Need opinion on KW T660

Not sure, I have seen many Peterbilt gliders, but Fitzgerald is a Freightliner dealer. They only deal with freightliner gliders. And too be honest, I like the style and interior setup of the Coranado more than the T660

 

After doing some research online and failing to find the answers, I just got off the phone with Lisa, from Fitzgerald Truck sales. They are NOT a Freightliner dealer (link to Freightliner Dealers in Tennessee), although they DO order and build Glider Kits from Freightliner model trucks exclusively.... mostly the Coranado, which they order a bunch of.

Fitzgerald DID build Peterbilt gliders in the past, but no longer. I forgot to ask specifically if they would do Western Star glider kits, which, if the information I've found online is correct, are still available from the factory by special order...

Unfortunately, Kenworth stopped producing glider kits several years ago (see page 5).

Also, from page 5 of that very same article, is an interesting quote concerning gliders from Robert Braswell, technical director of the American Trucking Association's Technology & Maintenance Council:

"It's really more of a financial decision, I think, than it is a technical decision," Braswell said. "The debate is this: When you have a glider kit, then you don't have to pay the federal excise tax, and there are some insurance advantages, but you don't get to depreciate the asset. So, depending on your situation, one might be better than the other."

 

I always figgerd mine both ways always very close. I did have problems with mine regin sensor but was under warranty and they fixed it right a way no more problems.

 

You oughta go for that! You could spec the tranny and rears like your old freightliner and probably average close to 9mpg on that lightweight run to texas you have.

 

That's quite possiable, but I would slow the rears from a 3.90 to a 3.73 so I could go 65mph w/o the motor screaming

 

I'd like to see what someone could do if they specced an aero truck out similar to how Pittsburgh power specced their 8 mpg 1000hp 389. I'm assuming Fitzgeralds gliders allow you quite a bit of options as far as customizing it.

 

Actually, according to their site, they can no longer order the Coranado custom from Freightliner now. I am guessing they are running out of the old style Coranado's to build.

I think after the research i did, the tax benifits are not worth while to me. maybe to a large company they would be, or if you could get it thru some type of lease where you could write-off all the payments and not have a balloon at the end. But not being able to depreciate the truck is a very bad thing!

BTW, i have seen several very nicely spec'd T660's at local dealers with 2010 ISX engines for under $125k

 

i see T 660 with c13 engine how is the mpg for this engine