Freightliner Classic XL

I run a 2000 classic xl in the south texas gravel and oilfield business... Not an easy life for a truck. I haven't had any more trouble with the truck than the guys running petes or kw's. Mine has a 3406 cat with an 18 so plenty of power. I ran a 9400i internatinal before this and same thing.... I'm a firm believer that everybrand has their own issues... My only major complaint about the xl is the turning radius. If I can figure out how to post some pics I will but I believe this truck looks as good if not better than a lot of the paccar trucks on the road.

 

Best truck I ever drove. I bought mine new so none of you butchers out there had a chance to get your grubby little hands on it and tear it up. Never left me sitting on the side of the road in 16 years. 425 CAT (wink wink).
I like the dash. I ordered blanks and put in my own gauges, 21 of 'em and the radio is hanging from the ceiling.

The condos are ugly. I always hated that high-head look.

When I bought mine in '95 there weren't even a quarter of them running around as what there are now.

Just a good, solid truck.

 

Workin on 'ems pretty nice..

 

I would like to know what are the pros and cons of the freightliner classics. I am looking at buying a 2000 classic

 

Pros? Lots of room inside. Plenty of room for large fuel tanks. Room to add an APU and side boxes. Cons? No aerodynamics. I always seemed to be able to burn my hands/arms on the exhaust stacks. Poor turning radius, turns seemed to need advanced planning. My last truck was a Classic XL. A 2000 Classic would have over a million miles on it. I think I'd want something with less miles and more fuel efficient/ aerodynamic than a Classic. Let us know how it goes

 

my 2000 classic midroof with 500 detroit 60 series and 13 3.70 low pro 24.5 is averaging 6.6-7 so far pulling flatbed 75-80000.....has crappy recap tires on drives and low nox programming....doing well considering!

exhaust runs cool with Donaldson straight through mufflers....usually barely warm

 

What I would like to know though, is since its perfectly fine to adjust the stops like this, why don't they just adjust them to where you can turn as tightly as possible from the factory, why make it so hard to drive? Or at least turn...

 

2000 classic xl..decent ride..no frills...much rather have a short nose pete or a w-9..even an international eagle pro would work....have to constantly work the wheel even though i just had the complete front end rebuilt {new bearings/hangers/kingpins/etc} and a 3 axle alignment and 6 new tires including steers...as far as ride ive had alot better and worse...my problem with the freightliner {all of them} stems from their great customer support...got a problem with wiring or air lines you seriously have a problem...especially if you are out on the road...contact f/l for support you are screwed...you more or less have to put in an application, wait several weeks till its approved by everyone they think is more important than the customer/owner, and then, IF you are approved, you can gain access to information that might be of assistance...one part of your approval has to be by your local freightliner dealer...not sure about yours but here, when you walk into the freightliner parts dept you are looked at like you are trespassing at a funeral for a mafia member..when they finally get around to helping you {even though they were doing nothing for the 10-15 minutes they made you stand at the counter} you are treated rude as well you know...act like helping you is the last thing on earth they care to do...generally if i go somewhere where i am treated as if they dont want me there i dont go back...if you dont appreciate my business i'll take it elsewhere...anyway if you get to the point that you have to *apply* haha for permission to gain access to their proprietary information on a 13 year old truck with a million miles on it, which information i might add they deem as more important than nasa would a brand new intercontinental ballistic nuclear missle, please be sure and kiss up to them in every way...do not complain about the sorry customer service at your local f/l shop, or about 3 1/2 weeks after you put it in, your application will be denied...been there done that got a tshirt to prove it....and if you really want a classic xl i just happen to have a fine example in midnight blue metal flake you can get as i personally like having support to turn to should i ever need it out on the road and am looking to sell or trade ......oh and i forgot to mention the turning radius sucks on the xl...about the same as a 747...no more like a cruise ship i think...one thing for sure it will either make a better driver out of you or break you...a 2003 w-900 with a studio sleeper will turn in 1/2 the space the xl uses...a short nose pete in about 1/10th of the space......

 

Whenever this happens you have to ask for the general manager and voice your concern with them. That's crap we shouldn't have top deal with people like that. Keep going over someone's head until someone will listen.

 

Don't hold back tell us what you really think!