I'm kinda stuck in the middle, I don't want to lug it nor do I want to hot rod it. Some how I have managed 5.3 mpg fairly regularly so I am hesitant to change to much.

I hear that, but if you get in the hills dont be afraid to take it up to 2100-2200rpm.

__________________


LOAD EM LIKE RAIL CARS, DRIVE EM LIKE RACE CARS!!!!

I will give it a whirl!!!!

King, this is meant to be constructive, and ya I know i'm way behind here. But Bronc is dead on the money! I am new to this too so remember that as well. But I was sure I wanted a Volvo, the whole work station thing and sleeping up top etc.. And the room is nice. But I dont get the MPG's that Bronc gets with his T600,(not to mention the style points he gets for the Bad Donkey!) and after a liittle while you will probably start to wish for something else! I sure am! But the point is until YOU get driving, you wont really know what you like best! IMHO, you are on the best site for getting a lot of that info. right here! Listen to what some of these guys who have been around are telling you. They have driven more than you or I combined!( probably even counting 4 wheelers, and I drove 75,000 miles a year for a long time) When they get past the grief they give each other over favorite brands, the info is absolutely invaluable! MM has been in the position of owning a co, so he knows about that side of buying a truck. Not to mention his driving experience. 550 has a 1000hp KW, what more needs to be said? I cant remember who said it, but you may not like the answers when you ask a question. But to ignore good advice is just crazy! The hard part is accepting that you may be wrong. The quicker you learn how to handle that the better off you will be. And if you still choose a Volvo or Classic, great! Just make sure the decision is based on facts not emotions. After that, enjoy! Just like there is no such thing as "the" best co, there really isnt any such thing as "the" best truck.(although there could poss. be a "worst" truck LOL)

Very mechanic friendly especially the bottom alot of room.

__________________
Truck & Trailer Guru

Asking this is like asking ford or chevy a million opins very few based on any fact at all
So here is mine trying to be objective so you know where I am coming from at the moment I have to 2 KW w900b s and an FLD 120 but have had a couple pete's 378s & 379s in the past

They are all just trucks tools to get the job done and in theroy make me some money
There are lots of folks that don't think you can be super trucker without a 379 or a W9 just BS
a freightliner will get the same job done all my trucks work in the oil patch which is a very hard life for a truck

Pete
Pros
The old dash is great
they have a High resale if you go broke
switches are good
Probally the smothest ride you will find( air leaf)
Pretty trucks imo
Part you can get any dodad you want for a pete
turn sharp
heat and AC work like the should
Cons
Doors are junk if you twist the truck much
Clutch pedel imo sucks some like it
you pay a price for anything that says pete

KW
pros
I like the dash
have the most durable cab so far
they have a High resale if you go broke
I like the pedels
Windshields are cheap
Cons
Small cab
fuse panel sucks
heat/AC controls suck
8 bag is not that nice of ride

FLD 120( a classic with a set back)
Cheap to buy
Durable has been more so than my petes
Room room and more room
Nice ride almost as good as the pete
Cons
XL take a county to turn
dash switches are junk
big fiberglass hoods develop cracks
less resale doesn't matter if you don't sell it

Motors

Cat
My Acert C15 are always loseing a sensor or some such such bs they also have IVA proplems old cats where better(3406 etc...)
The are a lazy engine which is easier on the rest of the driveline
Cost yellow parts cost more than they should

Cummins
I have had some that are great and some that are crap my buddies that have the new ones want to use them for boat anchors

Detriot S60
have been the most reliable and cheapest to fix
gets better mpg than my cats
for the cost of one cat inj I can buy all 6 for my detriot

KW takes 40 acres to turn as well, i agree fuse box sucks, and the PD box is weak in all KW's and goes bad a lot if you have a lot of lights.

__________________


LOAD EM LIKE RAIL CARS, DRIVE EM LIKE RACE CARS!!!!

what always struk me funny was why paccar doesn't share parts at all like
ex..fuel caps pete caps are better so why not use them on KW as well

Heck my ex wife drove a 379 pete team with me, and she fit just fine. Had to move the seat up some though

I notice you said ex wife....maybe if you had a truck with some room in it she might not be your ex....LOL....just a joke

I've driven alot of trucks but by far my FLD120 is the best. My dad has a XL and i had to drive it somewhere, i had to stop and back up at the first corner to keep from hitting the tree....LOL It don't turn like my FLD!

He also has a "88 w900 that I drove for about 2 weeks and boy did that make me want my Freightliner even more!