New truck Decisions......

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

OK, so I am seriously contemplating buying a brand new rig. If not for anything else but the ease it will put on my taxes. ( I know some people don't think "needing to have write-offs" is real or a good thing, but I am currently making too much $$$) LOL

I have not decided between a 389EXHD, a T660 (fuel mileage) or a Mack Rawhide (I've wanted one for a while) but leaning more towards the Petercar for resale value and the availability of a ISX and pre-UREA trucks I've found.

Here's what I'm thinking of my specs....... keep in mind I have to have a flat-top truck to get under the racks for the tanker.

2010 Pete 389EXHD
63" Flat-top w/fridge and GPS
Premium Interior
500hp ISX
13spd
3.55 rears
24.5LP tires
All alumnium Durabrite Wheels
300" wheelbase ( I know, but I like it)
Tri-Pak or Promax APU

Any other suggestions?
Was thinking maybe an 18spd but I don't haul anything over 18k lbs right now, but may change one day.

With the Rawhide, they are basically ALL loaded and come with the 485hp Mack engine w/13spd or automatic

I was also considering a T660 because I have spoken with several Melton and A&R drivers in them and they say they are averaging 7.9-8.5mpg pulling normal loads..... maybe with my 16k trailer and 10k empty weight I could see 10mpg???

[GMAN]

Personally, I would probably go for the fuel mileage. The T660 is a nice truck. But, the 389 is a good looking truck. At this point I might go with the one that I wanted most. I suppose that it boils down to what is most important to you. The 389 is more classic looking and will likely hold it's value a little more than the other two, but you will sacrifice some fuel mileage over the T660. Unless you need the 18 speed transmission I am not sure that it would be worth the extra money. A 10 or 13 speed would work just fine. I have a friend who has an 18 and he rarely goes through all his gears. In fact, he usually only shifts about 9 of them.

[firebird_1252]

if you want a 389 did you consider a glider? you get away from all the emissions.

if not i'd go 660. my boss has 2 of them (and a 388 actually). he has the top of the line interior (vit?), studio sleepers, 18speed 3.55 rears and 550 cats. (they're older) i know with his big cats he's barely if at all getting 6mpg. i dont know where you run but i run about the same weight as you do in my company truck. trun 65 at about 1450rpm in a 10 speed.

either way.. pics!

oh and i have seen some cascadia's that were "pre-emissions" with isx's. i'm assuming its pre 2011 emissions?

[RostyC]

That's a lot to think about SHC. I'd be leery of the new trucks myself, too much emissions and electronics. The more stuff you have the more that can break. Have you thought about talking to an investment strategist? There might be ways to hide the money from the tax man while that money will make you money. Trucks aren't an investment.

or

don't you have an older Pete? Maybe take the money and freshen that truck up to showroom quality and work that one. Although, it would really suck if you spent a lot of money and the gov't decided to outlaw the older models, which I think will happen eventually.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[tracer]

I would make sure the engine has 1859 torque. It's not a big deal since you pull light loads, but it can really make a difference once you start pulling something heavy. It'll improve fuel mileage for sure plus add to the resale down the road. If you go with an 1850 torque, the tranny and the clutch would have to be rated for the same 1850 or better. I'm not sure about 13 speed, I have one and those 'high'/'low' shifts have been a pain from the beginning. I think with today's engines you only need a 10, such as FRO18910 (rated for 1850 torque). Instead of 3.55 ratio and 24.5 LP tires, I'd go with 3.42 and 295 LP: the truck will sit lower, look better and fuel mileage would improve. "Premium interior" should include gauges, I guess for an owner-operator: the most important ones such as manifold temperature, turbo boost, and fuel pressure (good to have so that you know when the fuel filter needs to be changed). I wanted the install the latter on my truck, but CAT guys said the risk of air and fuel leaks would be high, so I didn't do it. I think when they do it at the plant, there won't be any leaks. Last but not least: my next truck would have a folding table/sofa on "the first floor" where I'd work and the bed on "the second floor" where I"d sleep. Not sure if the table/sofa would fit in your 61" sleeper though but I for one got tired of doing all the paperwork on the bed!

[no_worries]

Didn't you hear him GMAN, he's making too much money. Nothing takes care of that problem like a classic truck, lol.

Personally, I'd rather have SCR than EGR. I'd go with a new engine before any '07-'09.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Well RostyC, my 74 Pete was sold last weekend to the boys down at 4-State Trucks. I was spending a little $$ to do a modest resto and I guess a client came in and wanted my truck. He offered me $40k more than I paid so I took it. It was a hard decision becuase the truck was the very 1st truck my father ever drove, but he told me if I didn't sell it, he was gonna kick my butt so i did.

Now, I preffer the LOOKS over the MPG because honestly, i don't think pulling what I do will make a huge difference with a T660. I'm currently running a 1999 FLD120 w/430hp Detroit ans 3.90's w a 10spd and I keep her around 60-63mph and am getting close to 9mpg

Tracer, I know that I will get the bigger engine. Not HP but at least with the capability of being a big HP truck if you know what I mean. Go big but don't use it

I have also been contemplating a restored 80's 359/379 with a new motor and such, might keep me under $60k and still have a basically new rig.

and also Tracer, try living out of a 38" sleeper for 2 weeks..... you think you got it bad LOL

[GMAN]

Didn't you hear him GMAN, he's making too much money. Nothing takes care of that problem like a classic truck, lol.

Personally, I'd rather have SCR than EGR. I'd go with a new engine before any '07-'09.

These rich truckers have got to have those hoods.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

These rich truckers have got to have those hoods.

No point in looking if you can't look good LOL

I have always liked the 379/389 but I'm finding a fondness for the old 359's too.

And yes, too much income means a bad April 15th HAHA, but I am by no means a RICH trucker. If I was rich, i wouldn't be trucking anymore.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Personally, I'd rather have SCR than EGR. I'd go with a new engine before any '07-'09.

I have been thinking about that too. I tend to think a PRE-BOTH would be best.... say a nice 1985-1999 6NZ engine?

I don't want a SCR motor due to everyone I know (not just a few guys, but about 25) have a lot of problems with the RE-GEN systems, they say half the time they don't work and the other half they kick on right when comming to a mountian pass just about the right spot where the engine derates and you have to down-shift 3 gears LOL

PDI sells a glider kit as we talked about before, but I can't see spending the $170k on a truck, I'd rather buy a new house.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

The best economic decision is to buy a restored truck, but the idea of having everything BRAND NEW also entices me......... but I guess if it is restored properly then it wouldn't be a big deal.

I hate this crap

[specialkay]

If I was getting an honest 9 mpg they'd have to pry that truck out of my hands. No way I'd be getting a new truck. Tracer you must have been talking to the janitor at CAT. There's tons of guys that have added fuel pressure guages over the years. I put mine in 10 years ago using high pressure rubber lines and clampless barbs. You could use stratoflex for added insurance but you're worrying over nothing.

[tracer]

Then I might look into getting the fuel gauge again. I like the idea of knowing when the filter is done. Thanks.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

If I was getting an honest 9 mpg they'd have to pry that truck out of my hands. No way I'd be getting a new truck. Tracer you must have been talking to the janitor at CAT. There's tons of guys that have added fuel pressure guages over the years. I put mine in 10 years ago using high pressure rubber lines and clampless barbs. You could use stratoflex for added insurance but you're worrying over nothing.

With DOT regs, you will now have to run an isolator if you are going to mount it inside the cab. I just bought a boost pressure and fuel pressure gauge from autometer and went with electric ones. They were $200 each but took me 1hr to install and wire both.

As for the 9 mpg truck, I wouldn't mind it honestly if it had a bigger sleeper. The 38" bunk (just a single bed DIRECTLY behind the seats) is tough when I have to do some back-to-back runs. Plus it is a freightliner and rides like crap....... but I may look into those special shocks I keep seeing in the magazines (no idea the names) plus I live only 40min from ARI/ICT, maybe they could put a 80" sleeper on it for me and I can have the engine rebuilt and truck repainted for $45,000 ?????

Hmmmm, good call........ thanks for making me think again LOL

[firebird_1252]

shc, a while back i spoke to tom at fritzgerald. he told me that you can do a coranado for 109ish. i thought it was a decent deal. might want to give him a call.. also he said if you want a truck with a 318 detroit he'll order it. lol

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

shc, a while back i spoke to tom at fritzgerald. he told me that you can do a coranado for 109ish. i thought it was a decent deal. might want to give him a call.. also he said if you want a truck with a 318 detroit he'll order it. lol

Well here is the thing, my 99 has brand new rears already, and the engine has 350K on it...... the more I think about it, maybe a glider with my old trucks parts or just take it to ICT, give em a few grand and just have it all redone with a bigger sleeper and maybe upgrade the paint.

like I said, i have no idea LOL

[firebird_1252]

Well here is the thing, my 99 has brand new rears already, and the engine has 350K on it...... the more I think about it, maybe a glider with my old trucks parts or just take it to ICT, give em a few grand and just have it all redone with a bigger sleeper and maybe upgrade the paint.

like I said, i have no idea LOL

lol thats the reason i called them. my dad wanted to put his B model cat i nto a new truck. i think he said you suply it the cheaper it is. if i'm not mistaken he said he can get rolling with his parts for 79l

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

lol thats the reason i called them. my dad wanted to put his B model cat i nto a new truck. i think he said you suply it the cheaper it is. if i'm not mistaken he said he can get rolling with his parts for 79l

Now that is not bad.

Just looked them up on truckpaper...... very nice.
Brand new 2011 with a DDECIII motor and 3yr/300k warranty for $108k

[specialkay]

Tracer if your truck doesn't have any gauge in it get two. Get a vacuum gauge that goes between the water separator and the tank and a pressure gauge that goes on the filter head. The vacuum gauge will warm you if you ever start to gel the fuel and when the separator needs to be changed and the pressure one will tell you when the fuel filter is getting dirty. The last couple of years I've only been changing the fuel filters every third oil change. So far I haven't had any issues.

[firebird_1252]

Now that is not bad.

Just looked them up on truckpaper...... very nice.
Brand new 2011 with a DDECIII motor and 3yr/300k warranty for $108k

no its not. and he's a hell of a nice guy. we spoke for about 20 min on the phone. for that 108k the truck is loaded. i think for the price he gave us was for a truck with a lot less options. he also does petes and westernstars..

way off topic.. i was looking on truckpaper earlyer.. the westernstars are nice on the inside.. too bad they're built by freightlinger.. then again.. fritzgerald said the coranado is built leaps and bounds past any other freightliner product.