The push for improved economy, comfort and performance can be seen in the latest vacuum truck chassis chosen for septic service. From hybrid fuel systems to air-ride seats and an endless variety of transmissions and suspensions, deciding on your next purchase can be a daunting task.
With diesel prices holding above $4 a gallon, economy is on everyone’s mind these days. And although the industry average for many of these workhorses is an estimated 6 mpg, your mileage could be somewhat better — or worse — depending on how and where you drive and the options you choose.
Do you climb steep hills or travel mostly level roadways? According to Kenworth, engine power settings have unique torque, horsepower and fuel-consumption curves. Selecting an engine with excessive power can lead to inefficiencies. And transmissions can impact fuel economy by 10 to 15 percent. That’s why you’ll want to best match your truck to the load you most often carry and terrain you travel.
If the better part of your day is spent at less than highway speeds, you might even consider one of the new hybrids. With energy tax incentives, substantial fuel savings and a “greener” marketing edge, you could find the initial investment makes economic sense over the life of your vehicle.
We contacted truck chassis manufacturers to provide us with a simple but inclusive list of facts on trucks in the 26,000- to 66,000-pound weight range. From front to back, we note engine and transmission options, tire selection, axle weights, suspension and brake offerings in a side-by-side chart.
For a more in-depth look, be certain to contact your dealer. The dealer and the company that outfits your truck for vacuum service can help determine the chassis that best meets your needs.
MANUFACTURER: GMC T-Series Medium Duty Tilt Cab
GVWR: 19,501 (Class 6) to 56,000 lbs. (Class 8)
ENGINE: Isuzu 6H inline-six 7.8L diesel (formerly Duramax 7800)
HORSEPOWER: 215-300
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 560-860
TRANSMISSION: Allison 3000 RDS (rugged duty) 6-speed automatic; Allison 3500 RDS 5- or 6-speed versions. Eaton Fuller manual: 6-, 9- or 10-speed
SEATING: 1-3 person tilt cab, 43 inches headroom, 41 inches legroom, 71 inches shoulder room
WHEELS (inches): 19.5 x 6.75 8-hole, steel or aluminum; 22.5 x 7.5 steel 10-hole; 22.5 x 8.25 steel 10-hole, steel or aluminum; 22.5 x 9 steel 10-hole (front only)
TIRES: 245/70R19.5F to 315/80R22.5L
FACTORY PTO: Available
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 10,000 to 16,000
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 15,000 to 23,000 (single);40,000 (tandem)
WHEELBASE (inches): 128 to 260
SUSPENSION: Front – single-stage parabolic taper-leaf (14,600 to 18,000 lbs.); single-stage multi-leaf (14,600 lbs. to 18,000 lbs.) Rear – multi-leaf (21,000 to 23,500 lbs); air (23,000 lbs.); RT403 or RTE403 (40,000 lbs. tandem)
BRAKES: Hydraulic, 4-channel ABS, EBD standard, ABS-controlled traction control system optional; air drum standard on T8500 and optional on T7500 model
FUEL CAPACITY: 50 or 100 gallons
WARRANTY: 2-year unlimited; 3-5 engine and transmission
WEB SITE: www.gmc.com/mediumduty
MANUFACTURER: Ford F Super Duty F-650/F-750
GVWR: 17,999 lbs. to 80,000 lbs.
ENGINE: 6.0 L Power Stroke; Cummins 5.9L ISB; Caterpillar C7 ACERT 7.2L
HORSEPOWER: 200-230 (Power Stroke); 185-260 (Cummins); 190-300 (Caterpillar)
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 520-620 (Power Stroke); 420-660 (Cummins); 520-860 (Caterpillar)
TRANSMISSION: Allison 5-, 6-speed automatic; Eaton 5-, 6-speed manual; Spicer 7-speed manual
SEATING: 2-3 (regular cab); 5-6 (Super and Crew); 41.3 inches headroom; 40.7-41.2 (crew) front legroom; 67.4 inches front hip room (67.3 rear crew); 68 inches front shoulder room (66.9 rear crew)
WHEELS (inches): 19.5 x 6.5 8-lug steel
TIRES: 245/70 19.5G
FACTORY PTO: Optional
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 8,500
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 13,500
WHEELBASE (inches): 146-260; 167-281 (super); 182-278 (crew)
SUSPENSION: Front – beam axle, parabolic taper-leaf (8,500-13,000 lb. rating); Rear – multi-leaf variable-rate leaf (13,500-23,500 lb.); air suspension (12,000-23,000 lb.)
BRAKES: Hydraulic disc, standard ABS; optional drum air (front and rear)
FUEL CAPACITY: 45-160 gallons
WARRANTY: 3-year/36,000 miles; 5-year/60,000 miles powertrain
WEB SITE: www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/superduty
MANUFACTURER: International WorkStar 7600
GVWR: 35,000-66,000 lbs.
ENGINE: MaxxForce 11, 13; Caterpillar C11, C13; Cummins ISM
HORSEPOWER: 330-390 (MaxxForce 11), 410-475 (MaxxForce 13), 305-470 (Caterpillar), 320-425 (Cummins)
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 1,250-1,400 (MaxxForce 11); 1,450-1,700 (MaxxForce 13); 1,050-1,750 (Caterpillar); 1,150-1,550 (Cummins)
TRANSMISSION: Eaton Fuller 10-, 18-speed manual; Allison HD 4560P Series automatics
SEATING: 1-2 (high-back seats with integrated headrests); Cab: 72.5 inches wide, 58 inches high
WHEELS (inches): 22.5 (standard); 24.5 10-stud (steel); 24-inch, 12-stud (aluminum)
TIRES: 11R22.5
FACTORY PTO: Available
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 12,000-20,000 (Dana Spicer)
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): Single – 23,000 (Dana Spicer) 23,000-38,000 (Meritor); Tandem – 40,000-46,000 (Dana Spicer or Meritor)
WHEELBASE (inches): 136-262
SUSPENSION: Front – Parabolic taper-leaf springs; multi-leaf (optional); rubber auxiliary springs, air suspension (available). Rear – International, Hendrickson air, Reyco spring (single axle); International, Hendrickson air; Hendrickson, Chalmers walking beam, International multi-leaf (tandem)
BRAKES: Bendix Air with ABS
FUEL CAPACITY: 50-140 gallons
WARRANTY: 1 year
WEB SITE: www.internationaltrucks.com
MANUFACTURER: Freightliner Business Class M2 112V
GVWR: 35,000-66,000 lbs.
ENGINE: Mercedes-Benz 12.8 L MBE 4000; Caterpillar C9, C11, C13
HORSEPOWER: 350-370 (Mercedes-Benz); 335-400 (C9); 305-370 (C11); 335-410 (C13)
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 1,350-1,450 (Mercedes-Benz); 1,050-1,100 (C9); 1,050-1,350 (C11); 1,450-1,550 (C13)
TRANSMISSION: Eaton Fuller manual (10, 11, 13, 18 speeds); Allison automatic (without PTO)
SEATING: 1-3 (High-back air ride driver’s seat standard; bench optional)
WHEELS (inches): Accuride 28680 19.5 x 6.75 8-hole hub-piloted steel
TIRES: Michelin XZE 225/70R19.5
FACTORY PTO: Available
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 12,000-20,000
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 23,000-58,000
WHEELBASE (inches): 130-288
SUSPENSION: Front – flat-leaf or taper-leaf. Rear – TufTrac, AirLiner, walking beam
BRAKES: WABCO (ABS)
FUEL CAPACITY: 50-120 gallons
WARRANTY: 3-year unlimited
WEB SITE: www.freightlinertrucks.com
MANUFACTURER: Hino 338 Series
GVWR: 33,000 lbs.
ENGINE: Hino J08E-TW (turbo intercooled diesel)
HORSEPOWER: 260
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 585
TRANSMISSION: Eaton FS6406A (6-speed direct drive synchromesh); Allison 3000RDS (5-speed automatic)
SEATING: 3-Feb
WHEELS (inches): 22.5 x 8.25 10-stud steel (aluminum optional)
TIRES: 11R22.5
FACTORY PTO: Optional
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 12,000
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 21,000
WHEELBASE (inches): 217-271
SUSPENSION: Front – taper-leaf spring with shock absorbers; Rear – semi-elliptic main and auxiliary helper-leaf (rear); heated/non-heated shocks optional
BRAKES: Full air, dual circuit “S” cam type
FUEL CAPACITY: 52-95 gallons
WARRANTY: 2-year unlimited mileage
WEB SITE: www.hino.com
MANUFACTURER: Kenworth T370/T370 Hybrid
GVWR: 26,001-33,000 lbs.
ENGINE: Paccar 6.7L PX-6; PX-6 Hybrid; 8.6 L PX-8
HORSEPOWER: 325 (PX-6); 300 (hybrid); 360 (PX-8)
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 750 (PX-6); 620 (hybrid); 1,000 (PX-8)
TRANSMISSION: Eaton Fuller FS5406A 6-speed; Eaton 6-speed Ultrashift (hybrid); Eaton Fuller 9-, 10-speed; Allison 5-, 6-speed auto
SEATING: 2
WHEELS (inches): 22.5 steel (19.5 aluminum optional)
TIRES: Bridgestone 295/75R22.5 R250F; Bridgestone R240F 245/70R19.5 (22.5 option for hybrid)
FACTORY PTO: Optional
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): Dana Spicer 10,000; Dana Spicer 8,000-14,600
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): Dana Spicer 21,000; Dana Spicer 16,000-26,000 (single axle); Dana Spicer 40,000-44,000 (tandem)
WHEELBASE (inches): 152 (minimum)
SUSPENSION: Front – taper-leaf springs with shocks 10,000 lbs. Rear – Reyco 20,000 lbs. (single); several optional configurations, including tandem
BRAKES: Air; Bendix (ABS) hydraulic; Meritor (ABS) hydraulic
FUEL CAPACITY: 50-120 gallons
WARRANTY: 1 year
WEB SITE: www.kenworth.com
MANUFACTURER: Peterbilt Class 8 365/367
GVWR: 33,001-93,000 lbs.
ENGINE: Cummins ISM, ISL; Caterpillar C9 (365); Caterpillar C13, C15; Cummins ISM, ISX (367)
HORSEPOWER: 280-410 (ISM); 345-365 (ISL); 335-350 (C9); 320-485 (C13); 435-600 (C15); 320-425 (ISM); 385-600 (ISX)
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 650-1,850
TRANSMISSION: Eaton Fuller manual 10-, 11-, 13-, 15-, 18-speed; Fuller AutoShift 10-, 18-speed (365); Fuller AutoShift 18-speed (367); Fuller UltraShift 10, 13-speed; Allison automatic 4-, 5, 6-speed
SEATING: 2
WHEELS (inches): 22.5, 24.5 (steel or aluminum)
TIRES: R22.5 Bridgestone or Michelin
FACTORY PTO: Available
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 12,000-22,000
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 20,000-70,000 (365); 20,000-85,000 (367)
WHEELBASE (inches): 175-295
SUSPENSION: Taper-leaf with shocks; Peterbilt Flex Air, Lo-Air Leaf, Air Trac
BRAKES: Air
FUEL CAPACITY: 40-150 gallons
WARRANTY: 1 year
WEB SITE: www.peterbilt.com
MANUFACTURER: Sterling L8500/LT 8500
GVWR: 37,600 lbs. (L8500); 66,000 lbs. (LT 8500)
ENGINE: Caterpillar 3126B, Cummins ISC, ISL
HORSEPOWER: Cat: 175-330 (L8500), 210-330 (LT 8500); ISC: 215-300; ISL: 310-330
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 520-1,000
TRANSMISSION: Manual: Eaton Fuller Direct Drive 5-, 6-, 7-, 9-, 10-speed, overdrive 10-speed;Auto: Allison MT, MD
SEATING: 1-3 (Single driver, single driver with bench passenger, or no passenger). Single seats are available with air ride or solid mount, high-back or mid-back lumbar support. Bench passenger seat has built-in toolbox.
WHEELS (inches): 7.50-12.25 (steel or aluminum)
TIRES: 19.5-425/65R22.5 (Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, Yokohama)
FACTORY PTO: Available with dash controls
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 10,000-20,000
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): Meritor 19,000-23,000; Dana Spicer 23,000 (L8500); Meritor 34,000-46,000 (LT 8500)
WHEELBASE (inches): 136-318
SUSPENSION: Front – multi-leaf 10,000-20,000; taper-leaf: 10,000-14,600. Rear – multi-Leaf 17,500-24,500; taper-leaf 19,000-21,000; Sterling AirLiner 21,000-23,000; Hendrickson HAS 19,000-23,000; Neway 23,000 (L8500); Hendrickson Walking Beam 34,000-46,000; Hendrickson 4-Spring 36,000-40,000; Sterling TufTrac 40,000-46,000; AirLiner 40,000-46,000; Hendrickson HAS 40,000-46,000; Neway 46,000; Chalmers 40,000-46,000 (LT 8500)
BRAKES: Meritor-WABCO; Bendix
FUEL CAPACITY: 45-150 gallons
WARRANTY: 2 years unlimited mileage
WEB SITE: www.sterlingtrucks.com
MANUFACTURER: Mack GU802
GVWR: 52,000-86,000 lbs
ENGINE: Mack MP7-325M; numerous MP7, MP8
HORSEPOWER: 300 (MP7-325M); MP7: 345-405; MP8 415-485
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 1,200 (MP7-325M)
TRANSMISSION: Mack TM308 8-speed; Mack 8-, 18-speed; Allison 5-, 6-speed; Eaton Fuller 9-, 18-speed
SEATING: 1-2; Bostrom Talladega 915 mid-back air suspension (driver); Mack fixed mid-back non-suspension (passenger)
WHEELS (inches): 22.5 x 8.25 Hayes Lemmerz 10-hole
TIRES: 11R22.2
FACTORY PTO: Available
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 12,000
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 38,000
WHEELBASE (inches): 192
SUSPENSION: Front – Mack taper-leaf 2-leaf spring; Rear – SS38 Mack multi-leaf
BRAKES: Meritor “S” Cam 16.5 X 5 inches Q-Plus (front); Meritor “S” Cam 16.5 X 7 inches Q-Plus (rear); dual air
FUEL CAPACITY: 50 gallons
WARRANTY: 1 year
WEB SITE: www.macktrucks.com
MANUFACTURER: Isuzu FXR
GVWR: 33,000-56,000 lbs.
ENGINE: Isuzu 7.8 L 6-cylinder turbo/intercooled diesel
HORSEPOWER: 260 (single), 300 (tandem)
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 660 (single), 860 (tandem)
TRANSMISSION: Allison 3000RDS 6-speed (single); Allison 3500RDS 6-speed (tandem)
SEATING: 1-2 (air suspension with adjustable lumbar support)
WHEELS (inches): 22.5 X 8.25 (single); 22.5 X 9.00 (tandem)
TIRES: 11R22.5G (single); 315/80R22.5J (tandem)
FACTORY PTO: Available
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 12,000 (single); 16,000 (tandem)
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 21,000 (single); 40,000 (tandem)
WHEELBASE (inches): 152-236 (single); 236-260 (tandem)
SUSPENSION: Front – taper-leaf (single); multi-leaf (tandem) Rear – multi-leaf (single); Henderson Walking Beam (tandem)
BRAKES: Hydraulic; full air (ABS)
FUEL CAPACITY: 50 or 100 gallons
WARRANTY: 2-year unlimited mileage; 3-year engine, Allison transmission
WEB SITE: www.isuzucv.com
MANUFACTURER: Volvo VNM Daycab
GVWR: 35,000-60,000 lbs.
ENGINE: Volvo D11; D13
HORSEPOWER: 325-405 (D11); 335-485 (D13)
TORQUE (lb.-feet): 1,250-1,450 (D11); 1,350-1,650 (D13)
TRANSMISSION: Volvo I-Shift, 12-speed; Eaton Fuller 10-, 13-, 15-18-speed AutoShift, Ultra- Shift; ZF-FreedomLine 12-speed; Allison Generation 4 Series, 4-, 5-, 6-speed
SEATING: 1-2, air suspension, ergonomic seats
WHEELS (inches): 22.5
TIRES: R22.5-20 Michelin or Bridgestone
FACTORY PTO: Available
FRONT AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 12,000-14,600
REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs.): 21,000-40,000
WHEELBASE (inches): 175-205
SUSPENSION: Front – parabolic leaf, Hendrickson AIRTEK; Rear – multi-leaf, Volvo Air Suspension, T-Ride, Hendrickson HAS
BRAKES: Air
FUEL CAPACITY: 80-120 gallons
WARRANTY: 1 year/100,000 miles; 3-year transmission, driveline
WEB SITE: www.volvo.com/trucks
