Engine / model combo recommendations

Hi all. Been dreaming for years of going o/o, and I’m finally going to do it. (29 years a driver.) I’ll be pulling containers to start with, for a local outfit. Trying to select a truck now. Pre-ELD model, with maximum priority on economy. For me this means, in addition to decent mpg performance, easy maintenance. I plan to DIY as much as possible, so I’m thinking about factors like: accessibility of components, simplicity of electronics, reasonably-priced parts availability, and of course general durability.

I realize truck preference in many cases is mostly a personal thing, but I’d love to hear everyone’s input. I have a few thoughts of my own, garnered over the years from talking to other drivers, but all that is very unscientific. One thing stuck in my head is a leeriness about Caterpillar. I understand they make quality power plants, but I also have a notion that they work to inhibit competition from after-market parts suppliers, which could run counter to my priorities as stated above.

I’ve learned much already just reading through the various threads, and am so appreciative of the helpfulness of you who participate here. Thank you in advance for any and all thoughts.

 

Thanks. That pretty much confirms what I've heard over the years. N14? Is that a big cam? I've heard they're good engines and easy to maintain. But I have to balance fuel economy as well. Haven't heard how they tend to do there. What about the "plus" or "red top?"

Also always heard great things about 12.7 Detroit, including fabulous mpg. So maybe that's the go-to. Should I look for more hp? That's another matter of some confusion. I've heard that more horses DOESN'T mean more fuel consumed. I've even heard the opposite is true. If so then is it a no-brainer to go for bigger?

I always did like the Freightliners I've driven. Never cared for the Petes, but in recent years I've driven mostly those. Got used to a lot of annoyances, some of which you mentioned. I was considering Pete or KW because I'm told they are built tougher-more durable. When I was working in the oil field that mattered, but for what I'm planning: not so much. And FLs are plentiful which helps with purchase price. Thanks again for the insight.

 

Sounds like a plan; thanks. My notion about CAT stems from one anecdote, primarily. (Although I've heard a lot of people say they're high priced.) I was once broken down needing a fan hub, at a good ol' boys type family shop. On a Friday, near a big city, and none of the local Rush dealers had the part in stock. The proprietor called all over, and was even willing to drive to another city 100+ miles away to get it. Bottom line: we might have gotten me rolling that day but Rush was prohibited by CAT from disclosing the part number in order to keep us captive to their supply chain. So I was down for the weekend. To add insult to injury, as I recall, they went on to send the wrong part the first time. Although it wasn't clear whose fault that was....

 

I definitely appreciate tight turn radius. And a sloped hood for visibility. (Not to mention the aero factor.) Didn't realize Columbia went back all the way to 1999. I'm dead set on the ELD exemption part. Not because I like to run afoul of the HOS regs. Quite the contrary in fact; I like my 10 hr breaks and 14 hour duty day is plenty. I just don't wanna pay for a service, deal with the lack of control of what my RODS looks like, and be subject to that kind of surveillance.

 

Hmmm. Didn't even consider that. I'll have to check with the company. For this gig I'll only be running out of one port. Thanks for the tip.