what type truck motor is best?

truckwife

Expert Expediter
My husband and i wanted to know which truck motor is best cummins,detroit or cat? Also we've heard that the Freightliner motors have to be rebuilt after around 300,000 miles,is there any truth to this? Thanks TenTen
 

LaPurr

Expert Expediter
I prefer cummins. Detroit is taking a nose dive as Frieghtliner/Benz phases it out to be replaced with the Benz motor. The Cat I apsolutely destest. Its a great motor if you are pulling oversized loads/overweight loads. But for regular straight truck, 18 wheel truck, the fuel mileage doesnt warrant it. I have driven all 3. And no, the rumor about the detroit having to be rebuilt at 300k is untrue. All have the issues when new, and are generally worked out at 100k.

My current Cummins (2003 Volvo 770 Semi with 358,000 miles, ISX 600 turned back to 450, Autoshift 10 speed) gets anywhere from 8.3-11.7, with an average of 9.2 depending on how hard I am on the pedal. I can say it pulls hills better than Any truck I have driven.

My last truck (2001 Volvo 770 Semi with 476,000 miles, Detroit Series 60 430/470, Autoshift 10 speed) got 6.6-7.2.

The truck befor that (2000 Volvo 770 Semi with 424,000 miles, Cummins N-14 Celect-Plus 430/470, Autoshift 10 speed) got 7.2-7.7.

The truck befor that (98 Frieghtliner Century Class Semi Cat, Dont remember what kind long time ago for me, 370,000 miles, autoshift 10 speed) got from 3.2-5.1. Just apsolutely Horrid on Fuel Milage. Which is the prime reason I got rid of that truck.

If you are in it to make money, go with a Cummins or a detroit. If you want to climb hills and watch your fuel guage drop at the same time, get a Cat. My money is with my cummins, and probly will be for a long time.... Well until I get into the cargo Van thing with my wife...

And yes in case you didnt notice, I love Autoshift trucks, and Volvo, wont drive anything else in a big truck. I have driven all of em in my career. None ride as nice, have ease of use, have as good as visability, and give you as much storage room off the show room floor. All my 770 have taken a 21 inch TV in their TV hole without any modification. None can hide my Fridge, Microwave, and still give me as much storage space.

Thats my story, and I am stickin to it.
Brian
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
I would say it depends on how your truck is speced. Everyone is going to have different opinions. It is like which is better, Ford or Chevy? We had a cummins and had nothing but problems with it from day one. We now have had several cats and no problems. If the truck is speced right and the engine computer is set correctly, you should achieve pretty good milage. We are running around 11 in our straight truck. The biggest difference is in the repair history. Over three years we have spent about half as much on the cat verses cummins. Sometimes I wonder if it matters on which day of the week they were built. Cummins may very well have the best motor out there, but not one built on Friday?
 

Bigschu2

Expert Expediter
How about a Detroit with 320,000 on it? 320 horepower? owner says he watches it close. Do you think it has another 200,000 on it if it were takin care of properly?
 

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I am partial to Cummins ,but really who gives you the best warranty is the best engine. Also if you are thinking of a International straight truck, the DT 466 engine is virtually bullet proof.
 

Tony

Expert Expediter
A D60 with 320k miles should go 200k more with no problem, but that's just my preference towards Detroits(Cummins good too). Look at the used trucks for sale, the miles on Detroits in a lot seem to go from 200k to 500k and up.
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
a detroit with 320,000, and well taken care of, should be able to go 600,000 before a partial rebuild would be warranted.
 
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