I have decided to reexamine becoming an o/o. I would like to know the difference between the Freightliner Century and Columbia. I also would like to know the difference between the International 9400 and the 9900 also what is the "i" and eagle.

One more question, I drive a Freightliner Columbia that has developed a severe shake and the stearing wheel pulls back and forth. What is the most likely cause? It has just over 300,000 miles.

I understand the business end and the driving end, but I'm not a gear head. I should qualify that last statement, my wife wants to know why I'm always the one discovering the mechanical problems everytime I pick up a trailer.

most of the time its cupping tires but could be a kingpin is it at a certian speed range

Hi Preacher Man; Cant give you much info on Freightliners, but now is a tough time to be starting out as an O/O. Im not saying it cant be done, just that i dont think there are alot of real money making opportunities right now. There will be others on here that can give you much better info ...... Best of luck, whatever you decide.......

The differnces in the trucks you are asking about are mostly cosmetic. You can find many of the answers to your questions comparing them on truckpaper. Check your tires, king pins, shocks, steering box. Most likely tires.

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Just becasue its "legal" doesn't mean it's safe! I know when I need to sleep and when I am safe to drive. Fight the HOS. Write your Congressman.

I'm looking at getting a truck next year. I want to time this so that truck prices are still low like they are right now and just as loads are picking up. I will probably lease on with a company, but I won't do it for less than $1.00 a mile plus fsc. One possibility is pulling tanks for Schneider, but there are other options and companies also. Like I said I know how to figure the business end. I need a primer on things like gear ratios, differences in engines, tires, etc. Even as a company driver it is useful to know how to troubleshoot the truck.

I posted some advice on another section about the more valuable you make yourself as a driver the better you can demand to be treated because you become more in demand. There is a reason the best athletes get paid top dollar, they are hard to replace. A driver who knows when something is wrong with his truck and gets it fixed before it requires a tow is more valuable than a driver who is clueless.

Noticing your age, I realized why you have this outlook. You come from a time frame when a man took/takes pride in his work which is rare to find in today;s young society. Unfortunately the younger crowd feels they are "owed". You Sir, will do well. Best of luck.

__________________
MY truck is my home and my office!!
When you turn off the power in yours, I will turn it off in mine!! Stop the stupidity! Stop in-humane Anti-idle laws..
Write the ACLU, OSHA & Comigress
===========================
Just becasue its "legal" doesn't mean it's safe! I know when I need to sleep and when I am safe to drive. Fight the HOS. Write your Congressman.

5mouths not only do I agree that there is no such thing as a backhaul it is also a ripoff to pay me less per mile for a thousand mile run than a four hundred mile run. It costs me just as much on mile one thousand as mile one. For that reason if I get my own truck I will not drive for someone that has a banded mileage pay system.

9400 is a setback setback axle aero nose while the 9900 is a standard forward front axle config with a big traditional hood and external air cleaners. The 9200 is a 9400 with the axle set back so far the front rubber is actually slightly under the firewall. The "i" designates a model "improvement" that went into effect on all 9200, 9400, and 9900 trucks in 01'. The "i"s have curved windshield, no qtr vent windows, dropped edge on the door glass, and a different visor. They also have different brightwork, hoods that hide the wipers, and an upgraded interior. "Eagle" is the traditional name for International's high end trim package, mainly improvements on the interior but also usually have more external brightwork.

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Thank-you very much that info is the type of information I need. If someone is looking for a truck I would add some things about the cabin that I know from experience. If you are a smaller person (short) the International is a great truck with cup holders and switches that are easy to reach. I knew a guy who was over six foot and had to fold himself up like an accordian to drive the truck. Roehl has some 9400i tractors and for a while I had one. I got over 7mpg and loved the extra room in the sleeper. Since I am 5'4" I also loved the cab area with everything close at hand. I think it had a Detroit, but it's been awhile since I've seen the truck so it could have been a Cummins. It was light on power, but that could have just been how Roehl had it set up.

Glad you asked this Preacher Man, been staring at Truck Paper wondering exactly what the differences were as well on the IH's.