Looking to become an owner operator....Need detailed advice as far as truck goes...

What's the difference between a Century and a Columbia? They look the exact same except for the headlights.

 

It's hard to not find any truck with any problem they all break down just keep up with your maintance and do a very good pre trip . I see brand new truck broke down all the time from big carriers

 

The fld cab remained the same, but after (2001?) they used a century chassis, I believe. I could be wrong, but I thought the later models had regular wipers on them (I never looked- if they were air, that was good technology- I couldn't tell the difference and never had a problem with them).

The columbia has a shorter, sloped downward hood, and bigger windows for better visibility. Nice for daycabs and city work. Definitely a different feel than the classics.

I don't personally care for them as much as the FLD, because the FLD has that nice woodgrain dash and padded door panels and interior. I don't care for trucks that are all plastic inside.

And I love dinosaurs! After all, I am one...

 

fld, theres a guy at the yard where I park that got a DUI and was begging me to buy his 2007 Century he offered me a real good deal but I didnt want it. Id rather have my air wipers and old technology on my 98 fld than that 2007 Cent.
Personal preferance

 

Me too. The century seemed like a step backward to me. Kind of like a cheap version of the fld.

Another thing that I really like about the trucks with the set back axle is the turning radius. I remember when I first got into one witb a big sleeper thinking, "am I going to have a hard time backing in?". I was always amazed at the places that I got into, and those trucks always seemed to follow the trailer better.

I never cared for the KW 8 bag air ride. 8 bags and a more complicated set up with more bushings and more to fix (more time and $$$). The airliner is a brilliant idea. One bushing per spring and the torque arms. That's it. Very simple and inexpensive.

I wouldn't want the century either. Nice to know there are fellow FLD aficionados. I knew that was it the very first time that I sat in one.

I have driven most every kind of truck. Mack, Volvo, International, Peterbilt, KW. For me, nothing even comes close to the FLD.

 

both our day cab and Condo FLDs have electric wipers standard equipment. How are they dinosaurs? Dozens out on the road that look really good. Our Century's that we own are hard to work on because half the engine is stuffed under the cab, everything is compacted.

 

The first thing I would do is make sure you have 10k in the bank before you buy any kind of truck. If I was going to buy my first truck in todays market, I would buy a pre emission Detroit 12.7, to me that is the best motor ever made, for fuel millage and longevity. I would look at a fleet style truck. The long noses are pretty but they want make you the most money. I would find me a small trucking company and lease onto them until I had gained the experience. That's just my 2 cents worth.

 

I like the classics for the fact that I started off driving one, you can actually see and work on the engine without needing to dive into the cab. It looks great and is comfortable for me to be in because I like to be out for long periods of time. Now as far engine goes..., I like Detriot. I'm familiar with it and its not as expensive as the "yellow paint". Thanks to all you O/O for the great insight. Can someone explain to me the "oil samples"?

 

I agree. And now is the best time to have an FLD. There are so many of these trucks on the road and in the boneyards that parts are very easily found.

And if you sign up for Access Freightliner, you have your own schematics for virtually EVERY part on your truck. And this is specific for your vin number, not some generalized thing.

Log in, get your part number, and call Freightliner. It's that simple.

 

I have close to 65k in the bank.