dannythetrucker signature glider

I haven't noticed any throttle delay. There is two ECM settings for throttle, "automotive" and "variable speed". Mine is on automotive now, I don't know if perhaps the variable speed setting causes that delay or if it was just the turbo or something else.

This truck is a little heavier than my 9400i. The truck is 21,000# full of fuel. 34,200# with my 53' combo stepdeck.

I've just hauled a few loads with it got a bit over 3,000 miles. 3 of the loads were hot, last minute deals. Or as Crazy Yankee would say, poor trip planning on my part. So fuel mileage concerns went out the window, I've pretty much been running 70. Actual fuel/miles = 6.79, meh, not bad for pulling a stepdeck and I had some bad aerodynamic loads. I don't doubt I can get that up towards 7.5 if I can stay on flat roads and slow down to 60-65. This engine isn't even broken in yet really, it may get quite a bit better, we'll see.

Oh, and I got good news today. I was over on the OOIDA website and it looks like I will be getting a $1,000 rebate from Daimler ! Good thing I saw that before 30 day window passed ! http://www.ooida.com/BenefitsServices/Rebates/Glider-Kit.asp

Since I got that rebate, I decided to put it towards a diesel generator, this one... http://www.generatorsales.com/order/yanmar_4kw.asp?page=yanmar_4kw still debating an under bunk A/C or cut hole for a rooftop, I am starting to think if I paint my A/C gloss black it won't look too bad up there. I can always get a low profile one later which would look nicer too. I definitely do not want to idle.

Kind of off topic, but I am trying a poly ring for the 5th wheel. I like the idea of keeping the grease off, and not dripping down all over the frame and axles. So far it's working fine.

Oh, one other note is the alignment is off a bit. I figure the springs and everything have to settle out a bit anyways, so not too surprised. Everything else seems okay other than the truck A/C is not blowing very cold. So I will be stopping into Freightliner sometime soon to test out my warranty on that. There's no coolant shutoffs to the heater core either, IDK why that is but I remember other Freightliner's which did not have the shutoff's either, we'll see what they have to say about that.

 

hmmm, so making a deal on a load, thumping the tires while the engines warming and hauling tail counts as good trip planning as long as you don't park on fuel island ? mmmkay

 

yep, I had a neighbor who used them. They liked them okay, but they swap trailers a lot. They had trouble after awhile the holding clips wore out and made it tough to switch trailers. I barely ever unhook, so I don't think I'll have any trouble.

 

I managed barehanded without much trouble, lol. I was in a hurry, if I would have had time to think about it I may have come up with something so clever..