When do you think it is worth moving up from a 3500 DRW to a C- series truck?

I won't say I really know the answer but I sure have looked into all those possibilities in the last 4 months. I figure it all comes down to what application you expect out of the truck. What GVWR do expect to have? What type of box? What kind of maneuverability? Longevity? Durability? Gas or Diesel? And most of all, what can you afford and which truck will pay for it self in the long run? I've looked at the 3500 vans, cutaways Srw & Drw, the C series with gas and DMAX, the Isuzu/GMC W3500, Mitsubishi, Ford gas and diesel, the Dodge Sprinter and the new Freight liners. It drove me %^&**#$ nuts! But I pretty much decided on the W3500 Diesel for my needs and value{$$}. Good luck!!!

Buy an 8,000lb 3500 DRW for 40K.


Buy a 12,000 lb C series for 40K (really it's 35 but we'll make it even)


Drive both trucks for 50k miles and get the "trade-in" and "resale" value. The difference will be noticeable. Now, put real miles on them....say 200k and tell me which is worth more? Which truck has better brakes ect. Equate that with cost per pound and trade-in return per lb. That should tell you what the trucks worth is.


However, it really depends on what you're happy with.





Burner--------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Hey Burner, why do you equate cost per pound? I am NOT trying to be an *&%#@, just wondering. Is it cost for scrap or is this how a dealer figures out trade in? If it is a diesel you can't compare the two, the 3500 DRW doesn't come with one as of yet, only the C series come with the DMAX. I really do not know allot about the commercial truck market, but from what I have searched there are not allot of "good" condition trucks on the lots, they get used up pretty quick. Anyway, I agree it's all about what your going to be happy with!

Ok well its going to take me a few more days to inventory all my equipment to see what truck would be better for my needs. Thanks for all your help. I cant wait to see which one it will be.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

maintmanmike...... Without being long winded and trying to not sound like an ass, look at it this way.


Your truck with x miles or 10x miles is worth what? The truck is worth it's weight...sort'a.


The new truck with x miles or 10x miles is worth what? That truck is the result of a new truck, OEM profit and dealer profit and the cost per pound is frick'n way too high.....but you pay it for "NEW" stuff.


The trucks are like tools. I'd rather have my 8 year old Snap-On 3/8 drive than my new Craftsman 3/8 drive..... if that makes any sence. Both tools do a job although one is new and one is old. The "old tool" will do the same ammount of work as the new one but at a lower operation cost--- ie "per pound" operation or Cost. When you go to trade the "worth" of the truck should equate in pounds. If I had a snap-on and a Craftsman ratchet that were 5 years old......... which would bring more on resale even though they weighed the same?


With some similance of understanding, that's about as short as I can make it.





Burner----------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


I'm in the deep-end of the pool. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif

I priced both c-3500 and c4500 trucks and after bougth the c4500 for these reasons 1, trade in most states make dealer warrt trade-ins for 3000 miles or 90 days most dealer do not want trucks as 1500,2500,3500s with over 100,000 miles but c4500 are not wanted after 300,000 miles. 2 gvw and gcvws are higer .3 frames are stronger 80,000psi vs 36,000 psi steel .4 prices are not that much higher my c4500 cost 29,600 vs 48,000 for a c3500 and was able to build the back as i wanted to .5 not much as emmisons on the c4500 as the c3500.

Well sounds interesting, I would like some more details if you have them. But one thing I don’t understand is the 80,000psi vs. the 36,000psi steel. Ok mild steel has a tensile strength of proximally 60,000psi so where is the 36,000psi steel coming from. 4500 or 3500 the steel should not be anything less than mild steel if not stronger.

The way I had it explaned to me was that with the 36,000 psi steel they can stamp the frame so that the axels are up into the frame and the 80,000psi all axles are hung below flat channels thus better payload carring plus on the 4500 the frame is made of 10 inch channel my truck has double frame as it was made to be a tow truck or dump truck it has pto and air jake brake along with 3 batterys on it has a 16,000 gvw rating was made for a 12 to 16 foot body but I cut down to 10 foot put a 10 foot alum flatbed with custom trap door for the 5th wheel hitch (30,000 trailer cap.) I am still working on the build but can haul trailers and drive it every day. Tows like a dream does not know what hills are yet.

Finally, people talking about what I need to hear about. Right now I am doing nothing but talking. And I stop every hotshot driver I can lay my hands on to ask questions. They have been sincere, informative, and for the ignorant-very helpful. Which is where I was when I started this quest a year ago.


Now, explain the price difference to me on the C-3500 and the C-4500? I am not dedicated to GM, it is just the last three new vehicles I have bought were GM and have had no real problems with them. But they were not commercial vehicles. And I am having a very had time finding comparrisons to the various models and brands.


I plan to start off small. Adding a bed with a hidden goose neck, just in case I start pulling a trailer. Plenty of work in my part of the country for all is what I am hearing.


Also, any ideas where I can talk to shop to other hotshot drivers would be appreciated also. My earliest entry into the business will be late Spring 05. Unless I have to fly the coop in my company's spin off this year.





braz