Why I won't buy another Freightliner

They all have there good and bad points . Also every model is different then the rest. Saying a freightliner in not any good is perty vague. Some models are better then others. Comparing a long hood classic to a Columbia for eg. Two totally different things.
If a guy was to sum it up in a Coles notes version freightliner has always been the cheaper and usually lightest truck on the market. The FLD and COE (except argosy) were there best trucks made but sadly there gone.
Pete and KW have some perty crappy areo models too.

 

Sub par materials make a sub par driving experience.
Pretty much says it all...

 

Ok let it begin.
1,2,3, come mostly from the owner ,due to poor maintance.
4 is subjective.
5 I will give ya that one. They are to large, thier made for a thermos. (Putting a roll of tape inside fixed problem?
6 is a personal problem. There made to fit the average sized person. So if one is extra large, skinny, tall, or short. That problem can arise, however will most likely have in any make and model.
7 again subjective and somewhat of a trade off, in order to made the rear if engine more accessible. The design changes needed would make it a pete 379

 

thing too is that they are ALL built on an assembly line for mass production. an o/o's is also built on an assembly line, but from what i recall, they are then removed and built to specs of the new single owner, rather than a fleet.
so more time is taken for fit and finish...unless that too, has changed, for the benefit of the manufacturer, rather than the customer.

 

I will disagree on the suspension. Maybe the wimpy 38k lb version doesn't hold up well but many folks run the 46k/69k lb versions on their Stars in the bush and don't have many issues. I like the simplicity. 4 bushings per axle. Can rebush it in a few hours.

 

You forgot the biggest problem with Frightliner [sic], they have the crummiest dealer network. Who doesn't stock an a/c condenser in the summer, or a heater core in the winter? Terrible, and for the record, Freightliner, is a throw away truck. They do the job, for a while, but the idea is, they need to sell new trucks, not fix the old ones, and corners must be cut. I'm not sure new Pete's or KW's are any better, really.

 

I must have only good cascadia ever built .
788k on it now and tight as new along with very few problems that dont come with any other make .
Maybe it's because I maintain it well and dont pound the snot out of it .

 

I drove a '99 Century for a guy, great truck, Detroit, 890K and never opened up, rode like a Cadillac, BUT, little things, almost daily. Steering wheel tilt broke, wiper linkage let go, cruise quit, a/c condenser( in summer), heater core( in winter, that's how I know) door locks jammed, drivers door window and on and on. Freightliner doors never seemed like they were closed either. They make great company trucks,,

 

FL always had crappy doors and interiors.

I drove a brand new FL COE from 1978 to1981, had 26 km/s on the odometer when I got it.
After that I swore I would never drive another one and never did.

As you will be told I'm sure, a big hood makes it easier to service the truck, lots of room to work.

I suggest you take your FL and go look at all the trucks that may interest you, open the hoods and do a proper A B comparison.
You should see immediately the differences under the hoods between your FL and, a W-9 for instance.
You could party in the W-9 engine bay, pay particular attention to detail, hoses and fittings, wiring and connectors, their quality, and particularly the bundling, routing and protection of hoses, wiring and plumbing.
Slam the doors, fiddle with everything, take them for a test drive and take notes.

If it's an aero truck you want then do the same thing.
For appearance, aside from the classics, I've grown fond of the Pete 567 Heritage.
Might be a decent compromise between a classic big hood and an aero truck.

Who knows, you might come home with a Lonestar or a Western Star and be a super star in a large car, or a tourist in a Vole Vo motorhome.