use. After all it is a light duty truck (LDT) with a max gross weight of 13k. (Gonna have to put our 3 cats on a diet).

What is with the knee jerk reaction we seem to get when mentioning MDT and being told HDT is the only way to go? We are simply looking for information on options. MDT seems to cover class 5 and class 6 (and a few stray into 7) and HDT is class 7 and 8. HDT seems to be converted over the road tractors that get remade into rv haulers.

What we are looking for is a class 6 or maybe a 7 MDT crewcab. Want roughly same length as our dually, but better turning radius. Full air ride suspension so long runs are again enjoyable. Not interested in taller HDT or longer HDT. We want to be able to use rig for shopping and sightseeing - and carry passengers. Automatic is a must. 4x4 would be nice, but harder to find. Reason for a class 6 is higher gross weights and more power. Pre DEF or fully deleted would be nice. 

Looks like final a few manufacturers saw the niche and began making MDT rv haulers specifically and that pushed the big rig advocates out of that niche and into the current HDT niche. Don’t get me wrong, love the HDT and the idea of making one, but at this time of my life, all I want is something that will meet our needs comfortably and not need a lot of on going tweaking or remodeling. Not interested in hauling a car, not interested in having to worry about cab height, not interesting in something that won’t be easy to use for shopping, sightseeing or taking family with us. So, while we appreciate the passion of HDT owners, instead of trying to push us where we are not ready to go, how about respecting our needs and simply help us sort through all the marketing hype and zero in on specific models and what to watch for? BTW - also don’t want to hear about horse people ruining the MDT market - that is opinion, not fact. What changed the MDT market was makers waking up to a niche that was growing. Sadly there are some lower end MDTs that should not exist, but that happens as niches mature. That is why we are looking for class 6 and up.

Any help, suggestions, leads on rigs would be greatly appreciated. No disrespect meant to HDT folks - love and respect what you are doing. Just asking for same respect for our needs and decisions. Thanks in advance - looking forward to seeing you n the road.

Bill