Best truck and truck engine over the past 7 years?

**Knightwolfen** · 08.09.2012

Hi guys:

I'm new to this forum, just registered tonight and I'm from Canada and stumbled upon this forum while doing research. I'm looking into becoming an O/o doing mainly short hauls, but heavy loads. I've started doing a little research on which engine is good for heavy trucks, but it sounds like alot of the new stuff with all the new pollution crap they've added are nothing more than headaches and even downtime, as well as possibly higher fuel/operating costs. Of course, whether I go new or used will also depend upon what I can get for gov't grants and financing, but I'd just like to know what I should be looking for in terms of a good reliable, powerful, fuel efficient engine that isn't going to cost me alot of downtime first. I'm hoping you guys can help me out with some good, honest info.

Since you all have alot of experience I'm sure in this department, I thought I'd ask and see what peoples' opinions are. Is it best to go with a used unit, pre-2007 or 2008, or is there a new truck with a good engine in it that isn't going to give me alot of grief? From the research I've done so far, the new cummins are crap, and apparently the paccar MX series are poor too.. (good at everything, but short longevity, which is a big negative imho). Are the newer C15's good, or just as bad as the ISX series Cummins? I read that C15, C16, DD15, Cummins N14 are all good, but does that include newer versions, or just older versions before such n such a date? Think I read the Navistar Maxxforce 15 is good too, but I'd like to know the details of what I should really look for.

Currently I'm doing linehaul subcontracted through a buddy of mine driving one of his trucks (running about 600 miles/night up n down hills, up to 6-7% grades, as well as flat ground combined and hauling up to 70k), and I also am still employed with Pepsi hauling for them by the hour. I plan on changing jobs since I'm getting older and my body is getting alot more tired of heavy physical work that is required of me with pepsi, so I'm looking for a change... I've been trucking for about 6 years now and have always wanted my own truck since I started working in the industry... tired of companies not wanting to fix ####, and even having piss poor equipment to work with in the first place. It's quite frustrating when you take a truck into fleet to get some problems fixed and the next time you drive it, those issues haven't been addressed and yet, the blame is on the driver if you're ever pulled over by DoT and get fined for something not working properly. On top of that, with that company, we never have the same unit so they're never taken care of and are neglected more than most trucks imho. Things like that add up to my frustration with working for other companies, so that's why I'm looking to become an O/o. I know it won't be easy, and I know I should have some cash in the bank for emergencies; that's something I'll figure out before I actually start on my own, but for now, I need the best information I can get on what to start with, especially engine wise, and even truck brand wise in terms of reliability. These are key imo; with today's high costs and lower wages, it's even more important than ever to make the right decision buying a new/used truck than ever before; there's little to no margin for error. So, I've given you a little of my background info, so please, feel free to shoot away with your opinions/suggestions!
Thank you all in advance

**joserojas** · 08.09.2012

Best truck and engine? Well there is going to be a lot of different opinions out there, I would advise you to stay away from those def trucks.why would you want the extra expense? I would recommend you a pre egr unit,cat engine,at least 13spd transmission,3.55 ratio.and good luck!

**snowwy** · 08.09.2012

cats have the power but they also eat the fuel and are expensive to fix and filters cost more to change oil.

isx motors are junk in my book. they eat seals. cams. and the holset variable vane turbo is garbage.

detroits are weaker in power but get the best fuel mileage.

stay away from anything else.

egrs motors are half and half. some eat egrs while others dont.
stay away from def and dpf's. egrs are luck of the draw.

i started with this company driving a detroit 60, no power but good motor for 1.5 mil miles. i now have the isx. more power. but the quality and build is starting to disgust me.

**lonelyswmtrucker** · 08.09.2012

i had a 3406E cat, 475hp, 15 spd, on tall 24.5 rubber; didn't pull all that great, fuel economy was beyond horrible & cost out the butt to do maintenance & repair.

cummins used to be a poor mans engine, from what i hear lately, they are no better than the twin turbo cats

detroits are ok, very good on fuel, economical to maintain, some say they have no power, some say they have more power than what they need

i've had experiences with all 3 engines & to me it's #### if u do, #### if u don't; it's all on how that engine is taken care of & how it's driven is how it's going to perform for u

just sayin

hope this helps u a little bit

**-insert name-** · 08.10.2012

Cummins ISX in a 06 KW W900.
Or a C15 CAT in a 05 International 9400i.

**durallymax** · 08.10.2012

Past 7 years have been tougher on engines. I actually go against the grain and will tell you to buy an SCR engine. Every industry is loving these things. Power and fuel economy are back as is reliability. The constant DPF issues are gone and the added cost of the def is verysmall kn the long run. Do not buy an 07 5-10 engine. You do NPT want to deal with their DPF issues.

**tbone1471** · 08.10.2012

I have had a few different makes of trucks and all of them have been pretty good to me. Just take care of the truck and it will take care of you. Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Ford... never had an international. As far as engines I really like the old mechanical stuff. Cat 3406 and cummins ntc 350, 400. I am sure it is probably too old for what you want or most people. But, I am only local and when things break I can fix them myself, I don't need anything electronic and I don't have to take it to the dealer for diagnostics. I am going to run these truck until the EPA says no more.

**ShortBusKid** · 08.10.2012

Just my opinion - either go pre EGR with Cat, Detroit or Cummins OR go with a near new SCR engine. I would not advise and will not own an 07-10 DPF truck again. Poor fuel mileage, high maintenance cost, etc etc. The DEF cost on the 2011 Volvo I have is around a penny a mile. The warranty on the emissions is very good and so far at 60,000 miles I have had no issues with the motor. The Volvo chassis and my local dealer - well that's another story for another thread. Needless to say I won't be shopping for another Volvo any time soon.

**durallymax** · 08.10.2012

Originally Posted by ShortBusKid

Just my opinion - either go pre EGR with Cat, Detroit or Cummins OR go with a near new SCR engine. I would not advise and will not own an 07-10 DPF truck again. Poor fuel mileage, high maintenance cost, etc etc. The DEF cost on the 2011 Volvo I have is around a penny a mile. The warranty on the emissions is very good and so far at 60,000 miles I have had no issues with the motor. The Volvo chassis and my local dealer - well that's another story for another thread. Needless to say I won't be shopping for another Volvo any time soon.

Exactly. Too many people make a big stink about the cost of the DEF and think the trucks are the devil because somebody's brothera uncle told them so.

When you put it on paper though, it makes sense. The SCR engines are economical. Is your old 3406 or big cam more economical? Probably but when comparing EGR motors to EGR/DPF motors to EGR/DPF/SCR motors you'll find the Scr ones to be doing very well. However it all depends on your circumstances. Either way definatley stay away from 07-10. You have a couple options. Buy new or barely used SCR engine, buy pre egr engine, buy egr engine and delete egr and such which will cost more money and could get you in a little trouble down the road, buy egr motor and just leave it stock knowing it may have some issues, buy a DPF motor and punch out the DPF and remove egr knowing you could face some bigger issues with the law but its rare, buy a DPF engine and leave it stock so you can get rid of that extra money you have fixing it, buy an SCR motor and have a reliable truck that's worth skmethijng but know you will have a few problems and need ti add def.

I dont know what your getting for miles per gallon of DEF but we pay $2.10-$2.40/ gallon and the pickup uses a gallon every thousand miles or so, the tractors(Ag) use a gallon every 10-15 hrs or so.

The costs are very low. The pickup gained a couple mpgs over the dpf only trucks, the tractor also uses a couple gallons less per hour too than the previous non emissions engine tractor we had.

Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Tapatalk 2