Kodiak or Freightliner?

[kah68]

I picked up a 97' FLD 112 (aluminum cab) with under 200k miles on it, air ride , air cab, M11 (up rated to 330/1250)12000 front & 23000 rear, 9 speed o. d. , 4:11 ratio, dual 90 gallon aluminum tanks, sliding 5th, tilt cruise, air seat, a/c. It was a former Penski truck and was off full maint. lease. All this for under $ 20,000. 00 Canadian. Oh yeah we average 10 MPG hauling wood trusses on a 16,000# trailer. There are actually hundereds of these for sale in 'truck paper'. I think you would be well served with a unit like this for hauling tractors,cars, r. v. 's, or other light loads. Also don't forget the drivline, Eaton, Roadranger, Cummins, are all easily serviced by F/L and non F/L dealers. It amazes me how some of the parts on my 1 tons are more expensive and harder to come by that class 7 and 8 trucks. Plus the bigger iron lasts longer and carries the load much better.

 

[TGibbs]

apperantly i was misinformed oh well u live u learn thanks for correcting me.



tgibbs why does the mercades have an exhaust and jake would either one do.



how is it w/ both. lol always wondered how well that would work

Having both is the only way to go. I can go to Reno from the valley and go 65 up one side and 65 down the other side and if someone pulls out or slows down in front of (normally I pass but. . . ) hit the jake brake and that action is immediate followed with the exhaust brake and it cure any constapation you might have :-laf thats only with 10k behind but they are still flipping awesome Oo.

 

[jkeyes]

how about the International CXT???

-J-

 

[jwduke]

That would be a nice TV, but probably too tall for a 5th wheel.

 

[Mhannink]

Having both is the only way to go. I can go to Reno from the valley and go 65 up one side and 65 down the other side and if someone pulls out or slows down in front of (normally I pass but. . . ) hit the jake brake and that action is immediate followed with the exhaust brake and it cure any constapation you might have :-laf thats only with 10k behind but they are still flipping awesome Oo.

thats awesome lol makes me want both now for little trucks



i wounder why the semis don't use that setup

 

[TGibbs]

When my dad was running lowbeds with 100k or so worth of bulldozers and equipment on the trailer, they had, if I remember right, 600hp Cats with a jake and an exhaust. And they also had a 2 speed rear end, a 4 speed brownie box, and the standard 13 speed transmission. Only what, a hundred and something grears to pick from You had to be precise to drive it cause drivelines could be spun into a hunk of junk real quick if they clutch was released too quick or what not. Dad had that happen in the middle of an intersection one time and his boss pulled the truck, dozer and trailer 10 miles down the road in 4lo with his half ton chevy 454. Sweet truck with a homemade 500lb bumper on the front!! Oh great stories

 

[Mhannink]

When my dad was running lowbeds with 100k or so worth of bulldozers and equipment on the trailer, they had, if I remember right, 600hp Cats with a jake and an exhaust. And they also had a 2 speed rear end, a 4 speed brownie box, and the standard 13 speed transmission. Only what, a hundred and something grears to pick from You had to be precise to drive it cause drivelines could be spun into a hunk of junk real quick if they clutch was released too quick or what not. Dad had that happen in the middle of an intersection one time and his boss pulled the truck, dozer and trailer 10 miles down the road in 4lo with his half ton chevy 454. Sweet truck with a homemade 500lb bumper on the front!! Oh great stories

i guess they do use it some then i have just never heard of it course all my experience is w/ hay haulers.

 

[Speedo]

the transmission is not built by gm i belive its a stand alone company or affiliated w/ a big engine maker like detroit or something im not really sure i just know its not part of gm. at least the bigger ones like the ones found in our hay squeezes or some of the bigger trucks like the 650 and 750.



idk tho i think i would go w/ a manuel and not a auto but maybe the bigger allisions are better then the little ones ive dealt w/.

Allison Transmission is still a part of GM, you may be thinking of Detroit Diesel which used to be a part of GM but is now owned by DC.



Gus

 

[SnoKing]

[February 2003] Allison Transmission aligns with GM Powertrain as part of their transmission sector. http://www.allisontransmission.com/company/history/2000.jsp

 

[KBalzuweit]

What becaude this the TDR you guys all have to bash the Kodiak? For the money it a nice rig. As far ar ride just get it with air ride. I have driven one a couple times, they are nice. There are a few guys I have ran with hauling trailers that have them and they all like them. And heck for around 65k you can get a new one loaded with leather, tv, air ride, a nice hauler bed and all the other toys. As far as a Freightliner, its not really fair to compare it to a 4500, its not in the same price or catagory. Remember the 4500 is more so to go against the f450 or 550. So just be fair and compare apples to apples. If I had a 100k yes I would love to buy a freightliner, if 65k was my budget it would be a 4500. But heck my 06 3500 has pulled anything I have hooked to it!