Older cabovers OTR?

I like this thread.

 

I want an Australian K200 Aerodyne or Freightliner Argosy Glider Kit cabover!

 

If you are tired of driving a cabover and want a driver or lease opritunity, hit me up. I want one for OTR use.
Last time I was in a vehicle you can't stand up in them. But everybody has one or three

 

I spent a little time in a 90-something Freightliner cabover.

Would really surprised me is how well the truck Rode.

If you don't mind climbing in and out of it and whatever space issues there are inside the truck, why not? Definitely is something very cool looking that you don't see that much of any more.

If I was looking for one I would want one more like that 90s Freightliner I drove. If it was something older I think it's really important that you modernize it with air ride rears and an air ride cab.

Now for fuel economy, with a cabover I don't know because that's certainly does not have good aerodynamics. But in general older trucks and even mechanical engines have gotten a bad reputation for poor fuel mileage.

You have to remember that way back when the older older trucks the manufacturers almost never had the gearing right. I think that the older older trucks even ran bias tires. Then there was the national 55 mile per hour speed limit. Gearing from that era would not work well today

So the point I'm making is upgrading with air ride rears and air ride cab and the right ratio rears to your transmission, it may surprise you the fuel mileage possible.

Old iron rules.

 

Every cab in over I drove had air ride suspension. Only the Ford and I think the Helmut pete had air ride cab. But even back then donvell had a kit, to convert it you wanted. The biggest problem with the ride was, when they went to set back axle. You were sitting literally over the axle almost over the front left steer tire. So every bump threw you up. But if you no now to ride them and saw them coming. You would lean forward just a little right as you hit the bump. Then you just kinda floated over it, like riding a wave. That probably doesnt make sense to anybody who didnt run cross country in one.

 

How much does fuel mileage matter with a $10,000 dollar barn find COE with 200k miles that was just used for local work? No truck payments, and no big insurance for truck being it can't depreciate. I'm ready and willing. Put an Apu on an old truck and that should bring fuel economy up quite a bit.

 

Importance of Fuel mileage increases with miles driven. With Oversized loads it matters less.

A good reliable $10,000 truck can but a lot of fuel.

 

Update for ya. I cut the baffles out of the muffler and that all but eliminated my high EGTs. I expect if I ran a pipe straight through it would be even better. Still have higher coolant temps than I would like in this heat though. I have to turn the fan on and drop a gear on a pull to stay at 210

 

It is hard to wrap your head around, but cabovers are pretty much as fuel efficient as any truck with outside air cleaners and stacks, actually more aerodynamic than some. the football helmut mentioned was the most areodynamic truck built and registered the best mileage, when it was built, but was so butt ugly nobody cared. lol

 

Well I wasn't specifically referring to you. I was more referring to taking an older truck and making it more modern including making it better on fuel.

.Maybe you have your own work that you only run 5 miles down the road, but most people even that run local are going to at some point get on the highway or go a little farther from time to time. It gets old pretty quick when you're doing say 2000 RPMs at 65. And that definitely eats more fuel.

As far as cheap insurance, if you have your Authority I don't know that there is any such thing. Again, maybe you have a certain thing going on with insurance but it would be foolish in my opinion with a truck like that not to not insure it for at least 10 to 15000 so that if it gets wiped out for some reason at least you're somewhat compensated. No, you did not say to do without collision insurance, but when I hear cheap insurance that's what I think.

And I guess I'm feeling a little bit like Devil's Advocate tonight, but I don't know where you're going to find a sweet barn find cabover that was barely used that you're going to get for $10,000. Not trying to be a bummer but if you found one for 10 you would probably end up putting at least another 10 into it. But the insurance would definitely be less than a new Clunker, lol.

If you keep looking maybe you could find something at that price, I guess. But If you're looking for something really cool that's been worked over it's a little more than 10 grand.

https://www.truckpaper.com/listings...abover-trucks-w-sleeper/manufacturer/kenworth

https://www.truckpaper.com/listings...er-trucks-w-sleeper/manufacturer/freightliner


When you find one post a pic. I like old iron.