Tractor preference

Volvo or a Peterbilt with a manual tranny, no auto for me

 

Cheap, disposable junk. That's what they are. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

 

I have noticed that when you see older freightliners in the truck stops they seem to have duct tape and bungee cords all over them. I do think over the lifetime of a truck a Kenworth or Pete will cost less. I know several small fleet owners that will not buy anything but Kenworths or Pete's.

 

Freightshaker is the bottom of my list as a company driver.....But I get a new one every 3 years..
At least they agreed to possibly find a Coronado if available the next go round or my choice of a new Paccar...
I would love to check out a new Western Star.....good looking truck out of the new ones.

Nothing rides like a good solid W-9 or 379....I miss those trucks!
It took some time getting used to the sloped hood of todays trucks..

But I am stuck in a shaker for the next 2 years and 9 months....

 

Those Western Star 5700s are a glorified Cascadia. If they weren't these mega fleets like CRE and K&B wouldnt be buying the hell out of them already. The look nice inside and out and I'm sure they have a few subtle differences but in reality it's the same quality as the Freightliner you ranked bottom of the list.

 

Zip ties. Don't forget about zip ties. That's what's keeping my rear view mirrors from flying off.

 

Western Star. But I see no option for that.

My 2nd and 3rd option would be a 379 Pete, or a W9 KW. But for the type of the work I'll be doing in a few years, nothing will quite do the job like a 4900 Western Star.

 

Problem is are these engines lasting long enough to even consider buying a new truck? After the warranty is gone whats going to be the preventive maintenance cost of maintaining one of these new fancy engines with constant re gen issues among other things. You hear guys here say that all tractors are built disposable now so WTF! Do you want to buy a new Cheaper Freightliner every 3 years or a more expensive Pete? Can you afford to take the risk of even trying to own one after warranty as an O/O? Those 2012 Gliders with 300k miles with S60 Detroits look pretty tempting to me as a pure money maker

 

I wound buy one of those Schneider gliders. I don't care if it's orange, having a pre EGR engine in a 4-5 year old truck makes it really tempting. That straight 10 and 2.64 rear end is a good combination. I can live without going to California.

 

Arent the 2012 S60 California Compliant?