My new truck will be

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Oram, Feb 13, 2013.

  1. Oram

    Oram Medium Load Member

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    Jan 28, 2012
    WINDSOR, ON, CANADA
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    After months of research I made my final decision, my new rig will be a Kenworth T680. First of all thank you for everybody who helped me to go through my ideas and doubts. (I will upset some of you with my spec, I am sorry, but I will try to explain my reasons.)
    Further more thank you for Petesalesguy for giving me back the belief, there are decent sales people out there. Although, my early favorite was the T680, there were weeks when the Pete 579 topped my list, thanks to his dedicated work. Finally I have found the deal what I was looking for the T680 too. So I can tell you, there are hard working sales people out there, do not settle for less than professionalism, and do not settle with the closest dealership. A few hundred miles really does not count, if we are talking about a close to 150.000$ investment.
    The spec: Cummins ISX15, 450HP, 1550/170 multi torque, Eaton double OD 13 speed tranny, Meritor 14X dual tandem drive, ratio 3.08, AG400L rear suspension, AG130 air front, 13,200 Dana axle, 227" wheelbase, Michelin Xone energy 455/55R22.5 tires. VIT diamond interior, top of the line leather seats, full gauges.
    I gave up the 6X2 idea. There are several problem with the early productions what are out there. The electronics are just start to catch up. It is good idea, but right now it is not really compatible with the 6 end ABS, the traction control is not sensitive enough, too much spinning and rubber wearing, there are traction problems, if I manually drop the air from the rear bags, I can seriously overload the drive axle. Up to 50%. In Europe already there are complex electronics to make it an excellent and economical choice, but here in North America there are under test only and will be available shortly. Still I recommend for consideration as soon as the second generation 6X2 will be available.
    I gave up the 10 speed direct drive transmission, because at Kenworth the 2.47 ratio is not available, only the 2.63. With that one my RPM would be 1400 at 62. Even with the 2.47 it would be 1300, and Cummins recommendation for the 2013 engine, for the maximum fuel efficiency is 1150. So if there is no direct drive, the 13 speed is better.
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2013
    SHC and x#1 Thank this.
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  3. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    Cherokee County, Alabama
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    congratulations on making a new truck purchase especially during the current economic climate.
     
    Oram and Charli Girl Thank this.
  4. gbrown

    gbrown Light Load Member

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    Jul 25, 2011
    riverside ca
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    Sweet rig, please keep dates on how the truck and engine is performing.
     
    Oram Thanks this.
  5. Fester69

    Fester69 Light Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2012
    Omaha, NE
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    Congrats! Got any pics?
     
    Oram Thanks this.
  6. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Curious as to what and where you haul.....and how the 450HP performs.

    Congrats on the purchase.
     
    Oram Thanks this.
  7. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Kellogg, IA
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    My guess is no to the pics. Sure sounds like an order truck to me and not one off of a lot.
     
    SHC Thanks this.
  8. Oram

    Oram Medium Load Member

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    Jan 28, 2012
    WINDSOR, ON, CANADA
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    Thank you for the congratulations. Cowpie1 is right, this is an ordered truck, I can have my hands on in middle of March. So no picture yet.
    I pull dry vans up to 80,000lbs, mostly less than that, in the upper mid states and Ontario.
     
    123456 and The Challenger Thank this.
  9. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Kellogg, IA
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    Middle of March? That is pretty good. I ordered my truck last February and didn't get it until August.
     
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  10. Oram

    Oram Medium Load Member

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    Jan 28, 2012
    WINDSOR, ON, CANADA
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    Actually I ordered in December 5-th, but there was more than a month back and forth conversation with Kenworth engineering about my specification. I did not gave up easily, but finally I was convinced.
     
  11. PeteSalesGuy

    PeteSalesGuy Light Load Member

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    Aug 27, 2012
    Buffalo, NY
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    Thank you for the thank you.

    A good point is if you are custom ordering a truck take the time to really think through the specs and look long term. You likely will be driving for a long time so make sure you are getting what you want/need. That said remember these are not the "old days" and you aren't gonna get an N14 anymore!

    Also one thing we see that relates to fuel economy is the real, true speed you drive. When we are working the powertrain calculators we ask "what speed do you want to cruise at?" Standard answer is always lower than reality, no one wants to admit they REALLY dirve 70 MPH so they tell us "I go 62" and then wonder why the fuel economy is not what they expected. The "sweet spot" for top mileage is really pretty narrow so be honest and your truck will return the best possible MPG.
     
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