This question will probably reflect my lack of experience in the industry, but I'll ask it anyway. I was browsing Ebay last night looking at the various sleeper trucks on there. For around the $20K range, seems most of them had 700-800K miles on the clock. WIth that mileage, I'm guessing you're taking the similar kind of risk associated with buying a car over 150K on the clock? Engine rebuilds/inframes, tranny issues, axle issues...ect. Excuse the layman's terms as I'm not that familiar with the various components of a truck.

 

You got it. Kinda tyhe same thing. Anything can happen. Myself i would never buy i truck i didnt know. Cuz you dont know the history on it.

 

When was the last time Freightliner, International, or Volvo placed in the top two of a JD Power quality or reliability survey?

 

Everyone thinks Petes are so great then explain this one. In 1998 my dad and I were assigned a BRAND NEW 379 for a team truck at the company we were with. Within the FIRST 50K miles here are the TRUCK RELATED problems not engine or trans or rearend. Left EXHAUST FALLS THE F OFF. The AC went thru 7 Recevier Driers and 4 Compressors 3 cab blowers and 2 bunk ones. 3 complete sets of dash gauges and we lost the Left Front Hub in PA on Memoerial Dat weekend. NOW TELL ME PETERCRAP BUILDS THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY. Engine wise the sucker swalled 3 Injectors and lost the Water Pump. Tras and Rear End wise Some ONE AT THE FREAKING DENTON FACTORY AND THE DEALER FORGOT TO FILL THE DANG THINGS AND THEY SEIZED UP ON US. WE PICKED THIS TRUCK UP AT THE DEALERSHIP.

In 1999 I was driving for a Different company and was assigned a 1998 C120 Midroof only problem I had with it in 80K miles it was due for a set of brakes and tires because of wear and 2 LOFs beyond that I stayed out making CASH.

 

Anyone that buys new trucks knows that you often have more mechanical nightmares initially. Builders make mistake, components fail; it takes time to find and work out the bugs in a new truck. So you're comparing the first 50,000 miles of a new truck to a two year old truck with how many miles when you got it? Not really an apples to apples comparison. Besides, I'm sure there are similar stories about every make out there. One experience, or even 10, does not constitute a pattern in a sample size of 10's of thousands.

 

120K on the C120 was a regional truck I took OTR However PETE NOT FILLING OR CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION OR REAR ENDS ALSO NOT TIGHTENING THE EXHAUST ON THE TRUCK COME ON. That C120 by the way was only the 2nd year they made the Century class truck at all and I had No Problems with it. Also the 3 drivers ahead of me since it was the regoinal fleet and they slip seated until then had no problems with it also. Pete and KW all they are is a name. BTW that C120 is Still on the Road the guy who bought it lives near me and he loves it. She now has 1.4 MILLION on her and NO OVERHAUL OR CLUTCH WORK YET AND ALSO STILL GETS 6.8 MPG PULLING FLATBED

 

I'm gonna have to back Ironeagle up on this one, Freightliners are cheap and reliable. What I don't get is why would someone want a Pete with a CAT that gets 4.5 mpg when you can get a Freightliner large car and get 6.5-7??? I guess some people put looking cool over business. Remember trucking isn't a hobby, it's a business and lifestyle!!! I'll admit my opinion is biased cause I grew up around Freightliners. But you can get a Western Star for a fraction of the cost of a petercar or kw and one of the biggest reasons I like Western Star is for the Detroit and the fuel milage.

 

I wasn't aware that Peterbilt or Kenworth made engines. :roll:

FWIW: Back in 2004, I was driving a brand new 2005 Century Class. In the first 10,000 miles, the air conditioner died completely, and the shifter fell out of the transmission 5 times. :lol:

 

Should have put some more tape on it Rev. :lol:
Here is the 2007 JD Power results. Looks like Kenworth is the front runner with International and Peterbilt in the second two spots.

 

And take a look at how they rank in terms of cost of ownership. International's obviously made some gains with their renewed focus.