Tuffguy707 Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 Ok I am planning on replacing my current lowboy tractor and trailer and I am also going to branch out and start moving other peoples equipment. I need to be able to scale 125lbs with permits and that requires me to have a third axle on the tractor. I currently have a 2001 CH 613 with that E-7 460 and 13 speed Mack but its only a tandem. I am undecided an which truck I should get. I really love the looks of the Titan and the fact I can get the truck set up from the factory with the 18 speed or the M-drive trans, Third axle and the heavier frame and rears. However I am not sure I need that and I was wondering if I get a properly equipped CHU with a 505 hp MP-8 would i be better off? I am worried about the turning radius of the Titan compared to the CHU. Would the CHU be heavy enough to handle what I plan to throw at it? Should I just get the Titan being its designed for the heavy haulers and be done with it? What are some of your opinions? Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Blaylock Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 CL-700 with ISX Cummins? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-332984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 4 minutes ago, Brian Blaylock said: CL-700 with ISX Cummins? I am looking for a new or newer truck. i wish they still made the CL-700 with the Cummins. Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-332985 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bts-4120 Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 125k gross either one would do the job with correct specs I bet the CHU would be alot cheaper and a CXU would have the best turning radius mp8 with a 505cplus would be my spec with a 18spd 4.17 gears heavy single rail pusher 44k mack rears. there are 3 titans close to me all hooked to 55 ton detachs they are nice but they wasn't cheap Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-332999 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 You're wondering about something heavier than an axle-forward Pinnacle (CHU), and mentioning the expensive axle-back Titan (TD), aka. Volvo VNX. For a low-boy tractor, did you consider an axle-forward or axle-back Granite? https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5538/9263449487_827b5e0a0e_b.jpg http://www.macktrucks.com/~/media/files/brochures/mack_construction_brochure.ashx?as=1 https://www.macktrucks.com.au/~/media/files%20au/brochures/granite_vocational.ashx?as=1 Of course, a Trident would be my first choice, a Super-Liner second. https://www.macktrucks.com.au/~/media/files%20au/brochures/trident_ab.ashx?as=1 https://www.macktrucks.com.au/~/media/files%20au/brochures/trident_af.ashx?as=1 https://www.macktrucks.com.au/~/media/files%20au/brochures/superliner_brochure.ashx?as=1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333002 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41180 Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 TITAN. Ask your self if you were buying a kw or Pete or a western Starwood you buy a 13 liter engine or a 15 or 16 liter ? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333036 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965 Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 This would be good time to buy 1 if going to; truck paper full of the chu's; bruckner's has a lot of them; 249 wb 505 with either 18sp or Mdrive; 14,600 front 44 rears; 15-17 models discounted as per ad Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333043 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bts-4120 Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 4 hours ago, 1965 said: This would be good time to buy 1 if going to; truck paper full of the chu's; bruckner's has a lot of them; 249 wb 505 with either 18sp or Mdrive; 14,600 front 44 rears; 15-17 models discounted as per ad yes new trucks are stacking up I looked at a brand new 2012 chu. One would think there would be a sweet lease deal I can lease a 170k farm tractor for $9500 a year but they want almost $25k a year to lease a $125k semi doesn't make sense to me Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333054 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbigrig Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 Most Fleets up here hauling up to 135,000 lbs gross order CHU or CXU MP8 505hp. Very few order Titan. Geared and spec'd right they do just fine. The Granite for a tractor is an up charge in base price from the Pinnacle because of the frame differences. You can only get up to a 14.3 fr axle on a factory Pinnacle. Anything heavier you have to go to a Granite or Titan and add more $$$. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333070 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Share Posted May 12, 2016 Thank you all for your replies. The CHU trucks turn pretty tight for a heavy haul truck. I did some more research and talked to a local oil company today who just got a new Titan and they said the biggest complaint is they do not turn worth a dang. He said they will haul anything you throw at it but for the money he wishes he would have bought a CH and he says he probably will for the next truck as it is almost $80k cheaper… Yes thats right $80k. Needless to say I can not justify spending that kind of money for a truck when I can spec one the same For so much less $. As for Pete's or KW's . I am 6' 7" and I do not have the room in them that I have in the Mack. LOL hard to believe I could say that lol. 1 Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333082 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Share Posted May 12, 2016 21 hours ago, bts-4120 said: 125k gross either one would do the job with correct specs I bet the CHU would be alot cheaper and a CXU would have the best turning radius mp8 with a 505cplus would be my spec with a 18spd 4.17 gears heavy single rail pusher 44k mack rears. there are 3 titans close to me all hooked to 55 ton detachs they are nice but they wasn't cheap Yes this is probably how I am going to spec my truck. I am still going to do a little more research just to be sure i spec it right. I do not want to have to settle or deal with a incorrectly specced truck as i plan on keeping it 10 + years. Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333083 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Share Posted May 12, 2016 Whats your opinions on the M- Drive??? Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333084 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965 Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 1 minute ago, 1965 said: I had an 09 with 417 rears; now I have 12 with 398 rears; wished I had taller gear; 398 is good for running 55 miles per hour; about 1200 rpm; both trucks T318LR Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333089 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 1 hour ago, Tuffguy707 said: Whats your opinions on the M- Drive??? In a low-boy tractor application, you would want the just introduced heavy duty 13-speed mDrive (a rebadged Volvo I-Shift AMT with crawler gears). The weak link is, it's a single countershaft design, AND it's designed so that you can't work on it.....literally (you have to do remans). http://www.macktrucks.com/~/media/files/brochures/mack_mdrive_hd_crawl_sellsht.ashx?as=1 * Old hands, note that Volvo's Mack brand mDrive HD sales brochure doesn't list any gear ratios! AND, regarding the legacy Maxitorque transmissions from the former Mack Trucks, Volvo doesn't even offer a brochure anymore (http://www.macktrucks.com/powertrain-and-suspensions/transmissions/maxitorque/). Just a brief mention......no picture much less a promotional video. Truth be told, with the introduction of the vocational I-Shift, Volvo can't wait to phase out the Maxitorque transmissions. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333091 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddytruckfixer Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 If you are looking at newer Macks I would go for the CHN with the 505hp mp8 with a 13 speed. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333093 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 13, 2016 Author Share Posted May 13, 2016 Well I am still able to get the maxitorque transmissions as of last week when i was talking with my dealer. Hopefully it is still available as i am not sure i want a automatic. Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333095 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 13, 2016 Author Share Posted May 13, 2016 23 minutes ago, mackdaddytruckfixer said: If you are looking at newer Macks I would go for the CHN with the 505hp mp8 with a 13 speed. Oh the CHN is now the CHU. I do not know why they changed it. Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddytruckfixer Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I didn't know that. Is the Vision still the cx ?? I know the Rawhide flat front CH looking truck is badass hahahaha. They need to stop changing their stuff. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333097 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 13, 2016 Author Share Posted May 13, 2016 (edited) 7 minutes ago, mackdaddytruckfixer said: I didn't know that. Is the Vision still the cx ?? I know the Rawhide flat front CH looking truck is badass hahahaha. They need to stop changing their stuff. It is no longer called Vision as they changed it to Pinnacle. The Rawhide is available in the CHU Pinnacle or axle forward, CV Granite , Or the Titan TD713. Yes the Vision/Pinnacle is still the CX. the Flat front is the CHU axle forward Pinnacle. Edited May 13, 2016 by Tuffguy707 Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333099 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddytruckfixer Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I would go for the CHU Rawhide it is a truck you can take care of and keep for many many years. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333101 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted May 13, 2016 Author Share Posted May 13, 2016 1 minute ago, mackdaddytruckfixer said: I would go for the CHU Rawhide it is a truck you can take care of and keep for many many years. I am leaning this way. Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333103 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddytruckfixer Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I would also go with the MP 8 505 hp. Yes the MP 10 is a big bad motor but I have seen people having mixed reviews on it as the MP 8 seems good to go. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333104 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bts-4120 Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 2 hours ago, kscarbel2 said: In a low-boy tractor application, you would want the just introduced heavy duty 13-speed mDrive (a rebadged Volvo I-Shift AMT with crawler gears). The weak link is, it's a single countershaft design, AND it's designed so that you can't work on it.....literally (you have to do remans). http://www.macktrucks.com/~/media/files/brochures/mack_mdrive_hd_crawl_sellsht.ashx?as=1 * Old hands, note that Volvo's Mack brand mDrive HD sales brochure doesn't list any gear ratios! AND, regarding the legacy Maxitorque transmissions from the former Mack Trucks, Volvo doesn't even offer a brochure anymore (http://www.macktrucks.com/powertrain-and-suspensions/transmissions/maxitorque/). Just a brief mention......no picture much less a promotional video. Truth be told, with the introduction of the vocational I-Shift, Volvo can't wait to phase out the Maxitorque transmissions. the only way you get the m drive with the extra low holes it to buy a granite is not available in a pinnacle at least that is what my local dealer told me. he had a mdrive on the yard od modle set up on 22.5 tall and 3.55 gears the trans is super smooth both starting off and going through the gears love how it was geared for the road BUT it does not have no where the reduction I am use to 13spd and 3.70 rears so off road pulling in wet feilds or heavy I am not sold on there 12spd especially when it cost more than a mack 13/18spd Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333114 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 17 minutes ago, bts-4120 said: the only way you get the m drive with the extra low holes it to buy a granite is not available in a pinnacle at least that is what my local dealer told me. he had a mdrive on the yard od modle set up on 22.5 tall and 3.55 gears the trans is super smooth both starting off and going through the gears love how it was geared for the road BUT it does not have no where the reduction I am use to 13spd and 3.70 rears so off road pulling in wet feilds or heavy I am not sold on there 12spd especially when it cost more than a mack 13/18spd Volvo's Mack brand website states: The mDRIVE HD heavy-duty automated manual transmission is standard on the Mack Granite and Titan by Mack trucks, and is available for the Mack Pinnacle,TM so you can roll over your toughest challenges. I've no idea what the "TM" means, poor English on their part. http://www.macktrucks.com/powertrain-and-suspensions/transmissions/ The brochure states: Mack’s mDRIVE HD is “built light to make Mack Granite and Pinnacle models even more productive while helping Titan by Mack do the heavy lifting”. http://www.macktrucks.com/~/media/files/brochures/mack_mdrive_hd_crawl_sellsht.ashx?as=1 Why don't you place your order with the good folks at Watts Mack ? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333118 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddytruckfixer Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I'm kinda old school on how I do things I look at these new automatics as more stuff to break. I would to a Mack 13 speed and rears because of the heavy haul app and they are proven to get the job done. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/#findComment-333119 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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