Another 4500 Test Drive Report

[HBarlow]

I had the opportunity to test drive a couple of 4500 c&cs at different dealers in the past several days and thought I would report a couple of facts I haven't seen mentioned.

First, as others have already stated, they are not a comfortable ride empty and without a bed installed. The second one I drove did have a J & I Manufacturing (Madill, OK) flat bed with rear skirt installed. I would guess the weight of the aftermarket bed to be between 800 and 1,000 lbs. The 4500 rode much better than a c&c without a bed but not real comfortably.

With a full skirt bed that I was told by an employee of CM Manufacturing (also Madill, OK) weighs 1,300 lbs. and a full auxillary fuel tank, tools, hitch, etc, the truck would probably be more tolerable running empty. They probably ride great with 4,000 lbs. of king pin weight on the rear axle.

I was impressed with the front wheel cut (turn angle) which must be approximately 50 to 55 degrees. The trucks will make a u-turn on a highway without running in the ditch on the opposite side. They probably turn around in only 3/4s of the space required for my 3500 dually pickup.

I was not impressed with the 76 mph speed limiter. All 4500/5500 trucks reportedly have a speed limiter set at 76 mph due to the speed rating of the 19.5" tires.

Harvey