Pick-2024 KW, Volvo, Frlnr, or Intern which do you pick and why?

The 4 I own.
Have had less trouble from Freightliner than any of them.
year model from L to R 16, 16, 10, 94

 

I'm not a huge fan of these newer trucks. Style is taking a backseat in order to gain a bit of aerodynamic efficiency. They're just like cars these days, they all look pretty much the same.

I spent some time in a newer Cascadia daycab last spring. It rode pretty good, seemed to pull well. I think it had a DD13 under the hood. I felt the jake had pretty good stopping power, even with around 50k lbs on the deck. Wasn't a huge fan of the interior, felt really blah. If I was spending my $$$$ I'd see if there was a nicer interior available as an option.

 

There's so many variables here as others have said. If I were buying though it would be freightliner. They're about the broadest network of dealers, easy to work on (by comparison), and I do prefer the interior layout. Volvo rides a little better as far as company trucks go, but I'm not as fond of the interior layout.

 

From what I have learned in my 5 years in the game.

I'm leaning towards trucks that don't have the same logo stamped on all its commentary. I drive 2013 Paccar DAF/ Kenworth and the price for parts is ridiculous. Volvo would be the same. They have you by the balls as you are locked into their product, their price, their supply.

Also leaning away from flash modern electronic everything. I'd be happy with crank windows if I could get them. Finding electronics it no more reliable, harder to diagnose, expansive, and often missing info. A simple old school gauge may look old school and there may be lots of them, but they are easy, reliable, and singular. An electronic dash cluster is way to expansive.

Think if I was buying a new next truck it would probably be a Wester Star. Old school gauges, suspension and components that doesn't have Western Star stamped on it, Detroit proven motor and box, modern but not earth shattering with BS that I don't really utilise or need.

Proximity to dealer, the parts warehouse, and how many parts in the country also come into which brand one settles on.

 

Of the choices, Kenworth with a Cummins X15. The only other thing I would consider out of the choices is a Volvo. International is trash and I'm not a big Freightliner fan, if I was going to spend money to get a shaker I would just go ahead and get a Western Star which is like comparing a GMC work truck to a GMC Denali.

 

Having been in all of the brands at some point in time. I would have to say a tie between freightliner and international for first choice. Next would be Volvo or Mack. Then a tie for pete or KW in last.

Both Freightliner and International have a lot is service locations. Shop turn around time is usually very quick. Parts network for these is pretty good.

 

Unless you're doing heavy haul or other specialized hauling, an 18 speed isn't necessary. A 13 will do just fine for hauling a standard box or reefer.

 

Detroit's DT-12 isn't far behind the I-Shift