Is this a good buy?

[steelandcanvas]

Kids these days!

 

[bearboley]

I call bull****. Story varies to much. I have a 215 and it won't come close to 60mph. Driven it that far I could buy a new truck on what the fuel would cost because it loves fuel. Why would you by a truck that is 60 years old to haul something commercially to make a living when you could buy a good truck for that money. Its not because you want to preserve a military vehicle because you are going to cut it up and stretch it 4 ft. That will be fun with two rear drive shafts. I just don't believe it.

 

[73m819]

I call bull****. Story varies to much. I have a 215 and it won't come close to 60mph. Driven it that far I could buy a new truck on what the fuel would cost because it loves fuel. Why would you by a truck that is 60 years old to haul something commercially to make a living when you could buy a good truck for that money. Its not because you want to preserve a military vehicle because you are going to cut it up and stretch it 4 ft. That will be fun with two rear drive shafts. I just don't believe it.

I agree, read both threads,??? though with 1100x20s, and on tac, I can see 60, but trying to maintain 60, running like this will buy a engine,

 

[blizzardwarrior7]

Post 36 on your other thread someone pointed out a better truck that was correct, right color and closer but you wanted this one because it was red. Now you are going to cut and paste and repaint a truck that you paid too much for? You keep asking if it will pull a heavy load and everyone here tells no it won't but you KEEP asking anyway. You say you own a trucking company but you are joining the Army, I will not ask why but I am guessing you are rather young and would question what kind of trucks you have in your company now. If you are an experienced driver then you KNOW that this truck will not pull a load much past 2nd gear. You also said you are selling your company but in another post you say all of the trucks will be stored until you get out. Unless you own a LOT of non commercial property then that is going to cost a fortune! I am glad to see you are joining the military and especially Airborne Ranger but you are asking a lot of questions and NOT listening to any of the advice. Please listen to the advice of your instructors in the service!

Rick

I will not argue with you online, but I can and will answer your questions/doubts.

I do not agree that I overpaid for this truck. It is in great condition, with rebuilt engine/tranny, lots of new parts, lots of extra parts, receipts, and a clear title and I just tested it with over 1300 miles of driving. I also will continue to have access to spare parts through alfa heaven. If you feel like you could make a 1300 mile trip with any of the $3000-$5000 trucks from GL than feel free.

I did not keep asking the same question, I did not however receive a very clear or direct answer to it either, so I simplified my question and rephrased it with a specific weight (which still doesnt qualify as "a heavy load").

If you are interested in knowing what kind of trucks my company owns, they are as follows: 2x 2009 Mack Titans, 1x 2006 International CXT, 1x 2006 Freightliner Columbia, 1x 2007 Kenworth t600, and a few international 4700 stakebody trucks.

Ive owned my own company since I was 18 (3 years ago), and have worked in the construction industry since I was able to work. Ive always wanted to join the state police here in MA, Ive attended a municipal police academy, but local policing just wasnt as appealing to me. The plan was always to join the Army if the state police didnt work out. Of course the budget is so messed up here in MA that they arent running the academy this year or next year or the year after that, you get the idea. I was fortunate enough to test well on the ASVAB and other tests and got exactly what I wanted in my contract, so I eagerly await my ship date of 2-14-12.

I am a pretty experienced driver, and have logged a bit over 200,000 miles OTR, but I have no experience with a 1954 GMC m215, so Im not sure how I would know what it was capable of towing. I didnt get into specifics about my company because thats not what the thread was about. My company transports equipment, vehicles, scrap metal, and I aso do commercial and residential demolition. The "company" is not being sold, so much as the companys equipment will be sold off individuallys, I will keep the trucks of my choosing, and the rest along with my equipment will be sold. I have an arrangement with a local business that will allow me to store my trucks there for as long as I need, and my father also has enough room to store them for me as well.

I plan on following the instructions of my instructors at basic training, but Im afraid thats a bit different than listening to suggestions or opinions offered on a online forum. Hopefully this explains things a little bit better....

Just to keep this on topic, the truck averaged about 5.5 mpg for the whole trip....Im not sure what the confusion is, but I was only able to attain 60 mph on some flats, and downhill, I was regularly able to get it to about 55-or a bit higher on the flats. Also, I never said I planned on using it commercially or hauling to make a living with it, I would never count on a 60 year old vehicle for that.

 

[bearboley]

I would like a Company name and a USDOT # , safersys will tell the tory. As a business you wouldn't mind its public info. You way over paid you could buy one **** of a 5 ton tractor for that money and something when you were done. Mine runs 52 flat out againt the floor downhill with a tailwind and me blowin backwards with the earths rotation. and uses lots of gas when flat out.

 

[rickf]

I already have a fleet of trucks, as I own a small trucking company, so reguardless of where I go, the trucks will be stored in MA until I am PDSed. Im in for 11B, so basic is OSUT at Ft. Benning, and my duty station will most likely be Benning as well, as I got Abn, and Ranger in my contract. I talked with Tom at alpha heaven today, he seems like a decent guy....Gave me about 40 minutes worth of background info on the truck. Says it was rebuilt simply to experiment with, not because anything was broken, and in fact says that he will include all of the old parts (including engine, and tranny). Assuming that the truck is in the condition he describes, what do you guys think would be a reasonable price to pick it up for?

I know these trucks are underpowered, but would I be able to pull a 5,500 lb equipment trailer, with say 2 skidsteers on it @ 35-40 mph? Thanks for the links.

5500 lb. trailer and two skidsteers? You must have some real small skidsteers or you overload the **** out of the trailer. That would be a huge fine for the owner of the company. A 5500 lb. trailer is going to be a ball mount or a gooseneck. I am not trying to be an azz but do you really know equipment and trucks? How do you plan to add the four feet to the frame and are you adding before the axles or after. Welding a frame is serious stuff and has to be done right or you will have a two or more piece truck at the second bump. Good luck with your project, dang shame to cut the truck up.
200,000 miles in three years puts you at about 5000 miles a month every month for the entire three years. I know for a fact it is almost impossible to get contracts at such a young age doing long haul. It took me almost ten years to get my million mile pin. I am not trying to debate you but you have to keep in mind you are talking to guy's that have run trucks their entire lives so we tend to see through some things. You are saying you are going to use it commercially when you say you are hauling skidsteers.
Rick

 

[73m819]

These threads are no different from other "should I" threads, good advice is given by MVers that KNOW MVs (some of who worked on these trucks when thay were in service), but the OP questioner does not like or takes the advice and go on to do the orginal plan that was worked up BEFORE the first question, a real WASTE of server space and members time. as far as this truck goes, do what you want, since you seem to know best, a good car salesmen can sell anything.

 

[steelandcanvas]

I was fortunate enough to test well on the ASVAB and other tests and got exactly what I wanted in my contract, so I eagerly await my ship date of 2-14-12...

You scored well on your ASVAB and you signed up to be an 11 Bravo?
Is that MOS still an Infantryman?

 

[blizzardwarrior7]

Wow, why does everything need to be an arguement on this forum? 11b is still infantry, I originally selected 19d cav scout, with the possibility of EOD, but than changed to 11b because of the schools that were available, not all grunts in the army are stupid you know. Im also set up to reclass to 18x after 1 year, or now if I wanted, but I want some experience first.

A 5,500 lb trailer should tell you right away that it is probably not a gooseneck trailer, and probably isnt a ball hitch because of the tongue weight, so your last guess would be that it is a pintle hitch. My pintle trailer that I would tow with this truck weights 5,500 lbs, and has a weight carrying capacity of 18,250 lbs. That puts me at 2 9,000 lb bobcats.....Which is pretty much every bobcat except for their largest. Plenty of people own bobcats and dont use them commercially, in fact I owned my first skidsteer before I started my company, and I didnt use it commercially.

I plan on adding before the axles, it might end up being more like 3 feet. In the past, I've v notched it, welded it, and than added a bolted a 2ft section or so of fishplate. Its really not that difficult I added to my international CXT, and to my ram 3500.

I dont know why everyone is so hung up on the speed, the truck has 1100 20 tires on it, and people are doing 52 on 900 20s. Thanks for the help, I think I will go back to just being an observer on this forum.

 

[rickf]

A 5500 lb. trailer is RATED for carrying 5500 lbs.. What you are describing is a 9 ton trailer so my observations stand for the description given. And you can quite easily have a 20,000 lb. gooseneck trailer. I sold one last year. You sir need some education in your own professed field of expertise. You will find that 23,000 lbs. will put a serious hurting on that truck especially with the bigger tires which effectively raise your gear ratio.

OH, 18,000 lb. load on a trailer that is rated for 18,250 will put you in overload when the weight of the trailer is factored in. On a scale you will read 23,500 lb.

Rick

 

[blizzardwarrior7]

You really have confused yourself, huh? A 5,500 lb trailer weighs 5,500 lbs. It doesn't have a payload of 5,500. Its gvw is 24,000 lbs. It is a 10 ton equipment trailer. Its rated payload on its build plate says 18,500 lbs. 18,000 on a trailer rated for 18,500 payload puts me 500 lbs underweight and more when you factor in my vertical load on the trucks hitch. 18,500 plus the weight of the trailer is equal to its gvwr, do you get it now? Moderators feel free to close this thread, as it seems everyone would rather talk about me than my Mv I just brought home.

 

[RealCavDog]

Anyway, dogged on you a bit about the dual threads, but the truck is sharp, and all that really matters is what YOU want and can afford to do ! Not too impressed with the feeding frenzy going on, though I do see some of the points that several have made, but it seems as if some misunderstandings and reactive comments have really gotten out of hand. In the end these guys are trying to help and educate, as you yourself indicated being new to the hobby side of this, and being young, so hang in there, it will be worth the razzing !

As far as 11B, my scores were very high back in the day, but being young and wild, chose 19D for the adventure, and at the time, the HUGE enlistment bonus ! Also knew I could jump directions later if wanted, so I commend you on your choice and truly wish you the best in it.

Hope this ride through an obviously bad weekend does not deter your continued participation, and look forward to your project and showing us what you really want to do with YOUR truck !

 

[Vintage iron]

I have seen that same red truck for $4000. on Craigslist. I think he may have "Put on the paint to Make it what it ain't"

 

[rickf]

You really have confused yourself, huh? A 5,500 lb trailer weighs 5,500 lbs. It doesn't have a payload of 5,500. Its gvw is 24,000 lbs. It is a 10 ton equipment trailer. Its rated payload on its build plate says 18,500 lbs. 18,000 on a trailer rated for 18,500 payload puts me 500 lbs underweight and more when you factor in my vertical load on the trucks hitch. 18,500 plus the weight of the trailer is equal to its gvwr, do you get it now? Moderators feel free to close this thread, as it seems everyone would rather talk about me than my Mv I just brought home.

It is not I that is confused. I have 50 plus years of experience under my belt. Grew up on a farm so therefor learned heavy equipment and trucks at a very young age. Been doing it ever since. The reason this thread moved to being about you is because of the inconsistencies of your statements. You got me on the payload because I did not see it written that way but a lot of other things you have said about your company and the vehicle you got seem to change as the thread moved on. I wish you nothing but good luck in whatever you do, just remember, do mot brag about something you have little experience in to people that have done it for many, many years. They will know better.

I agree that the thread should be closed.

Rick

 

[emr]

whew... close this one is right

 

[blizzardwarrior7]

I have seen that same red truck for $4000. on Craigslist. I think he may have "Put on the paint to Make it what it ain't"

The trucks been red for 15 plus years, so I don't think that's it. Maybe it was a different truck.

 

[bearboley]

Its like you never learn, me neither I guess. But there is no way, I mean no way that the truck in that first picture has a 15 year old paint job on it. Unless that picture is 15years old. You are definitely hard headed. LMAO

 

[blizzardwarrior7]

It is not I that is confused. I have 50 plus years of experience under my belt. Grew up on a farm so therefor learned heavy equipment and trucks at a very young age. Been doing it ever since. The reason this thread moved to being about you is because of the inconsistencies of your statements. You got me on the payload because I did not see it written that way but a lot of other things you have said about your company and the vehicle you got seem to change as the thread moved on. I wish you nothing but good luck in whatever you do, just remember, do mot brag about something you have little experience in to people that have done it for many, many years. They will know better.

I agree that the thread should be closed.

Rick

I still do not see any inconsistencies in my statements about my truck or my business. Maybe you are misunderstanding my other statements as you did the payload. There was never any bragging on my part. Feel free to discontinue any further "contributions" to any of my threads.

 

[blizzardwarrior7]

Its like you never learn, me neither I guess. But there is no way, I mean no way that the truck in that first picture has a 15 year old paint job on it. Unless that picture is 15years old. You are definitely hard headed. LMAO

The picture is about 7 years old, I can see the truck in person, you can't. Even if I were to keep it red it would need to be repainted.

 

[bearboley]