5 Ton transport question.

[Black750]

Hello all,
I'm new here. This is my first post.
Yesterday I went to look at a 5 Ton truck that a member here has. He lives very close to me and I just saw it going down the road with a for sale sign. I'm not sure what the member's SN is.
Anyway, I have several questions regarding my intended use for this truck. I am in the machining business and need a truck to transport large, heavy parts to customers. Something F-650 sized or bigger. For the price this seems like a good solution. Went for a test drive yesterday and the owner drove us down the road at 60 mph with no problems. Sure it's a little noisy and might get a little chilly in the winter but it will basically haul anything. On any terrain for that matter.
I know it's not necessarily practical but does it sound like a reasonable idea for it's use?
Are there any things I should be worried about maintenance-wise?
I'm in Illinois. Is registration and insurance a problem? Expensive as compared to a semi-truck?
Do I need a CDL being an owner-driver to transport material?
I will have to get the model but it's a 1988 5 Ton with a Cummins. I'll try and get more specs.

TIA,
RLTW

 

[Black750]

Oh and it's automatic. Another question. Do the auto tranny's cause alot of headache?

 

[porkysplace]

If you plan on using it for a business all commercial regulations will apply . You should check woth your insurance carrier to see if they will insure it ( insurance theards will get locked on here , there are hunreds of them to search through though ).
Unless your doing alot of off-road work it's probably not practicial as a work truck . The initial price might be cheap but they are high maintainance and not all parts readily availible without ordering , so can you afford extended down time waiting for parts ?

 

[Suprman]

It's a neat toy I wouldn't want to rely on them for my business though unless you have a very large fleet of them and unlimited resources to maintain them.

 

[M925]

1. Probably not practical, 4.3 MPG. Extremely tall bed height. Parts? Split rim tires? 11.00R20 Tires WOOO $$$.....but coolness factor +100,000,0000.

2. But probably good if you aren't delivering long distances. I say do it.....

3. The Alison Transmission is a LEGEND!!!!!! Emphasis LEGEND!!!!

4. CDL depends on the state....in VA, No as long as you don't use it for business.

 

[M925]

Consider a M915, M916, or a tractor model w/turbo. These are slow old goats on the interstate.....

 

[m16ty]

This has been covered many times.

I will say this, the M939 trucks will eat tires like crazy when driven on the road day in/day out (especially if heavy loaded). The thing will drink probably twice as much fuel as a F650.

They are great trucks but they aren't meant to run down the hwy economically.