Not really, atleast in my opinion. Thats why there are many of you guys compaining about it, you expect much more out of it than it was meant to do. To get to a true medium duty you need to go to a 6500, then you get true heavy duty parts, like either a Cat or the 7.8 Duramax, and a more stout transmission. The 4500/5500 are more of a stepping stone between light and medium just like the f450 and 550. Now I have met many happy owners of these rigs out on the road and to be honest I am looking at one now also. But my reason is more interior room, I undertand it will likely not tow or perform as my 3500 did, but that is worth the room for me. Heck I looked at Freightliner, Pete, and KW and the costs are 15-20k more than the 4500.

hmm its kind of debatable IMO...if I "needed" a "medium duty", I would just get a 3500 dually and beef it up with airbags and whatnot to carry the load I wish to carry. From what ive heard, peoples' medium duty experience has been hit or miss. I dont see a problem with the Allison LCT-1000 tho...its proven itself to be a trans worthy not only of light duty use, but medium duty as well... everything else in the truck is "ok", but not great. I dont have a medium duty, its JMO from what ive heard.

Ben

I thought Med duty started at 26k GVW.
The 450,4500-550,5500 is just for the person who needs more legal capacity than the 3500 can offer.

The front axle,rear end,brakes and frame are medium duty.The rest is pick up type construction.With the high price of fuel 46to48 percent of my gross goes for fuel,and the company I work pays some of the highest rates.So go ahead and buy one,you than can be as STUPID as me.animal

A 3500 just wont cut it towing our large Backhoe, we have been doing it for a while now but its flat scary. At least I feel safe pulling it now with the 5500. If you feel safe pulling 21k pounds behind a 3500 more power to you. The first time you have a trailer brake failure you will be re-thinking your safety.

The front axle,rear end,brakes and frame are medium duty.The rest is pick up type construction.With the high price of fuel 46to48 percent of my gross goes for fuel,and the company I work pays some of the highest rates.So go ahead and buy one,you than can be as STUPID as me.animal

Who do you pull for?? What do they pay? Heck I am putting around 40% back in fuel with my 3500. My reason to upgrade will be for the room and also for a safety factor, I am looking into getting out of this single pull rv bs and make more money. Also for pulling my own 5er.

If your so unhappy and feel so STUPID that you bought that rig, sell it. Heck maybe a FORD would make you happy.):h ):h

A 3500 just wont cut it towing our large Backhoe, we have been doing it for a while now but its flat scary. At least I feel safe pulling it now with the 5500. If you feel safe pulling 21k pounds behind a 3500 more power to you. The first time you have a trailer brake failure you will be re-thinking your safety.

Nice looking rides you got in the garage, really like the Lincoln!!

Not really, atleast in my opinion. Thats why there are many of you guys compaining about it, you expect much more out of it than it was meant to do. To get to a true medium duty you need to go to a 6500, then you get true heavy duty parts, like either a Cat or the 7.8 Duramax, and a more stout transmission. The 4500/5500 are more of a stepping stone between light and medium just like the f450 and 550. Now I have met many happy owners of these rigs out on the road and to be honest I am looking at one now also. But my reason is more interior room, I undertand it will likely not tow or perform as my 3500 did, but that is worth the room for me. Heck I looked at Freightliner, Pete, and KW and the costs are 15-20k more than the 4500.

The 5500 and 6500 have the same max gvw. Med duty trucks are and have always been class 4 (14,001 - 16000) class 5 (16001 - 19500) and class 6 (19501 - 26000)

Every person has different needs. When spec'n a truck u need to buy inside or higher then CGVW that your will the hauling. If you take a 3500 and "beef" it up you can add springs, air bags etc and raise the gvw of the truck BUT U still have light duty brakes, frame rails, axels, bearings, cooling systeam, Air to air etc

Take my truck GCW 24000 GVW 16000. On a heavy day my truck cross's the scales at 14500, on any reg. day I cross at 12000 - 13000 well in side the GVW of the truck. But this does not explain the problems I have had with this chassis. Wheel seal failures, pinion seal failures, TPS failure, Drag link, leaking windshild, and now a host of eletrical problems, all the dash gauges have failed, Radio is shorted, no inside lights, Door dinger starts going off while driveing down the road. All of this has nothing to do with "med duty" trucks it has to do with build Quality. Now if I had abused the truck it would be one thing but I make my money with this truck and I baby it to insure It stays running.

I feel like every one that has problems are inside or exceed the gvw for they job they perform. Once again its about quality and it not here. Maybe gm should look at getting out Med / Heavy Duty production like ford did years ago.

JMO
Keith

O and one more thing Due to lost time, self made repairs, fuel. The truck is costing me $2.79 per mile to operate as we speak.

Ford is still in the Med duty business, they only got ou of the heavy duty trucks. Which are now called Sterling.

O and one more thing Due to lost time, self made repairs, fuel. The truck is costing me $2.79 per mile to operate as we speak.

In a previous post you said you did or paid for all the repairs, why? Why not let a qualified GM dealership do the repairs, then when you have multiple failures you would have some recourse with gm. Maybe since the same thing failed the repair was done wrong, maybe not the fault of the truck.

In a previous post you said you did or paid for all the repairs, why? Why not let a qualified GM dealership do the repairs, then when you have multiple failures you would have some recourse with gm. Maybe since the same thing failed the repair was done wrong, maybe not the fault of the truck.

Maybe before you start pointing the finger at the mechanic you should know that not all repaires were on the SAME LOCATION

I lose $500 a day in labor alone to leave it at a dealer for 2 - 5 days.
Tust me all repairs have been done properley and to any factory set spec. I am a factory trained by CAT, cummins, detroit, meritor, GM, Ford, Perterbelt, Freightliner, and Volvo mechanic. I own and opperate a Fire truck repair service, and a Truck Fleet repair service. I am required by law VIA OSHA and NFPA to train and certify in truck repairs for emergacy equiptment. I am ASE master truck, Ase Master Automotive, Evt master Fire, and Evt master Ambulance. I know All repairs were made Correct.

Wheel seal failuers, 1 drive 1 steer
Pinion Seal one less then 2k on the truck another 7k and the third at 19k.
Couse yoke not milled even replaced yoke and seal.
TPS failed the day got the truck towed to deal they kept it 6 days
"Sir we are unable to find a problem with the truck it drives fine now"
$450 wreaker bill
$398 cash ticket at dealer b/c no problems were found with truck
Called and *****ed to GM customer support "sorry sir but that is the dealers policy If no problems are found then you have to pay the labor"
1 week later truck has the same problems
Check with prolink Tbs coded
had wife pick up tps replaced
tps has yet to fail again
Drag link After problems with TBS refused to let dealer keep truck.
Windshild leak Dealer body shop est 2 days to repair Took the glass shop 45min left with the truck put inside my shop over night and ready to roll the next day.
Allison recall took truck to allison shop and stayed 4 hrs left with my wife ate lunch and the truck is still not fixed "Well the transmission mechanic did not show up to work and no one else can reprogram it."
Still not repaired to this day and I lost a days labor

So you tell me Is it worth $1000 - $2500 every time I have a problem to leave it at the dealer? No I can spend 100 - 300 and be back on the road and still make a days pay

A dealer is only as good as the training it provides to its employees. and the tools it provides for them to work with.

ok yes ford does still make med duty trucks and
Sterling is owned by Freightliner that is owened by Daimler Chrysler

I think alot of the manufactures have issues with thier vehicles, having owned numerous GM, Ford, Dodges its no better with them. Unless you want more of a HDT I feel your going to be sorta stuck till the upper lines.

Personally Ford was the worst for our business as far as repairs. F350's F450's had numerous issues, and at 76 an hour these trucks bring in, our chevy is by far better.

Maybe before you start pointing the finger at the mechanic you should know that not all repaires were on the SAME LOCATION

I lose $500 a day in labor alone to leave it at a dealer for 2 - 5 days.
Tust me all repairs have been done properley and to any factory set spec. I am a factory trained by CAT, cummins, detroit, meritor, GM, Ford, Perterbelt, Freightliner, and Volvo mechanic. I own and opperate a Fire truck repair service, and a Truck Fleet repair service. I am required by law VIA OSHA and NFPA to train and certify in truck repairs for emergacy equiptment. I am ASE master truck, Ase Master Automotive, Evt master Fire, and Evt master Ambulance. I know All repairs were made Correct.

Wheel seal failuers, 1 drive 1 steer
Pinion Seal one less then 2k on the truck another 7k and the third at 19k.
Couse yoke not milled even replaced yoke and seal.
TPS failed the day got the truck towed to deal they kept it 6 days
"Sir we are unable to find a problem with the truck it drives fine now"
$450 wreaker bill
$398 cash ticket at dealer b/c no problems were found with truck
Called and *****ed to GM customer support "sorry sir but that is the dealers policy If no problems are found then you have to pay the labor"
1 week later truck has the same problems
Check with prolink Tbs coded
had wife pick up tps replaced
tps has yet to fail again
Drag link After problems with TBS refused to let dealer keep truck.
Windshild leak Dealer body shop est 2 days to repair Took the glass shop 45min left with the truck put inside my shop over night and ready to roll the next day.
Allison recall took truck to allison shop and stayed 4 hrs left with my wife ate lunch and the truck is still not fixed "Well the transmission mechanic did not show up to work and no one else can reprogram it."
Still not repaired to this day and I lost a days labor

So you tell me Is it worth $1000 - $2500 every time I have a problem to leave it at the dealer? No I can spend 100 - 300 and be back on the road and still make a days pay

A dealer is only as good as the training it provides to its employees. and the tools it provides for them to work with.

ok yes ford does still make med duty trucks and
Sterling is owned by Freightliner that is owened by Daimler Chrysler

I also make a living with my truck. I also had a truck that was down and I lost money (06 Dodge). My question is then why put up with the headache, dump it and get something else. Thats what I did and so far other than some cel and the glowplug recall its been ok. I feel for you, sounds like you have $60,000 unreliable lemon, my only point was it sounded like you kept having many of the same problems. So I thought if a dealer did the repairs you would have some recourse against GM.

I sold my 2003 3500 and bought this 2006 4500. So I can tell you the differences I see:

I don't tow anything real big. I pull boats mostly. Up to 28' on a regular basis, but my hydraulic trailer will haul much more then that. I have also had my flat bed loaded to about 15k or so. My 3500 could do all these things. However, The 4500 does it with ease compared to the little dualley. It pulls safer with the heavier weight, tighter suspension, and wider stance. With the huge brakes and the factory exhaust brake, I don't have to rely on the trailer brakes to keep me alive either. Also, I don't get blown all over the road by the wind any more, and I control the trailers instead of them controling me.

If you think these trucks are the same as the 3500's with a different body, just go slide under one and take a look. My axles are closer in size to 2 1/2 ton then 1 ton. The T-case, springs, frame, brakes, etc. Everything is bigger but the engine and transmission.

Did I give up some things? Sure. The MD's aren't as plush inside. I have leather and a CD player, but no trip computer, muti zone A/C, etc. Just no frills. Also, this truck rides much worse then the 3500. The air seats don't help much. I expected that though. Max speed is 75 MPH. The engine is pushing 2600-2800 RPM at that point, so you wouldn't want to push it any faster anyway.

I use my truck for advertisment as much as anything else. People love it. I love it too. It is a great truck. I would recommend a MD to anyone who tows anything on a regular basis. Just know what you are getting into. If you have any doubts, go order a 3500. They are good trucks too. :)

Well said Yellow. Perfectly actually. :)

haulin-rv I pull for Hoosier RV Transport they start you out at 82% plus all of the fuel sur charge.Your rate goes up 1% with each year of service until you reach 85%.Each trailer manufactures has A differant rate,Jayco and R-Vision are the highest Forest River and Dutchman are the lowest.They pay you by check none of that comdata junk.They might be hiring call 1-800-848-1510 ask for Sami she is the owner.Now to the truck ,these trucks have no trade in value and Im not rich thats why I keep it.About the ford they are as bad as the gm trucks.There are 2 good things about the 4500 they make anice bed when you put the rear seat down and you dont use anti sway bars when pulling travel trailers.animal

IMy question is then why put up with the headache, dump it and get something else.

sounded like you kept having many of the same problems. So I thought if a dealer did the repairs you would have some recourse against GM.

I am I have been working on the specs for a Fl70 with a crane body as we speak but untill then I have to keep this one on the road.

Only problem that came back was the pinion.

I feel people should know what problems others are haven before they buy.

haulin-rv I pull for Hoosier RV Transport they start you out at 82% plus all of the fuel sur charge.Your rate goes up 1% with each year of service until you reach 85%.Each trailer manufactures has A differant rate,Jayco and R-Vision are the highest Forest River and Dutchman are the lowest.They pay you by check none of that comdata junk.They might be hiring call 1-800-848-1510 ask for Sami she is the owner.Now to the truck ,these trucks have no trade in value and Im not rich thats why I keep it.About the ford they are as bad as the gm trucks.There are 2 good things about the 4500 they make anice bed when you put the rear seat down and you dont use anti sway bars when pulling travel trailers.animal

I haul for Classic (middlebury only Jayco). When you pull Jayco what are they paying? Whats the best paying single? I had thought about calling Hoosier to do either tow/haul or pulling 3-4 on a trailer, any opinion on that?? Thanks, Karl

The haul and tow people do trailers out and 1 car back,the people with the trailers back haul 2or 3 cars.The guys i talked to say there making good money with both set ups.My best paying was1.22 amile.animal

The haul and tow people do trailers out and 1 car back,the people with the trailers back haul 2or 3 cars.The guys i talked to say there making good money with both set ups.My best paying was1.22 amile.animal

What are you guys getting for Jayco? What pays 1.22, its got to be a park or a huge 5er.

haulin-rv It depends on the fuel sur-charge,thats the rate for a travel trailer.The the big 5ers pay 3cents more.Classic, Quality,Bennett are screwing there drivers.The rates are posted on your check,plus the fuel-sur-charge.Like I said before it depends on the manufacture,Forest river is the lowest,they pay 1.11 per mile plus 3cents for a big 5er.If you have any questions give me a call.502-2392167 Bob Garrett aka animal

fords med duty trucks start at f650s and up according to their web site the 450 and 550 are called superduty pickups ,I think the 4500 has larger brakes, axles and rear end from what I seen that is why I am trying a 4500 over my beefed up f350 that gets 7-9 miles a gallon towing

I get +/- 9 mpg daily

The Kodiak is definatly Heavy Duty.Had similar troubles with dealer.

"Oh that sloppy drag link is normal,the front end sagged 2"s is normal,the mirrors sagging down like that is normal"."What do you want us to do"

Thats what I usually here.Was trying to go to local med. duty dealer,
big run around ,getting more damage than repair.

"oh we didnt do that sir"

Went back to where I bought Mark Christopher Ontario,Ca.
Great service now!!!
Good dealer.
Was losing faith was just buying any thing I new truck needed.

I love my medium duty wouldnt go back to 3500 , you really know
after you put weight behind it and go around a corner..:hail:
Cant even feel that truck on trailer behind it.

The trucks are ok trucks but I have had way to much down time due to stuipd ****. Every day down in a $500 loss in labor alone.

All i can say is For Sale 05 4500 loaded ali dmay 12' tool body pay off @ 41k +/-

Its hit or miss with any truck.All companys have a few lemons .
Sorry you think yours is one.What kinds of things have happend to
yours.Ive seen some of your posts cant remember your troubles though.
Markers and drag link , bearings ????.Anything major.I know down time for you is bad,bet that tranny never let you down.Hope it gets better,
GOOD LUCK. any ???? PM anytime for info.

GASUOUT

TPS failed the first day I got the truck left setting 80 miles from home and towed it back. 6days out of service
Fuel pump 4 days
Trans ecm flailed had to be replace 4 days
Wheel seal's Self repaied just a few hrs
Pinion seal Self repaired few hrs
draglink 2 days
Rt caliper locked up 2 days
Dash gauges still not repaired but thay say 4 - 6 by the time they get parts
Water leak repaired my self
ft shocks 1 started leakin with in 5000 miles repaired my self

Yeah I know any one who builds truck will build a "bad" truck here and there. I worked at the dealer for years I seen my fair share of repeat trucks and cars that were just problem trucks The down time and lost pay is why I have a bad taste in my mouth with the truck now.

I still love the truck but I can afford the down time. The local med deal will not order parts unless it is on his yard " to meny people dont come back he say's"

so for my line or work there was nothing I coulf do but buy a different truck

Is yours 4 wheel drive,looks like it is.Did you stay with chevy or have you had enough.I know exactly how you feel.The thought crossed my mind a few times.Mines in right now,getting all the things I was fighting the Dealer I use to go to about.Ill be without mine hopefully only a week.Getting all the little things and big things done.Found a good dealer,not to close to my house though.When I first got truck,it broke down in Shasta,Ca.
Bolts came loose in TONE ring on crank,lost timing signal,dead in the water
with a car on a trailer behind me.It was bad,closest dealer 150 miles.Got towed to Medford,Or. Wrong direction,I was heading for Bend,Or. Had to leave trailer behind in tow yard.Friend had to Fetch it. 5 hours oneway.
Dealer had truck 2 weeks, it ruined everything for me.Hotels,rental cars
sent wife back to sthrn calif. on plane,it was terrible.I almost lost faith,
almost said screw this thing.I have 30,000 miles now with no serious issues.Im stayin with it,Hope things are all good for you Good Luck
I cant QUIT chevy is in my BLOOD,Hope that never happens again.
I do all my own repairs,if possible.Some things we have to go in for though.
GASUOUT

Mine is 2 wd and turned 23000 today
I didnt stick with chevy I made the switch I bought a international 4700 dt466e 33k gvw, air brake, pintal with air for my trailers, it has 11' inclosed service body pto compressure etc. etc

Well I think you guys convinced me, no 4500 in the future for me. I am going to look into a lil' freightliner. In the last couple weeks I have really made an effort to talk to every driver I see with a med duty and have had some really interesting feedback.

Avoid Freightliner...pay an extra 5 grand and get a Peterbilt...spec it the way you want. I recomment 22.5 tires and ISC Cummins...also better resale value. Check with dealer to spec rear end to lowest possible to keep rpms down and run in torque curve. Crew cab available as a factory option from Benz of Ft. Wayne. IMHO!

Why avoid freightliner?? Can't get a Pete or KW with a gvw under 27k from what I have read. I want to be under 20k if possible.

Yes, you can order it any way you want...I had one with a gvw of 26000 lbs exactly...they derated the truck. I recently read an article that Paccar was trying to expand more into the Medium Duty market with GVWs of less than 26000!

Avoid Freightliner...pay an extra 5 grand and get a Peterbilt...spec it the way you want. I recomment 22.5 tires and ISC Cummins...also better resale value. Check with dealer to spec rear end to lowest possible to keep rpms down and run in torque curve. Crew cab available as a factory option from Benz of Ft. Wayne. IMHO!


I would like to second that opinion on the Freightliner. We have 7 of them at work and the last 2 are huge POS. Both are M2 with 8k front and 12k rear with severe service fire/rescue pkg. Both have been back at least 6 times each for an assortment of problems, leaks, AC, trans lines, ABS, brake master cylinder, wiper switch are just a sampling.
The ONLY thing we have going for us is the Freightliner dealer in Dearborn MI. They work real hard to get us back on the road and we didnt even buy the chassis from them. (they are direct shipped to the body builder)

Scott

Many reasons why this is best truck.I mean come on,DMAX Alli,Huge transfer case(divorced),Dana 70 frnt manual hubs,Big spicer rear,Huge 4wheel disk,Hyd brakes (not air).When I look under truck I cant think of any other way I would have it.All the right stuff is in this truck.Ive done my share of whining about things that piss me off about it,But theyre isnt anything close to it out there.Ive looked.Best bang for your buck.Plus how many petes or freights do you think you can insure,they are to heavy.
This truck is in the insurable weight bracket.Check it out.I also dont stop at any scales.No private use sticker.Plus this thing hauls the mail,With a little programming this thing Bones Out.The petes and freights are for pulling only.And try insuring one,here in Calif. the insure break is at 18,000 lbs.Also registration check out.

I could go on and on and on !!!! Tired of typing.....:chevy:

When I am towing a trailer that looks like I might be over 10000 lbs, I go through the scales...I agree insurance is a BIG factor...I find an interesting vehicle is the new HEAVY Dodge 3500...so far it looks good on paper...

When I am towing a trailer that looks like I might be over 10000 lbs, I go through the scales...I agree insurance is a BIG factor...I find an interesting vehicle is the new HEAVY Dodge 3500...so far it looks good on paper...

It has a 12,000lb gvw so it's not in the same weight rating as the 4500-5500. They keep saying they are coming out with 4500-5500 models but nothing yet.
The 4500-5500 is not for everyone. If you bought one to tow a trailer a 3500 could tow and expect good milage and flying up grades at 75 with a nice smooth ride forget it you bought the wrong truck. Same goes for hauling stuff.

Mandatory scale stop I think is 22,000 lbs at least when I was rollin through Oregon thats what sign said.Maybe other states diff. ???
This truck isnt for the Girls who want a ride like a 3500 though.
Just rides like what it is a Big Truck.Check on Insurance you ll see difference 18,000 lbs. and lower.
Good Truck.17,500 gvw

oregon is 20k or more.

I think alot of the drivers out there want a car like ride in a TRUCK I'm not sure if they have the right state of mind. A truck is a truck a 350/3500 is a toy. I own 2 4500's, a 6500 and a few 350's also just sold my 650 with 29' custom hauler bed, I also have afew drivers with 650, all of them work well for what I use them for, but I think for the money my 4500's do the best job. I've had some down time but every truck I've ever had(and there have been a few) has been in the shop at one time or another. I move cargo trailers over 48 states, some of them are loaded while others are not I feel the 4500 is a very good truck to do this with. When I got the 4500's I wasn't sure I did the right thing but even with down time and the rough ride (truck ride) I feel I got the best truck for the job. I'm sure I'll get a few more 650s and more 4500's but I will never get another 350/3500 to tow with, I feel alot safer in the bigger truck. All drivers have different ways of thinking but I think that the 350/3500 are for the weekender not someone that wants to make a living with it.

As for pay my drivers get $1.21 per loaded mile and that is paid on a 5X8 or a 50' goose neck, most of the trailers are 14' to 24' and they weigh in around 4500lbs. The drivers that pull transport trailers or the load and tow get $1.66 per loaded mile plus a 10% fuel surcharge.

All of this is just to let some people out there know we aren't all unhappy with our trucks..jmho.

AGREED 100% safer feeling while towing big loads,and high dollar boats

Ford does not build medium duty trucks anymore. The F-650 and F-750 are built by International in Mexico. Those trucks are a real half-breed, an International chassis with a Cat or Cummins diesel. The only thing 'Ford' about them is the 'Super Duty' cab.