Got to go pick our new trucks. Suggestions needed.

[PhuzzyGnu]

My company is moving from Penske to PacLease.

My boss told me to swing by PacLease in my Penske Freightliner Columbia so they could get basic measurements (fifth wheel height, wheelbase, etc.). Our Penskes have: 14.0L 515hp Detroits de-rated to 455hp, Straight 10 speed, 3.70 rear gears, 11R22.5 tires, and a 235" wheelbase.

I did so and the sales manager gave me a Peterbilt hat and asked what trucks we wanted. I replied, "I really don't think it's my choice," but he said that he was told someone was coming over to do the preliminary truck spec. I guess that was me!

As this PacLease location only deals with Peterbilts, my choices were the following models: 386, 387, 388, 389.

I like a long nose conventional as much as anyone, but in my business (hazardous waste transportation), many of our customers have very tight quarters as the hazardous waste storage areas seem to be an afterthought or were placed far away from operational areas. In addition to this, our yard is extremely tight and our Columbias can barely turn around in the yard most of the time.

I and the majority of our drivers prefer the interior space and (relatively) set-back front axle of the 387. So that was my pick.

Our fleet average is only about 100,000 miles per year per truck. We generally operate on average 3 days a week out-and back in a 250 mile or so radius from Houston. The other 2 days will be "super local" in the general vicinity. Occasional 2-5 day long trips up to Indiana, Missori, Florida, etc.

We operate vans, tankers, roll-offs, and very rarely intermodal chassis and flatbeds.

The majority is on-road with occasional forays onto unpaved area (landfills with roll-off boxes, customer facilities, trailer drop yards).

This is what we came up with:

Premium long-length high-roof Peterbilt 387
247" wheelbase (calculated to account for side-mounted hydraulic tank and swing-clearance. Dual 150 gallon fuel tanks loved by all drivers somewhat stretched this 12")
Cummins ISX 485hp/1650 torque (Cat C-15 too expensive)
10 speed manual (Ultrashift $12,800 more!)
40,000lb Super 40 tandems - 3.70 gears
12,000 front
aluminum hubs
true locking differentials (landfills and trailer drop yard trap trucks)
24.5 low-profile tires/Alcoa polished wheels (outers only on rear)
dual 150g fuel tanks
single exhaust (cost and PTO routing)
rear of cab fairing
molded front bumper vs. stainless (cost)
Peterbilt high-back seats
power windows/heated power mirrors
Peterbilt guage package (full guages; chrome bezels w/Cummins info center)
single bunk
Concert-class stereo w/10 speakers and subwoofer (snuck that in!)
CB mount on dash (majority drivers' preference)
24" sliding no-lube fifth wheel w/47.5" height
Peterbilt Low leaf suspension
grey interior/black seats/rubber floor
TV-ready package upper passenger cabinet
full cabinets other 3 positions
fog lights
stainless quarter fenders
work lights on back
LED front cab markers
Peterbilt leather-wrapped 4-spoke steering wheel

...and various other minor details I can't remember.

The retail sticker price on these trucks works out to around $175,000. Real world negotiated purchase price would be much lower. At this spec with the lease terms these trucks are about $200 less per month per truck less than the Penske trucks run, not counting the $.065/mile maintenance for PacLease vs. $.09/mile for Penske!

Any suggestions or criticisms about this spec? Something I didn't think of? Something you would change?


Also, just for chucks we spec'd out a 387- go for broke, money no object, biggest motor, chrome, leather, auto tranny, etc. You get the drift.

$230,000. Not competitive with the Penskes, of course.

-j.

[Orangetxguy]

Ya mean they didn't already have T-800's ordered for ya??

Unusual.

[allan5oh]

Can you swing a change to 22.5 LP or super single tires?

How fast do you guys run?

What gear ratio did you spec?

I'd downgrade that ISX to 450 HP and go with a DIRECT DRIVE ultrashift OR direct drive manual. That's $2,000 a year fuel savings right there. Even more with the ultrashift.

Look into getting 22.5 LP tires, Michelin XDA energy. If the 5th wheel is too low, get them to build it back up. Fantastic fuel mileage tires.

Your bosses will be very happy if you made these changes.

Also, consider some 386's for the tanker and flatdeck operations.

[PhuzzyGnu]

Actually I would prefer a T800. Call me silly, but I've always liked them and they are good solid trucks. Unfortunately Rush PacLease in North Houston doesn't do KWs.

One of our other facilities just placed their order through PacLease in Dallas and they are getting Kenworths- T800 or T600.


As for the truck spec, the LP 24.5 is mainly an aesthetic choice. We don't have any retreading program and or trailers have every size tire from low profile 22.5s to 11r22.5 to LP 24.5 to 11R24.5. Hell, we even have some of the small diameter 22.5s on a roll-off trailer.

If I could convince the powers that be on the Ultrashift I'd do it in a second. Maybe I'll get with them and see. Even with the $12,800 added to each truck it'd still be less than Penske.

I'd also really like to get the dual stacks as well, mainly for looks.

-j.

[Orangetxguy]

Can the Ultra-shift accept a PTO box??

[PhuzzyGnu]

Can the Ultra-shift accept a PTO box??

Good question, but we probably won't have to worry about the answer.

-p.