Pro Star international or Volvo

The international with a Cummins is very heavy. The difference between a Knight Volvo or International is 1400 lbs in favor of the Volvo. The Navistar N13 is the improved version of the Mazzforce and imo is much better with my limited experience with it as a loaner although the engine break still does not compare to the Volvo. The Volvo is a smaller wheelbase truck and I really enjoy it. Great fuel mileage and reliability. Mine had an injector recall, resulting in the loaner, and two sensors that had to be replaced. Total downtime for the sensors was 7 hours. I say go for the Volvo but if you want a large sleeper then the International is still a viable option. I couldn't see myself driving anything but a Volvo if I had a choice.

 

I also couldn't see myself driving anything but a manual. I get better fuel mileage than most guys in the autos do. The thing about a manual is that in order to get that kind of mpg you have to be very disciplined and patient. I stay between 7.5 and 7.8 mpg. This quarter has me at 7.66, before that; 7.54, and before that; 7.45. And this based on paid miles not actual miles. Just a standard Knight fleet truck.

 

If you've ever driven coast to coast with 318 Detroit with a 13 speed you would very much appreciate that auto shift. And that's when gross weight was 73,280!

 

Can you elaborate on this? More so the being patient part? Are you just talking about being easy on the fuel pedal or a certain timing of your shifts or what? Sorry if it's a dumb question, I'm just about as green as it gets. Only have 4 hours of actual road time so far.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how the I shift twin clutch transmission works out in real world testing.

 

My I shift Volvo is averaging 8.4 mpg. Being an XE doesn't hurt, lol.

 

Very light foot, shift at low rpm. Aerodynamics has a lot to do with it, too

 

I didn't think those skirts and tails would make much difference but I definitely notice it when I pull a new vs old trailer.

 

I sent you a message. If one person describes their style there will always be someone to disagree and I don't want to take this too off topic.

I could get better fuel if I had a truck that I could spec the way I want, like running in direct and stuff but that is years away. With Knight I tend to stay heavy; I rarely see below 72000 pounds. Even more rare is to be below 68000 pounds. I run all 48 as well.

 

I have seen YouTube videos of it in Euro trucks. It shifts exactly like the Allison TC10. It power shifts with no loss of speed between shifts. I can't remember the exact number but it completes a shift in X number of milliseconds.