Why Cascadias?

My DD15 gets that kind of fuel economy with very little shop time.

 

Dupont Viper Blue Pearl Elite. The frame is Dupont Viper Red.

 

Thanks. True it prevents me from dealing with California and ports. But since my operation is primarily CO to OH and north of I-70, really don't see that as a problem. And being in that same area, the risk of having to put some form of emissions junk on it is pretty remote. Most of the areas I run still don't even do emissions testing on automobiles yet. Bit of a stretch to think they will ever worry about trucks any time soon.

Now all of this is really only part of the point in doing this. I was also able to get the same full warranties as any new truck, but I got to avoid the Federal Excise Tax that a new truck would have to pay. It wasn't only about emissions, folks. It was a purely business move. I got to keep my costs lower on a lot of fronts. Every new truck with a new emission engine I spec'd out as close as possible to this one right down the brand of wheel seals in it, was in the $150,000 to $160,000 range total outlay before it moved 1 lb of freight. I got this one for a total outlay of $112,000. So, emissions was but one factor in my decision. The tax savings, the lighter weight, the decreased operating costs, ease of maintenance, lower overall cost, etc all factored into this.

 

That's great! I hope it stays that way for you! I wasn't going to take the chance. I know of one guy that has a DD15 in a Cascadia and he is putting me to shame on fuel mileage. He has a lifetime average on his truck in the high 8's. There are some success stories out there amidst all the failures.

 

Thanks for the reply, I thought that was the color. I now have a good idea what my Cascadia will look like. It is hard to tell from a small sample plate when ordering.

 

I've driven the same 2010 Cascadia, 72" sleeper, DD15 rated at 450 hp, 3.42 rear ends, wide-based singles, for 3 years now. I picked it up with 100 mi on the odometer and just passed 375,000 mi. I've been in the shop less than 7 days per year. The only major things that I have had break or go bad are the EGT Delta/Position sensor (has been replaced twice) and a recall on the turbo. Wear and tear maintenance, like air lines, wheel bearings, etc are quick fixes, and not really an issue with the truck, since Freightliner doesn't make these parts.

After talking to other drivers about other equipment, I've come to the conclusion that Cascadia's aren't crap. Neither are Petes, or Prostars, or any other truck. Every manufacturer has a percentage of trucks that end up being problematic. The rest boils down to how the truck is spec'd. Some say the Cascadia doesn't have much storage, but I have plenty of storage on my truck. It's a full size condo with two bunks, and the top bunk is never down, and I have more than enough room under the bunk and in the shelves for tools and clothes. I've heard people say the same about the Prostars, but maybe that's because some are spec'd with a single bunk but no bunk cabinets.

All I'm trying to say is, it's not really so much the truck, but how you or your company spec's it.

 

I have driven two three Cascadias and one Volvo.

Nothing smooths out the Chicago streets... Hehehee OW!

Mikeeee

 

I always have smooth rides on cascadia compared to prostar. With DD15, better power and engine brake better than Maxxforce 13. I drove on flat plains of Ohio on route 30 and got 8.9 MPG when driven at 62 MPG.

 

to the Op are you a trucker or not? Doesnt sound like it. I have a single screw cascadia as my assigned truck and the DD13 is quieter than the 60 series sterling I had. I have no problems with it, runs smooth and I like how it looks. So are you just going on hearsay or from experience?

 

My company spec issued 2014 freightliner Evolution with a #25000 load today. I can't complain. Had it barely 2 months already at 20000 miles. Cruise at 60 floor is 65. Plenty of storage and why more comfy then my 2010 century. And smooth ride to boot.

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