Freightliner Fl-70

[tthomass]

Is there something I don't know about FREIGHTLINER FL-70 trucks? I'm finding ones I really like for around $25,000 with dumps already on them. Heck even one for under $8,000 ( http://www.trucktraderonline.com/caddetail.html?/ad-cache/4/5/9/85445159.htm ).......who knows what that ones issues are but for kicks anyway.

Here is more of what I like:

-Big 33kGVW http://adcache.trucktraderonline.com/4/3/1/84440831.htm

-Smaller 26kGWV (I like this one particularly) http://adcache.trucktraderonline.com/4/5/7/86362857.htm

So lets see....Cummins engine, Allison tranny.......what am I missing here? Why don't I see more of these trucks in the industry? Now I'm a Chevy guy but that last link I really like. And on a "looks" note.....I like them as much if not more than Chevy and def more than International (not the new model with the bling bling grill) or Ford.

[tthomass]

should I look at something other than specifically the FL-70........those are just what seem to be around the most when I do see them

[Gravel Rat]

The market is flooded with used FL Freightliners they really are not a good truck they rattle and squeek. Freightliner built these trucks cheap and fast get them built get them sold. Companys/people bought them because they are a cheap basic truck.

Just don't expect much if you buy one.

[Rockwaterfarmslavehoe]

Just buy the damn thing !!! I'm tired of walking from job site to job site !! Those trailers are getting heavy !!! OWW my back !!

[jazak]

A couple guys here have them with no problems, I forget the guys username on here but he has two frieghtliners don't know the models though. I'd personally go with the 1999.

[turfquip]

Go with the 7 speed manual. The Allison is expensive to repair and causes bad mpg. Basically, what GR said about build quality is accurate. But, the styling of the old FL is classic. The Lo Pro option makes the whole thing look chopped, which is nice.

Its the little things that kill you on these 90's vintage medium duty freightliners. One week, I replaced a fuel pump solenoid, the next week a washer pump and turn signal switch, the next week it was ready for PM....

All in all, I am thrilled to own mine despite all its glitches. A medium duty takes your game to a new level.

I'm thinking next truck will be an International, extended cab 4 X 4.
:walking:

[tthomass]

go to class...............graduate and then you can work, forever

[tthomass]

the one i want has the 6 speed manual tranny...............is there some real benefit or diff between it and the 7speed manual tranny?

[turfquip]

Mostly, your top end will be affected. Your RPM's will be lower at highway speeds than the same truck with fewer gears.

[Gravel Rat]

If you were going with a truck on air I would rather have a 8spd or a 10spd roadranger easier to shift and better fuel mileage. A 6spd your rpm is up and down like a yoyo. If you are going with a fullsize medium duty not the low pro go with the ISC Cummins its more power than the ISB the ISC is a better engine. It does have cam bearing problems but that can be prevented with regular oil changes. The FLs with the 3126 Cat have been a little troublesome with the HUEI injection system.

I don't know why Freightliner made the FLs so cheaply the trucks look nice they look like a truck. Anybody I know that has a FL has the same complaint of squeeks and rattles with the lack of quality.

[waltero]

I have a 33,000 GVW Sterling Acterra. It is very similiar to the Fl-70 (both are made by freightliner now I believe). I think the reason for the lower prices is that many trucks come off lease and then flood the market. Depending on what business someone would have it might be more benificial to buy new and write off the expense. I guess it could cut down on repairs and breakdowns?

I would look at the truck real good and try to get one with the lowest miles that you can find. These trucks are expensive if you have to start replacing parts and paying for labor. I found my truck 01 Sterling Acterra with the 250hp Mercedes motor and a 6-speed, 91,000, cab and chassis for $19,800. It needed a few repairs but I think it is a great truck. Most people think that it is new because it is hard to tell the difference. ETWMAN has 2 FL70 working in his fleet and he is very happy with them.

Decide what you are going to do with these trucks. From what I know about you, it looks like you do a fair amount of hardscaping. A larger truck can help if it makes things easier. The problems that I see are that the sides are very high on these trucks. The dump bodies almost look like they are the size of a tri-axle, but you are only going to be able to haul around 8 tons/16,000lbs. and loading the truck is going to be difficult except with a machine. These trucks are very high. I would suggest looking at getting the truck you want and then adding the dump body that you want. Fold down sides will help if you ever need to pick up materials such as pavers and wall block and if you went with a dump body that was longer, then you can get one that had lower sides and still be able to carry up to your GVW. I have the switch and go system and I can't say enough good things about it. It is a great system.

I think the biggest reason that not many people try to go with the larger trucks is because many people who landscape also snowplow. I also think that people associate a higher cost to the larger trucks but I think that I got my truck cheaper then I could of gotten a Ford F-550 even used and the only thing the ford has over the sterling is 4x4 and in my neck of the woods everybody and their Mother has a 4x4 and a plow. I am doing work for a guy right now that bought a dodge DRW 4x4 cummings Ram 3500 truck and a western 8.5ft plow because he didn't want to pay someone $60.00 to plow his driveway. With so many people with plows it is difficult to make money because some many people with trucks are happy to lose money.

By going with a larger truck I can get all of my materials myself except for the modified (I usually get that by tri-axle) and in a pinch if I can't get it delivered I can get enough to get started until they can squeeze me in. I also have a truck that can handle moving larger equipment around so as my business grows I don't have to look to a bigger truck.

Look at what you are going to use the truck for and decide if it is good for you. I would suggest looking at the switch and go system if you are really interested in a larger truck. ETWMAN has a very long thread here that details the system very well. In fact my truck is setup exactly like his, he has been a great help. Let me know if you have any questions.

Walter

[mrusk]

I been looking at FL's forsale too. I am just worried about having the truck break down and costing me money in repairs, and money in down time. I am almost thinking of buying 2 used ones for 60k total vs 1 new one. I figure if something breaks i have a back up and if for some reason i need another truck 1 day i will have it.

Matt

[Gravel Rat]

The light trucks now have gotten way to expensive you will never make a decent profit with a F-450 F-550 or 4500 5500 truck. Those trucks are designed to fall apart. Once you finally get the truck paid for it really has no resale value after so you never gain anything. You end up buying a new truck and go through the same thing over again.

[J&R Landscaping]

etwman has a few of them freighliners. My dads company has a few of them as well. They rattle and squeak and such but there a work truck. 2 of the trucks my dads company has are powered with cats, the other has a cummins in it.

[etwman]

I would back most of what the guys say in this post. You'll have a bigger investment up front. If your going to get a FL-70 and slap a switch-n-go system on it you'll be around 40k with some bodies. It won't have alot of whistles and bells but you'll have a good truck. I can almost guarantee you get a used 350/3500 and you'll dump more money in that in 5 years than you will a 26k or 33k truck. These bigger trucks are built to last, you feel safer in them, you are safer, insurance is less, fuel mileage is better, etc. Yeah the FL-70's rattle a little but it's nothing big. The only real dilemna is you have to decide whether you want to go CDL or not. All my guys have them which makes life easier.

Glad its working for you Walter. Talk to you soon.

[Tim Wright]

Compared to Ewtman's trucks, these trucks here look a little on the worn out side.

Ewtman-what was your source for finding your trucks?

Tim

[etwman]

www.trucktrader.com

www.hammertrucks.com

That's where we found both of them.

[FIRESCOOBY]

Our use in the fire service is of course much harder, but I've not been the least bit impressed with ANY Freightliner. We've had 35-45 of them ranging from FL-60's with an ambulance chassis to FL-106's as an engine. We've had Cummins, Detroits, and mainly CAT 3126B's/C7's. The trucks literally fall apart. Everything from the door hinges coming apart, dashes falling off, door panels falling off, MAJOR problems with gauges which the entire unit has to be replaced, steering components, you name it.

Like I said...we're harder than ANY other use. BUT, our trucks see regular services at 100 hours for oil, etc and 300 for majors (Trans, etc).

It would probably be ok, but we're done with Freightshakers!! Sterling Acterra's for ambulances and back to customs for fire apparatus.