Peterbilt vs Freighliner

That's the big one. I'd go with the Pete with the info we have. Isx is better IMO

 

Number one question: what do you plan to do with it? It's pretty much impossible to give you a definitive answer without that crucial information. Also, how is the Pete geared? What is the rear ratio? From what info you've provided it seems to me like you're looking at two trucks spec'd for different purposes.

A few general observations:
-Visibility (especially rear visibility) is much better in a Cascadia
-The Cascadia cab is more aerodynamic and will give you better fuel economy (just talking about the cab here)
-The 2.64 ratio will give you better fuel economy on the highway, but is limited to loads 80k or less.
-The Cascadia has much more living room
-This Cascadia is a little shorter, so it will be a touch more maneuverable (But do you need overhang for a flatbed?)

-The Pete will have better resale value (but resale is future based, and is therefore always a gamble)
-The Pete has a wet kit which makes it more versatile
-Paccars always seem to shift nicely

-Re: DD15 vs. ISX
-There's 100hp difference between the two engines - What do you NEED?
-I've heard more repair horror stories with Cummins; The DD15 seems to be a good engine.
-In general, the Cummins will feel a little more responsive; DD15's have a more relaxed feel (having said that, I haven't driven the 560hp version; just the 450 and 500/1850.)
-Cummins has a great engine brake.

Basically it comes down to the trucks themselves: what kind of shape are they in? What paperwork do they have? How were they maintained?

From what little you've told us, spec for spec, for a typical 80k dryvan operation I'd be more inclined to take the Cascadia.

 

I have driven Freightliners and Peterbilts. Over a million miles in each brand. Imo, the Peterbilts had less little things going wrong. Almost no unusual issues. My current Pete I bought new. Now over a million miles. Still going strong. My only real complaint with this one (2003 model) is they used thin plastic in the dashboard and it will occasionally buzz when lugging the engine. I have eliminated some of that, but will never cure all of it. If this is my biggest complaint,I guess I'm lucky.

I don't have any experience with new engines, so no opinion there.

It seems that Freightliner dealers are usually busy, so you may wait to get in for repairs.

I have had very good luck getting into Peterbilt dealers . Often within an hour of showing up and got good service out of all but one.

I also don't like the way Freightliners handle/drive. The Pete drives well I think.

 

I sneeze, wheeze and hack anytime I get close to a Freightshaker.

 

Only shaker I ever drove was a century so limited experience with them. My personal preference is Pete

 

The Cascadia is a much nicer ride than a Columbia or Century. I recently hopped into one after spending time in a Paclease 579 - it felt good. Cabs are usually a matter of personal preference anyway.

 

Skinny cab Petes last a long time and seem to have less squeaks and rattles but have useless mirrors. The skinny cab is a matter of personal preference. Cascadias are OK trucks, not as nice as a Pete. not as cheap as an IH. If you are running OTR with a dry van the Shaker is probably set up better for that.

 

I'm not surprised that Petes are the "darlins" of O/O but when you have a really bad experience with a Cummins engine like I did, you pause to reflect.
If Cummins is such a better engine, whatever that means, then why is it that Freightliner is ditching the Cummins in the Cascadias in order to stick with Detroit.
Yes, there are freightliners out there, brand new with Cummins.
I had a 2006 Pete 387 with a ISX 450 with very low miles...it looked good but with me being a new O/O at the time I got caught. Ok I'll admit, I didn't do enough due diligence. Heck I bought from Rush. Well, never again will I buy from them. They do zero recon on their used trucks.
I had nothing but problems with the ISX.
all replaced.......turbo, EGR cooler/valve, and the head. All in the space of 6 mths. Plus a host of other problems. All these problems came at 400,000 miles.Not a million.
So don't tell me that Cummins is a better engine. Almost put me out of business.
But I finally got lucky and got a great deal on a new 2015 Cascadia Evo with a 500 detroit.
And during the sale I had a very informative convo with people who I respect and are much more knowledgable than most out there in the trucking world. Especially when it comes to engines, valuations of trucks and reliability.
and just as important, plenty of feedback from their customers about the trucks they have sold.
So don't ever think that they get a rosy picture of Cummins reliability.
Things that even Cummins wouldn't want you to hear, which is understandable. Business is business.
They told me the reason behind getting rid of Cummins and sticking with Detroit.
I was pretty dismayed about what I was told. Actually, I was disgusted. Hiding obvious flaws in their engine design is not cool. And not standing behind their workmanship is just as bad.
All I would say is that you can be easily deceived by heresay and opinions. I certainly was at first.
but because the trucking world seems to be such a closed shop for most, it's very difficult to get the true picture about things that are vital in order to get an informed decision.
One false move like I experienced and it can spell doom for anyone.
I will NEVER buy another Cummins again. So I say to you, driver, to be very careful about your purchase
You can't just go on opinions of others who may have no idea what they're talking about.
Talk is cheap. It's not their $$ after all.
And always remember....Caveat Emptor.

 

Oilfield, 3 pre-emission Shakers, 2 Cats and a a Series 60, I'm not much help I'm not sure what I'd do if I had to make that choice, new iron scares me, price tags of them scare me along with the complexity of the new style engines. Good luck on your choice.