Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

To make the picture complete,there are 3 brands using the same ZF gearboxes.
MAN,Daf and Iveco use them.

As to the I-Shift being stronger,i don't know.
Maybe it depends on how much luck you have.
2 friends off mine had work done on their I-Shifts while the 2 ZF's i know have had no work done.
But to say the I-Shift is better or worse.................. :smt102
4 trucks isn't a big enough sample to make that conclusion.

 

Even manual zf's are troublesome, very soft gearbox

 

I-shift is used by Volvo groupe with Volvo engine, so it is Volvo, Mack and Renault trucks. Yep, they use different names.Daimler uses MB EPS transmission, for US market they call it Detroit transmission. ZF and Eaton are used by ALL truck makers, including Volvo and Daimler.

 

i would agree on last ,

but it always more depends on who drive a truck and maintenance
than on truck itself ,

also i have noticed trucks from 2006-2007-2008 were very bad quality, probably big demand on them at that time caused this , when you compare volvo from 2002 and 2007 those from 2002 so far have less problems and money spent than 2007 often by half

i would not say mercedes quality drops, worst were first generation of actros until first redesign in 2000

mercedes rarely do something wrong, but when they did it is total disaster , now i am bit afraid of new models they are completly different-and change term of work truck simply everything is different, and they must do something wrong

 

i have a question for american members,

i have noticed that you guys are keeping your trucks pretty long , i wonder what is reason for that?

in europe generally nobody wants to keep older trucks , because this often means problem

since man labor in US is more expensive than here in my country , does this make sense?

also with our current situation on market , new truck make no sense prices are too low, risk of not getting earned money is big .....

yesterday bearing that hold driveshaft went wrong , + i had to remove driveshaft, load it on trailer, and heat it at home, it is pretty big problem because exhaust pipes are there and both silencer , also 2nd axle is near and other things, but problem is to put it back especially if you are alone, i would tell this is not job for one , hard to fit especially with that heavy driveshaft ( strongest one on tipper)+strong rain all of time mud everywhere

i would tell these are worst 24 screews for this week

my truck lost 2/3 of day and i think i will get cold from lying in water

 

I believe a lot has to do with the cost and lack of reliability of the new trucks, there is also no regulation outside of certain state emmissions that keep a person from running any age of truck.

 

Also, there's a high(er) rate of Owner drivers in North America/Australia than Europe, I.e less capital to keep buying new gear, plus the reduced bargaining power of larger entities.

For example, a new decent spec KW off the showroom floor will set you back north of $400k in Australia

For the record, you can buy a 2013 Volvo Fh16 600, last of the mk3's with an Xxl cab. Check the price tag

http://trucksales.mobi/buy/details/?R=24550160

 

Holy ........., I could buy a volvo similar spec here, ship it to you, sell it to you for half that price and still make a profit ,

 

I keep my trucks a long time because I feel if work slows down and I don't have a payment it will be easier to make ends meet......

If your not working your not buying fuel or breaking anything on the truck.

 

98989,the difference in the way the different countries raise their taxes also has a big influence.
The higher the taxes ,the more you can write off a new truck against the taxbill ...............the more it makes financial sence to replace trucks quicker with new ones.

Another reason is that running new trucks ,you actually need less cash.

And then there is the % interst you pay on loans.
Parts off the EU are now giving loans at 2 to 3% while loans in the USA are at 5 to 10%?