Looking to buy my first truck for hauling coal, looking at 09 western-star dd15

Coal is a bad idea. Coal has metal in it ruins seals. Also 126000 lbs unless u got deep pockets and a heavy haul triaxle tractor don't do it. Here in indiana with own authority and permits guys average 1.35 a mile roughly. Paid by the ton isn't good at all. At 126000lbs fuel mileage is out the door.

 

I just bought a truck. I considered coal and looking at landstar now. Cause pen to paper coal haulers mostly newbies last 2yrs.

 

Personally, if I had to pick between those two trucks, I would pick the KW with the Cummins. Reason being, I like KW the best, and I think that the Cummins will pull better than the Detroit. As far as fuel mileage and long term durability from the engine side of things, I don't think one has anything over the other.

 

My choice I'd go with western star. Not cause I own one but because I found they have room to work on them and because unless you buy a old w900 04 or older that kenworth will likely be in the shop a lot.

 

Id go with the cummins but for 43000 less maybe id take the western star as far as coal hauling the way the epa is killing that industry maight not be any to haul down the road.

 

The Star will likely have a slightly heavier lightweight. But if I was looking at either of these, I'd go with the Star. As another poster pointed out, hauling coal is a dirty job, and can be hard on trucks. For what its worth, the Star is going to have a more spacious cab than the KW. I run a Star daycab, and I love it, rides very nice too. We have an older W900, I've driven it, and can't seem to like it much. No leg room (i'm only 5'6" tall and 160 lbs), and the ride was way too stiff.
The Detroit is the lesser of two evils here. Yeah it has a dpf, but the Cummins has def.