Stupid Question About ML55s - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

colincoon · #61 04-14-2010, 10:53 PM

Only 4500lbs though :/

I really like my dads, absolutely fantastic car.

SwampYankee · #62 04-15-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

300,000 miles divided by maybe 12mpg.....is 25,000 gallons of fuel!

It is no wonder we will soon be out of oil.

Or 18,750 gallons of diesel.

The sooner we use it up, the sooner we're onto alternative (and more likely cleaner) fuels and the sooner our not-so-friendly oil supplying nations lose their golden goose.

Fulcrum525 · #63 04-15-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Trust me, I've tried to come up with the combination.

IIRC the 3500 only comes as the dually. 5375 lbs. is for the short wheelbase, standard roof and the 4324 lbs. is for the extended wheelbase, high roof. I look forward to what you might find. And I need a legit two tons + driver + full fuel tank + a little extra to fit under the GVW, not a 9500 GVW and 5500 Empty Weight like the Chevy guy kept trying to sell me on.

Ok I made a phone call and did some side research of my own. Sadly there really isn't any way to increase the payload capacity of a 2500. I thought it was odd that you couldn't get a pallet between the wheels of a 3500 so I did some research and it looks like European Pallets are generally narrower then American pallets which is why the 3500 'only' has 38.5 inches of space between the wheel housings.

That would leave you with two options. One, get smaller pallets, or two get a bigger 3500

SwampYankee · #64 04-15-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Ok I made a phone call and did some side research of my own. Sadly there really isn't any way to increase the payload capacity of a 2500. I thought it was odd that you couldn't get a pallet between the wheels of a 3500 so I did some research and it looks like European Pallets are generally narrower then American pallets which is why the 3500 'only' has 38.5 inches of space between the wheel housings.

That would leave you with two options. One, get smaller pallets, or two get a bigger 3500

Very true but that gets us away from a "van" body which we need in certain situations, ease of driving for non-regular drivers is a factor as well. Narrower pallets would be fine it they weren't an industry standard (fertilizer, grass seed, pelletized lime, herbicides, insecticides).

No one wants to restack 2 tons of fertilizer onto narrower pallets before loading. The less handling per order the better!

We've got a small box truck that is probably nearing the end of its useful life. A '92 F-Super Duty with the non-Powerstroke 7.3 Diesel. It's been sturdy but it is a diesel pig! For that I'm seriously considering a Mitsubishi. The cabover design makes it super-maneuverable for its size, they've got a great commercial reputation, parts are cheap and plentiful and service is easy. Not that it matters what platform it's on, but the F-Super has a dump box since we're a licensed refuse hauler in the state of CT (bring our own trash to the trash-to-energy plant-no where to put a standard dumpster here) in addition to being a delivery truck for smaller orders that don't require a forklift.

I wonder what the issue with the 3500 carrying capacity is? Wheel and tire size combo can't handle the extra weight? Our E-350 is a single wheel (as well as single wheel F350, Chevy/GMC 3500, Dodge 3500).

TylerH860 · #65 04-15-2010, 04:01 PM

Way to thread jack guys.

I think I've found something, but you all are going to HATE it.

Fulcrum525 · #66 04-15-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Way to thread jack guys.

I think I've found something, but you all are going to HATE it.

Didn't know you could tow with a PT Cruiser...

TylerH860 · #67 04-15-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Didn't know you could tow with a PT Cruiser...

Anything is possible... Got my wood kit on the way.

No, its slightly better than that...

iwrock · #68 04-15-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Anything is possible... Got my wood kit on the way.

No, its slightly better than that...

X5?

TylerH860 · #69 04-15-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

X5?

Hell no. Learned my lesson with those.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow, so we'll see. It meets all my criteria and the price is very attractive. 2000 Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab 5.9 4x4.

Actually, it will probably get a better reception than my Cadillac (now sold)

Hatterasguy · #70 04-15-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

300,000 miles divided by maybe 12mpg.....is 25,000 gallons of fuel!

It is no wonder we will soon be out of oil.

Most do a lot better.

BTW my friend has the 2001 version of that Dodge. Its a total POS. Just over 100k miles and on its second engine since those 5.9's hold like a quart of oil. Also his rebuilt tranny is starting to act up again so it might be due for its third. It also averages 9mpg.

Chevy makes a way better truck.

pawoSD · #71 04-15-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Hell no. Learned my lesson with those.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow, so we'll see. It meets all my criteria and the price is very attractive. 2000 Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab 5.9 4x4.

Actually, it will probably get a better reception than my Cadillac (now sold)

Don't do it! My father in law has one, and it is falling apart with 75k on it.

The 5.9 drinks gas like a monster....12mpg not towing is the highest it will ever get.

Get a Silverado 1500 series with the V6, and then beat the $$#$#@ out of it.

My father in law used to have one, sold it. Mistake. It managed to pull his 5,900lb travel trailer!

pawoSD · #72 04-15-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Didn't know you could tow with a PT Cruiser...

Hey now, I have to drive those pieces of @#$%@# every day at work....one had the engine replaced at 27k......the one I drive has its belts squealing, tranny shuddering, and it idles rougher than a cement mixer....it has....drumroll.......39k on it.

I wonder how long till the boss tires of fixing them and finds a better vehicle!

It has a 2 star crash rating, and it is classified as a "light truck" not sure how they pulled that one off....so that its dismal 17mpg would "pass". Domestic cars suck.