Anyone wanting to buy a truck over the next while...
 

I can help out with specs, make rpm/mph charts, etc..

Nowadays the wrong specs can cost you 20k a year, easy.

Something as simple as a direct drive vs overdrive, the direct drive tranny can save you 2k a year!

If I was buying a new truck, it would have 2.64 gears, super singles OR XDA "energy" low pro 22.5's, a 10 speed direct drive ultrashift, or maybe volvos I-shift if I was going with a volvo engine.

I talked to a guy running that combo, 12 speed volvo direct drive tranny, and a 485 D13, he said he was getting 7.5 mpg at 60 mph. Almost unheard of with a new 2008 truck!

Anyone that buys a non-aero truck nowadays is nuts.

Re: Anyone wanting to buy a truck over the next while...
 

I agree, this is a business not a truck show. If you want to see pretty trucks look online or something. But they claim they get 7mpg and conventionals have better resale. Sure...

I drive hoods because a freightliner would die in the enviroments I work, I really dont care if somebody on the internet thinks i`m nuts or not.

The only thing "Freightliner" about the "Freghtliner" is the emblem on the hood. Please elaborate on the environment.

If you can run a good company you can make it with a hood. If haveing a hood is going to make you broke then you got bigger problems then that. :roll:

Its not that it will break you, it's the point of putting more money in your pocket than into the truck.

You are 100% right. If you want to make the most money with a truck a hood is not the way to go. But for some guys a hood is worth the price. I know for me it would be. Its all in what you want. :wink:

Don't see too many Centuries or T2000's or 600's pulling log trucks, doing heavy-haul, or doing anything else off-road. The specs for certain applications are not available in all models. Air resistance increases with speed and is pretty negligible below 50-55. If you poke along anyway, the benefit you'd realize from an aero is minimized. Same goes for the trailer you pull. If you're pulling something with an ugly aerodynamic profile, it's not going to matter much what your front end looks like.

Like most everything else, there's not one all-encompassing answer. It's dependent on your operating profile.

Based on the 1st post, I assumed we were talking about highway applications.

LOL@ toxic :lol:
This is the MACK you want.


http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/9...auborzilm6.jpg

See them big ass fuel tanks you need them cuz that thing will just eat fuel. But its ok they sell it everyday at the pump :lol: :lol: Its only 3.65 a gal.

That truck is almost a mack. It's got a kenworth sleeper on it :D
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http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...d/76356469.jpg

This guy sure doesn't like macks.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :P :P :P :P :P :D :D :D .
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ed_Vision1.jpg

:lol: :lol: :lol:

thats funny I don't care who you are. :lol: :lol: :lol:

whats not funny is saying the w900 was a mack or just like one :roll: :twisted: :evil: :shock: :D :D :lol: :lol:

I know dont ever put MACK down like that. KW only wishes they could be a mack. :wink:

It's a Mack it just has a Kenworth sleeper on it :wink: :D

poor mack.

I've never driven a Mack road truck so I couldn't say much about them. The only Macks I drove was in a quarry hauling crushed stone for the asphalt plant when I was 18. I think I have some old pics around here somewhere........
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http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h287/tkmcfd/389.jpg

.... a CPA stated (on this board?) that 72% of owner-operators (probably including motor carriers too) didn't know what they were doing.

If you INCLUDE spec-ing it'll probably raise this to 90%. :sad:

I read of 2.73 rear-end gearing, BUT 2.64? Who manufactures 2.64's?

What do you think about all these aerodynamic items they're experimenting with (walmart, et al - trailer skirts, baby moons, cab extenders, front bumper air dams etc.)?

http://007planb.com/images/405-Giant-Ferrari.jpg

And just why do you have a problem with an Olsen truck?? :lol: :lol:

He's getting some good mpg with that thing on his trailer :shock: .

There's tons of trucks on truckpaper with 2.64's. Every single schneider truck has them. Good gear with 22.5 LP's if you want to run 60-65.

Actually I have some products on my truck. I'll get pictures later, as they're not fully installed. Will reduce trailer gap about 8" at the bottom, and 12" at the top.

Trying to convince my company(99% o/o) to put side skirts on the trailer.