Columbia Vs. Century Class

It is the "Heritage" edition, whatever that is. There are some things I positively hate about this truck.

1. Wiper controls: Should be a stalk type switch built onto the steering column (like a Volvo). It is distracting to me to try and fiddle with two dash switches to make the wipers do what I want.

2. Split Windshield: I suppose it cheaper to replace half of a windshield than a big, full sized, one. I prefer the panoramic view of a one piece glass. The Freightliner glass is bad about leaking, as well.

3. Tiny, Little, Computer Screen: Not enough information, such as DTE, Fuel Economy, and outside temperature is available to the driver.

Otherwise, it's an attractive and comfortable truck.

 

Freightliners have such a bad rep. I'm glad to see your Columbia's working fine for you.

I absolutely love Centuries and Columbias. I've been issued 2 old 400k+ Centuries, and one brand-new Columbia. As long as the truck is a full-size sleeper, it is like a hotel in there.

People put Freightliners down (I think) because they're so common. They're everywhere--nothing special.

I have one of those small, pocket-sized truckstop books w/a red Century on the cover. Whenever I'm at a shipper or wherever, and I see a driver w/a red Century, I walk up to him and ask him how much the book publisher paid him to put his truck on the cover. I ask it seriously, and usually it goes like, "uhhhh, that's not really my truck."

 

Yup... Not a lot to work with. I'd at least like to have the outside thermometer because in the winter months sometimes knowing that rain is freezing before the tires slip is important. I bought one of those Ice Alert thingies, but I'm not too sure I've got the sensor positioned for accurate readings.

 

I have to be honest and say I just hate these trucks. They break a lot, they're cheaply made, the controls as someone pointed out are ergonomically senseless, they rattle, and even after all these years Freightliner still hasn't figured out a way to keep dirty water from getting on the mirrors when you run the wipers. The mirrors on the Century are so huge that they are hard to see around. Columbias don't have that problem. I had a Wal-mart COE with a doghouse I'd take over anything based on a Century. I had a Western Star too that was built like a tank and was a much better truck than any Frieghtliner. Freightliner is just a synonym for disposable.

 

How are they on fuel?