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Looking for a light weight truck

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Richter, Jun 9, 2012.

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  1. Jun 9, 2012 #1
    Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

    4,090
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    Feb 13, 2012
    Philadelphia Pa
    0
    Hi everyone,

    I'm looking to become an owner op and need help selecting a truck. I'm planning on adding about 3000 pounds of modifications so i need it to be lightweight. It also needs to be 2006 or earlier and I'd prefer and aerodynamic truck. I currently drive a pete 379 as a company driver. The truck and trailer is 30600 with a full tank of fuel and the trailer leaving about 49400 for cargo. Basically I'm looking for a truck that's is 2000-3000 pounds lighter then a pete 379 so I can carry the same size heavy loads still. Unfortunately i don't know the weight of the truck and trailer separately. If any one knows the weight of a 379 (short nose), that would be a good starting point.

    Does anyone know how the freightliner Columbia compares weight wise? How about volvo 780? I'd prefer the bigger models in either truck (70 inch sleeper) although weight is more important then space. Are there any other lightweight sleepers I should consider? I could care less about prestige look and mainly care about function and space inside.

    Thanks,
    Cody
     
    Richter, Jun 9, 2012
    Richter, Jun 9, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jun 12, 2012 #2
    hmtruk

    hmtruk Light Load Member

    123
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    Jun 7, 2009
    big lake ,mn
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    spec. right you will not find anything lighter than a 379.
     
    hmtruk, Jun 12, 2012
    hmtruk, Jun 12, 2012
    #2
  4. Jun 12, 2012 #3
    daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Apr 15, 2012
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    Cody,Volvo has the reputation off being heavy so i would forget that brand.
     
    daf105paccar, Jun 12, 2012
    daf105paccar, Jun 12, 2012
    #3
  5. Jun 12, 2012 #4
    T800H

    T800H Medium Load Member

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    Apr 2, 2010
    The Keys
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    Freightliners FLD are usually lighter than most but I will try not to own a Shaker, Kenworth can be light, but must of them are not.
     
    T800H, Jun 12, 2012
    T800H, Jun 12, 2012
    #4
  7. Jun 12, 2012 #5
    poppapump1332

    poppapump1332 Road Train Member

    2,987
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    Jan 2, 2010
    birdsboro,pa
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    I don't know if you can find anything lighter then a 379 especially 2000-3000 lbs and a 70 inch bunk
     
    poppapump1332, Jun 12, 2012
    poppapump1332, Jun 12, 2012
    #5
  8. Jun 12, 2012 #6
    Mack427

    Mack427 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 22, 2009
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    to save a 2-3000lbs you going to have to drop down to a 385 pete or t-450 kw with a bunk day cab Mack on light rails weighs 14,500 depending on fuel my sleeper vision weighs about 16,500 379 short hood usually around 17-18,000
     
    Mack427, Jun 12, 2012
    Mack427, Jun 12, 2012
    #6
  9. Jun 12, 2012 #7
    Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

    7,737
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    May 7, 2011
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    Why not drop your trailer one day and run the tractor across a cat scale? Then you'd know how much your current tractor weighs to give a point of reference when truck shopping. You can take any truck you are looking at to a scale to weigh it during the test drive. Pay attention to how each truck is spec'd. You can find the weight of each component online, and you might alter the specs you are looking for based upon the weights you are getting when you weigh the trucks....a few hundred pounds here and there add up.
     
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Jun 12, 2012
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Jun 12, 2012
    #7
  10. Jun 12, 2012 #8
    LBZ

    LBZ Road Train Member

    1,771
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    Oct 22, 2008
    Road to Nowhere
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    You didn't seriously think you were going to score the biggest sleeper Volvo makes & be lighter did you?:biggrin_25519:

    Pete 385 with a C12/13 can be pretty light, mid to upper 15's with 63" sleeper & flex air suspension. Added a PTO on mine a it is just over 16.
    But honestly cannot imagine it being a huge advantage(if any) over a short 379.
     
    LBZ, Jun 12, 2012
    LBZ, Jun 12, 2012
    #8
  11. Jun 12, 2012 #9
    MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Feb 24, 2012
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    Id look at a century.

    Running a midroof 09 Cascadia w/my dd15, i can scale 45.8k in the box and half tanks of fuel.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2012
    MNdriver, Jun 12, 2012
    MNdriver, Jun 12, 2012
    #9
  12. Jun 13, 2012 #10
    Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

    5,569
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    Nov 25, 2008
    Kellogg, IA
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    FL Columbia glider I ordered with factory rebuilt pre-egr 500hp Series 60 and Eaton factory rebuilt 18 spd with 70" mid roof XT sleeper is coming in at 15,000# according to the spec sheets. It will have new 11mm aluminum housing Meritor 14X drive axles and wide based rubber on it. Would have been even lighter if I went with a single drive axle with lockers in front of a dead tag axle. It will have two 100 gallon fuel tanks, so add the fuel weight in.
     
    Cowpie1, Jun 13, 2012
    Cowpie1, Jun 13, 2012
    #10
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