Looking to buy

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by earnies2, May 11, 2023.

  1. earnies2

    earnies2 Medium Load Member

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    May 17, 2012
    Dedham, MA.
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    I'm looking on buying a newer truck I have a 2009 international prostar 485 cummins 13 spd 355 rears. When the truck was built it was built to haul a 3 axle trailer with papper. It weighs almost 24k with my rack chains,binders APU and 2 tool boxes....my bad for not weighing the truck when I bought it and before I stretched the frame...
    It only gets 5 mpg and I have done everything to improve that....she has 780k on it and oil samples come back clean.
    That being said I need to buy a lighter truck that gets better fuel millage.
    I'm looking at cascadias what should I buy
    I'm thinking I want a 13 speed stick?????
    I pull a flat out of Boston as far as Texas and South Dakota....no west coast
    Looking for susjestions
     
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  3. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

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    Lots of things affect mpg. Tires, synthetic lubricants, using cruise as much as possible, slowing down, etc. Is the fairing still on the cab?
     
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  4. earnies2

    earnies2 Medium Load Member

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    May 17, 2012
    Dedham, MA.
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    Been there and done that . Changed all sensors,actuators, injectors, slowed down to 60 only gained .05 . Full fairings skyrise sleeper and I drive like a old lady never in a hurry or first up the hill. I have had prime pass me...
     
  5. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    Ah, the eternal quest. Be happy with what you have, you'll throw good money after bad, and gain nothing. I can only imagine, it's paid for, and $100 grand for new truck today buys a lot of fuel. And when, not if, the whole magila tanks, you can park your the old Cornbinder and go fishin' with no bait on the hook. 5mpg with a truck with that mileage and good samples, is acceptable, I figure.
     
  6. earnies2

    earnies2 Medium Load Member

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    May 17, 2012
    Dedham, MA.
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    That's all fine but it weigh almost 24k and I can only scale 42k on a all aluminum flat that leaves me limited in the available loads. And the 3 factors in my thoughts are.
    1. The truck is to heavy.
    2. It only gets 5 mpg.
    3 it has 780k on it and to rebuild the motor isn't worth it because it's a prostar and a 2009.
    I think my money is better spent to get a newer truck and alleviate thoes 3 problems.
    And make me more available and productive.
    If I go from 5mpg to 7 MOG that would be about $3500 in fuel savings.
     
  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Orion's Belt
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    Get the 450/12 speed automatic and 2.Xx gears . Almost every Crapacadia will have that anyways…… then you can hate trucking like the rest of them……
     
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  8. earnies2

    earnies2 Medium Load Member

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    May 17, 2012
    Dedham, MA.
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    Are they that bad that I will hate it?
     
  9. earnies2

    earnies2 Medium Load Member

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    May 17, 2012
    Dedham, MA.
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    And if they are what else would you susjest?
     
  10. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    $3500? Or in other words, 1 payment, maybe 1.5 (monthly!) payments?

    You don't rebuild an engine in search of fuel mileage. You do it when it starts burning oil or ticking or otherwise NEEDS opened up.

    A properly operating truck is going to give you the same productivity whether it's a prostar or a Cascadia.

    Heavy weight may be an issue if you have had problems scaling typical loads in the past. Otherwise, the devil you know is better than the one you don't. (Usually)
     
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  11. earnies2

    earnies2 Medium Load Member

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    May 17, 2012
    Dedham, MA.
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    I totally understand it
    I wouldn't rebuild the engine until it was necessary but it does have 780+ miles on it and I don't want to be in the situation whare somthing went south and it's motor time. That's only one of the reasons. The other 2 are just as important. I do relize I could buy someone's lemon. I am willing to deal with that when that problem arrives.
    I'm hoping to get into a 2019/ 2020 with some remaining warranty.
     
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