Curious on truck purchase

[BigBusBob]

The following paragraphs and statements made by BigGuy1001 sure sounds like something you'd hear a truck dealer quote...
specifically a Hino Dealer...

"Order them and they will be built. As an added bonus there is no appreciable loss in performance, reliability, or miles per gallon. Which is already some of the best in class 7. Did I mention that, with the exception of the engine and cab, the truck is built in the United States of American components? Oh yeah, they haven't been cabovers since 2004."

Now here's my quote: Did I mention that for a limited time you too can be the slowest on the hills and the one with the most late deliveries 'cause it took you extra time going thru TN & KY, while the T300's and M2's and Internationals and Pete's scooted by you? Smile!
You never hear dealers say that do you? Smile more!

BigGuy1001 also said "You guys are only talking about Freightliners and Internationals like there are no other trucks on the market."

There are other trucks on the market,
Hino is just isn't one of the popular OTR trucks.

And BigGuy1001 said "there is one at Panther II (two more on order), 4 at Conway Now, and 2 at FedEx. They are out there. More on the way."

Thanks for that inside scoop,
but Hino just can't run with the big dogs and keep up.

When Hino passes the Peterbilts, Freightliners, Internationals, and the Kenworths in TN, KY, PA, VA, and NC then maybe it can brag.

You say being the 1st up to the top has no reward, well, if you're not compromising safety on the way down the hill - and still make it to the bottom before your Hino does - who's gettin' a load out 1st?
Not the Hino, and that's where it could cost you money.
drive it in it's sweet spot of 58 to 60? Yikes!
That's sure gonna bring your average speed down, talk about creative logging!
That's where your gross and net income is effected.

BigBob

 

[davekc]

While I am not a Hino salesman, I wouldn't mind throwing 5000 lbs. on one and doing a test drive. I like to keep a open mind until I have actually driven one or seen some real comparisons. Of course there would be other concerns as mentioned, but it would be one hurdle cleared.

I should mention.......Bigguy1001 is not a salesman for Hino



Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[ATeam]

>Leo, the only prize for being the first guy to get to the
>top of the hill is that it cost you the most to get there.
>Fuel economy is taking precedent over big horses. And unless
>fuel gets back down to that buck a gallon world again, it's
>going to contiinue to lean that way. The guy who keeps the
>most of what he grosses is the real winner.

It is not always the case that the more horsepower you have the worse your fuel economy will be. We've driven a number of fleet owner trucks. Several had CAT engines with HP ranging from 325 to 375 or so, depending on the engine. All those trucks were Freightliner Century Class. The Century Class truck we drove with a Detroit 500 out performed them all when it came to fuel economy. The twin screws of that truck (a slight fuel economy disadvantage) provided a much better ride as well. And the power was sweet running up and down the hills.

Gearing differed among the trucks but all were D-units driven by the same drivers (us) hauling the same kind of freight from the same carrier. Transmissions were the same in all trucks; Eaton 10-speed auto-shift.

Another Century Class, Detroit 500 we drove had the Allison 6-speed automatic (two pedals on the floor). That D-unit sucked when it came to fuel economy...less than 7 mpg. But it could go like a rabbit off a red light. If you were in the mood, you could leave cars behind.

 

[BigBusBob]

"there is one at Panther II (two more on order), 4 at Conway Now, and 2 at FedEx. They are out there. More on the way."

I don't think that constitutes it as up and coming.
1 Hino at PII? (2 more on order = not working yet)
4 at Conway Now
2 at FedEx... that's 7 working Hino trucks in 3 major expediter co.'s. Consider that each of those co.'s has the better part of 250 to 350 straight trucks... rounded up that's "about" 900 straight trucks...
Out of "roughly" 900 straight trucks there's only 7 of these new model Hino's working????

I'm keeping an open mind too,
and when I look at these fleets of straight trucks...
I'm seeing KWs, Petes, Freightliners, and Internationals.
While there are a good many Freightliner and Internationals, the baby KW's and baby Petes are making their presense known more and more.
The tractors that have been converted to straight trucks is also on the rise it seems.

Look at PII, Conway Now, and FedEx... and tell me what "a majority" of their straight trucks fleets are made up of?
Shakers? Int.? KW's? Pete's?
Expediting in general, I know there aren't many Macks.
I doubt it's Isuzu's and Mitsubishi?
We know it's not Hino's. 7 out of 900? Lets lower that number to 700, that's still only 7 out of 700.

I think an above poster had said something along the lines of the Hino's not being able to withstand the abuse of the long distance.
if they could withstand the abuse of the big road, don't you think there'd be more of them out there?

7 working Hino's "with 2 more on the way to be working" out of nearly 900 trucks in 3 or 4 fleets???

I'm open minded, but it'll take alot more than 7 working trucks out of 700 to 900 and a test drive with one loaded with 5K lbs. to raise my eyebrows.

 

[davekc]

I'm open minded, but it'll take alot more than 7 working trucks out of 700 to 900 and a test drive with one loaded with 5K lbs. to raise my eyebrows


I was speaking of a test drive just for fun and seeing what its true capabilities are. Not from the angle of buying one. Hard to beat the KW's.
If they would ever widen the cab (300,600,800,900), I think most other models would be obsolete.


Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[RichM]

What about the Volvo's,if memory serves me right I think the A Team had a Volvo on order. I know Glen Rice was running a Volvo up until a young college student did that truck in.

 

[davekc]

Volvos are a expensive tractor configuration compared to other class 8's. It is a difficult truck to attempt any kind of build on because of all the weight issues.
After two years and no truck, I think that is a testament of a difficult truck build for Ateam.
For me personally, it would be alot more aggravation than I would want to bother with.
If I was to do another custom build, a Volvo would be the last truck I would consider. Too many others fit the bill better. But, they do make a pretty good road tractor (770's)



Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator