2010 Peterbilt 386

Hello Everyone I am new here and I am looking to get some advice from all of you experienced mechanics and truck drivers.

I work for a wholesale plant nursery and we are looking at buying some trucks to start our own fleet. I have been researching makes, models, manufacturers, years, engine types and beyond for the past week and what I think I have narrowed my choices down to are the 2010 Pete 386 with the Cummins ISX15 or the 2010 Kenworth T660 with the same engine in it.

I have not read anything good whotsoever on any forum about the ISM engine Cummins has made and all of the forums also advise to stay away from anything Volvo has made as well as the newer CAT engine. I am also looking at purchasing a truck with around 350,00 miles on it.

We are generally only hauling around 40,000 pounds full during the spring. When we back haul we are also pretty much empty beside our empty plant racks which dont add much weight at all. The other info I have read was that the higher horsepower engines will also help save on feul mileage. I don't want to go much more than 450 horse.

What is everyones advice.

Thanks

 

Warhoop I have read up a lot about the Paccar engines and have decided to stay away from them. Too bad there are a ton of nice used Petes and KW's out there with them under the hood, hmmmm, I wonder why.

Where are you running, we are here in the Northeast. We do quite a bit of city deliveries. I'm not trying to go much more than 450 horse and a 10 speed but if I canfind the right deal I will take a 13. We deliveries a lot in Boston, Hartford and NY. The farthest north I get is Greenhaven, VT, which having the higher horsepower will help.

We were renting from Ryder for years and have now decided to start buying to get from under the rental bill cost. We were renting the infamous Freightliner Cascadias and International Prostars.

Im leaning towards the Petes and the KW's for their resale value and reputation.

 

Warhoop that's also what I have read on most forums that the higher horsepower will actually help with my mpg's and not work the engine as hard. I will definitely look into the 450-485 range.
The less the engine works the less wear and tear.

 

Rollin coal thanks. I read a really good thread on here last week about all those issues. All this new DEF,DPF crap is ridiculous. Some mechanics I've spoken too said they cause so many breakdowns. I had 3 DEF heaters go in Freightliners last year. Put one of my drivers down right on the dock at Orient Point on LI. Funny thing was mechanic came out the night before and ok'd the truck said it was fine.
Needless to say I made Ryder reimburse me not only for the ferry cost but time lost.

I will ill definitely read again. The main mechanical issue I read were problems with the ISX fuel rail. I guess every motor is going to have some headaches. It basically boils down to which will cause the least amount of them.
Mother thing I read was stay away from the ISM and the newer CAT engines as well.

 

Magoo

what do you mean turn it down. I got a call yesterday about a 386 with 485 horse. I'm hauling a total of 70k with load and trailer.
What do you think is appropriate. As our hauling season goes on our weight decreases.
The other thing is our season is only 6 months long so my trucks will sit most of the year.

 

I have a new question to throw out there, I just came back from the Pete dealer to look at an 09 386 with an ISX.
He told me to stay away from the Paccar, which we all know. What he did say was that I should also stay away from the ISX that is from 08, 9 and 10. Said that there were a lot of issues with the EGR's, turbos and DPF filter tanks falling off.

He he highly recommended that if I can find a Pete 387 or KW T800 with an 05,06 or 07 Cat C-15 that he would buy it in a second. He said that year range of motor, especially pre emissions is bullet proof.

What do you think. Is he right or wrong. BTW he didn't have one truck on his lot with a Cat in it that he was trying to sell me.