The Columbia has hit 200k this week. I have been very pleased with this unit thus far, and with my decision to buy this repossessed truck a year and a half ago with 52k miles on it then.
The powertrain, DDC S60 and Rockwell 10 speed, have operated like a watch without any problems at all. Awesome power with computer downrated to 360 HP, and averaging 11.5 MPG.
The truck itself has been very smooth, quiet, and solid. It keeps its alignment and tracks straight with no unusual tire wear. I like the fact I don't have to worry about this truck's performance at all. Have been changing oil every 13k. Analysis has shown it could go a lot longer, but I won't chance it. Usually at the 13k mark the grease fittings are looking dry anyway, so I have made that the "A" service interval. Everything is gone over every 13k.
Out of ordinary maintenance problems have been few, here they are with repair costs:
Loose front spring hangar- $100
Leak in fuel return line behind engine starter- $270
Bad A/C compressor and A/C line- $400
With the 148k miles I have put on it and $770 of unscheduled maintenance that comes to around half a penny a mile for unscheduled repairs. Not too shabby!
Some other small problems are the chrome plating is still flaking off the mirrors (I replaced the plane mirror housings because of this, but need to do the convex ones too), I rewired the taillights with a segregated running light wire due to corrosion in some of the connectors (wiring was done by box installer, not Freightliner), and one of the plastic trim pieces in the sleeper that I liked to use as a handle to get out of bed broke, but it was not made for a 200+ pound ape pulling on it so I can't fault it. The driver door is starting to whistle a little air, but the weatherstipping is fine, so I think the latch just needs to be tightened a little.
The exterior of the truck still looks like new, and I get a lot of compliments and people asking "How do you like that new truck?" when it's not so new anymore with 200k on it. I do not baby it, but keep it clean and well maintained as a work truck and not a show truck.
The Morgan box has been doing fine too. I still hate the roll up door, which gets hit often by forklifts. When it dies, I'll have swings put on. I have been amazed with the amount of freight I have squeezed into this 24 footer, which has been void of any water leaks.
I believe the factory double frame has made a big difference with this truck as far as durability, handling, stability and tire wear go. It does not bow under the weight of even the heaviest forklifts in the box.
The Freightliner Columbia has been one fine expediter truck thus far. If you see one for sale in good shape for a song, I would not hesitate to pick it up. Comparing it to an FL70 for highway use, well, there is no comparison!
-Weave-
The powertrain, DDC S60 and Rockwell 10 speed, have operated like a watch without any problems at all. Awesome power with computer downrated to 360 HP, and averaging 11.5 MPG.
The truck itself has been very smooth, quiet, and solid. It keeps its alignment and tracks straight with no unusual tire wear. I like the fact I don't have to worry about this truck's performance at all. Have been changing oil every 13k. Analysis has shown it could go a lot longer, but I won't chance it. Usually at the 13k mark the grease fittings are looking dry anyway, so I have made that the "A" service interval. Everything is gone over every 13k.
Out of ordinary maintenance problems have been few, here they are with repair costs:
Loose front spring hangar- $100
Leak in fuel return line behind engine starter- $270
Bad A/C compressor and A/C line- $400
With the 148k miles I have put on it and $770 of unscheduled maintenance that comes to around half a penny a mile for unscheduled repairs. Not too shabby!
Some other small problems are the chrome plating is still flaking off the mirrors (I replaced the plane mirror housings because of this, but need to do the convex ones too), I rewired the taillights with a segregated running light wire due to corrosion in some of the connectors (wiring was done by box installer, not Freightliner), and one of the plastic trim pieces in the sleeper that I liked to use as a handle to get out of bed broke, but it was not made for a 200+ pound ape pulling on it so I can't fault it. The driver door is starting to whistle a little air, but the weatherstipping is fine, so I think the latch just needs to be tightened a little.
The exterior of the truck still looks like new, and I get a lot of compliments and people asking "How do you like that new truck?" when it's not so new anymore with 200k on it. I do not baby it, but keep it clean and well maintained as a work truck and not a show truck.
The Morgan box has been doing fine too. I still hate the roll up door, which gets hit often by forklifts. When it dies, I'll have swings put on. I have been amazed with the amount of freight I have squeezed into this 24 footer, which has been void of any water leaks.
I believe the factory double frame has made a big difference with this truck as far as durability, handling, stability and tire wear go. It does not bow under the weight of even the heaviest forklifts in the box.
The Freightliner Columbia has been one fine expediter truck thus far. If you see one for sale in good shape for a song, I would not hesitate to pick it up. Comparing it to an FL70 for highway use, well, there is no comparison!
-Weave-
