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Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014.

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  1. Sep 6, 2014 #1
    Cajun54

    Cajun54 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 1, 2012
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    Been driving commercially for six years after retiring from farming. Bought an old JB Hunt Columbia and put 300K miles on it. I'm ready to get into a quieter, more comfotable riding truck. Narrowed it down to a KW T660 or A Pete 386. Cummins, 13 speed, high ratio. What do ya'll suggest? Thanks.
     
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    #1
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  3. Sep 6, 2014 #2
    maggard359

    maggard359 Medium Load Member

    476
    412
    Nov 20, 2013
    Florida
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    Keep the old truck. Put money back into it. You will not be happy with the performance, fuel economy, or repair bills of the newer emission motors. Personally as an independent I would never sacrifice reliability and fuel economy for quietness or softer ride. You can figure 1500 as a ballpark payment and you will find out you cannot spend 1500 per month on your old trucks maintenance.
     
    maggard359, Sep 6, 2014
    maggard359, Sep 6, 2014
    #2
    Mooose Thanks this.
  4. Sep 6, 2014 #3
    Cajun54

    Cajun54 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 1, 2012
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    Forgot to say I have a 435 Mercedes. Good fuel economy but not a lot of torque. I've have a back injury two years ago and my tuck is bad on my back. The roads in Louisiana are terrible. Would a 660 or 386 give me a better ride? My truck has a 217" wheelbase. Rides like s#@&!
     
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    #3
  5. Sep 6, 2014 #4
    201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,270
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    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    Hi Cajun, hmmm, I drove an older Columbia and you could keep a cup of coffee on the dash, it rode that nice. Maybe somethings wrong. To answer your question though, the Pete is a nicer truck, but I think the KW will ride better. I agree with Maggard, buying a new truck will be the kiss of death for you. I've heard newer trucks are just a nightmare. Good luck.
     
    201, Sep 6, 2014
    201, Sep 6, 2014
    #4
    Mooose Thanks this.
  7. Sep 6, 2014 #5
    Cajun54

    Cajun54 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 1, 2012
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    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4225931]Hi Cajun, hmmm, I drove an older Columbia and you could keep a cup of coffee on the dash, it rode that nice. Maybe somethings wrong. To answer your question though, the Pete is a nicer truck, but I think the KW will ride better. I agree with Maggard, buying a new truck will be the kiss of death for you. I've heard newer trucks are just a nightmare. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

    Thanks. I ran it as a single axle for a couple years(with the front chunk off). When the mechanic reinstalled the front chunk he mounted the fifth wheel too far to the front(it's a slider) and now I can't move it far enough back to experiment with the load dispersion. It's about 6"s forward to the center of my axles. I think I need to bring it back and have them re-install it further back. I could then get more weight off the front. That's where most of my "bad" ride is coming from. Any comments?
     
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    #5
  8. Sep 6, 2014 #6
    201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,270
    22,850
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    A "chunk"? I don't think I've ever heard an axle called that, but whatever. Well, I know a 5th wheel too far forward will beat you around, not sure 6" would do that, but you should be able to stretch 'er out. As a single axle, obviously weight wasn't a concern, are you going to a different deal needing a tandem now? New trucks are such a pain, you could get a pre-emission KW W900 that would ride like a Cadillac, as long as you don't go to Cal. for a good price.
     
    201, Sep 6, 2014
    201, Sep 6, 2014
    #6
  9. Sep 6, 2014 #7
    Cajun54

    Cajun54 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 1, 2012
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    Sorry about the "chunk". I was a farmer all my life:). Yeh, I'm pulling tandem loads now(more$). My shaker is an '04, not even an EGR. Very dependable truck, but rides like a Shetland. I had the progressive shifting deleted and it pulls pretty good. No where like my '96 T600 wit Detroit on the farm. That was a hoss.
     
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    Cajun54, Sep 6, 2014
    #7
  10. Sep 8, 2014 #8
    Mooose

    Mooose Light Load Member

    161
    61
    Apr 13, 2014
    Sherwood Park,AB
    0
    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4225931]Hi Cajun, hmmm, I drove an older Columbia and you could keep a cup of coffee on the dash, it rode that nice. Maybe somethings wrong. To answer your question though, the Pete is a nicer truck, but I think the KW will ride better. I agree with Maggard, buying a new truck will be the kiss of death for you. I've heard newer trucks are just a nightmare. Good luck.[/QUOTE]
    I just ordered a front air ride kit for my 2000 Argosy, it rides wonderful loaded but I do lots of bobtailing and this should take the edge off. Yep no problem even empty but I gotta keep the lid on the cup..lol. And for my money I would look into a better seat in that truck, there's a big difference with some of those after market seats.
     
    Mooose, Sep 8, 2014
    Mooose, Sep 8, 2014
    #8
    "semi" retired Thanks this.
  11. Sep 8, 2014 #9
    White Dog

    White Dog Road Train Member

    3,161
    3,803
    Feb 11, 2008
    Iowa
    0
    Those Mercedes engines are week. I have also been told by a reputable mechanic, that the Mercedes is not "rebuildable"....so the engine will eventual become scrap at the end of it's life. And if you put 300,000 on a JB Hunt truck, I'd say your well over 700,000...gives you about one more year to make your decision. Different truck or New engine for that one.

    If I was to buy a newer truck...I would stay as new as I could find without DEF. 2010 Kenworth T660 or 2010 Freightliner Cascadia
     
    White Dog, Sep 8, 2014
    White Dog, Sep 8, 2014
    #9
  12. Sep 8, 2014 #10
    daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

    6,564
    7,292
    Apr 15, 2012
    0
    Fair to say that most people will actually advice the opposite.
    If you are going to newer trucks,get the DEF.
    Better fuelmileage and hardly any regens.
     
    daf105paccar, Sep 8, 2014
    daf105paccar, Sep 8, 2014
    #10
    Mooose Thanks this.
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