To Hino or Not To Hino?

[bassasom1]

I am just wondering what experiences drivers or even fleet owners have had from the Toyota Hino Truck. I see a lot of them around the truck stops and a few struggling climbing hills here and there but would really like to know from experienced owners/drivers how these trucks hold up?

I am curious of how sound an investment that the Toyota really is. What transmission that are being used and if these trucks are worth looking further into for building a fleet of dependable trucks.

 

[moose]

everybuddy here know to the letter what i'm about to say .
HINO's are not for everyone , they are easily abused ,and need to be spec'ed to Expedite ,and treated well .most used Hino out there have being abused .
a simple test is to drive it ,and see the RPM at 60 MPH , if it is over 1,800 , than that is an abused truck ,it spent too mach time near the red line .
from what i see ,Hino made a big step forward with the new SCR engines .
if you will only change the rear ends ,before leaving the dealer lot ,and drive it slow ,it will the best investment .
if you cannot control your drivers ,those trucks will not last .they are not build to do 69MPH all day long at 2,300Rpm.
my Hino now have 230,000 mil . runs strong ,and almost maintenance free .
all of the few items that did bring the truck to the shop was either not 'Hino' related ,or things i bought on my self by not knowing the truck so well .
you can go to the Hino website ,where you will see for yourself the limited transmissions options . the Allison's auto ,will probably cost just around one MPG ,from what i hear ,but maybe not .
climbing up a hill never really being an issue .
if you are planing on a large inverter ,you will have to buy the Hino with the larger alternator ,and 3 deepcell battery's .
the bug screen is an option - get it !
the WV 'factory installed' seating is a bad joke at best ,almost as good as a joke as the windshield washer fluid location ,good luck installing an air ride passenger seat .
don't get cheap on the engine air cleaner ,buying the original will save your engine.
maybe some day we will get lucky ,and they will bring on the large cabover HINO from down under .
good luck in your new venture ,lets the attack begins ...

 

[Crazynuff]

Hinos are good trucks for what they were designed for but they were not designed for OTR driving . The main things they lack are comfort and power.

 

[davekc]

Hinos are good trucks for what they were designed for but they were not designed for OTR driving . The main things they lack are comfort and power.

I would review Hinos right on this site. Plenty of posts on them. The general consensus seems to be that they are not really suited for an OTR application.
Some of that is confirmed just by the original price and what you see the used ones going for.

 

[LDB]

I've never driven one or been interested in one. I wouldn't look at a truck without at least 300 hp and over 800 pounds of torque powering it through an OTR spec drivetrain. That said, some people have them and like them a lot. If you can be satisfied driving about 59-60 mph maximum every single mile you drive you MIGHT do ok with one provided you are religious with the maintenance. I personally think they are designed for jobs where they never go above 50mph but that's just my opinion. I have no idea what pricing is on them now but I see used ones almost given away it seems.

I think you are better off with a true class 8 chassis. It's a million mile plus truck for about 10-20% more money than a half million mile class 7 chassis. If you are set on going with a class 7 chassis I think the Kenworth T3xx and now maybe also a T4xx are well above the rest. One of my best friends has a T300 with Cummins engine and over 3/4 million miles on it. He takes care of it right though. That's the key with any of them. Good luck.

 

[AutonomyRex]

I have to agree with all the posters, even Moose, who helped me a while back to NOT buy a used Hino I was looking at. It ran at 2100rpm's at 58/59mph. It was an Auto.

I also had a friend looking at a hino....another Hino owner he met help him make a decision...and it was walk away from the truck he was considering...he is still looking.

Personally, I liked the clean lines of the interior...some would say "spartan". Nice sight lines and plenty of windows...BUT, it had been abused.

Like LDB, I prefer 300hp or above, my taste runs even closer to 350hp and class 8. And I did a lot of research and asked questions.

I just recently switched over from a tractor to a class 8 straight, and compared to all the class 7's I test drove, I am happy I spent the extra time to learn...which is what you are doing as well.

Best thing...test drive one...the type you are planning to use real world. Used if you are buying used, or new if buying new. No use in testing a new and buying used.....different horses.

History on a truck...SO IMPORTANT. My experience when I was shopping....most trucks are fleet and team driven by MULTIPLE drivers, and majority donot treat truck as their own.

Best class 7 in my opinion....the KW t300. Eaton Manuel 10spd 315hp Cummins, I think it was....memory a bit fuzzy, test drove so many....if I am incorrect on the set up, I'll correct my post.

Hope this helps a bit
A-Rex

 

[Dakota]

I have to agree with moose mine was an auto and was at 2300 at 65 and did not hold up most are not geared for highway driving if not just say NO to hino

 

[Deville]

Funny this comes up...I've been looking at a 2006 Hino 268 with 26k gwr 20ft box, air ride manual trans. with 196k on it. The price is really good & it has a 3 year Penske warrenty on it. That being said I'm still leary about pulling the trigger.