Truck Topics
Test Drive: Alumi-Bunk's 2003 International 7400 series
Expediters Online took a trip down south a few weeks ago to visit with Dan Tilley of Alumi-Bunk of Knoxville, who had just received one of the new Class 7 Internationals.
We convinced him to let us test-drive the unit, and after we paid for lunch, he agreed to our putting some miles on the truck.
The International 7000 series
International Truck and Engine introduced the second group of its "high performance" vehicles in late 2001 as part of a replacement of its medium- and medium/heavy duty models.
These models represent the first entirely new medium truck design from International in more than 20 years following the S-series, introduced in 1977. The 7000 series replaced the 2000 severe service trucks and some old-series 4800 models.
The 7000 series trucks are powered by International's own inline 6-cylinder diesels. This 33,000 GVW test truck was equipped with a DT 530, 8.7-liter engine producing 300 HP, and with a torque rating of around 900 ft-lbs. This was coupled to a 6-speed Allison Automatic. This hi-torque engine appears to be a good match for the Allison.
According to International, improvements in their power plants include:
-The engine's premium wet sleeves are induction-hardened and plateau-honed, which International says gives optimum cooling and lubrication for maximum ring life and superior oil control. They also state that the heavy-duty, long-life wet sleeve design allows for an economical rebuild.
-The International® Diamond Logic™ Electronic System monitors hundreds of operational parameters to achieve maximum performance and fuel economy while minimizing noise levels and reducing emissions. Programmable controls include road speed limiting, cruise control and engine warning protection. The system constantly logs operational events and run time data to communicate fully with the EZ-Tech™ service computer for accurate, fast and efficient diagnostics.
-Engineering advances that allow oil change intervals (lubricating system capacity 30 U.S. qts.) to be extended to 15,000 miles. A new fuel filter design allows use to be extended to 30,000 miles before replacement. Extended life coolant can be used for 150,000 miles before servicing and eliminates the need for a water filter in the cooling system. The new maintenance intervals are 25% greater than those recommended for previous International medium trucks.
-The test truck
We met up with Expediting Truck Specialist Dan Tilley at Alumi-Bunk's new Knoxville, TN location. Tilley had the truck fueled and ready to go. We did a quick walk-around, during which time he pointed out the various features of this relatively new model...
The Cab
In terms of driver comfort and safety, this new truck comes standard with 82-inch width cabs that feature high-back seating and built-in head restraints for improved body support. This new series also offers low offset steps, wide door openings, and grab handles positioned inside the cab.
Tilley says, "The International 7400 has been very appealing to my customers who are coming to expediting from tractor/trailers. It has more of a big truck feel than many of the Class 7 platforms and a buyer can even get a Class 8 type warranty on this truck."
He also noted that the cab and sleeper on this unit rested on the exclusive "Uni-Mount Air Ride" system, which accounts for that big truck The "Uni-Mount" construction puts the cab & sleeper on the same platform, totally independent from the main frame and we discovered that it provides a smooth, comfortable ride.
A flat instrument panel is standard and the gauges, switches and controls, along with the entire interior, have an "automotive" look and feel. Rocker-type light switches are mounted low and to the left of the steering wheel, as on a car or light truck. Windshield wipers are run by a twist ring on the turn signal stalk. A feature unique to this model was the placement of the air horn button on the steering wheel.
There is a doghouse covering the rear of the engine, but it's not too intrusive. International says that special care was taken to insulate and seal it to keep noise and fumes out of the cab. The muffler is under the cab and the exhaust stack is mounted on the frame to keep vibration isolated outside of the cab.
The 7400 has a lower hood and 60% greater windshield area for improved visibility. Improved fit and finish of body panels has reduced interior noise level by 33%, says the manufacturer. This truck featured electrically heated mirrors.
International has made major improvements in cab heating and air-conditioning. The new design makes a 100% improvement in air-conditioning compared to previous International trucks, and heat distribution is improved 200% with larger ducts and larger vents, the company says.
The Sleeper
Our International Model 7400 test truck was equipped with an 84" Alumi-Bunk Aero Condo stand up sleeper. For those unfamiliar with the Aero Condo series sleeper, the first impression one receives when stepping into this design is the tall roof - 8 feet tall to be exact! If this roof were in a home, it would be considered a cathedral ceiling.
The first features of the sleeper we noticed were the roominess and plush upholstery. The gray fabric used on the sleeper perfectly matched the cab's upholstery. The tall ceiling undoubtedly contributes to the feeling of spaciousness, creating a sense of being in a larger unit.
Other features of this Alumi-Bunk unit included:
Double bunks
Our test truck was equipped with an Alumi-Bunk 22 foot cargo box with barn doors and also featured no less than 3 side boxes - standard on Aero Condo Sleepers.
Finished in standard utilitarian white, the truck has clean lines and a no-nonsense look. The chrome grill and headlight nacelles provide a nice contrast to the painted bumper and otherwise all-business look of the unit.
On the road
Our test driver quickly made the seat and mirror adjustments and we pulled out of the Alumi-Bunk of Knoxville dealership with Dan Tilley doing the navigating. Even with 2 pallets totaling 8,000 lbs. of test weight in the back, we were impressed with the power of the 300- horse motor and the effortless shifting of the Allison Automatic.
We were quickly up to the speed limit (65), by the end of the entrance ramp on I-40 east bound. There was very little road noise in the cab, and between the Alumi-Bunk air ride system and the air ride seats, we experienced a gentle ride similar to that of quality Class 8 trucks.
The manufacturer's claim of improved visibility turned out to be true - our 5'11" test driver found no fault with the view to the front and sides, and he even commented favorably about the wing vents on this truck (handy for a smoker). The day of the test was quite warm, with temperatures hovering around the 90-degree mark, but the air conditioning kept us quite comfortable with the blower at the halfway setting.
The steering was tight and precise, and tracked in a straight line with virtually no drift. Even at highway speeds, it only took a slight punch on the accelerator to easily pass slower traffic in the right lane.
In expediting, it's a given that the truck will not always run on the big roads, so in the interest of performing a comprehensive test, Tilley suggested that we take the truck off the Interstate and put it through its' paces on some of Tennessee's tight, twisty side roads.
At the beginning of one of these back roads, we had to negotiate a very tight 180-degree right turn that lead into a hill with around a 4 percent grade. The DT530 didn't even breathe heavily going up the grade, continuously accelerating as the Allison went through the up shifts, which were so smooth as to be barely perceptible.
What goes up must come down, and we soon discovered the benefits of International's exhaust brake system on some of the more aggressive downgrades on the narrow two-lane roads. Activated by a dash-mounted switch, the system worked well at a very reasonable volume level.
Speaking of braking, the standard air-brake system was perfectly acceptable as well. In fact, on the return trip to the dealership, we had occasion to make many quick stops (and a couple of panic ones as well), when the line of four-wheelers in front of us decided to cease forward motion for no apparent reason.
Time after time, the truck slowed in a straight line, with no sign of diminished braking strength even in the 90-degree heat of summer.
We took the International into a local minor league ball club's parking lot to try out its turning and backing capabilities, and the truck performed these maneuvers with, pardon the pun, no sweat. With its very tight wheel cut, the truck slid easily into the test spaces we created. We came away with the impression that we would feel comfortable backing down a tight alley with this unit.
Back at the dealership, Tilley filled us in on the 5 year, 500,000 mile on major components warranty that is available with the 7400, in effect, a Class 8 warranty.
Tilley says that interested buyers should contact Alumi Bunk for a complete listing of available chassis ….the complete line of International trucks including the 4400 series with the DT466, 250HP engine and 6-speed Eaton Fuller trans along with the 7500 series with the DT530, 330HP motor, with the Eaton Fuller 10-speed, or Eaton Fuller 10-speed Autoshift.
We found the International 7400 to be equal to the spec's of the most discriminating expediting owner-operator and if you're shopping for a new truck, you owe it to yourself to take a test drive in an International. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Alumi-Bunk of Knoxville
Dan Tilley
I-40 @ Cherry St., Exit 390
Knoxville, TN
Toll Free 866.799.2865
Email: [email protected]