Hino Trucks and why I bought 1 and ordered the 2nd

**Asilynot** · 06-07-2006, 07:07 PM

Couple of answers to a couple of items I read about there. Some are saying the price difference is not that great to make a difference. Well first off you have to shop around like you would with any other product you would buy. I just purchased a Hino 338 with auto trans, 84" bunk, 22' box, in the sleeper there is the norm, microwave, tv/dvd, oversized fridge, coffee pot, sink with running water, cb, 2 tool boxes, upgraded to wide ride bolstrom seats, 2 extra batteries with isolator switch, 3 year unlimited warranty, out the door with plates and reg., cost 83,700.00 at 5.9% financing through Toyota. Now pricing out a Freightliner M2 I was quoted 96,542.00 for basically the same features.
Now as far a fuel mileage, I have 3 trucks,
2000 FL 106 which has gotten an average of 9.7 miles per gal this year
2001 FL 70 which has gotten an average of 9.2 miles per gal this year
2006 Hino which has averaged 8.4 miles per gal so far. From my understanding if you get the manual trans which is a 6 speed then you would drop 3000 rpms at 65 mph which should bring the mileage up to around 9 to 9.5 mpg.
As far as getting the truck serviced there are 160 Hino dealers across the country right now so finding one isn’t to hard. But also with hino if you do the services as recommended in the book and use their oil you only need to change the oil every 20,000 miles. Now I run teams in my trucks and they are usually out for 12 to 18 days at a time now for the most part I don’t think I should have to many times that I will have to have the truck serviced any place other then the dealer that I bought it from. I change the oil when the truck comes in with around 15,000 on it so it leaves me a 5000 mile grace period to get the truck home to get it serviced. As far as unloading at the Ft. Wayne plant been there done it no problem. I believe this truck is built in California. As far as turning the motor to fast and it not lasting as mention here I run teams only. This truck has a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty at the end of the 3 years it is time to maybe trade it in or put it out to pasture who knows, but it will probably have between 550k to 650k on it at that point and anything that happens to it before that is under warranty except the norm tires, brakes, ect...
Where I bought the truck is in Romulus Mi. and I could not have asked for better treatment then I received from these people. I would highly recommend anyone looking at a new Hino to check them out first. It is Interstate Truck Source, 734-405-0161 as far as I am concerned I am very happy with the Hino. I pick up the second one on July 5th anyone wanting additional info or if I can help them out in anyway just holler. Sorry for going on so long and please excuse the grammar. Have a wonderful Day!

**LDB** · 06-07-2006, 07:07 PM

What is the rpm at 65 mph with the automatic?

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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**davekc** · 06-07-2006, 10:20 PM

What is the rpm at 65 mph with the automatic?
=============================================
I would tend to think alittle high so the 6 speed standard would be my choice. Or at least until the 6 speed auto becomes available.
I still think the Hino has alot of potential with alittle tweaking.
Our preference has been alittle different opting to go with the class 8 Sterlings. It is hard to beat a 5 year 700,000 mile warranty and after 5 years, the truck still has a value. They are alittle more expensive but they are currently the best bang around as we inch towards the new EPA models.
Just my opinion.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

**LDB** · 06-07-2006, 11:30 PM

I am asking only out of curiosity. I agree about the Sterlings being an excellent value. The Hino is going to have to go a long way before it makes my short list. I just don't believe it's anywhere near strong enough to hold up to expediting. If it makes it 5 yrs and 700k miles it isn't going to have any residual whereas the Sterling and other class 8 trucks will. I hope they turn out well for those who are getting them, I just am not convinced yet.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

**RichM** · 06-08-2006, 01:14 AM

I just spent the last 2 weeks running in the Northeast and New England. I saw lots of new Hinos's running around NYC and the Tri State Area. If they can survive on those roads such as the BQE they will last for a long time.

**simon says** · 06-08-2006, 10:40 AM

Well Leo & Dave, just my thoughts on Sterling. May be a lot of value for Class 8 8500-9500 Sterling, but sure don't look or feel like owner-op. truck. If I were to ever get a true class 8, it would have to be a Western Star Stratusphere with the MB (if you can get one I'm told), or perhaps the new Pete 384 (116" BBC)coming out. My concern about W.S. is the weight, and longevity of steel body.
It will be a short nose version of the new 386, with all the factory sleeper options. You can get the high cab, and then put your ICT sleeper on it. I bet engine options will include Cat C-9, ISL, ISM, C-13... If so many o/o's drive Petes & KW's, there must be a reason...

**Asilynot** · 06-08-2006, 11:01 AM

Currently at 65mph I am running at 2400 rpm with the auto, I also took a trip 2 weeks ago from Indianapolis to Tacoma Wa. 9,000lbs took 5 Alison Transmissions out to Kenworth, and then picked on up in Tacoma Wa. 11,240lbs house hold goods, and took to Norfolk Va., Great week and the Hino preformed beyound my expatations, nope wassn't the first one up the rockies, but wassn't the last niether. I never dropped below 40mph all the way.

Right now I am happy with the Hino and time will tell if I stay happy. I do have to say the biggest selling point all the way around is the 3 year unlimited warrenty.

**davekc** · 06-08-2006, 01:37 PM

Without a doubt the KW and Petes are premium trucks. But the price point is much different when looking at the Sterlings or a Hino.
Just depends on what is compared.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

**garman351** · 08-22-2006, 09:21 PM

Looking for a new Hino 338 with an 96in sleeper. We are very concerned about having enough power to go up mountains etc.

Garman

**wgifford** · 08-24-2006, 02:15 PM

I have 15,000 miles on my new hino, I waited to see how she would do before posting, as it stands right now I will be ordering another one this year. I escorted a 2005 freightliner with a 330 cat engine route 79 to 68. I was empty, he had 300 lbs, he ran hard to test my hino, which I told him to do. I wanted to see what she could do so he drove like he was trying to shake me, but not speed over 5 mph
So all the way thru WV @ 75 mph and Maryland @ 70. He never got over 3, 18 wheelers between us up the mountain by cumberland. I was impressed, so was he. It was easy to catch back up going down the other side of the mountains. Both were automatics, I think if my hino had a six speed he would not have gotten ahead of me at all in any condition. he averaged 7 mph to a gallon, I averaged 9 mph. He had a 96" sleeper I have a 84" sleeper.

**garman351** · 08-24-2006, 02:45 PM

It sounds great the performance with no load, but what happens with a load. I have decided we will only go with the six speed to make sure we have enough power and a little gas millage.

Our current truck runs 1900 rpm at 65 Mph I wonder how that compares to a Hino?

Still worried about the 96in sleeper. The dealer told me today he weighed the truck it was 17,360 with little fuel and one driver. He tells me if we add another 300 pounds for a second driver and another 750 pounds for fuel would be atotal of 18,400lbs so we would have available 14,500lbs to haul freight. (That does not sound right does it)

Our current 2000 Freightliner FL70 only can haul 12,500 max with a 250 horse cat motor.

Do you think we will see a big difference in power with the new Hino 260Hp motor?

Any thing else you can share with me, oh yes your new seats was it worth the extra money? They want $700 for the standard seats so the upgrade should not to bad I would think.

Does the Hino come with rear air bags so you can raise & lower your rear gate for perfect dock level.

Any thing else you can share.

I took your advise and contacted the Folk's over to Interstae Truck, and I'm working with them right now.

Thanks Garman351

**garman351** · 08-25-2006, 02:07 PM

Service (PM) on a Hino they claim 20,000 miles.
Using their oil?
What kind of oil is it and how much does cost to
have a (PM) at most locations?

Garman

**LDB** · 08-25-2006, 02:39 PM

>I have 15,000 miles on my new hino, I waited to see how she
>would do before posting, as it stands right now I will be
>ordering another one this year. I escorted a 2005
>freightliner with a 330 cat engine route 79 to 68. I was
>empty, he had 300 lbs, he ran hard to test my hino, which I
>told him to do. I wanted to see what she could do so he
>drove like he was trying to shake me, but not speed over 5
>mph
>So all the way thru WV @ 75 mph and Maryland @ 70. He never
>got over 3, 18 wheelers between us up the mountain by
>cumberland. I was impressed, so was he. It was easy to catch
>back up going down the other side of the mountains. Both
>were automatics, I think if my hino had a six speed he would
>not have gotten ahead of me at all in any condition. he
>averaged 7 mph to a gallon, I averaged 9 mph. He had a 96"
>sleeper I have a 84" sleeper.

You got 9 miles per gallon running at or very near top speed with an automatic? I've talked to a couple other owners with automatics and they are averaging about 7.9-8 mpg overall and the manual tranny folks seem to get 9.5-10. That is with heavier loads of course. What rpm are you turning at 70mph? What is the heaviest load you've taken so far? How was it for power with that weight onboard?

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

**wgifford** · 08-25-2006, 07:39 PM

First off the scale house weighted me at 19,090 lbs with the way the truck is set up.

Does the Hino come with rear air bags so you can raise & lower your rear gate for perfect dock level.

It does have air ride, but no dump button to release air

The actually mileage was 8.9, but I rounded it off to 9. I believe I will get 10 in the winter months. I have gotten 9.5 in lower speed states and it is not broke in yet. People have told me they get as high as 13 mpg and as low as 7 mpg in their's. Could be the way they drive? I will be happy if it levels out at 10. One of My trucks has a ISB cummins, the small cummins engine, great engine have 785,000 without rebuilt, still on at landstar, but this hino with a auto has more power, drivers like a car, easiest truck to turn around in I have ever driven. That's my opinion of course. I have 3 trucks one with a cat, one with a cummins, one hino. The fl70 cat has had 2 engines. cummins original.

What rpm are you turning at 70mph? What is the heaviest load you've taken so far? How was it for power with that weight onboard?

Around 2400 rpm I think it goes to the red at 2600. We carried a load over 9,000 lbs, and could not tell any problems. If you get a auto, be warned it has a fast idle button. If you turn it up and forget to turn it down the truck will not shift. It is a safety feature, may be on all allison transmissions. I have never had a auto, just the 6 speed standards

Service (PM) on a Hino they claim 20,000 miles.
Using their oil?

Correct, I service my small fleet and I will run around 15,000 with their oil. They have the water seperator and fuel filter together making only a need for one change instead of two. Also if you use TranSyncTM Transmission Fluid Johnson and Towers.....$28 per gallon
Filters can be changed at 75,000 and fluid at 150,000 for auto. Allison web page states.

What kind of oil is it and how much does cost to
have a (PM) at most locations?

I get it at the hino sales in Ohio I think 12.99 gallon

The Hino may not be for everybody, but my wife loves it, she will never go back to a freightliner. I will replace my FL70's with a Hino if the engines hold out well. I always ran my little cummins at top rpm and it is still running. The service so far has been ok, but have had nothing but required maintence, so far. If the day comes I have to wait 2 weeks, like I have at Freightliners to get repaired I might change my mind. This truck would not be for those that want to run 90 mph. or fly up the WV mountains at 80 mph. My truck has never shifted down, but one gear in any weight or conditions thus far.

hope this helps someone if they are thinking about a new truck.

**garman351** · 08-26-2006, 02:37 PM

(2007 Hino buying Help Please)
I was told by one dealer you cannot put on a 96in sleeper on a Hino
because it puts to much weight over the front axle?

I have two other dealers who sell Hino's with the 96in sleeper. One sells King of leasure,and the other Bentz. The one salesman said he would take the truck to have it weighed over the front axle. I simply
asked why dont you just call Toyoto direct and ask them? his reply was they will not answer your question, they would have their engineers first runs tests before they would answer that question? Is it because of liability reasons?

We are leaning towards the Bentz 96in sleeper, because it is $12K cheaper than a king of leasure. But I'm really disapointed it only comes with a very small cube refrigerator underneath the sink. I told the dealer I will require the bigger unit that has the seperate freezer above it. Has any body else ran into that type of problem and fixed it? The dealer tells me up to six weeks to make any changes from the factory.

Also interest rates:
One dealer told me their is only 1/2% difference between new & used.
And another one said new trucks are going for around 10%.

It's clear some dealers are trying to squeeze their customers for higher commissions because of higher interest rate points etc.

For the record I have a credit rating close to 700 points so I should
be able to get the best rate that is offered. Also is their a financial instution that specializes in financing trucks at very affordable rates compared to everybody. (Money is king)

One quote I received said, plus $500 prep & additional destination charges? Another dealer says plus shipping costs, than another one says plus equilized freight charges. Is most of this language the same thing or another way of dealer making extra money.

One dealer even quoted frame stretch $3,500 for the Hino chassie. I have seen pictures of thes things and it appears they come that way. Is this another way for them to make extra money? or do they have to stretch them as they quoted me.

Also dealers are trying to charge full retail for their product, and I struggle to get a fair trade-in "I know they are into making money" But what % of a discount should I ask for in my final negotiating so I will feel like I received a fair deal in the end.

I know their is many truck sales people who read these sites, but I hope I run into a few people will send me a private message helping me on this stressful & difficult subject of buying a new truck.

Thank you.
Garman351

:'( :'(