Mighty Workhorses
Medium-duty trucks in Class 5 through 7 are the workhorses that handle everything from deliveries to construction work, from hauling heavy equipment, to overhead buckets and water tanks, and everything in between. Most are straight trucks, ready to be outfitted for your specific purpose, although some at the upper level are also available as tractors. This selection includes considerations for your fleet.
Ford F-650 / F-750
Ford’s medium-duty straight-truck offerings are available with gasoline or diesel power. The diesel’s live-drive PTO can operate while the truck is moving, and can also be equipped with a split-shaft gearbox for two PTOs, able to power two accessories when the truck is stopped. Available driver-assist packages include emergency front braking, lane-keep alert, and adaptive cruise control.
The Specs
Gas: 7.3-litre V8: 335 hp / 468 torque
Diesel: 6.7-litre V8: 270 – 330 hp / 800 – 850 torque
Transmission: 6-speed A/T (gas) / 10-speed A/T (diesel)
Maximum GVWR: 26,000 – 29,000 lbs (F-650); 33,000 – 37,000 lbs (F-750)
Freightliner M2
Freightliner’s M2 lineup spans Class 6 to Class 8, and comes as a straight truck, or as a tractor with day cab, extended cab, or crew cab, and with available all-wheel drive. Its diesel engine choices are Cummins or Detroit, along with Eaton or Allison transmissions. Available features include a factory-installed rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, and side guard assist to identify pedestrians on the passenger side.
The Specs
Cummins B6.7: 200 to 325 hp / 520 to 750 torque
Cummins L9: 260 to 350 hp / 720 to 1,150 torque
Detroit DD5: 200 to 240 hp / 560 to 660 torque
Detroit DD8: 260 to 350 hp / 660 to 1,050 torque
Transmission: M/T / A/T/ automated / 7-speed dual-clutch
Maximum GVWR: 66,000 lbs
Hino L Series
Built in Canada – Woodstock, Ont., to be precise – the Hino L Series medium-duty lineup includes the L6 and lower-profile L6L; and the higher-capacity L7. (The factory also produces the heavy-duty XL7 and XL8.) Standard equipment includes a driver’s air-suspension seat, heated mirrors, cruise control, and three years of 24/7 roadside assistance; while options include emergency front braking, lane departure alert, GPS navigation, LED headlamps, and fender mirrors.
The Specs
Cummins B6.7: 240 – 260 hp / 600 – 660 torque
Transmission: Allison 6-speed A/T
Maximum GVWR: 25,940 to 33,000 lbs
International CV / MV
International’s CV comes in regular or crew cab, and with 4x2 or 4x4 axle configuration. The MV adds an extended cab to those, and 4x2 or 6x4 configuration, along with available integral front frame extensions. Standard features include vinyl or cloth seats, tilt steering wheel, and auxiliary switches, while available features include a power driver’s seat, rearview camera, emergency front braking, centre console, and LED headlights.
The Specs
CV:
International 6.6-litre V8 diesel: 350 hp / 750 torque
MV:
Cummins B6.7: 200 – 360 hp / 600 – 800 torque
Cummins L9: 200 – 360 hp / 860 – 1,150 torque
Transmission: 6-speed M/T; 10-speed M/T; 10-speed automated manual; 6-speed A/T
Maximum GVWR: 23,000 to 23,500 lbs (CV); 20,000 to 54,700 lbs (MV)
Isuzu N Series / F Series
Isuzu spans the classes with its N and F Series cab-forward trucks. These include the NQR Class 5 and NRR Class 5; and the FTR Class 6 and the FVR, which is available in Class 7 or a derated Class 6 version. The N Series offers gas or diesel, while the F Series is diesel; and while both offer a regular cab, the N Series also has a crew cab that seats up to seven people. Available features include front collision warning, driver’s suspension seat, rearview camera, heated power mirrors, and touchscreen audio system.
The Specs
Gas: 6.6-litre V8: 350 hp / 425 torque
N Series Diesel: 5.2-litre I4: 215 hp / 452 torque
F Series Diesel: Cummins B6.7: 260 hp / 660 torque
Transmission: 6-speed A/T
Maximum GVWR: 17,950 lbs (NQR); 19,500 lbs (NRR); 25,950 (FTR, FVR Class 6); 33,000 lbs (FVR Class 7)
Kenworth T180 / T280 / T380
Kenworth’s lineup includes the Class-5 T180 and Class-6 T280 straight trucks, and Class-7 T380 as straight truck or tractor. The trucks use Paccar diesel engines; Cummins natural-gas engines may be available. The lineup comes standard with a low roof or can be optioned to a raised roof. Standard features include automatic temperature control, an exterior light self-test system, and three-occupant seating, while available items include emergency front braking, highway distance warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The Specs
Paccar PX-7: 200 – 360 hp / 600 – 800 torque
Paccar PX-9: 260 – 450 hp / 860 – 1,250 torque
Transmission: 8-speed A/T / 12-speed automated
Maximum GVWR: 19,000 lbs (T180); 26,000 lbs (T280); 33,000 lbs (T380)
Mack MD6 / MD7
Mack’s bulldog oversees Class 6 and 7 with the company’s MD6 and MD7 straight trucks. Available in eight wheelbase lengths, both use a Cummins diesel and come standard with cruise control, air suspension driver’s seat, and power windows and locks; add-ons include a premium seat, block heater, and PTO harness and switch preparation kit. Suspension choices are multi-leaf or air.
The Specs
Cummins B6.7: 220 – 300 hp / 560 – 660 torque
Transmission: 6-speed A/T
Maximum GVWR: 25,995 lbs (MD6); 33,000 lbs (MD7)
Peterbilt 536
Peterbilt’s Class 5-through-7 trucks are the 535, 536, and 537; it also offers the cab-over 220 in Class 6 or 7 configuration, and that one can be ordered in right-hand drive for specialized applications. Along with a PX-7 diesel in the 535 and 220, and an additional PX-9 in the 536 and 537, Cummins natural-gas engines may be available. Features can include emergency front braking, adaptive cruise control, side object detection, lane departure warning, air suspension seat, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, and a low-profile dash.
The Specs
Paccar PX-7 (220, 535): 200 – 325 hp / 660 torque
Paccar PX-7 (536, 537): 220 – 325 hp / 750 torque
Paccar PX-9: 260 – 450 hp / 860 – 1,250 torque
Transmission: 8-speed A/T
Maximum GVWR: 19,500 lbs (535); 26,000 lbs (536); 33,000 lbs (537); 26,000-33,000 lbs (220)
