[AZTLANLC]

We have decided to buy a new truck for this season.
My question is we have an option of a sterling acterra 4x2 2006 260hp mercedes benz engine 10000 miles 30k
or a f-550 4x4 2006 30000 miles 29k

How much more does it cost to maintain a sterling vs f-550
How is on fuel, insurance and so.
Any advice which one to get?

[Daniel Hanson]

Buy the Sterling. That Mercedes Benz engine will outlive anything that Ford can produce or put in a truck! I don't see how the maintenance costs on the two could be much different.

[Pelican]

After all the issues I've had with both of my Super Dutys, it will be a long time before I buy another Ford truck. On top of the problems I've had, I haven't been able to find a dealer that I'm satisfied enough with the repairs to go back a second time. I could tell you some real horror stories. The payload of the F-550 really isn't that much either, it's a pretty heavy chassis for tare weight.

[AZTLANLC]

I think I agree now, this morning I saw oil under my truck f-350 2003 look closer and the oil is rusted and oil is bleeding trough I called auto zone and they told me the part is $120.00 I checked online to see if that is something I could fix on my own this evening not a chance I have to take the engine out to replace the part, called ford for a quote $2,000.
Who on earth would design something like that if the engine has to be taken out to replace a stupid part why not make it stainless steel so it last.

[TrickyDick]

I own an acterra dump and have spent a lot of time in f-550's. In my opinion the only reason to buy a Ford truck is because they are relatively cheap new. For a truck that size though you can get a lot more truck used for less money. I'm no expert on this end of things but I think the Sterling is a TRUCK. The F-550 is a big pick-up.

[zullo-design]

Originally Posted by Daniel Hanson

Buy the Sterling. That Mercedes Benz engine will outlive anything that Ford can produce or put in a truck! I don't see how the maintenance costs on the two could be much different.

On a f550 yes, Ill agree with that. However the F650 and F750 come with CAT or Cummins engines.

And I was told once that Ford's diesel engines (at least the 7.3l) were manufactured by International for Ford and are identical to one of there smaller engines. Not sure if this is the truth but thats what a rep at ford trucks told me once.

[zullo-design]

Originally Posted by TrickyDick

I'm no expert on this end of things but I think the Sterling is a TRUCK. The F-550 is a big pick-up.

yes this is also true, the sterling was designed from the ground up to be used in this application where as the f550 is using a chassis designed for something else but modified to meet the criteria.

On the other hand some guys prefer the fords for that reason, sitting in a ford cab you don't feel like your in a "big" truck (not that the f550 is a big truck, but bigger than a pick-up I guess)

[davemac]

I was going to tell everyone how much I like the f550. We have two of them but on fri. I went to start mine without any luck. After towing it to the dealer I found out it is "just a sensor" I hope this isn't the start of more problems to come. You can't do construction without a dump truck.

[dirtsellerpaul]

We have an '05 Sterling Acterra that we bought last May with a Cat engine (275HP), and after running it for the last year, we have been very happy with it. That said, as we are primarily a landscape supply retailer, we use ours mostly for hauling lighter loads. It has no problem with loads like 12 yards of top soils or garden mixes. When you get into decorative rock, heavy sands and the like, you can tell that it is a little brother to the 400HP+ trucks. It will drag with a 10 yard load of road crush, and you'll never haul a pup or wagon with it. Also, Sterling is a Ford product, but unlike the 550, 650 and up, it isn't built like a pick up, it's built like a work truck.

[zullo-design]

Originally Posted by dirtsellerpaul

We have an '05 Sterling Acterra that we bought last May with a Cat engine (275HP), and after running it for the last year, we have been very happy with it. That said, as we are primarily a landscape supply retailer, we use ours mostly for hauling lighter loads. It has no problem with loads like 12 yards of top soils or garden mixes. When you get into decorative rock, heavy sands and the like, you can tell that it is a little brother to the 400HP+ trucks. It will drag with a 10 yard load of road crush, and you'll never haul a pup or wagon with it. Also, Sterling is a Ford product, but unlike the 550, 650 and up, it isn't built like a pick up, it's built like a work truck.

whats the gvwr on it? We looked into buying an Acterra ( 33,000 gvwr) but went with an f750, I wasnt aware the Acterra came in lower ratings.

[dirtsellerpaul]

Originally Posted by zullo-design

whats the gvwr on it? We looked into buying an Acterra ( 33,000 gvwr) but went with an f750, I wasnt aware the Acterra came in lower ratings.

22300kg (49000lbs) GVW, 9000kg (19800lbs) Tare. I believe you can get the Acterra in a single axle, not sure what the ratings on it would be. We also looked at the Sterling Bullet (briefly), nice truck but not cheap. Looks to be about the equivalent to an F550.

[AZTLANLC]

I'm sure is 26,000

[dirtsellerpaul]

AZTLANLC,

Took these from Sterlings site:

Class 5 - for jobs at GVWs to 19,500 pounds.
Class 6 - for jobs of 26,000 pounds or less.
Class 7 - for jobs at GVWs as high as 33,000 pounds.
Class 8 - for truck or tractor service with single or dual drive axles.

So you can definately get a single axle in the 26,000lb range. Not sure how your licensing works in the US, but here in Alberta you can run a single axle with a class 5, which is an everyday license, however you may need an air brake endorsement for these trucks (I'm guessing they all have air brakes).