Pro Star Eagle: Good or Bad?

Pretty much from what im dealing with and fixing in the field right now on the day cab 2010+ prostars is programming issues and minor field campaign changes.

 

We have 09's,10's and 11's that are crapmobiles. We've had International mechanics camped out at our Houston shop for weeks and they still can't sort them out.

 

Dont call'em Barn Yard Cadillacs fer nothin . . . . .

 

7K on clock is low milage. but what engine? what tranny?

Really, I do not like new Inters. The problem is that they use MAN D20/D28 engines labeled Maxxforce. engines are of advanced Common Rail technology, but w/o SCR (it is good). But CRD is fuel quality sencetive thing, one injector fails - no rail pressure and engine stalls! NPROP valves is a problem too, and it is ###ng hard to diagnose this system! really good diesel technician, trained with CRD is required!

So, look for truck with traditional engine, like CAT with EUI, ore series 60, ore Cummins w/o EGR

 

The only engine available is the Maxxforce. Now whether it is a 13 or the new 15 is another question.

 

Ive only had minor experience with the ProStars Cardinal is running. We have about 7 of the Pro's and 10 or so older 9200's and I love the 9200's much more than the ProStars. The shop mechanics say that the older trucks require a lot less maintenance and fussing over than the newer ones and the design and ergonomics is a thing with me too. The interior is not roomy enough in the drivers seat and they try to cram every control onto the steeringwheel.

I was coming down a ramp to change freeways down a grade with the wheel turned as the truck was coming through a curve and I went to downshift but forgot about the engine brakes so as soon as I let my foot off the throttle out of gear the stupid thing kicked in and retarded the engine and I fumbled for a second. I wasnt even able to find the off button for the brake until I straightend out the wheel as it was at night.

On these particular trucks everything from the marker int. to the horn, to the cruise is on the wheel. Maybe Im just complaining a little but Id much rather have everything laid out on the dash where it dont move around. Im not thrashing anyone who likes them, they are strong runners from what our dedicated drivers say, but not my cup of coffee at all. Ill take a 9200 all day long if I can help it. I like those ugly old things LOL

 

I don't like the steering wheel buttons controls either.

 

That is one thing I do not care for... Trying to put all controls on the steering wheel like an automobile. Don't care for it on autos either. But seems like every OEM wants to do it. I have come to believe more firmly over the years, that the so-called "driver designed and approved" slogans that every OEM uses one way or another is bogus. Either that, or they are drivers that never really truck in the real world. Also, one has to consider that fleets who buy these trucks listen to what the OEM is trying to sell. I have seen a couple of Prostars that O/O have spec'd out and they seem to be better than the typical fleet spec'd Prostar.