What to drive?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by supertrucker, Nov 9, 2006.

Which would you pick?

  1. *

    Autocar

    3 vote(s)
    1.2%
  2. *

    Peterbilt

    65 vote(s)
    26.3%
  3. *

    Kenworth

    71 vote(s)
    28.7%
  4. *

    Mack

    10 vote(s)
    4.0%
  5. *

    Freightliner

    29 vote(s)
    11.7%
  6. *

    Sterling/ Ford

    4 vote(s)
    1.6%
  7. *

    Volvo

    48 vote(s)
    19.4%
  8. *

    Marmon

    2 vote(s)
    0.8%
  9. *

    International

    15 vote(s)
    6.1%
  10. *

    GMC

    2 vote(s)
    0.8%
  11. *

    White

    3 vote(s)
    1.2%
  12. *

    other

    6 vote(s)
    2.4%
  1. jamwadmag

    jamwadmag Road Train Member

    1,119
    107
    Feb 28, 2006
    Desert Southwest
    0
    Tell your co.s that---I slip trucks weekly and won't pay my $ to do it!
    Just carry a handful of 20A fuses with me from co. shop!!
     
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  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    48,718
    224,866
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    But if you drive the same truck all the time, it would be worth it to me just to buy a breaker and be done with that aggravation.
     
  4. jamwadmag

    jamwadmag Road Train Member

    1,119
    107
    Feb 28, 2006
    Desert Southwest
    0
    Would you happen to have a $ figure on those breakers? Never priced, but everything these days in trucks is 'High,' need Wal-mart for Truckers! LOL
     
  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    48,718
    224,866
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    Me neither, but I don't see them being any more than 20 bucks or so.
     
  6. jamwadmag

    jamwadmag Road Train Member

    1,119
    107
    Feb 28, 2006
    Desert Southwest
    0
    Need 2 or 3 to cover trlr lights?! The problem with fuses is, try to 'troubleshoot' a trlr with a short at night (!) without going thru couple of fuses. Auto-thermal resetting CB's cover you while doing!
     
  7. Runamuk

    Runamuk Bobtail Member

    22
    1
    Oct 29, 2006
    Springfield, Oregon
    0
    I have a 1998 Peterbilt 379 with a 313" wheelbase. Not an excessive amount of lights, polished aluminum tanks,steps, tool boxes, headache rack, deck plate, and wheels. Straight 5" stacks,chrome light bar on the rear, large square "texas style" bumper. Most all of the exterior nuts and bolts are covered with chrome caps. It gets washed at least once a week, even in times of bad weather( corrosion control).

    When I pull up to my customers place of business, most of them tell me how nice my equipment looks. They are proud to see their product being loaded on my truck. They are also confident of the care I will give to their product just by the way that I keep up my own equipment. I have two regular customers that have told me that they gave me their business in the first place, largely due to the appearance of my truck even though my rates are higher than that of my competition.

    I must admit that the cab of my truck is smaller than that of many of the other brands, but I use the sleeper for sleeping and do little or no entertaining in it.

    The 379 Pete is not as aerodynamic as many other trucks, but it is "class". At 8 years old, my Pete is almost as tight as a new truck, in fact, it is tighter than many much newer trucks. When it comes down to resale value, I do not think that Peterbilt can be beat.
    The ride of a 313" wheelbase truck is unbelievable too. Cruising down the highway,grossing 105,500#, it is just like riding in a big ole limo.
     
  8. jamwadmag

    jamwadmag Road Train Member

    1,119
    107
    Feb 28, 2006
    Desert Southwest
    0
    Do you get 'tips' from your customers to help pay for....? LOL I guess I'm used to co. tractors, take good care of them (other than frequent washing) cause that's way I was raised by Dad, uncles, etc. Your mechanical equipmt is almost part of your family! I've worked on autos most of my life and really do appreciate well-maintained machinery. But, in the trucking industry, drivers CAN get carried away with it---chronic wheel polishing, etc. We drive out in the elements in all kinds of weather. Keeping up a meticulous appearance can take too much $$$! MY company tractor is a TOOL to me...
     
  9. Lil'Devil

    Lil'Devil Heavy Load Member

    749
    332
    Jan 1, 2007
    Great White North
    0
    I like my Kenworth, I have a 97 W900, it's one of those areocab flattop ones, new paintjob, custom grill, a few stainless accessories, staight pipes, it's a good looking ride

    I'll admit that it's not the easiest to get around in tight places with, and it's not the best for fuel economy, but for the work that I do it is alright

    I have never been one to jump on the Peterbilt bandwagon, I have never been a real fan of their looks, and some of these guys go way overboard with the lights and chrome (although not just on the Petes) and it just looks tacky

    Although I have seen some Petes that are dressed up and customized and done very tastfully and look very good, but a plain, stock looking Pete does nothing for me
     
  10. Bucks Owin

    Bucks Owin Bobtail Member

    31
    3
    Jan 9, 2007
    0
    IMO, you are already driving one of the best looking trucks around. Love those W900L....

    I drove a older 379 Pete for a time and liked it OK. It felt like driving a sports car compared to the T-600 that preceded it, kinda like the trailer was doing the "pushing" instead of the truck doing the "pulling" if you catch my drift....

    BO
     
  11. supertrucker

    supertrucker Light Load Member

    138
    3
    Sep 19, 2006
    Lost Highway
    0
    If you don't already you ought to get lights in that bumper that be cool:king:
     
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