Seeking advice Kenworth T660 or International Lonestar

I am seeking some advice from fellow forum members regarding two trucks that we are considering to purchase. We will only be buying one truck right now.

Just a quick little background. The truck will be pulling a 53' dry van. Will be based out of FL, and most of the driving will be eastern US and midwest. However, there are occasional trips out west. We do go to Canada about 20+ times a year, mainly Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta occasionaly.

We originally wanted a Peterbilt 389, but unfortunately cannot get that due to the Canadian Provinces having a maximum 244" wheelbase law. Even if we were to get a permit for a larger wheelbase, with the 53' trailer, there's no way we will stay under the 75'6" total length, which is required to get a permit.

Anyways, these are the two trucks we are currently contemplating on:

2011 Kenworth T660
253k miles
Cummins ISX15 485hp
10 spd
232" wheelbase
72" Sleeper double bunk couch sleeper
Kenworth Diamond VIT interior package
Factory Navigation
Thermo-King APU and Tri-Pac Unit

or

2010 International Lonestar
267k miles
Cummins ISX 525hp
18 speed
238" wheelbase
73" sleeper
Not sure which interior, but its pretty loaded
Factory Navigation
Block heater
Electronic Vehicle Monitoring System (was going to get a LoJack, but might just keep this, depending how I like it when I see it in person)
P.T.O already mounted (don't need it)


The Lonestar is $7k more expensive, before negotiations start on either truck. Both are very similar in options. The only thing that I don't like on the T660 is the 10 speed, and I do prefer the 525hp of the Lonestar over the 485hp of T660. I do like the Thermo-King unit that comes on the T660, but wouldn't install one if it didn't already come on the truck. The $8k cost of the unit doesn't seem worth it, since the truck doesn't idle enough.

I'd like to get some feedback/advice on each truck and engine (always had DD's before, never even drove a cummins). Anybody with personal experience with either truck? I understand that some people don't like the looks of the Lonestar, but we personally like it.


Any other recommendations are welcome. The requirements are $100k (not much more). No CAT, Paccar, or MaxxForce. 2010 or newer. Maximum of 350k miles, but would really like to stay under 300k miles. Wheelbase has to be 244" or smaller. There's really nothing from Freightliner that we like at the moment, and already looked at Pete 386's and did not like them (at least the one's we saw). Also, not interested in a glider at the moment.

Thanks in advance everyone. Lots of good advice on these forums.

 

Thank you so much for the replies so far guys! Even though we like the looks of the Lonestar better than the T660, looks don't make money in this business. What I do care about is the comfort features of each truck though. At this point I am leaning a little more towards the T660, due to the fact that there are more KW shops, and it sounds like parts are more available and cheaper for the T660. There is a KW dealer 2 miles from my house, if the truck needs to go into service while at home. There are 2 Cummmins shops within 50 miles, but not International dealer that I know of, in case I need International parts. At the mileage of these trucks, thats something to keep in mind.

Today I found another 2011 KW T660 with a Cummins ISX 525 hp, 13 spd, and 247k miles. Its $2k less than the first T660 I mentioned ($9k less than the Lonestar). Same interior options, but not APU. The ISX 525hp and 13 spd is what we're looking for. We'll be calling that dealer first thing in the morning to see if we can make a deal.

Thank you! I have not had a chance to check out the Lonestar in person yet. I do plan on doing routine maintenance and minor repairs not covered under warranty.

How has the Lonestar shown to be besides the engines? Any interior issues?

I agree with everything you said, and the part and service availability is a bit of a concern with the Lonestar. I did not know that about the 2 radiators. The Lonestar is very nice looking!

Weight isn't necessarily an issue, but we do prefer a slightly heavier trucks, as it rides much better in strong winds and bad weather.

Unfortunately they don't make those trucks you mentioned with a 244" wheelbase for US Spec, unless you order it that way. Right now, we cannot wait to order a truck. All Pete 379's, 389's and KW W900's that I have seen with a 244" wb, were for sale in Canada.

We do own the trailer, never thought of moving the king pin. Just thought of sliding the 5th wheel. I guess that would be an option.

Although it doesn't really help us, since our trailer is a 53', when you go to Ontario with a bigger than 244" WB, do you get a permit? If not, have they ever measured your WB during an inspection? My understanding is that if your wheelbase is larger than 244" you need a permit, and you can only receive a permit if your total tractor and trailer (from front bumper to end of trailer) is less than 75'6".

 

Believe me, we'd love to get a 389 or W900, but just too afraid that someone at a scale house will decide to measure the wheelbase when they see the 53' trailer attached. It would be too costly if I had to get another truck up there to get the trailer, because they wouldn't allow the original truck to keep towing the trailer. Glad to hear you've never had a problem though.I'm going to look into your idea of moving the kingpin.

 

Well, thank you everyone that gave advice here!

Just wanted to update this thread. We ended up getting a new Kenworth T700 with a Cummins ISX 485 HP, 13 speed, diamond VIT 75" sleeper, KW NavPlus (really like the unit so far), and everything else that we wanted. It was just too hard to find a used truck spec'd the way we wanted, with low enough miles. At the end, I figured we'll spend the extra money and get it exactly the way we wanted, no miles, and a full warranty.

Ended up getting the T700 up in Cincinnati and then drove it bobtail down to Tallahassee. Averaged 8.1 mpg on the dashboard. I know its bobtail, but pretty impressed with that 8.1 mpg so far. Looking forward to seeing what it will do once loaded.

 

Here's a few when I picked it up.

I really like how I can pull up the digital gauges on the KW NavPlus.