need info

[lighting]

i have found a freightliner fl-80 at a good price.i never ran one would i be better off in fl-70.how do they compare in operating expense.can you get more loads with a fl-80. thanks for any info

 

[Bearcat]

To my understanding, the FL80 has a thicker frame. Maybe a few other options but still a 33 gvw truck. Probably comes with a 9 speed too but if it has a cat engine, I would not buy it. I would suggest you look for a FL106 or higher or a class 8 truck. The reason is these bigger trucks have the big engines that last almost 1 million miles. The smaller engines (cat, cummings) don't last as long before overhaul. Also, the bigger truck will give you a better ride. Good luck. I shut my truck down due to slow business (FL70) and handing it back to the bank. Couldn't make a living expediting as I was a single operator. If you have a low truck payment, you might make it. If not, concider teaming it.
Randy

 

[Weave]

The FL70 and FL80 are virtually identical. The FL80 does not have a thicker frame, and is not a class 8 truck. Most FL80's are Canadian issued FL70's, containing a CAT 3126. Avoid 3126 eqiped trucks for expedited use.
-Weave-

 

[lighting]

thanks for info weave is the cat not a depenable engine as a cummins or detroit.do they not so as far before overhaul.all i never run is cummins had good service out of it

 

[geo]

i had fl60 with a cat and have a cat now and it's a good engine as
far i know
most important does it have manitence record for it if it doesn't have
the manitence records i would not buy it, if you do go ahead

 

[Mudflap]

I am running a Cummins "C" in a 95 FL 70. So, I can speak factually about this engine. To find more about the Cat 3126 you need to refer back to this bulletin board. The truck I bought had been abused big time. Although I had the truck dyno'd at time of purchase I was not aware of the extent of wear and tear on the engine. At about 300,000 miles I took the rig into my Cummins dealer in Buffalo, NY. After some discussion and some soul searching, I elected to have the engine rebuilt rather that go into debt on a new rig. I had a complete in-frame rebuild on the engine and a rebuilt turbo installed. The cost was $6,500 all inclusive. Try to get a CAT rebuilt for anything near this price.

I have put about 120,000 miles on this rebuilt engine and it purrs like a cat. (Pun intended). This engine is rated 175 HP and I recently pulled 12,000 net (30,400) gross up the grades on I-77 from SC to OH. Needed to drop down to 5th from time to time but I outran a number of the 18 wheelers up these grades. (What a great feeling)!!!

So, the big advantage as I see it is the maintainability of the Cummins. I also wish to pile some praises on Cummins Northeast in Buffalo for the fine job they did on this rebuild.

Drop me an E-Mail if I can give you any more info.