Peterbulit 587 with Cummins - any problems or issues?

Cummins, Volvo, Paccar, Detroit, flip a coin cuz they're pretty much all the same when it comes to maintenance and issues. The DEF thing is the least of the problems, it seems to be EGR valves and especially EGR coolers.

 

Are you checking out the ex May Trucks that are from Arrow Truck sales??? If so, ask over in the may forum about the mx and reliability of these units.

KH

 

Well at least a prime truck wouldn't have been driven too fast.

 

LOL

Not sure if its still true. But a driver once told me that you hire on at 62 mph. If you dont mind giving up $.10 cpm, they let you drive 67 mph.
Oh no,.. wait. That was Stevens.

My Bad,.. move along. Nothing to see here.

Hurst

 

Caveat emptor with Cummins these days. I've just bought a 2015 Cascadia with a 500 Detroit from a local dealer close to my home. In the process of buying this truck I sat down with the used truck manager for a lengthy chat. Very smart guy and a 30 yr veteran of buying and selling used trucks.he had no axe to grind with me and BTW I traded in a 06 Pete 387 that towards the end gave me many hours of misery with repairs. It had a Cummins 450 ISX.
he showed me his list of used trucks he's bought in the past few months. Many of them 2011-12 and what was startling was the prices he paid for them. Any trucks with a Cummins engine were priced $10-20k below trucks with Detroits. It's also surprising to me that some freightliners come with Cummins.
Apparently Cummins has had problems with their engines and in many many cases have had to do rebuilds on them at around 200K miles. Apparently there is some kind of legal wrangling going on in the background. But of course they're not going to broadcast such stuff and even when they do the rebuilds, they will not extend the warranties on them. And to think that Pete's with Cummins engines were cream of the crop.
This is food for thought and it's up to you. I'm just relaying what a very knowledgeable guy told me. Now I know I made the right decision. But as always opinions will vary on such matters. The dealership gave me a deal I just couldn't refuse for the Cascadia. I'm glad I'm rid of that Pete with the Cummins
Just be careful my friend and good luck.

 

Yes the 2007 emissions ISX engines were very troublesome.

One of the Achilles heel of that engine is the EGR cooler. It winds up dumping large amounts of coolant into the exhaust which ends up messing the DPF media up. Had it happen to the 2011 Volvo I had before this one. Cost my company $8400.

 

Another piece of sage advice was given to me when I first set out to buy my first truck. Another old timer, a truck salesman as old as dirt gave me the lowdown on what to do.
He flat out told me to go and get myself into a new truck as soon as I could afford it.
Let's face it, unless you know that used truck inside out, it's a crap shoot whether it will last. Looking back that old guy was right but I can sympathize with many. Most of us just can't afford to spring for that kind of $$. But if you're gonna buy a used truck then you'd better make sure you've got the $$ in reserve if it all comes apart. Because you're going to need it. There's no such thing as a cheap repair on a truck. And it's not just the repairs......what about the down time? No money coming in. You can get eaten alive very quickly.
Sure you can fix it yourself but I'm here to make a living and drive my rig, not be a part time diesel mechanic, and get paid zilch for the privilege. It's a decision you have to make. If you can afford, then do it and buy new.
Just dont kid yourself it won't happen to you. The repairs I had to do on my old rig the past 6 mths almost finished me off. I always wonder how many guys aren't that lucky and go under. I was lucky as I had substantial savings but Im not a bottomless pit of money. I'm here to make a decent profit and last the course.
Buying a used truck is nothing like buying a 4-wheeler. There's a very good reason why big fleets get rid of their trucks around 500K miles. Don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out.
Good luck and good hunting.