Pete vs freightliner vs KW

Discussion in 'Mercer' started by Wespipes, Aug 31, 2019.

  1. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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  3. cpapa

    cpapa Bobtail Member

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    I realize this is a somewhat old thread but I'll throw my .02 in it for the next guy. I have owned mostly Pete's and KW's in my 36 years as an O/O and recently, I bought a 2020 Western Star 4900 EX flat top. It has a Cummins X15. I am mechanically inclined and know a few things about spec'ing trucks. The reason I went with Western Star is because my last 2 Pete 389's had more issues than I care to discuss. The 2019 W900 has too low miles to make a comment yet. But let me tell you about the new PACCAR way. If you have an issue with say a carrier bearing, air bag, or anything that isn't made by PACCAR and you go into a shop for a repair, you may be there awhile. You see, if it is a vendor made part, they need authorization from that vendor to fix it. I am talking about a 5 month old 175k truck!. So, I went down the road to Western Star and bought a new 2020. So far, I can tell you this. If rides as good as my stretched out Pete, turns as good if not better, but the biggest thing for me is the room. Now I'm 6'2" at 250 lbs, and I do miss throwing my arm over the passenger side armrest in my Pete but it sucked changing the oil and greasing her. On this Star, I can literally sit on the creeper and work under her. Way mire room if you maintain your own truck. I will always be a "Pete" guy I believe but they have really gone down hill lately. I like KW's quality but never like the dah over a Pete. As far as this Star is concerned which is my second, the other being 15 years ago, I am impressed. It's built like a brick ####house and so far, I wouldn't hesitate to get another.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    No sir. The more horse you have on hand with a given engine the LESS work it takes to lift 40 ton over a mountain and easier it is to maintain upgrade speed limit making time on typical interstate grades. Up and over in less time too.

    If you are off the US Interstate system and are faced with say a 24% bringing furnature out of Ethan Allen in Vermont for three miles, that extra horse will come in very handy. It becomes a fuel burn per hour problem (Generally 30 or so gallons over 3 miles that you will run that one in one hour uphill)

    I don't run with less than 500 horse. The more horsies the better. (That does not mean I go hog wild etc.)
     
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  5. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I think your new Western Star is a glorified Freightliner, both owned by Daimler. I had an '82 Western Star, mostly White components, tough truck, but was no Pete. I just can't figure out what some people do to Petes and KW's to give them a bad name. I've never had a bad one in either.
     
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  6. cpapa

    cpapa Bobtail Member

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    First off, not raining on my parade. Just giving an opinion since I have the experience to do so. Second, the New Pete 389's have had these issues and I'm sure if you ask us guys that have them, they will tell you. Wet floors when it rains, entertainment system works when it wants to, the dash cluster will go blank and show all ----. The 2019 KW W900 has been slightly better but as usual, the Right steer tire wears 50% faster, hood always needs adjusting, and so far that's it. Apparently you have been bitten by fake news. Although yes, Daimler owns WS, it is still made the same way. it is assembled by hand and if it were junk, I would be the first to tell you. Don't believe me, see for yourself.
     
  7. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    GASP!!!! Good chance you will be shunned by the esteemed members for a post like that.
     
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  8. Wespipes

    Wespipes Road Train Member

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    I have a 19' pete 389. I havent had any of those issues. However only 70k miles on it though. I'll keep an eye out
     
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  9. cpapa

    cpapa Bobtail Member

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    Not out to make enemies. Just wanted to post my experience so far. They all have certain issues but I am just expressing my view as it goes. Let's just say this about all of them, they are nothing like the pre-emission days.
     
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  10. cpapa

    cpapa Bobtail Member

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    Still a great truck and as I said, I am still a Pete guy. However, people saying they are a glorified Freight Shaker aren't doing their due diligence and research needed to form that opinion. It all comes down to personal preference in the end right?
     
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  11. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    If someone gave me a say 1974 Freightliner long nose with the steel body, diamond cut interior and a snorting big kitty (Say 425 or so) I would love them so very much.

    If someone gave me a mint 2019 freightliner out of plastic and fiberglass with a emissions choked engine that cannot get past DEF filling stations then I would be thinking how do I sell this pig off and sink the money into something better? Its only going to be good for a few hundred thousand miles at best before being thrown away.
     
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