I hate Peoplenet, where are you parked and recipes thread

Upon returning the rental, the KW salesman called to ask me how I liked it. I shared how "safe" I felt making a left turn across 6 lanes onto Fulton Industrial, hauling an empty trailer, wondering if I'd EVER make it up to 10 mph and complete the turn. Also noted how indecisive the transmission was in I-285 traffic. He mentioned Eaton-Fuller was working on some software tweaks to improve that. I told him that's not the sort of thing I want to hear when considering a $150,000 truck purchase.

 

That was my biggest issue with the one I drove. It was a '13 crapcadia with the 'smart shift'.

On initial acceleration it couldn't get out of its own way. Even in 'manual' mode if the computer didn't think you needed to be in the gear you put it in it would automatically put it in the gear if 'thought' you should be in.

The thing was awful. And in no way safe.

 

Yeah, it's something like that. Little bit heavier too. Ever hear of a Northstar battery? 5 year warranty. Big bucks, though. Same construction as the interstate. The other half pointed out that if I get 2 yrs with these $80 batteries, vs 4 yrs with the $350 (?) ones, I'd be money ahead staying with the cheaper ones.

 

I was expecting a better scenario with the Optimas. They were about $225 ea when new and I was expecting at least 4 years. Had they gone the distance, it would have been a break-even, if you don't count the extra maintenance and one refresh (labor) with the cheaper lead-acid batteries. Due to the in-warranty failure, I'm still on track with the purchase price, just not the maintenance labor. Had these been in a Freightliner it's wouldn't be such a big deal. I think you also have a T-600, so you know the fun of battery work on those.

 

There was a joke some time ago... Wear a hat into the dmv that reads, "U.S. Border Patrol." Act like you're checking papers and there on official business. Within 30 seconds, there will be no line.

Not fun though, the dmv nearby my house has a line stretching into the parking lot a half hour prior to opening.

 

Yup T600 here, BUT my battery box isn't up front like yours is. It's behind the fuel tank. So while it sucks having to do anything battery related, you win the 'this just flat out blows' contest.

 

Only a couple of the new style trucks Ive tested even worth looking at--IMHO--the whole car feel--no gauge pkg--everything in terms of info being menu driven--is one of the biggest cause of problems(wrecks)there is today--nothing wrong w/makin trux easier to drive--but by takin ANY active work out of driving--I firmly believes lulls many drivers(esp newbies)into an unsafe sense of security--and while Im not suggesting goin back to gettin the #### beat out of us w/out power steerin and goin back to duplex and triplex's---the new trucks in their quest for fuel mileage and comfort--give the driver no INFORMATION--there is no feel in the wheel--no feel in the seat--and no critical info--on a gauge easily readable--which again imho--is what is leading to all these absurd rollovers--wrecks--trucks in ditch than ever before--take all the not payin attention--since your just ridin along in your CAR--add a situation that requires some type of quick manuever and you have a disaster--I liken it to all the suv rollovers in the late 90s and early 2000s--where the govt kept sayin they are inherintely unsafe--while the rest of us said--BS--it takes 2 ingridients to roll--skid etc a vehicle--and they both are improper input from the loose nut behind the wheel--but if your radically jerk a wheel and (even w.abs)slam on the brakes---bad things happen---and w/the newer steering systems on trucks providing a car like ease of operation--overreactions--and over steering has become the norm w/inexperienced drivers--therefor......So of course now we need more technology--like rollover warnings--where all we really need is people to start payin attention--and steering thats a little more like it used to be--that requires a little more input so you can feel what your actually doing...but whadda I know...lol