Hey all!

First time poster, but a long time reader.

Here is my dilemma:

Currently, I have a 2005 Freightliner Columbia with a Detroit Diesel 515 engine (60 series). It just reached 650 000 miles. Problems are starting to pop up all over the truck. So, I have decided that looking into a new truck would be a better idea that trying to endlessly invest money into truck repairs.

I really like the Cascadia + DD15. However, at the Freightliner dealership, they only offered me $22 000 for the trade in for my truck. WTF? The Cascadia I was looking at was $110 000. So, I decided to wait.

Then, I went to Volvo. They had the VN 670 with a Cummins 515 for $118 000. However, they offered me $29 900 for the trade in.

I drive 95% of the time from Toronto Canada to California, which is around a 3000 mile trip just to get there. I go through lots of flat land, as well as some very steep (15%) hills especially near the Grand Canyon.

So, which option do you guys think is better? Is there anything else I should be looking at?

Is the DD15 more or less efficient than my current 60 series 515 engine?

Any other suggestions for a non-classic truck?

Thanks in advance.

You should check out our glider kits.

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Derek

?

What kit?

Anyways, can someone give some advice?

Are these 2007 engines? I would try and find something with a 06 or older engine. Trucks right now are worth nothing. If you could pick up a pre 07 engined truck and hang onto yours till the market improved you would come out ahead. What kind of problems are you having? I'm running a 01 Western Star, Detroit 500, with 623,00 miles. Truck and I are having a competition to see who lasts the longest. This is definitely my last truck. I would have retired this year if used trucks were worth anything. You'll have to look at your finances and see what you can afford. With the economy the way it is right now I would not want payments higher than half of what I thought I could afford. If you go with the Volvo see if they will give you less for yours and drop the price of the new one to lessen the FET.

Why should I look for a pre-07 engine?

Are you determine to buy a new truck? My FLD/detroit is 9 years older that yours and we are still trucking. I ran into the same problem, not worth anything in trade, so I kept driving it. We have 1.2 million miles together (with 1 inframe, 1 bull gear, 1 turbo, six injectors, a starter and 2 alternators and numerous small DIY repairs) and like Native, I am beginning to wonder which of us will give out first. I have spent far less than the $1700 to $2200 I would have spent on truck payments, even including down time.

But, and this is a big but...I run no mountains except Monteagle, TN maybe once a month.

Yep, hauling a full trailer full of watermelons (80 000lbs) on a constant basis up hills all across Canada and America is not very pleasant. Too much stress on the engine even if you drive at 35 mph.

If you dont know why you should not get an 08 engine then you need to do some research. Horrible millage and reliability is just a couple things of the top of my head. You are better of putting money into your old truck and driving it then buying brand new.

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

From the year of your truck and mileage it seems you are putting on 200,000 miles a year. If so you are taking this whole thing far more seriously than it was ever meant to be taken. This from a slaggard that does 80,000 miles a year.

I run Alaska in my old truck all the time with a lot steeper grades and fewer repair facilities if something goes wrong. Just back out of it on the hills and let the truck pull itself up. Maybe running produce you don't have the time to do this. Many years ago I was running similar to you, Gilroy,Ca. to Leamington,On. reload in Don Mills,On for Vernon,Ca. and had so much fun back to Gilroy to do it again.

As for pre 07 engine, the 07 engines had more emission controls with poorer fuel mileage and higher maintenance costs. They are still an unproven technology whereas with an 02-06 engine they have had 4 years to work the bugs out. Most of the trucks I see on the back of tow trucks look to be newer trucks.

So, what engine would you recommend?

There doesn't seem to be an outright favorite, so what are your opinions?