Definitely better than expected

[LDB]

and my expectations were very high going in. I am sitting in the lounge of my Sterling. There is enough room at this table for 2 people to feast and if they are friendly 4 people could picnic here. I've barely scratched the surface as far as using the available storage space.

One of the best parts is the ride. Going from an International 9400i to this Sterling is like going from a horse drawn stagecoach to a Cadillac. On one hill where trucks were bogged and using their 4 ways so people wouldn't fly up their rear my truck shifted down from 6th to 5th but never lost any speed from the cruise control setting. This thing definitely performs and I'm sure even under load I won't be slowing down on the hills.

My dealership experience was fantastic. Freighliner of Knoxville is an A+ dealership and Jon Mosier is a stand up guy. He told me the truth on everything and if he needed to get information he'd tell me that rather than giving me any old answer. He will be my truck dealer for as long as I'm in trucking and he's in the business. Anyone planning to go into expediting needs to call Jon at 800-443-2324 before they do anything else. If you go elsewhere you will not do better. It is almost certain you will do worse. If you are extremely fortunate you might do equally well but I wouldn't risk it. These guys will take care of you the way you want and expect. Anyone in the market should be looking at the 960 Express Cruiser. As Tony says, it's grrrrrrrrrrrrreat!

 

[Glen Rice]

Great to hear you love your truck! A good dealer is hard to find and you certainly found a good one! It is so nice to read positive input, instead of negative. Your ride is really cool, I love that roof design! Let us know how good your fuel mileage is? Also in windy conditions you should avoid the buffeting. That is the best part! Best of luck and please keep us posted with your good and bad experiences.

 

[redytrk]

What carrier did you finally decide to go with?Who ever it is they are lucky to have you.You seem to have the right attitude for this business.
BEST OF LUCK...Hope to see you out there again.
P.S.What engine did you get in your Sterling$

 

[LDB]

I am going with Express-1 out of Buchanan, MI. My truck has the Mercedes/Detroit 926 that is rated 300hp/860tq and a 6spd automatic. I am looking forward to getting started. I am in Buchanan now and have orientatino through Wed. afternoon. Then I have to drive back to Texas to get title and plates for the truck. Once I have that I'll start making runs. I hope we do meet again. I enjoyed our discussion and look forward to continuing it.

 

[LDB]

OK, so nothing is perfect. I have a popping from the passenger door. I thought it was from the hinge and planned to get it looked at. I discovered it isn't the hinge it's the door and fender disagreeing with each other. The fender lost.

An area about the size of a large thumb has broken loose. I will call the body shop tomorrow and take it in to get a new fender and get the door rehung properly. I'll be busy for the next two days getting the title and apportioned tags anyway so at least it's a good time for the truck to be in the shop.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Leo, that really sucks!!! Someone spends that much on a truck only to watch it start to fall apart. Ya think quality control means something.
Good luck on getting things done quickly so you can get going. I know the bills don't stop because the truck is.

 

[davekc]

Let everyone know how it goes and what kind of service you recieve.
Are you fixing it in Texas or Tenessee?
Davekc

 

[LDB]

Went to the shop yesterday just before lunch. They took photos of the damage and sent them to the company for "approval". They can't perform any warranty work without submitting it and getting company approval. What's the point of having a body shop manager if he can't manage and make warranty decisions? Score -1 for Sterling, Freighliner, Daimler-Chrysler warranty procedure.

After about 23 hours of not hearing anything I called the toll free number for the company. I wasn't thrilled with the person who answered. Basically he repeated what I was told about it taking around 24 hours to get a response. I attempted to suggest to him the manager on the premises should have authority to ok some repairs including this one. He never let me finish before cutting in to say they have procedures they must follow.

An hour or so later I got a call from the shop saying the repair was approved however they don't have a fender on hand to replace it with. It will be ordered today and arrive Monday. They suggested I drive the truck until then and make some money with it. I agree, however it will be beyond Monday when I'm back home again.

They also told me the approval for repair is good for 30 days and beyond that we have to apply again for another approval. Score -1 again for the company guys. I will get it repaired here in Houston during home time. That will cost me the least in opportunity costs. I'm still very pleased overall with my choice but when it comes to warranty the "home team" is already at -2 on their scorecard.

 

[Doggie Daddy]

LDB, i have to agree this is not a good way for a company to handle warranty claims. if you were out on the road this could be very costly in down time and lost revenue. also the fact that it is a brand new truck makes it harder to accept. DD.

 

[DocRushing]

LDB:
I've begun making plans to place an order for a new Sterling Acterra.
So I cannot avoid asking this:
Exactly what caused that damage?
Poor design? Poor assembly? Poor material? Something else?
Otherwise, do you now feel pleased with your truck?
Maybe I should reconsider my decision.
Good luck on the repair.
Thanks.
Doc.

 

[davekc]

If you are having the work done in Houston, I would highly recommend taking it to a Sterling dealer. Several years ago we had on more than one occassion, very poor service from Houston Freightliner. We had a truck in their shop for over a month just to fix a a/c unit. Had to fly my team back to their home in AL. Had to put them in a lease truck for a couple of weeks which wasn't a thrill either. They went back to retreive the truck only to find the wrong parts were installed. Repaired again and lasted two weeks. Finally got it right with a repair in Dothan AL. freightliner. They actually knew what they were doing there.
Davekc.

 

[LDB]

The problem I have is from misalignment of the door and fender. I don't know when the problem originated. It could have been from assembly or something could have happened at the sleeper install or the box install or at the dealer before I got it. I am very pleased with this truck overall and would buy another one today if I were in the market.

I am getting the repair done at the Sterling/Freighliner/WesternStar dealer bodyshop here in Houston. I will get it done when I'm going to be home and not earning anything anyway. I really don't want to have service out on the road anywhere as that takes away from my productive time. It doesn't make me much difference if the truck is parked in my driveway or at the shop when I'm home.

 

[davekc]

As far as I'm concerned, Kenworth is the only way to go



I couldn't agree more
Davekc

 

[Broompilot]

Glad to see the comments on the Kenworth's Now if mine would only be finished I then could tell you. Patience only ANOTHER two weeks, guess Ill spend my two weeks fishing?

 

[SHARP327]

HEY HAWK! I'VE GOT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY INTERNATIONAL 7400, THE EXHAUST KEEPS COMING LOOSE, ALUMIBUNK HAS TIGHTENED IT IN THE PAST WHEN IT WAS MAKING A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A COMPRESSER OR SOME OTHER GAS POWERED ENGINE RUNNING IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT, I THINK I KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS AND MAYBE IT'S WHY YOURS IS COMING LOOSE, WHAT I FOUND IS THAT IT'S REQUIRED THAT THE TAIL PIPE EXTEND SIX FEET PAST THE BUNK WHICH IS ADDED ON BY ALUMIBUNK, THIS IS ALL WELL AND GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THEY HARD MOUNT THE PIPE BRACKET TO THE FRAME, THERE'S A RUBBER HANGER LOCATED JUST BEFORE THE MUFFLER WHICH CAME ON THE CHASSI FROM INTERNATIONAL WHICH ALLOWS THE EXHAUST TO FLEX WHEN THE ENGINE TORQUES BUT THE ADDED EXHAUST DOES'NT FLEX CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO LOOSEN.

I MENTIONED MY BELIEFS WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS BUT WAS GIVEN THAT FAR FAR AWAY LOOK AS THOUGH THERE WAS NO WAY THAT COULD BE HAPPENING, ANY WAY I'M GOING TO TRY AND FIND ANOTHER HANGER THAT HAS RUBBER BETWEEN THE CLAMP AND THE END THAT MOUNTS TO THE FRAME.

I'LL TRY AND REMEMBER TO TRY THIS OUT THIS TIME HOME.



TAKE CARE OUT THERE!
SHARP327

OH! DD&DD CHECK YOURS OUT, IF IT COMES LOOSE IT'LL SURE MAKE A VIBRATING NOISE.

 

[redytrk]

Hey LDB...I think I spotted you at the FJ Texarkana this morning.
You are trk#767 right?Your curtian was up,so they say dont come a knockin when the truck is not rockin.(or something like that).
The truck looks great except for that fender(BUMMER).
Hope you are doing well.We deliver in Houston in the morning.Keep us informed about how Express one is keeping you moving.
Best regards Don and Carol.

 

[LDB]

Don,

Yes, that's me. I'm sorry I missed seeing you. Hopefully we'll cross paths again before too long. I pulled in about 2 this morning coming from McAllen. I deliver at 23:59 Monday in Toledo. I can't drive till noon but have to make some serious tracks when I can. I plan to get at least to Franklin, Ky. before I have to shut down tonite.

This is my first run and I can tell a definite difference between empty and 6842# in the box. I can also see a definite difference between running empty at 60-62 mph and loaded at 68-70 mph when I look at the fuel gauge.

This run is 1636 paid miles at D rate with a 3% FSC. I don't know just what that amounts to but it should be at least 6cpm extra and maybe a little more. If I can do 1.5 runs a week like this I'll be a happy camper.

 

[Dreamer]

LDB,

Glad you got such a good run to get you goin! That's a killer run, great miles for a single driver. Now you see why we always reccomend a single driver stay in service on the weekends.. 'usually' a run like that will go to a team... but those weekend runs can make your whole week.. AND you've got the time to run them.


Keep the wheels turnin!



Dreamer

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Actually Sharp, the guy said it was a rusted clamp that broke. Apparently, it's a common thing. I realized our problems weren't connected today when I looked underneath to find nothing... I have a stack exhaust ROFL :7 :7

 

[bigjimhp]

A sterling freightshaker star all the same company, whenever getting a new vehicle, always go over it with a close eye, for at least several moments, taking an hour or two if you have to, I would've left the truck at the dealership, told'em I'll buy somewhere else, if problem not fixed immediately, try to get them to give a voucher for a couple of oil changes at least. My intl 9200, m11 370, 10sp runs, rides better than most trucks.I've pulled the sandstone at 75 made it to the top at 72, with 18,000 in the box, last week getting 9.2 miles per gallon on that trip. yes it is a straight trk 25 1/2 ft box. freightliner just has a bad service program, not a reflection on car divisions. only the big boys get instant action from freightshaker service. as far as service goes intl and kw can not be beat, I didn't say pete