What truck is the most dependable and at the same time has the lowest repair cost? I don't want a truck that is dependable but at the same time cost an arm n leg to repair when something breaks nor do I want a truck that has low repair cost but needs service all the time.

If true dependability and lower repair costs is what you want do not buy a truck 2004 or newer. They went with emissions garbage on those trucks that cost a lot, plus they're less reliable and get less MPG.

You want a unicorn for your birthday, too, right?

Sure, you got one lol

All trucks? What Manufacturer would you recommend. I'm thinking Pete or Volvo.

the best truck is the one that does not break down. want down right dependable? old big cam 350 cummins.

With ALL trucks, the pre EGR / ACERT / DPF models are more reliable. All the anti-emission hardware has done is make the vehicle much more complicated, much more trouble prone and much more expensive to repair, not to mention much LESS fuel efficient.

I made the remark about the unicorn because like it, the trouble free and / or inexpensive to maintain class 8 truck is a mythical thing… it doesn’t exist. Yes, there are folks who get lucky and get a truck that they have no problems with for a million miles, but most trucks will have their problems and there is NOTHING cheap on a truck to repair or replace, with the exception of shocks and a few other items.

In general, Freightliners and Volvos have been the choice of larger companies because those manufacturers have catered to the big companies and made lower cost, stripped down models for them. Peterbilt, Western Star and Kenworth have traditionally been the most commonly sought after by owner operators for a variety of reasons. Macks have been the choice for off-road and specialized use for many decades. While many operators view them as indestructible, many have also found them a bit peculiar to operate.

As far as engines go, Detroit Diesel (mostly Freightliner) engines have generally had the reputation for being the least expensive engines to work on, but many folks think they are also the least dependable. When I owned a Pete with a CAT engine, the joke when it came time to hear what a repair was going to cost me was that “yellow paint sure is expensive.” Now that I own a Pete with a Cummins ISX, I’m always told at the Cummins and Pete dealers how expensive Cummins components are… go figure.

The industry accepted cost per mile for maintenance on trucks has been ten to fourteen cents per mile, no matter what the make and model of the truck. I think a lot of it depends on how you drive the truck and how well you keep up with the “little things”. Little things left unattended to will almost assuredly turn into much bigger, much more expensive things. The key is to have the knowledge to see something starting to go wrong before it leaves you stranded on the highway somewhere.

i'll agree with everything musicman said!

i have the "crap" cat (mbn motor) and so far i love it. i get what i consider good fuel milage with it (5.5-6.5.. somehow i got 7 out of it one tank ) i go up and down i81 and i83 always at gross running a average of 65mph. however, if i could, i'd get rid of my columbia in a heart beat for a 9400 with a ISX.

I did forget to mention Sterling and International, didn't I? I focussed on Volvo, Freightliner, and Paccar because I think they have the biggest market share, but International is a force to be reckoned with in some areas.

By the way, I'm averaging just over 7 mpg with my 500HP '06 ISX (EGR programming removed) pulling a 2006 Utility with a Carrier reefer grossing 80k lbs. I'm finally replacing the stock muffler with 750k miles on it with a Pittsburg Power performance model that I hope will add a few tenths to my mpg.

Do yourself a favor and go to each dealership and look at the older used trucks. I would prefer an aerodynamic truck (volvo, t600, etc..) in that range. Stay away from the t2000, a few problems with that truck. The freightliner columbia and century are cheap trucks as well, the interiors are not very good quality. But keep an open mind.

You'll love the quality of a kenworth w9/t8/t6 interior or a 379 interior. But keep in mind they are not as aerodynamic as a volvo.

Trucks really are the same underneath, there's not a whole hell of a lot of difference. Especially pre 2003 when there was a lot more engine options. Now you have to go with either the OEM engine (navistar for international, paccar for kenworth/peterbilt, volvo for volvo, mack for mack, detroit for freightliner/western star) or some offer the cummins engine as well.

Most trucks have similar frames, front axles, rear axles, trannys, options it's just a matter of finding one that suits your needs. The guys say brand x or nothing are really blowing smoke.