Question about Semi-trucks:

speeder · speeder's Garage

Anyone here a trucker or know a lot about semi-tractors? I've always been a little bit fascinated by them and how the various makes and models compare, i.e. which is the top of the heap between Kenworth/Mack/Peterbilt/etc. and why?

I had always heard that Peterbilts were the nicest/best but have never really known...let's have a semi discussion!

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

What's your definition of "best". It's kind of a religios question really. Like what's better, camaro or mustang? Truckers will argue it all day long.

A930Rocket · 10-29-2013, 08:04 PM

Isn't pete79 (sp?) a trucker?

genrex · 10-29-2013, 08:13 PM

I don't know what the newer models are like, but I loved the Peterbilt that I drove 30 years ago in the Midwest (Iowa-Nebraska). Rather spartan interior, like the Beetle that I drove to work, but it was very comfortable to drive all day long. Excellent steering, great shifting, great brakes. I loved that truck.

__

Bill Douglas · 10-29-2013, 08:43 PM

For truck racing?

Nostril Cheese · 10-29-2013, 09:19 PM

Ask Donal.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

In the 36 years I've been an owner operator, i've owned 2 Freightliners and 2 Peterbilts ( in that order). The Pete's are my choice. My current one has 1,240,000 + miles on it.
Very comfortable , ride good, good resale value.
My friend (retired town road commissioner) talked me into running one of his tri axle dump trucks for a few weeks (a Sterling) what a piece of crap. The plastic dash looks like someone took a sledgehammer to it (seriously). I'm about to jump in it this morning I'll take my camera.

afterburn 549 · 04:22 AM

1 Mack , 3 internationals , 1 Freight shaker, 1 Kenworthless, 1 Peterbuilt
and maybe a couple I do not remember.
I do not think Peterbuilt inside is any better the brand X
Most models are offered in owner operator packages ( lots a bells and Whistles)
They are all about the same from Radiator back.
The new ones - I always carry carry all double A computer sensors for spares.
you want to be able to fix it in the middle of nowhere.
In my opinion the series 60 Detroit is the best engine available.(4 stroke)
The Volvo and new Macks are crap. (last 20 years)
They all have their signature nightmares

speeder · speeder's Garage

Thanks. I figured that there were some personal preferences but also maybe one or more of them are higher line than the others, i.e. better truck but you pay for it. I did a little wiki reading and saw that none of them are what they used to be in terms of OG owners.

afterburn 549 · 10-30-2013, 04:30 AM

The new modern day trucker is not off the farm but from a foreign country (usually)
There are almost no real Owner Operators left any more .Its all BIG companies that like to enslave people to think they are a owner operator.....
Being leased to someone and making a truck payment is great for the Broker. He gets a free truck and free maintenance.
The so called "O.O." is dictated everything.

berettafan · 10-30-2013, 04:32 AM

Reminds me of a favorite bit in Trailer Park Boys.

'Friends of the road bubbles, friends of the road'

asphaltgambler · 10-30-2013, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

The new modern day trucker is not off the farm but from a foreign country (usually)
There are almost no real Owner Operators left any more .Its all BIG companies that like to enslave people to think they are a owner operator.....
Being leased to someone and making a truck payment is great for the Broker. He gets a free truck and free maintenance.
The so called "O.O." is dictated everything.

This ^^^^^^^^^

berettafan · 10-30-2013, 04:52 AM

Asphalt that quote from afterburn could just as easily be referring to chicken farmers and their chicken houses.

Sad to see it affects these industries and most likely many more.

afterburn 549 · 10-30-2013, 06:24 AM

To try to stay on track.......
In the DAY the farmers were the truckers. That is where the phrase "back Haul " came from.
Truck it to the city, try to get anything going back to the farm.
Anymore, there is no such thing.
The guy behind the wheel does not own the truck, knows too little about the business he is prescribed in. Does not have his own "Authority" and is at the mercy of a broker somewhere.
The brokers are the huge companies like Snyder, GTI, and a hundred others.
I certainly never met anything bad to the farmers in the above statement........put this back on the tracks

FLYGEEZER · 10-30-2013, 06:27 AM

Freightliner is owned entirely by Mercedes Benz. In a few years after the "nameplate" marketing agreement has expired the trucks will wear the MB star. Kenworth & Peterbilt are made & owned by PACCAR (pacific car & foundry co) an all american co. Mack trucks, I don't think are american owned anymore but still made here. Sterling was Ford, don't know a thing about them either. International Harvester still at it, as ever. At one time GMC Ford & Dodge made class 8 & 9 trucks.

afterburn 549 · 10-30-2013, 06:36 AM

AFAIK Mack is owned by volvo
Most pretty truck in the world - B model Mack-

FLYGEEZER · 10-30-2013, 06:47 AM

I learned to drive truck in a B model Mack. 673 with a triplex. "a single stack Mack with a shack on the back" . That two stick beast worked the driver to death. Like a one armed monkey with the crabs Oh yea, it had a tag axle ( not a twin screw) Winters in WVa were tough and puttin' on chains was an everyday event.

Eric 951 · 10-30-2013, 06:48 AM

Seems trucking's hey-day was the late 70's early 80's. Still remember the proliferation of trucking in everything.

CB radios were the craze

TV shows such as Lobo and BJ and the Bear

Movies such as Convoy, the Blue Mule, Smokey and the Bandit, Clint even played a truck driver in the "Every Which Way" movies..although never showed him actually trucking.

I used to love to see COE rigs and the trucks with their multitude of license plates and "one-off" nicknames/custom paint going down the road.

I even remember truckers trying to get the 55 speed limit repealed in the 70s and later on the violence which erupted when there was a strike and some drivers continued driving anyways.(including random shootings at trucks by strikers).

Used to love seeing the Flying Tigers(red/blac) and CF(white/red/green) painted trucks as well.

Sounds like things have changed with a few big outfits running the show.

manbridge 74 · 10-30-2013, 06:51 AM

Two words: Compound turbocharging.

tcar · 10-30-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

Freightliner is owned entirely by Mercedes Benz. In a few years after the "nameplate" marketing agreement has expired the trucks will wear the MB star. Kenworth & Peterbilt are made & owned by PACCAR (pacific car & foundry co) an all american co. Mack trucks, I don't think are american owned anymore but still made here. Sterling was Ford, don't know a thing about them either. International Harvester still at it, as ever. At one time GMC Ford & Dodge made class 8 & 9 trucks.

Sterling has been owned by Daimler since the 90's, but no more. Daimler has closed Sterling permanently. Still make Freightliner and Western Star.

International Harvester has used the Navistar name for decades.

Mack trucks are owned by Volvo but still made here (and everywhere else).

PACCAR also owns several foreign brands (Leyland, etc.)