Coronado Glider questions

these things look like they just rolled off of the assembly line. With the EXCEPTION of the rebuilt motor and other drive line components that were used they are new trucks.

 

Cab and chassis components are all new. Motor,trans,diff rebuilt (with warranty). It all looks good. This is a Harrison glider truck. All are spec the same. Detroits motor need alot of improvement. That's the biggest disappointment with the truck. Yes I have one from Harrison.

 

Gliders are new trucks that come from the factory without part or all of the drive line (engine, transmission and drive axles). I think to be considered a glider it must come off the assembly line without at least two of the components. In Fitzgerald's case, their truck come with drive axles, but no engine or transmission. They install rebuilt/re-manufactured engines and transmissions.

Once upon a time, gliders were meant as a way for truck owners to salvage good, usable drive lines from wrecked trucks. Order a glider and when it shows up you put the drive line from your wrecked truck into it and you're back in business. That has morphed into a way for people to run new trucks with pre-emission engines and has become a relatively booming business.

 

The Gliders from Harrisons are factory rolling gliders brand new front to rear except engine and transmission. Brand new cab, chassis, wiring, plumbing, and brakes etc...... with new rears installed at the factory. They have factory remanufactured engines from your choice of Detroit Cummins or Caterpillar and a factory remanufactured transmission from Eaton Fuller. I bought a Coronado glider from Harrisons a little over a year ago with the Detroit 12.7 series 60, 13spd eaton fuller trans, and 3.58 rears on low pro 22.5's. Has 128,000mi on it now and its been great. Not many problems biggest one being the starter started to go bad around 30,000mi. Took it to my local Freightliner dealer and it was replaced under warranty with a new Delco 39MT (had a Leece Neville in it). Was in and out in a few hours (busy shop). The other thing to watch is the front wiring harness that the headlights, front and side markers are all run off of. The weatherpack connectors are in a bad spot where they are exposed to the elements (rain and snow). They tend to corrode and the pins inside turn to dust. Rather than keep replacing the harnesses i had them hardwired toghether and wrapped. Only other issue was a very very small oil leak from the rear cam cover. Was resealed under warranty with no issues was in and out in a few hrs (busy shop). Had the ECM played with and it runs great and has been averaging 6.2-6.4mpg running in the hills of PA and upstate NY everyday pulling a van trailer grossing 75k-80K (loaded 75% of the time). Pretty good for a daycab with 220'' wb and a huge gap between the cab and the trailer.

 

No problem. Thats what makes this forum so great I've learned a lot myself from people sharing their experiences.

 

The Harrison ones are not new rears anymore, like I got my 2013. Gooberment is getting wise to the glider thing, and they now require reman engine, trans, and rears. And no more avoidance of Federal Excise Tax of 12%, which by the way, congress is talking about raising to 14%.

Most of what Harrison is putting out is the same cookie cutter truck setups. I talked with Phil there who I bought my glider from, and he says they will vary a little still on some stuff on a order. They seem to be on a 3.42 ratio kick right now for their builds, but one could order one with a different rear ratio.

I have had excellent results with my 2013 Columbia glider. Got 210,000 miles on original steer tires, presently 180,000 on the second set and still 12/32nd tread left. Got wide based on the back, same tires that came with the truck, 390,000 miles on them and they still have 13-14/32nd tread left. Nice even wear. Did have a ABS sensor go out the other day. While they had it on the computer, I had them do a dump and see what the ECM is showing. Average mpg on the ECM was 7.83 mpg for all miles. That is a Detroit 12.7 60 and 18 speed Eaton. I run dry box with varying weight. Some steel coils, bulk agriculture products, etc on the heavy side down to medical and other stuff that is lighter. My average payload is around 35,000 lb. I can put up to 48,000 in the box before I have to worry. Only problems.... a carrier bearing and u-joint, an ABS sensor, and a couple of manifold bolts that broke. I can live with that. Compare that to the new stuff at almost 400,000 miles.

Would I do it again, even with the Fed Excise Tax now part of the game? YOU BET!

 

On the latest FREIGHTLINER GLIDER website it now states Only one remanufactured powertrain component, either the engine or rear axle, may be factory installed.