Quote:
Originally Posted by BlkPete
I have heard plenty of drivers discussing how much they enjoy driving their Volvos, Freightliners and Internationals. But then they start talking about these plastic trucks pulling better than Petes w/CAT's(379/388) and Kenworths w/CAT's(W-9). Can anyone who drives a PLASTIC truck explain to me why every time I'm in NC, TN, NM,AZ or some other mountainous state, and I see a oversized load, steel loads, most flatbed loads, their being pulled(with success) by a 379 or W-9. Sure there is an aero advantage and inside space advantage to the plastic trucks but, if you hauling panty hose and trapperkeeper notebooks to Walmart and you go flying up a mountain at 60mph, that ain't a test. I'm not saying these trucks can't pull the loads, but when I see them with heavy loads, 4-ways on, struggling, truck jerking every 5 second downshifting and jamming up the right lane.
If its not a PETE with a CAT, its a DOG!
Well, after I up-rated my CAT and did a DYNO tuning, my International 9400 beats pretty much everybody on hills. I drive 58 MPH everywhere - you can pass me on a plain, but I'll pass you on a hill
I got 475 HP at 1,300 RPM and 550 HP at !425 RPM. So, I think it's not the type of the truck that matters. It's what engine is in it, and how the owner treats it. "Plastic' trucks as you call them are mostly fleet trucks, and fleets don't care much for power and/or torque.