new truck

LDB · Dec 10, 2005

Here's some details on my new truck. There will eventually be an article on the challenges of buying a truck but for now here's some specs. It's a 2006 KW W900B model. It's got a Cummins ISX 450ST engine. The transmission is an 18 speed. The rear end is 3.25 to one. With the 18 speed the first overdrive gives 60mph at 1350rpm. The second overdrive gives 71mph at 1350. It's got 24.5 inch tires on Dura-Bright wheels. The sleeper is the factory 86" studio sleeper. It is on a 306" wheelbase and has full tandems.

The box is by Morgan and is 22' inside length with 97w X 107h door opening with a roll up door. There are 4 rows of etrack and 4 sets of floor rings. It has power dolly legs.

I put a Willis APU on it. It runs both the factory dash and sleeper climate control units at the same time. It produces enough heat to roast a chicken even with outside temperature in the single digits. If it does remotely similarly for a/c it will be a good one.

It rides as smoothly and quietly as my car. So far, on a brand new engine and with questionable fuel, it's getting about 7 2/3 mpg. I expect it to do significantly better once broken in and with good fuel in it.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 3034
73's K5LDB
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greg334 · Dec 10, 2005

Thanks Leo, sounds like a great truck.

Tennesseahawk · Dec 10, 2005

Not to be a smartarse here, but if you want to drive a long-nose tractor, why not put a trailer with it? I know you've been driving big trucks. And I know you'd make a ton more money with a rig in expediting. Just curious, since you were touting the Argosies a couple of months ago, and their ability to fit a 30' box. Seems like a 180 (not that I don't do several of those a month). :7

What's the overall length, anyway?

LDB · Dec 10, 2005

Overall is 39'5" and I don't want anything over 40'. This is so much easier to get around and stop somewhere other than a t/s. I still think an Argosy with the max factory sleeper and 28 or 30 foot box would be a serious money maker too. Maybe the next truck.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 3034
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

jaminjim · Dec 11, 2005

Sounds sweet Leo, I got to (had to) ride in a brand new W900 ( 2100 miles ) with a 315 inch wheel base. The only thing that I did not like about it was that he was towing my truck.

RichM · Dec 11, 2005

Sonds nice Leo,as too length I believe most states have a 40 foot limit on straoght trucks unless they are used in farming and agriculture activties. Is it a 10 wheeler??

x06col · Dec 11, 2005

I believe he typed it had a full tandem. Too bad you didn't do at least a 98" wide door.

LDB · Dec 11, 2005

I got the widest door available and it's 97.5" but I listed it as 97 so I have a little leeway when I arrive for a pickup. The height is actually 108 but I held back a tiny bit of that in reserve too. My last truck had a 96" wide box door and I had one load that was about 1/16 of an inch too wide to go in so I expect this to be wide enough. I'd have gone with the same dimensions as a 53 footer if I could have found it. It is a 10 wheeler.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 3034
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

mvbn1 · Dec 25, 2005

When you going to post photos of this new ride????

Moot · Dec 27, 2005

Sounds like a very nice truck. When you say "full tandems", do you mean twin screw vs. single axle/tag axle combo? How much weight can you legally haul? Moot

LDB · Dec 27, 2005

It is a twin screw. I can't raise an axle to save tolls but I can flip the switch for extra traction in docks if I need to. I can scale 18,550 right now. I'm going to put a liftgate on it so that will drop to mid 17k range at that point.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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rode2rouen · Dec 28, 2005

>
> I can scale 18,550 right now.
>
>Leo
>

Am I correct in assuming that your new rig weighs 27,450lbs???
(27,450 + 18,550 = 46,000) That's a heavy truck.

Rex

LDB · Dec 28, 2005

Yes, that's what it weighs with full fuel, me, and my stuff. I expected it to come in a ton or so below that but wasn't that lucky. I have to take into account the weight of 300 gallons of fuel and an oversize cargo box for a straight truck though.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

x06col · Dec 29, 2005

Hey Leo: Let us know when you get tired of doing those 18 gears, then let us know when you get REAL tired of them.

LDB · Dec 29, 2005

I only use 5 of them empty and 6 loaded. It's got enough torque to start empty in the high side if I wanted but I don't lug it that way. Eventually I may look into putting a 3 pedal automated mechanism on it but it's no big deal really.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

Packmule · Dec 29, 2005

Leo,
I have driven 10,13, and 18's but I have never heard of a "3 petal automated mechinism". What is it?
Dan

LDB · Dec 29, 2005

I may not have used the correct term but it's an automatic with a clutch. You only have to use the clutch from a standstill and as soon as you are rolling it shifts like a 2 pedal (throttle and brake) automatic.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

greg334 · Dec 29, 2005

>I may not have used the correct term but it's an automatic
>with a clutch. You only have to use the clutch from a
>standstill and as soon as you are rolling it shifts like a 2
>pedal (throttle and brake) automatic.
>

Leo

I think you talking about an autoshift 18. I think the two pedal manual/auto is the Ultrashift but it does not come in an 18 speed version. This is of course a lot different from the Allison automatic transmision, correct me if I am wrong.

A dumb question Leo, why didn't you order the autoshift?

LDB · Dec 30, 2005

I looked into autoshifts but couldn't get the double overdrive gearing the way I wanted it. It would have been about $5000-6000 more and only almost geared like I wanted so I went this way.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

ATeam · Dec 31, 2005

Having driven both twin screws and lift-axle trucks, I concur. Twin screws are the way to go. The difference in ride is profound. Having been in trucks with both swing doors (barn) and overhead (roll-up) doors, I also concur. A roll-up door is the way to go.

I was a bit surprised by your fuel numbers. I would have thought you'd get better than that gearing it as you did. Hopefully it will improve as you break it in, as you said.

Regarding weight, it's not all that heavy compared to class 8 straight trucks we've driven, (some with lift gates and reefers) which have hovered around 30,000 lbs (give or take) with all tanks full, our gear on board and no freight in back.