Kwhoppers versus Volvo

[LDB]

Bob, when you've been in any one of the W900, T800 or T600 you have been in all three. They are identical other than the body. The T2000 has a much wider body. I don't think it's the truck the others are. You should get similar mileage with a 600 or 2000.

For overall quality, dependability, parts availability and satisfaction I'd put 600,800,900 in the first tier, 2000 or 770 second tier and Columbia third. There are too many stories of parts being unavailable for Freightliners.

The Cat engine is probably 1/2 mpg worse on fuel than the Cummins and Detroit and at least on a new truck the Cat is about $3000-5000 more expensive. I chose the Cummins and am happy with it. I wouldn't go with anything else given my choice.

Expedite companies like E units but there aren't too many because drivers want the maneuverability of the smaller trucks. Depending on the company you can get about 10% more per run pulling your own trailer. When I was with Panther I saw several of their 53'ers and they were good trailers. I haven't seen as many Landstar trailers but they are good too.

With Landstar you can carry as many jobs as will fit in your trailer and get full payment for each job. I've talked to guys who regularly put 2 loads on at once and make well over $2 per mile doing so. Be sure to talk to them before you finalize anything.

Fred is my dealer in Houston. He's a 100% stand up guy. He will do right by you. Good luck.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
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[davekc]

As mentioned, the 300, 600, 900, are pretty close to being the same.
If you are using it as a tractor, then the 2000 will give you more room.
Another consideration if buying used, and economical, I would consider a 9000 (Sterling or Ford). They don't have the value that KW does, but you are buying used. They are cheaper and built as well or better than a freightliner. Finding parts is quite a bit easier as well. As for A/C and heat? No one touches their system including KW.
Just something to consider if going used.



Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[BigBusBob]

WoW, all great info to work with, thanks a bunch guys... Dave, I checked out the Sterling tractor, I think it was a 9000 - not sure though, up at Freightliner of Knoxville a few months ago... didn't appeal to me.

I was looking closer at the KW's in the J birds lot today while finishing off a somewhat unexpected 34 hr restart... I never noticed that about the KW T600's having an underbody exhaust. Not sure if that's a good thing or not. I suppose it would be good to some degree if I wanted to put a tool box on the back exterior wall of the sleeper by the catwalk area.
Leo said to look at the T600 with an 86" sleeper, and I'm going to do that when I get by a KW dealer in the coming weeks.
The T2000 is nice, and the more I look at them the more I like them. I'm going to climb back up into one when I get a chance again to see. The Columbia is nice, I like it more than the Century, the century has a slightly different headlight set-up.

The Volvo's are the heaviest truck out of the T2000, the T600, and the Columbia... right? or wrong?
What is the weight of a T600 with the 86" sleeper?
And the T2000? is the T2000 available with an 86" sleeper??

I'm posted in the newbies forum about co. questions.

Thanks guys, Bob.

 

[LDB]

The 2000 is about a 75" sleeper and there are no options to it. It's built as a unit and all are identical. The 600/800/900 are a separate cab and sleeper so they can be anything from daycab to 86" factory and anything you want custom. I don't know about overall weight but the Volvo and 2000 are the heaviest on the steers. That doesn't matter so much as a tractor of course but it's tough when setting up a D unit.

I think there is an option for behind the cab stacks on the 600 but I'm not certain. The underbody exhaust is much less expensive to buy or replace. It's also the least weight. When you look at the 86" be sure it's a "studio sleeper". I'm pretty sure that's the only way they come but only about 99% certain. That has a sofa that makes a bed on the bottom and a folding bunk on top. The 2006 model had a redesign of the dashboard. It's a lot nicer than the old one. I don't know your timetable but by the time you are ready there might be a good deal on one of those. If you ever get to Houston and have the time go by the dealer and talk to Fred. He is the guy to work with for a KW.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
-----
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Bob... funny you mention cubbyholes and don't like the century. I was surprised they're set up just like an argosy, except with a smaller bunk area. I'd love to see a coronado inside. It's something that would look good as an expediter. They have good resale too, as a 2003 runs in the 50s-70s, according to truckpaper.

If you're a first time buyer, and plan on having 5k down, you'd better not think about a kw, unless you want something from the mid 90s. I don't know if they still do it, but Hissong/Canton KW will do an in-house financing with 10-15k down. You're better off to get one about two to three years old... 300k miles. I'd spend that extra bit a month, if I had it, to cover my butt. Anything in the 500-600k and above area, you're just rolling the dice.

 

[davekc]

If you like the T2000 then a Pete 387 might be worth a look. They are pricey new, but a used one might be a option. They are both pretty much the same platform. When used and in simular shape, the prices seem to be pretty close.
Inside layouts are pretty simular.
Just another option.





Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[ATeam]

The cover of the current edition of Expedite Now magazine shows a sharp-looking Volvo straight truck with Panther on the box. Anybody know anything about that one?

 

[BigBusBob]

Very interesting #'s, 5k down is about what I'd like to put down, but would consider more for the right truck... Here's the thing:
With Swift's lease purchase program I can get a 2006 T2000 for 2k a month. That's 500 a week. I'm working off of those #'s... I'm not going that route. I want a truck outside of the fleets lease/purchase program, because I may not stay with the co., and if I go within the co., and I wanna leave, the truck's got to stay.
Outside the fleet, I want to leave, I can take the truck with me.
When I get a truck, I may get while I'm on with Swift, or I may get it and sign it to another carrier - possibly an expediter carrier from what I've been reading lately. Not sure what route to take regarding getting the truck and when and when not to sign it to a carrier. The thought of caculating 500 a week for a truck payment is not an easy one to digest, I'd rather have a monthly payment of around 1200 or so a month and save the better part of 800 a month (comparing to 2,000 a month payments), because then I'd have 300 a week to figure for a monthly payment. That's a bit easier to digest.

10 to 15 thousand down ona tractor should get me a decent truck I'd like to think, but that's an awful lot to put down for a 1st time buyer it seems. However I'm new at this and am learning as I go.
5 grand is what I had in mind for a down payment... I'd be seeking a truck with an age of say 3 to 5 years old. The mileage of 500 or less would be nice, 300K range would mean the down payment goes up. I believe if one looks long and hard enough and is patient the right deal will come along.

I'm looking in the truck paper and seeing deals with 99 trucks for under 35K.

I saw a 2002 KW T2000, 75" slpr, Super 10 Trans. (love that tranny!), 500 Detroit... for $1,349 per month... with $3,800 down. So if I put 5K down that'd bring the payments down even more. Saw a 2001 KW T600 with a CAT C12 430 HP for 30K as well.Those kinda trucks and prices are somethin' that raises my eyebrows. I have to watch the mileage's on these trucks though, 'cause I know I don't want to get somethin' that's been rolled to 500 or 600K miles with very little engine work... that's a red flag to me.

The T600 I found out does come with either way, with stacks or with underbody exhaust. Interesting how the underbody exhaust would save weight, I guess 'cause it's less metal.
Easier to replace is a good selling point to me too.

I saw an ad on the wall of a T/A about the 2006 Kenworths, and it showed the different sleeper styles and the dash layout. Still not thrilled about the dash... will have to check more out to see if they grow on me some.
Upon further lookings, the T600's look like they have alot of potential to be set up different ways... with toolboxes, sleepers, and accessories in general... are they pretty easy to work on?
The T2000 I'm told is not so easy to work on.
What's the scoop there, as I'd like to know I could work on it fairly easily myself if I had to get dirty with a wrench and cell phone if ya know what I mean.
T600 versus the T2000 in easyness of repairing in general... all aspects of the truck... some area's/parts more difficult than others??? or ?

The Volvo 770 I'm hearing from other drivers are nice, they say they lack a bit on power at times, other than that they say they have plenty of room and very little problems with them.

Rumor has it Swift is going to be getting back into Freightliners, as the Volvo 660's they have just aren't working out.
Atlanta terminal is givin' some drivers 2004 Freightliner XL's!

The Pete 387 didn't do anything for me, I got up inside one at the Dallas truck show and was surprised, I thought the T2000 had a bit better of a layout personally.

What's the deal with the T2000's and the T600's though, I'm interested more and more in them. I'd consider a used T600 with a custom aftermarket sleeper, sometimes they pop up in the Truck Paper for a good price - sometimes... but they're a few years old.

What's a good amount of miles to see on a used truck for a 1st time buyer?

What do I want to stay aware of and away from and look out for on a used tractor, that's going to be used as a Tractor?

I know Dave has had experience with KW's, not sure which models though. Which models does who own here and/or which models has who owned in the past, 'cause I think Leo owns a KW now right?

Thanks, Bob

 

[tom tinker]

Hi Bob that T600 seems to be oldly but goodie ant eater nose. Here in GR Classic Transportaion run these pulling mainly containers. A.M.S.T in name is Art Mulder Trucking Service in Holland run these also. Both have sleepers on, is there something different you want then the one already on them.
Did you see some ones idea on running tractor w/pup trailer for room like bigger sleeper, an maneuvering tighter turning.
The 53 ft. trailer you talk about do you already own it? Question is to see how easy youcan go any direction on set up.
Off the subject do you or any one else run across Mighty Mike I think he' from Ocala Fl. O.O. K.W. W900 nice paint Christian theam. Hauls for Van Kampen their trailer Fl. to Mi. been driving 40 plus yrs. dresses nice,western style, sure if you met him you would remember him. Oh his truck also has Harris Enterprises on it.
Have a good one Tom

 

[BigBusBob]

Hi Tom, I don't know anybody or anything about the co.'s or people you mentioned. I read the idea of somebody using a tractor pulling a pup trailer of about 28 foot long, and that's all it really is... an idea. I don't believe that to be financially worth it. Way I see it, if you're gonna have a trailer, why not go the full 53' foot... or 48 foot if your sleeper/wheelbase is that long.
I'm not planning on owning my own trailer anytime soon.
I'd just want the tractor and would pull other's trailers, that way I'm not limiting myself. if I own a pup trailer and there's a golden run with a 53 foot trailer, then I'm cooked. By having a tractor I can always pull somebody elses trailer of any size, including, but not limited to pups, and on up to 53' trailers. Having the ability to pull a 53' trailer is like having a 30 foot box on a straight truck - your opportunities are near endless. The difference, having a 30 foot box ona straight truck makes for a fairly limited sized sleeper.

Regarding the T600's, Tom you said they're the "Oldies", but not really, they still make them. Infact I met a driver 2 nites ago at a fuel island with a T600 with the 86" Studio Sleeper, Sharp!
I've been talkin' with KW owners on the radio as well as at the fuel islands and it seems that the T2000 is basically a what you see is what you get kinda truck, there's not much you can do to it or with it. The T600 has many interchangeable parts I'm told with a W900 KW.
The underbody exhaust saves weight, and is easy to replace, and the way I see it, makes for more room by the catwalk area for a toolbox of some kind. I'm not sure if I'd want the side exhaust, though I'd consider it, I'm sure it would effect Miles Per Gallon on the side versus being in the back or underneath.

Upon further research, the T600's have my attention. I'm planning on looking at them closely, and will be asking many questions at the Louisville KY Truck Show held the end of March.

2 hours east of Seattle right now... goin' to Tacoma, WA area.
Lookout Pass and 4th of July Pass were clear as of late Sun. into Monday.

Later, Bob