Best straight truck on the market?

[zorry]

Phil expressed my exact feelings. My Volvo is a 2012.

Almost any reefer straight will have front axle weight issues..
A friend got busted last week in her T660. Over on steer.

My second choice was Pete/Kw. I just didn't hear any confidence in the Paccar motor 2 years ago. My Volvo motor has been wonderful.

 

[davekc]

Phil expressed my exact feelings. My Volvo is a 2012.

Almost any reefer straight will have front axle weight issues..
A friend got busted last week in her T660. Over on steer.
.

That would be my opinion. It is a matter of whether to run another axle and all those associated costs.

 

[jelliott]

I agree on freightliner dealers. The quality varies, but the abundance of them is a big help in getting parts. For instance in Detroit we have 5 dealers within 60 miles so our odds of one having a part is much greater. TA's also honor warranty on a lot of common type items like alternators, and heating and cooling system so that is a plus. We have our own shop so this probably changes the equation as well a bit.

 

[guido4475]

Phil expressed my exact feelings. My Volvo is a 2012.

Almost any reefer straight will have front axle weight issues..
A friend got busted last week in her T660. Over on steer.

My second choice was Pete/Kw. I just didn't hear any confidence in the Paccar motor 2 years ago. My Volvo motor has been wonderful.

Tell you're friend to go with continental 14 or 16 ply steers. Heavier weight rating and alot more stable.the pacccar engine is basically a xummins engine painted gray. Or at least it was when I used to haul them out of the plant in whittakers n.c. at CDC. But I'd remember now reading something about them having a plant in Mississippi? Maybe?


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using EO Forums mobile app

 

[zorry]

My friend is in a class 8 tractor, full tandem, bellymount. Stretched with a 22foot reefer. The weigh master was sharp enough to look at door jamb sticker to see the 12,000# front axle. She's about 12,600 empty.
I suggested the big tires,moving fuel tanks back, keeping fuel low, and some loading practices.
The tires do not increase the axle rating.
She needs a heavier axle.

 

[zorry]

The class 8 DR I drove was 32,980 with lift axle up. (t-600,96"ICT )
Talked to a guy that pu'd a new Cascadia with 96" slpr that was 32,620.

Not much payload in those 33,000 lb trucks.

 

[pearlpro]

I can relate to the Freightliner dealers, I live in St Louis but use a Nashville dealer as the St Louis dealers are Pros at lightening your wallet and leaving mistakes and issues behind, Took my truck in for a minor issue, came back to get the truck 300 dollars for a Hose and two clamps, and someone tried to steal my Chrome Grill right on the parking lot....My Brother drives a Volvo and has nothing but good things to say about his tractor.

 

[coalminer]

The company I run for has a couple of 2012 Freighliners with the Cummins engine in them, both of them have had issues with not starting, one had all of the injectors replaced under warranty. And I drove the other one this week into Canada (working on my truck) and its probably going to have the injectors replaced too, was cranking 10 to 15 seconds before it starts, cold or warm. Compared to my old Hino, which is rated 220 hp, the Cummins was rated at 245, I felt like I could get out and push it faster.....

Now don't get me wrong, the cab of that truck was nice, the seat was really comfortable, the dash was arranged nice and it was pretty quiet inside.

 

[ATeam]

Which would be easier to buy/find parts for?

When talking about the major truck brands that are still in business, I don't know that there is any great difference between them in getting parts. With our Volvo, we have not needed parts often, but when we do, they are either in stock or available the next day by overnight delivery. KW and Freightliner are about the same, are they not?

 

[Bruno]

I agree on freightliner dealers. The quality varies, but the abundance of them is a big help in getting parts. For instance in Detroit we have 5 dealers within 60 miles so our odds of one having a part is much greater. TA's also honor warranty on a lot of common type items like alternators, and heating and cooling system so that is a plus. We have our own shop so this probably changes the equation as well a bit.

I agree with you on this John. We have a few of each kind of trucks except a Peterbelt. Freightliner has been the best fit for our needs over all. We all know that trucks have breakdowns as it's part of the business with the miles we turn every month. We have our own repair shop so it is easier to get Freightliner parts at an affordable price. Volvo and KW parts can be 40% higher at times. Tricia wanted to change our fleet to KW trucks until she seen how hard it is to get the parts sometimes or repairs done in a timely manor. The KW parts we always have to order and wait a few days unless we want to overnight them which is not cheap.

Over all, we like Freightliner trucks. I feel the FL 70's and 80's was a way better built truck than the M2 business class. As for engines I like Detroit Diesels or Caterpillars. A sleeper done by Don at Bolt/ Benzt sleepers are the best and will last longer.

 

[pearlpro]

Ive never had any Issue getting parts thru Neely Coble, they stock most the major items, the one time I had an issue was the Air Conditioning repair but it took all of one day and a half, they ordered the condenser and piping, installed it, and I was out in a day and a half, I thought that was quick....Breakdowns on the roar are rare as Im anal about Maintenance, if something looks iffy it gets attention, I dont like sitting on the side of the road, ever...PRETRIP is far more then a mere glance for me....