What is the best truck out for an O/O?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by fxdbobber, Jun 27, 2010.

  1. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I guess mines a cheap plastic dash lol but I think it looks good. It's an '03 and has toggle switches. I hate rockers and I think '03 was the last year KW put toggles in trucks. Plus I've got gauges that look like what was in older trucks from days gone by not the newer looking ones that are semi-digital I hate those too.
     
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  3. milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    I hate trucks that dont have enough gauges in them. I'm sorry but I have only driven one truck with a pyro in it and I think it is dumb not to have one. You can drive a truck off the pyro when it comes to going up grades. That is one of the most importants gauges when it comes to your engine lasting.

    I just dont understand why there are trucks made with like 8 or 9 gauges. My pickup truck is a diesel and I have 10 anolog gauges and one digital that I can cycle through about 15-20 different perimeters on my truck and also see codes pulled and clear codes.
     
  4. Saddle Tramp

    Saddle Tramp Medium Load Member

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    if you mean differential lock, than yes i've driven trucks that had them.
     
  5. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I agree with you on a high horsepower truck pyro is necessary but I think those neutered gutless fleet trucks are just fine with basic gauges and no pyro... ..although the flip side of that is are they really? lol i mean you'd have to hook a pyro up to them and see i guess. I've got a pyro on my diesel pickup along with the basic standard gauges along with a smarty jr programmer. Honestly I dont romp on the truck a lot and dont tow much of anything = could get by without the pyro just fine on my pickup = know how to drive it right...
     
  6. lego1970

    lego1970 Medium Load Member

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    I don't know if were on the same page or not. Most tandem axle trucks will have a differential lock to engage both axles when you get the drive axle high centered or for a little extra traction, but some trucks have an additional lock to turn the differentials into posi tractions. Then on top of that some will have spitters to change the ratio from like 5.11's to 3.70's. Generaly full lockers mean both a differential lock and axle locks. I can't remember how it's worded on the switches so I might have that turned around.
     
  7. milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    I tow occasionally and I also romp on it on a normal occasion. I use it for sure
     
  8. fxdbobber

    fxdbobber Bobtail Member

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    Ok I thank you all for the responses.

    Here's a rundown of what I'm looking at. Ive got a few choices depending on the year of the truck. If I stick with 98 or newer I can work with any of these.

    1. A company out of Norway, IA. They haul dry van around the midwest. Home every weekend (I have 2 15 month olds at home so I like the home time) But they require the truck to scale with fuel, driver and all his crap in the truck at 18,500 or below.

    2. A Brokerage firm in north central IA. They have produce reefer loads from Iowa to California with coinciding backhauls. Dedicated runs no rent pulling their trailer but of course more pay if you drag your own ( I ain't got one).

    3. Do what another driver told me and try to find a local buisness that ships alot and see about getting one of thier loads for out and back.

    Now that being said I'm not 100% on what terrain I'm gonna pull. But here is what I like for a truck.

    Freightliner Classic
    500(or more) Cummins or a 515 Series 60 Detroit
    13 or 18 spd trans
    3.42-3.73 ratio
    22.5 Lopro rubber
    70" midroof sleeper O/O spec
    Exhaust behind the sleeper
    (this is the part most dislike) External air cleaners 15"
    Twin 150 Gal tanks
    Air Slide 5th wheel
    Suspension dump valve(worked for a company that deleted these off their fleet trucks just stupid)
    Full guage package
    And last but not least (You Pete and KW guys will hate this)
    NOT A SPOT OF CHROME ANYWHERE!!!!
    I'd rather drive then polish. No offense but shiney doesn't float my boat.

    Again thanks for all the responses and please keep them coming.
     
  9. fxdbobber

    fxdbobber Bobtail Member

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    Oh and guys if any of you have a truck matching this description and wanna hook me up with some poor credit financing that would be sweet.:biggrin_25514:
     
  10. FriedTater

    FriedTater Keeper of The Snakes

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    3:42-3:73 w/13-18 ?
    You be more likely to find 3:58's in a later model FL
     
  11. fxdbobber

    fxdbobber Bobtail Member

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    That's why I listed the spread. I've come across some nice ones for a fair price but they actually had 4.11 ration. So I passed.:biggrin_25513:
     
    FriedTater Thanks this.
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