Which would be better?

[jhead64]

Thinking about buying a new straight truck. From the following choices, which would get the best fuel mileage?

2013 M2 106. Cummins ISB with 6 speed Fuller, 260 HP, 4.78 rear end ratio.

2013 Cascadia DD13, Allison automatic, 370 HP, 4.11 rear end ratio.

2013 M2 112 DD13, Allison 3000 HS auto, 370 HP, 5.13 read end ratio.


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[Dynamite 1]

None of them the way they are spec'd. I wouldn't buy the 106 period. The 112 or the cascading are both fine except for the rear end ratio.

first off, are these already to go expedite units or cab chassis. The reason I ask is that I don't know what expedite dealer would make either one of these an expedite truck with that low of a rear end ratio. ( higher number, lower ratio and vice versa)

second, you mentioned an Allison 3000 in the 112 but not the model in the cascadia. Either one should be spec'd with a 4000 series Allison. I wouldn't want a 13 litre motor with a 3000 series as the torque and hp would be close to the top of what that transmission is designed to handle.
third, the rear end ratio with that engine with an Allison should be somewhere around a 3.54 or 3.73 or 3.91. Preferably the first two of those three. With the 10 speed ultrashift you can go really high in ratio.

While the DD 13 does operate a little differently in rpm sweet spot, those ratios are way to low for an over the road expedite truck. You should look up TeamCaffee here on EO and pm them with some questions. They can give a lot of insight on the subject as they are running a cascadia with a DD 13, although theirs has the 10 speed they are very knowledgable about this set up.

 

[jhead64]

These are already built listed for sale by Fyda Freightliner in Columbus Ohio. They are advertised here on this web site.

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[Murraycroexp]

Tell Bobby I said hi. (At FYDA)

 

[Dynamite 1]

These are already built listed for sale by Fyda Freightliner in Columbus Ohio. They are advertised here on this web site.

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dont know, maybe I'm missing something. We have a 112 with the 13 litre Mercedes and the Allison 4000 6 speed. My rears are 3.73 and we turn 1300 @ 65 mph. Maybe the 4.10 would be ok with the new DD 13 but I still think I would get some real world numbers from some experienced owners.

 

[layoutshooter]

I have a MBE4000 at 450HP with an Eaton Fuller automated transmission. The rear end has a 3.58 ratio. It is a 2005 engine and I routinely get 10MPG+ I don't think I would ever want a smaller engine.

This is in a M112, which I would NEVER buy again. The engine and drive train are performing well, the rest of the truck sucks. Too light weight. Too much plastic garbage that is falling apart.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I have a MBE4000 at 450HP with an Eaton Fuller automated transmission. The rear end has a 3.58 ratio. It is a 2005 engine and I routinely get 10MPG+ I don't think I would ever want a smaller engine.

This is in a M112, which I would NEVER buy again. The engine and drive train are performing well, the rest of the truck sucks. Too light weight. Too much plastic garbage that is falling apart.

Most advise going with a class 8...really built for a million miles. As you said..class 7's, too much plastic and too light.

 

[layoutshooter]

Most advise going with a class 8...really built for a million miles. As you said..class 7's, too much plastic and too light.

My dash has reached the point where I can no longer repair it. I am going to have to have it replaced. It is going to cost a fortune. The plastic is gone. IF I ever buy another truck it will be a class 8. I am not sure if I would ever buy another Freightliner or not. I am not happy with their customer service at all. IF I ever do buy another truck it will have the same size engine and similar set up, assuming that works for newer models. I would want the same performance and, hopefully, even better fuel mileage.

 

[LDB]

You'll pay maybe 10-20% more for a class 8 over a class 7 and you'll get 50-100% more life out of the class 8. As others have said, the gearing sounds too low and I'd also be very leery of the wheelbase. The class 8 Sterlings Knoxville built a few years ago all had too long a wheelbase by a foot or so. They are nose heavy and almost impossible to properly balance. Proper specs for expediting are a hugely complex system.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

My dash has reached the point where I can no longer repair it. I am going to have to have it replaced. It is going to cost a fortune. The plastic is gone. IF I ever buy another truck it will be a class 8. I am not sure if I would ever buy another Freightliner or not. I am not happy with their customer service at all. IF I ever do buy another truck it will have the same size engine and similar set up, assuming that works for newer models. I would want the same performance and, hopefully, even better fuel mileage.

That reminds me of my old Top Kick GM days....what a POS....bench seats a shifter with 6 and 8 gear so far to the right you had to be part monkey to get it in...LOL.....and a dash that would crack and break in half and have to be held in place with duct tape!....

 

[Dynamite 1]

I have a MBE4000 at 450HP with an Eaton Fuller automated transmission. The rear end has a 3.58 ratio. It is a 2005 engine and I routinely get 10MPG+ I don't think I would ever want a smaller engine.

This is in a M112, which I would NEVER buy again. The engine and drive train are performing well, the rest of the truck sucks. Too light weight. Too much plastic garbage that is falling apart.

You can also take each persons experiences separately. As I stated we have an 05 m2 112 and ours is not having any issues with falling apart or any interior or dash issues. We have 800,000 on ours and could not be happier with the way it has held up, although we did build this truck so we have been its only owners and caretakers.

 

[layoutshooter]

That reminds me of my old Top Kick GM days....what a POS....bench seats a shifter with 6 and 8 gear so far to the right you had to be part monkey to get it in...LOL.....and a dash that would crack and break in half and have to be held in place with duct tape!....

In this truck it is the cheap, plastic, "under dash" that is falling apart. The part that all the cheap plastic parts we see as the dash screw into. I have been dealing with this for a long time. It has reached the point where there is nothing left to repair. It IS kinda fun having pieces and chunks of plastic fall on the floor as you drive down the road! The rattles that as dash makes when it is loose is kinda cool too!

I can't WAIT to see what this is going to cost. Just one of the "under dash" pieces is over $700, and I need ALL of it replaced.

 

[layoutshooter]

You can also take each persons experiences separately. As I stated we have an 05 m2 112 and ours is not having any issues with falling apart or any interior or dash issues. We have 800,000 on ours and could not be happier with the way it has held up, although we did build this truck so we have been its only owners and caretakers.

We did not build or buy this truck new. It did only have 140,000 on it when we got it.

I was talking with a shop on this issue yesterday. Getting the supply chain primed for when I get home. He said that this is a very well known issue with all of the M2 Business Class trucks and the Freightliner is aware but is doing nothing. It tends to start with a "soft spot" behind the parking brake release and then spreads. You may have been lucky as far as the dash goes.

I have also spoken with others who have this truck and they too have the same problem to varying degrees.

 

[Dynamite 1]

I know of others who have had these issues and luckily we have not nor any indications of any cracking on any of the interior plastic on or under the dash. Once I heard about the parking brake issue I started inspecting it about every 90 days or so to check for cracks. So far so good. We did however take the dash apart when it was new and back all th plastic parts possible with sticky backed foam as to prevent any rattles or plastic to plastic squeak. That drives me crazy. Maybe that little trick has reduced the stress on the plastic parts resulting in no issues.

 

[layoutshooter]

I know of others who have had these issues and luckily we have not nor any indications of any cracking on any of the interior plastic on or under the dash. Once I heard about the parking brake issue I started inspecting it about every 90 days or so to check for cracks. So far so good. We did however take the dash apart when it was new and back all th plastic parts possible with sticky backed foam as to prevent any rattles or plastic to plastic squeak. That drives me crazy. Maybe that little trick has reduced the stress on the plastic parts resulting in no issues.

Maybe that trick was the answer. They should be built correctly in the first place. Hope your luck holds! It sure is a pain in the neck to say the least.

 

[1roaddog]

Never Ever let Anyone use a powered screwdriver on Anyplace inside your truck.Every Truck will fall apart after repeated use by a Parts Changer at an Overpriced Dealership !

 

[jhead64]

Thank you all for the input.

What about this truck,

2014 M2112. DD13, 370hp, Allison auto, 3.91..

What are the differences between a Cascadia and an M2112? They are both class 8 trucks right?

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[Moot]

What are the differences between a Cascadia and an M2112? They are both class 8 trucks right?

The Cascadia is a true class 8 truck. The M2112 can be spec'd as a class 8 by upgrading the engine, transmission, driveline and axles. The expedite trucks you have mentioned are probably class 7 (medium heavy duty). I don't know if the term "Baby 8" is still in use, but if it is, it would apply to the M2112, depending on specifications.

 

[desk_drvr]

Contact Jeff Jones Stoops Freightliner Fort Wayne IN 260-748-2616. Ask how he specs his trucks. I have driven one of his Cascadia SST100 customs DD13 450hp 10sp ultra shift can't remember rear ratio. Over 100,000miles lift axle on ground 95% (front heavy with big bunk) we ran between 11-12mpg don't remember exact average. had 1 750 mile run we got 14.3. Have a 2013 Cascadia with specs like you mentioned above (test truck for us not from Stoops). Drivers best mpg report so far with 25,000miles is 9.8. The 2012/2013 Cascadias (from Stoops) factory sleeper, with DD13 450hp ultra shifts reporting 12+mpg. We also have 2014s (from Stoops) with a little different spec DD13 410hp Multi Torque Ultra Shift Plus, 3:21rear. Trans programming set for economy, Drivers reporting 12+ when new as truck breaks in now at about 30,000miles starting to bump 13mpg. These drivers are running 60mph or less

 

[jhead64]

Thank you desk drvr. Will do. Sounds really good.

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