HP... as much as you can get! Then don't use it unless you need it - it's easy to back off of the throttle to save fuel, but if you don't have the HP in the first place it's not available. Werner trucks... talked to a long-time Werner driver awhile ago. He wasn't impressed with what they were driving either. Same brands as everyone else - his was a Cascadia - it was the transmission that sucked. They use a 9-speed, not because it's a good choice, but because it's an easy and cheap conversion to an after-market 13-speed. "Cool!" you might say, but it's not so. They really have to wind the engine-up to get it to up-shift during it's life as a Werner truck. Same engine with a 10-speed, we shift below 1200 rpm - the Werner guys have to wind it up to around 1500 - 1600 rpms just to get it near the next speed range in the transmission, taking life off of the engine. Detroits aren't built to run the higher engine rpms... it just wastes fuel and engine life.
If you're gonna buy a Freightliner, go for one with a Detroit 515HP with OD. Schneider specs their Freightliners with 2.79 rears, and 370/430 detroits. Fleets specs. Same for Werner (3:55 rears and 435 CAT engines, or 430/470 detroits), Central (ISX 400), England (Detroit) , Swift (ISX400 on volvos and Detroits 430/470 with uprateable to 500HP) and others. I don't know about May. I think most if not all their trucks have 13spd trannies and 450 Cummins engines. Also, many o/o's spec trucks with 13spd's for their simplicity and reliability. Plus they work on all terrain levels. My friend has a 99 379 Pete with a 475 CAT, 3:70 rears and a 10spd OD tranny. If he wanted to, he could upgrade to 550HP and 1850ft of tourque. KH
Noone trying to be an o/o should buy a fleet spec truck. Take a 500k truck. A fleet truck with 500k on it will probably have had 7 different drivers while an o/o spec truck will probably have had just 2. Fleet trucks are maintained by the guys who want to be mechanics but cant make the grade at the dealership, TA or Petrolube.
Very true. My friends truck had ONE prior owner before getting traded in. He is the second owner of her. KH
Yeah fleet drivers just arent conscience of the truck when they're rowing thru gears. They'll grind and clank the transmission without a care in the world. And while I've heard of a rare small number of fleets do have good maintinece schedules - werner among them - I'd still hesitate to buy something that's probably had a half a dozen rookie drivers thrashing away. I disagree with you about fleet mechanics. There's always an old hand or two in any fleet shop known as the go-to guy that can work on and fix anything.
many or all used truck dealers have o/o specd used trucks on the lot... rght now central il trucks in bloomington il has a very nice 06 w900 86" bunk. 450000 i think on the engine isx565. the are asking 71,000... id bet they would sell for 60,000 easy the only thing i could see that would trouble me is the mix matched drive tires...big mistake for the dealer when asking full price for this truck...
Just looked at four rivers petes inventory and they have a couple of good looking W9' with ISX 500's, 72in sleepers, w/ 13spd's for 49,900 each. Also, they have a couple of good looking 04 379's with Cats. One 49,900 (18spd) and the other is 44,900 (tranny unkown). All feature 70in ultra sleepers and one has a 18spd. KH
