What do you think of the new aerodynamic trucks vs the old long hood

They look great, but from a business standpoint, you will spend more on that truck per year than you would on say a Freightliner Columbia or Cascadia. That includes the lower fuel mileage.

 

Well, since it's opinion that's asked for.

I drove a W900 when I first started. I didn't care for it. The rear quarters were tight and the turning radius was a nightmare. As far as looking at them, yeah, they make a lot of chrome for Paccar hoods.

I liked the Columbia for the interior cabinet configuration. Very easy to live in. I like the Cascadia for the turning radius, smooth quiet ride and the way the hood opens to give complete access to the front of the motor. I like the International I9900 Eagle for the ease of customization of the interior and the fact it was a regular work horse. I like the Volvo for the dash and the quiet ride.

But...out of them all, I like this Prostar Eagle the best. Overall, it has a smooth ride because the wheel base is a little longer than most of the short nose trucks, it has all the pulling power I'll ever need, the resale value, while not quite that of a Paccar hood, seems to be holding its own, the dash and cab area are attractive, it's not made of plastic, it has plenty of interior room, it's a quiet ride, after nearly 180K miles, there are still no squeaks or rattles, it has been a solid work truck thus far, it has great visibility, has a reasonable turning radius and International is standing behind their product. (That was a problem I had with Freightliner and that Cascadia.)

There is nothing at all wrong with a hood and they look really great when they are taken care of. Look at 07-379Pete and BlackW900...their avatars are their trucks and they look very nice. I just don't care to have one myself.

I guess being around farms all my young life, I just had to have a Farmall.

 

The doors seem huge? Have you seen the size of some of the drivers out here?

 

Haha lol, this is very true formertaxidriver...

 

gotta have that hood! Peterbilt 379exhd- Long Haul Legend, Looks nice and classic,tough! Safer too if you go head on with another vehicle. I drove a few before.

 

Spend more how? My one piece curved glass windshield cost $60.00 installed, price one for a Volvo. With dual external air cleaners I don't need to change them nearly as often as I do with the single under hood filter T800 we have. I'm just curious how our 4 W900's cost me more per year than a plastic columbia, please give examples. See this is the problem with people who don't own them, they have no idea. I can't remember the last part I've had to change that was specific to the model of truck. I've had A/C repairs, power steering pumps, transmission and axle seals and none of which are truck model related. I did hit a deer 2 months ago, blasted it and ran clear over it. I had blood and guts hanging from brake chambers and on all 4 trailer axles (I have pics of the goo if anyone wants to see ). All I had to replace on the truck was one rib on the grill and the bumper. Bumper was $350, I found a 2010 Cascadia TAKE OFF OEM bumper with a crack for $1000. Also for our application NO truck is going to get great MPG.

If seeing a columbia in your driveway makes you smile, great! But just because a truck is aerodynamic doesn't mean it will make you more money and doesn't mean it costs less to operate.

Like I said before, please show me how I will spend more on a W900 per year vs a Cascadia. And don't try the fuel mileage issue because it isn't my dual exhaust or exposed fuel tanks that's keeping me from 7mpg, it's the heavy brick it's pulling.

 

I switch off between International 8600, 9200 and 9400 day cabs. I have however, driven the long hood tractors also (Freightliner Classic XL) and I can say this: the old style long hood tractors are nice to look at, and easily customizable. But, would I want to drive one? No, the wheelbases are huge, which makes turning them a pain, I find the cabs are smaller, and the blind spots are larger.

Pretty to look at, but I'd rather have the sloped hood model.

 

For me, a hood is the only thing I'll ever consider a real truck. From the days of my youth, that is the image I will forever associate with "trucking". Sure, you can get it done just the same with a playskool truck just like you can go fast in a souped up honda civic. But a 379 Pete is a truck and an Olds 442 is a muscle car. And if you don't think these hoods are making money, when was the last time you saw a stretched, chromed and lit up Columbia? Just my opinion though. Then again, I'm not the type you'd ever catch in a smart car.

 

Only one deer and you had to replace the bumper...? I've hit 2 or 3 and 2 cars with mine and its still original, and looks the same....lol

The last deer got me a good one though. It bent the stainless piece on the bumper.

 

You ain't got a hood. You've got a FLD