Sterling, Hino, M2 or C112 straight truck

60MPH · Jul 23, 2009

Gotta stick with a class 8. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! I personally favor the century class or the columbia and if I had the money a cascadia

from freightliner. Buts that just what I like. And just about every shop can work on them if you drop a 60 series detroit in it

Dakota · Jul 23, 2009

Maybe since the Hinos are fairly new in the US they are just working out all the bugs. Like I said I've been happy with mine, ask me in three years when it hit's 350k or above if I still have the same opinion. I know Toyota makes awesome cars so maybe it's just a matter of getting all the bugs out.

greg334 · Jul 23, 2009

If I was entering this business for the first time with the same amount of money I had to buy my FL70, I wouldn't even bother with any of these trucks but go for a large class 8 truck.

As of this afternoon I was offered a 2002 FL Columbia, cCmmins ISX and autoshift, 270" WB for 12k. The truck is coming off of a least to a fleet and has only 600k on it. I saw the trutk this afternoon and it is well kept up and has every record of everything that was done to it. Before anyone asks, it is being sold to another expediter who is retiring his 750k international.

If I would buy it, I would extend the frame and put a box on it, leaving everything else alone. It would cost maybe 15k to get it on the road with the new box. I think I would get a 20 ft box on the frame just off the top of my head.

You can find deals like this, especially with California trucks coming off of lease with less than 500k - IF you look around. Many of them are being sold CHEAP, I mean CHEAP because of the emissions issues coming up and the leases are not being renewed.

Crazynuff · Jul 23, 2009

Dakota said:
Maybe since the Hinos are fairly new in the US they are just working out all the bugs. Like I said I've been happy with mine, ask me in three years when it hit's 350k or above if I still have the same opinion. I know Toyota makes awesome cars so maybe it's just a matter of getting all the bugs out.

Hinos have been in the U.S. for 25 years . Becoming a subsidiary of Toyota in 2003 increased their marketing .
Hino Trucks / HINO HISTORY

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

So what would be your perfect truck? Thanks for the reply.

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

WOW, thanks for all the replies. So for longevity it seems a class 8 or Sterling. For a less power, a Hino or Freightliner M2. Did I get that right? Don't mean to offend anyone, just trying to understand. Thanks again for all your wonderful replies.

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

Thank Gregg, great info.

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

OOPs, I just realized that some of the replies I have done have not gone to the proper quote. So sorry. I am new to this forum stuff. Use to going to the library for research. Kinda hard to reply to a foot note. Once again, so sorry for waisting anyone3s time on this.

greg334 · Jul 23, 2009

golfournut said:
So what would be your perfect truck?

FL Argosy 110 cab with a DD and ultrashift with a tag axle.

I could get a 24 foot box on the truck and be the same size as my fl70 - 30 feet long which means I can pull into parking spaces.

davekc · Jul 23, 2009

Got a truckpaper ad in the mail today. A list of Hino's all in the 30K and under range for 07 and 08's. I believe that should answer your question with regards to Hino.
Class 8 are the way to go or a class 7 that uses class 8 parts. The only ones in the catagory are the KW's and Petes.

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

bubblehead said:
I bought a Columbia FL with a CAT C-11 and 10 spd ultra shift. I get 10.2 to 10.6 Turning 1100 rpm at 57, 1350 at 68. After putting on ECOFLAPS, I noticed the truck doesn't downshift as often on some of the regular routes. Mountains are never a problem, as is severe cold. With 214,000 miles I have had it in the shop one time for unscheduled maintenance when the wiper motor gave out (my fault). My previous experience was as a driver for an owner with a New HINO. I had to drive it slow to get decent economy (52mph would get 9.5 with a lite load and a tail wind). This caused many too long times behind the wheel on what would normally be easy runs. Mountains were an big NO NO and I swear I heard it cry when I accepted a load to Salt Lake City Utah. It broke down several times and the fuel would gel at anything below 6 degrees F. even with anti-gel. The guy bought three of them, all broke down regulary and although they had a "good" warranty, it always took several days to get approved and fixed...the poor guy ended up bankrupt because of those trucks. So class 8 yes class 7 with the right engine/trans etc. yes but the low horsepower ones of the 200-260 range I would stay clear of unless its a regional truck in flatlands.

GOOD LUCK.

bubblehead you rock, thanks for the really great info.

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

guido4475 said:
Okay,This is killing me. Why not just find/order a proper straight truck for the job?Too many times I read/hear how some people buy a s/t spec'd wrong for the job, and spend serious $$ to make it fit their application.

And as far as Sterling goes,definately a better truck than Freightliner, but part prices are going up and alot of them are becoming obsolete already.I learned of this when I had my sterling not too long ago.

Thanks Guido, so would you have another Sterling if the price was right?

lugnut1 · Jul 23, 2009

Is "buy class 8" the new mantra for the EO experts??

I can't tell the fleet owners from the salesmen here.

guido4475 · Jul 23, 2009

Didnt penske have something to do with Hino? And I must agree with Davekc,A Paccar product is the way to go.I had one, and loved every part of it, should of never got rid of it.Alot better than my old fl-70 snap-tite truck.

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

Jack_Berry said:
folks, use the search function. go to advanced search and type in just like this....."hino" or "sterling" this will bring up all the associated threads. read a variety of comments about each.

to the guy looking at a sterling.....you know they have ceased production of them right?

please use the search to get answers to your questions.

Yep, I know they are not being made anymore. Is there a company like something of the sort of what JC Whithney is to old cars as maybe something is to old or out of production truck?

Dakota · Jul 23, 2009

Crazynuff said:
Hinos have been in the U.S. for 25 years . Becoming a subsidiary of Toyota in 2003 increased their marketing .
Hino Trucks / HINO HISTORY

I didn't know that. That extended cab is sweet, might be my next truck!!!
I don't have a CDL nor do I need one at this point so have to stay with the class 6 trucks

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

golfournut said:
Yep, I know they are not being made anymore. Is there a company like something of the sort of what JC Whithney is to old cars as maybe something is to old or out of production truck?

Since I am new to this forum I would sure hate to ruffle feathers so soon, but isn't the purpose of a forum to ask questions? I am glad to know there is research info available, but I would like to have up to date answers! If this is not what this forum is about, I will be happy to go elsewhere.

Dakota · Jul 23, 2009

I think this is a useful up to date discussion, some people seem to hate new posts, not sure why.

guido4475 · Jul 23, 2009

golfournut said:
Thanks Guido, so would you have another Sterling if the price was right?

If the price was right, and if I could get a cummins 8.3 in it,if it were a class 7.The 4-valve per cylinder cummins 8.3 315 hp was a great engine, decent fuel mileage, and reliable as well as cheap and easy to fix.I am not too crazy about the 3126,or c-7 cat, even though I had one, and it is still going with 900k on it.

But if it were a class 8, I would want the detroit series 60 for fuel mileage and dependability.I had the -15 in mine, and it was too heavy.But an excellent engine.The only thing I did not like about my Sterling was the fact that the stereo was in a terrible location, had to reach and look down on the dash to change channels, etc.And the a/c system wasnt strong enough, it should of had a blower motor with 2 cages on it, like a K-W and Pete have.But the interior was roomy,plenty of legroom, had a car feel to the interior.I used to run coast to coast non -stop in that truck, and I did not feel beat up after a run in that truck.The headlights were not the best setup,after awile you had to get one of them headlight restorer kits to get the lenses clear again.They are also known for the cab mounts going in the front,by the firewall, where they mount to the frame. they are 45.00 each.But overall, a nice truck.

golfournut · Jul 23, 2009

guido4475 said:
If the price was right, and if I could get a cummins 8.3 in it,if it were a class 7.The 4-valve per cylinder cummins 8.3 315 hp was a great engine, decent fuel mileage, and reliable as well as cheap and easy to fix.I am not too crazy about the 3126,or c-7 cat, even though I had one, and it is still going with 900k on it.

But if it were a class 8, I would want the detroit series 60 for fuel mileage and dependability.I had the -15 in mine, and it was too heavy.But an excellent engine.The only thing I did not like about my Sterling was the fact that the stereo was in a terrible location, had to reach and look down on the dash to change channels, etc.And the a/c system wasnt strong enough, it should of had a blower motor with 2 cages on it, like a K-W and Pete have.But the interior was roomy,plenty of legroom, had a car feel to the interior.I used to run coast to coast non -stop in that truck, and I did not feel beat up after a run in that truck.The headlights were not the best setup,after awile you had to get one of them headlight restorer kits to get the lenses clear again.They are also known for the cab mounts going in the front,by the firewall, where they mount to the frame. they are 45.00 each.But overall, a nice truck.

I sure like the Cummins. I have a pair of the 370's in my boat. They just keep on tickn. I think I had the 60 in a KW T600 in the 90's, I think, but don't hold me to it. Going back a stretch. It sure ran good. Thanks again Guido