I'll be needing a new truck this year and I am really wanting the T680. Have driven one in the past and want the design of the sleeper and the quality of the Kenworth. I understand that the vast majority of Kenworth T680s have Paccar motors.
Why would Kenworth and Pete for that matter, use a motor that supposedly has such a bad reputation?
Is the 2016 expected to be any better? Has the motor reliability improved over recent years? I drove a 2013 for 200k miles with absolutely no problem with the drive train.
Why is Kenworth using Paccar if their reputation is so bad?
Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by Hegemeister, Feb 9, 2015.
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Same as why International held tight with the Maxxforce for so many years, Paccar is the parent company of both Peterbilt and Kenworth, so they are going to use their own engine over Cummins whenever they can. This is part of the change in truck design that is happening worldwide, the manufacturers are getting away from sourcing outside parts and going with a process known as "vertical integration", meaning they are becoming more like car manufacturers using only their own designs and parts, reducing choice in the name of efficiency.
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Thanks. Do you see the reputation and design improving recently?
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Cummins is the lesser of two evils IMO, and I'm no Cummins fanboy by any stretch....Our Cummins are in the shop regulary for emmissions related crap, codes, and harness's...Hegemeister and DL550CAT Thank this. -
It all comes down to the same reason you can't get a "Buick" motor in a Buick anymore,,, cost. It is just much cheaper for these large company's to streamline things, I'm sure they save a TON of money on engineering.
Bottom line is these companies can service 95% of there customers with one product, or I should say, variations on that one product. I just don't think they really worry about the other 5% it isn't in the profit/cost wheel.
What the industry really needs is another Marmon, but I think those days are long gone, if you think new trucks are expensive now, I would hate to think what a custom hand built truck would go for.
On top of that mix in all of the Gov. regs and red tape, that is probably a big reason. Doesn't mean I wish someone would build exactly what you want, just don't see it happening.brian991219, Tall Mike and Hegemeister Thank this. -
No I don't think the quality is improving on any of the new engine options yet. They have become better but not by much. I operate a car haul company but also work with a few local towing companies and they are towing these new trucks mostly for emissions related issues, doesn't matter the brand of truck or engine, it is all the same. Just last week I had a 2015 rental that broke down 3 times for emissions problems within 300 miles, this truck only had 58k on it, total junk.
As for Paccar vs. Cummins in the KW, the dealer may give a priority to the Paccar motor since it is their own design, but on the other hand, they are relatively new to the US so not as many techs are very familiar with them nor can you get service at as many places as you can with a Cummins.Hegemeister Thanks this. -
It's all becoming very proprietary, the OEM's don't want to share any info. Like Volvo is and Mack used to be years ago, from the Cab and Chassis to the Powertrain and Drivetrain.
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I know that freightliner doesnt have the reputation of KW
but i have leased a KW with paccar and had much more trouble then I have had in this Cascadia
the warranty with KW is like pulling teeth
the DD15 in the cascadia is realitivly trouble free
and after dealing with KW I find Freightliner extended warranty to be amazing
the 12 speed auto by mercedes hooked to the DD15 is another animal too
this isnt your mothers automaticBigHossVolvo, MartinFromBC, R.Rodriguez and 2 others Thank this. -
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