very happy to see this thread. i have been shopping for a medium duty truck for a while now. been towing a little more than i like with a 3500. at a minimum i am looking for a dumping flat bed. sometimes i use a hydroseeder that i would like to be able to carry in the back. or at a minimum a large nurse tank. need the ability to dump as well. it seems my nitch is the jobs no one else wants so it has me needing to be prepared for anything. i keep thinking a 5500 with a backpack and maybe 10 ft. bed would be great. then i remember the price. i have found some good priced 6500's with 3116 cat engines. they are ex-state trucks, the price is great and the milage isn't through the roof. also the old penske trucks. they run gas engines but otherwise should be fine. also with the automatice allison i would feel better when someone else is driving it. have checked on some internationals as well. same 3116 cat. from a gm family so if it is the same engine will probably end up with a 6500. this is also the reason the 4 letter word trucks haven't been mentioned.
i guess its the same story, don't want to spend too much and would like for truck to do everything great. i am enjoying the insight from everyone.
take care,
metin