Where to buy glider kits, engine, etc.

Well, I guess it also has to do with the listing and spacing of the each item on the spec sheet. KW just needs to use more paper. No, it didn't take my salesman that long to spec it out. It took ME that long to spec it out. I wanted to go over each and every item, more than once or twice, to make sure what was being spec'd and make changes. In some cases, I changed my mind on some things as the process went along. And a couple of times, even after the order went in before the deadline for further changes. And I had to do the back and forth with the salesman via phone or emails, since I also work for a living, and have other things in my life that need tending to. The salesman is also in the same bind. That dealership is building 6-7 gliders a week. So you have to figure that the primary sales guy responsible for putting this all together has to work with customers to spec 6-7 gliders a week. If you can do it faster, you might want to give Harrison Truck Center a call and they might be interested in bringing you on board. Oh but it would also include overseeing (I said "overseeing" not actual assembling them) the builds at the dealership and personally delivering the finished truck to the customer. That is all done my one guy. I think he is doing a fine job.

Over 310 individual specifications reviewed, changed, or approved on 14 pages of those 16 pages of spec sheets (last two were summaries and dealer requirements). 92 of those had to do only with cab and sleeper interior. Wow. KW might have a few more. But who is counting at that point. I guess the better question is... who cares? We're talking about a typical class 8, 80,000 combination GVW, pulling vans. Of course, I would have had even more specifications listed, and even more pages, if I was spec'ing out a heavy haul like you mentioned. You keep trying to compare apples to oranges. Oh, by the way..... lowboy is the trailer, oh wise one. Not fair to include trailer specs in the number of specs we are talking about.

There is NOTHING more that can be done to a KW interior than can be done to mine. Not unless a person is getting a double eagle sleeper or unless you want two of each and every gauge, but that seems overkill. Why would anyone need two engine oil temp gauges or two engine oil pressure gauges? I have every gauge available to monitor every component. And in a premium wood grain dash. That would be the same as a KW would have. But with a stock OEM cab and sleeper, KW doesn't offer anything more than the choices I had with mine. I didn't need flashing lights for oversize loads and other goodies like that, so they weren't spec'd on mine.

I just realized I fell for the old trick of "my junk is bigger than your junk" line of thinking. Silly me. Even I regress into childish behavior once in a while.

 

Cowpie1, you truck drivers are not as invisible or not listened to as much as you may think although you are doing a good job of unholding the old saying of drivers being a bit of a know-it-all. Have you figured out what I do yet? I would have thought that you would have been a little more intuitive. Yes, not only truck drivers visit this site but others who are looking for feedback and other ideas.

I'm perfectly aware of what a lowboy trailer is, but the truck that I referred to is called a "lowboy tractor" as it is a tri-axle heavy haul, etc. I'm glad that you are happy with your purchase decision and hope that it will perform well for you. I personally spec and deliver custom built trucks weekly, so I know what works well and performs and what doesn't. I guess for a pretty standard over the road 80k lb. tractor configuration, the Freightliner is fine. The point that I was trying to make is that if anything specialized or out of the ordinary was ever needed that a Paccar custom built truck would give you more options as that is their specialty, and they do it well.

 

I have a hard time at that a person working in sale of a KW dealer would be so ignorant and antagonistic. First off we all like different trucks and things so to come on here and bash one is just not smart. This forum is to share information and experiences with each other not to be putting down people and what they drive. If you think a KW or a Pete is the only "have it your way" truck then you must have been locked up in your moms closest for the last 10-15 years. No truck is cookie cutter anymore. Sure they all including KW and Pete have a general spec truck they put on the lot but you can sit down and order just about anything you want for a new truck. Gliders are a different story. You might not be able to get the model you want or some of the options. Thats just how it is.

Like I said before if you really are a sale guy or work a KW dealer or Pete your dad must own it. Or your a 16 year old kid that likes KW and shooting off his mouth online. Have a great day in the locker you keep getting stuffed in buddy!!!

 

I'm not going to get into what SAKO3006 said, but as a Kenworth salesman, I will say that I recently got a '09 star sleeper in trade for a similar W900L and for being similar trucks, I never knew how many differences there were. KW sleeper was much bigger (62" flattop I'm reffering too). Dont forget too that it's an aluminum cab that has been out since 1983 and very tried and true. Getting parts is very easy and in stock due to how many Kenworth's are sold compared to how many Star's are sold. I would also stick to a 13,200 front axle (or comparable) since it's pretty hard to overload that on anything except a set back front axle). I also noticed on the Star VS Kw trade that the Star was alot heavier, and I'm not talking a couple hundred pounds.

 

How's that mx motor working in those custom trucks? Great motor for heavy haul , 485hp and a useless engine brake.
How's that for feedback!

 

Yeah I had high hopes for the MX but everything I hear it sounds like it was a bunch of BS...

 

That MX motor is working quite a bit better than every CAT motor since 2007 since your apparently a CAT man. Also, I'm going to let you in on a little inside information since you like providing feedback in such a quality way. Before the end of the year, there will be a 525HP/1850 torque Paccar MX on the market. And to be clear, I don't put the MX in heavy haul or severe duty trucks but go with a 15 liter 550hp or 600hp Cummins. I'm sure you know this already since you sound like it, but Kenworth does not offer the MX in a hood truck unlike Pete who puts it in 389's. Anything else Northeast driver?


How's that mx motor working in those custom trucks? Great motor for heavy haul , 485hp and a useless engine brake.
How's that for feedback![/QUOTE]

 

[/QUOTE]

I'm interested in hearing about the mx with more than 500 horses. Maybe they'll work better who knows.

Ethan

 

According to the mags at work everyone loves the mx