Freightliner or International?

[robh2]

I am not looking for the "I like Ford over Chevy" type answers, I am asking if you have valid reasons for liking one over the other. All of the trucks I have driven are M2's and Durastar (4000 series) trucks. The M2's were mostly low milage and rattled like crazy and always had something going wrong. The Durastars mostly had high mileage and were still quiet and ran like new and never once did I have a problem.

I see more people bashing Int than FL, Why? Everybody complains about the Freighshakers, but like them over the Int's. Can someone please tell me what I am missing?

Thanks.

Robert

 

[greg334]

I don't know? I think it is like the Chev vs. Ford thing, some people see it one way while others see it another.

I only had to deal with an International dealer twice and I found the dealer and repairs were done right. On the other hand, I have found that some Freightliner dealers were real a**es when it came down to simple things, like asking for part numbers and prices, and only had my truck serviced once at the dealer and it wasn't up to my specs. But again, I drive one of them rattle cages.

 

[robh2]

Thank you Greg.

Anyone else have any opinions on this?

Robert

 

[Dakota]

Well, since I drive both at work. I prefer the International. They seem more comfortable and don't rattle like the M2.
We have had lots of problems with the M2. Also the steering wheel transmits lots of the road and bounces like crazy. Now I liked the old FL70 so it's not Freighshaker over International

 

[robh2]

Thank you Dakota for taking the time to respond.

I hope you had a great weekend.

Robert

 

[Tennesseahawk]

My experience with International were their 7500 series. Their engines generally needed replacement in the 200-300k mile range. They were not otr trucks, to say the least.

I've heard both good and bad about the M2.

Having said that, I'd stay away from both! Class 8 is the only way to go, IMO. It's more of a die-cast Tonka vs Fisher Price, to me.

 

[robh2]

Thank you Tenn. I am afraid of the repair costs of a class 8 compared to the Durastar/M2. Also, purchase price is much cheaper to get into the smaller trucks.

Thanks again.

Robert

 

[Tennesseahawk]

I think you'll find repair costs are probably the same either way.

Yes, it's cheaper to get into a cheaper vehicle.

 

[Dakota]

400K is the usable life of a medium duty truck, expect some type of transmission work if it is an automatic. Our 2007 M2 just had an overhaul at 200K. I was the lucky one who got to sit on side of road for three hours
Not anything against automatics just they seem to fail sooner than a manual. Not sure what the maintenance was since Penske handles it all. I do know the M2 have required quite a few loaner replacement trucks in the past few years. Also the one truck had to have the cat engine replaced at 1000 miles
Yes, I said 1000 miles. It basically self destructed. our old FL70 went about 350K with no major problems but was getting tired at the end. The Internationals have all been loaner rentals between 5K and 150K and have all run good. Don't know about when they get older though, since Penske rentals get sold before they are too old.

 

[robh2]

Thank you Tenn and Dakota. Have any of you gone from medium duty to class 8? Was there a big change in fuel economy?

By the way, beautiful dog Dakota.

Robert

 

[Moot]

Rob, what criteria did you use to winnow the list down to just Freightliner and International?

 

[guido4475]

Thank you Tenn and Dakota. Have any of you gone from medium duty to class 8? Was there a big change in fuel economy?

By the way, beautiful dog Dakota.

Robert

Good morning, everyone! I have went to a class 8 stretched from a class 7 and love it.It is far more durable.It does not slow down one bit or come out of 10th gear going through mountains such as jellico or fancy gap, loaded.my fuel mileage is around 8.2,even though I have gotten as high as 9.3.I have learned yesterday as I was talking to a cat mechanic freind of mine that the computer settings on the trans and engine are probably set at that for a semi, so I need to change them to that of a straight truck, thus improving fuel mileage.I do have a few freinds that have centurys that have detroit series 60's with an automatic that are getting over 10 mpg.But i have a unstoppable c-15 cat. My mechanic freind explained to me that even though it is a bigger engine, it doesnt have to work nearly as hard as a small engine to move effiently.One thing to watch out for with a class 8 is the front axle weight.Make sure the front tires are properly rated, along with the axle rating as well.I run 16-ply steers, and had my front suspension upgraded to an 18,000 lb capacity.And, yes, it does still ride good.Your atlas will show you that most states allow 20,000lbs on a steer axle, but there are states with stipulations to that.This truck is for sale, by the way.

 

[Dakota]

Thank you Tenn and Dakota. Have any of you gone from medium duty to class 8? Was there a big change in fuel economy?

By the way, beautiful dog Dakota.

Robert

Thanks,that is my 7 year old Newfoundland
Our M2 26' straight truck no sleeper gets around 8 or 9 that is combined city/hwy since this truck is local it has a lot of stop and go. also at 65 it is turning at 2600 RPM fairly high for a diesel I think the rear axle is a 4.57 not sure though

 

[bludragon13]

Unlike Tenn,my experience with the Intl 7500 was good. Drove it for 3yrs and over 395000 mi,allison tran,570 Intl eng. NO problems of major cost. Now have a new columbia C-13 cat,ultra shift. Like this 8 truck also. There was more outside wind noise with the Intl. then with the columbia. Both were bought new,so only 40000 on the columbia but so far like it although it doesnt have the same get up and go as the Intl(4:10 on intl VS 3:48 on FTL)but it sails happily at 65 turning around 1350rpms.

 

[robh2]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

Moot--Those are the only trucks I have driven and most class 8 drivers I have talked with say the medium duty trucks will get better fuel economy than the 8's. Fuel eco is very important. Longevity is also, but I am realistic and I normally cant sit behind the same dash for more than 3 or so years. So with that in mind, I was thinking out of the trucks I know, International might be the best route.

Every Cat I have driven vibrated like crazy, the Cummins and the Internationals were very smooth. So I know I am not intersted in Cat, especially now that they are leaving the otr market.

Just narrowing down some ideas.

Anyway, thats my story and I am sticking with it. lol...

Thank you again everyone.

Robert