Whats the better truck? And what are the top 2 Engines?

All trucks are equal, they are made the same way, with the same features and the same drive trains.

All engines are the same, they are crapshoots in reality. You can have two identical engines made on the same day next to each other on the same assembly line and following the same maintenance program, one will do a million miles with no issues at all while the other has to be overhauled a 325k. The more troublesome are the newer ones, I drive western stars with either DD or ISX engines - all 13/18 speed and they all have the same attitude.

There is no real right answer, many it is a preference to what they like, International has its own following and Freightliner, like Mack, like KW like Pete and now like Western Star seem to be the Ford's of the truck world.

I have been using Freightliners for my OTR work, then I bought Macks which are good, I work now as a temp driver driving anything they want me to, but the two main customers have now gotten all new Western Stars which are just as well built as the Macks I own.

If I was going to buy used, I would still follow the same path as I always have - looking for one that fits my needs and then checking the truck out from front to back.

 

I just got assigned a 2012 Prostar with the maxxforce engine. I've had it for about 3 weeks and had to do 2 regens last week. At least I know this is "normal" and not something seriously wrong with the truck. There's that I guess lol.

 

You're experiencing a textbook example of "penny wise and pound foolish" engineering choices.

 

Well hey at least the Jake comes on automatically at 70. Wouldn't want to get any momentum build for these Northeast hills or anything.

 

No way to disable it? My Volvo has an automatic setting for the engine brake but it's driver adjustable and can be turned off. Use it a lot with the cruise.

 

Nope. I asked the shop and they said that it was an option available and the boss wanted it. I wish I could though because we are governed at 65 and a lot of times I don't hit 70 until the very bottom of the hill, so when I start my climb it's with the Jake on.

 

Don't know... but, I'm running a mechanical Cummins...

 

I have driven both a 2001 Western Star and a 2001 Mack Vision and in my opinion the Western Star beats the Mack hands down. Granted the Western Star had a cat in it but the truck overall is better built. The Western Star had seen a lot of off road and the Mack ended up with cracks in the frame and was mostly on road use.

Kenworth or Peterbilt are good trucks too but the Pete looks weak to me, especially with low pro 22 tires on it. Just does not look right sitting that low. The Kenworth seems to be a good quality but then I have only driven ones that are 2001 and older. My current truck is a 1994 3406e 18 speed at 625 hp with 3.73 rears. Grossing 100k plus and I still out pull the castrated trucks up a hill.