If an expediting owner-operator's wants and wishes about his truck could be condensed to a few lines, it might read something like this:
If an expediting owner-operator’s wants and wishes about his truck could be condensed to a few lines, it might read something like this:
Give me a truck that works.
Give me enough power to get up to highway speed while hauling a full load.
Give me an automatic transmission that makes driving my truck more like driving a car.
Give me great fuel economy, too.
Give me comfort.
Give me dependability.
Give me a truck that doesn’t break down and it gets the job done.
To that end, there are specific powertrain (engine, transmission and rear axle) combinations that have proven to be winners. The expediting truck dealers who have been spec’ing medium-duty (and more recently, Class 8) units for many years have taken the real-world experience of their customers and applied it to the custom-built trucks their dealerships offer.
Choosing the right components for the expediting truck powertrain can save money, time lost in breakdowns and heartache down the road. It’s the wise buyer who invests as much time and research in spec’ing his powertrain as he does choosing the interior color of his sleeper.
CAT C-9 Heath Wood of Middle Georgia Freightliner-Isuzu says, “We’ve got two very popular combinations for the medium-duty or 33,000 GVW truck – the MBE 4000 engine with 330HP and the CAT C9 with 335HP. When you put either one with the Allison 3000 Series 6-speed automatic, you’ve got a great combination. That’s one of the most popular powertrain setups out there.”
“For the rear end, we go with the 4:30 ratio which gives reasonably low rpm level at highway speeds and produces good fuel mileage. With the CAT C9, our customers report around 10-10.5 mpg and with the MBE, they tell us that they’re getting 1 1/2 to 2 mpg more.”
“The CAT engine has a little bit more low-end power with around 50 lb.-ft. of torque than the Mercedes engine. The CAT is a little “quicker” on the thottle than the MBE, but the MBE has the edge on mileage.”
Wood says that many customers, especially those new to the business, while not ignoring the mechanical aspects of the truck they’re considering, are primarily concerned with the creature comforts of the unit.
MBE 900 Jon Mosier, expediting truck specialist with Freightliner of Knoxville gives high marks to the Mercedes 900 Series 330HP engine with the Allison 3000 Series HS 6-speed automatic and Mercedes 3.78 rear end. This is the powertrain that equips Freightliner of Knoxville’s best-selling truck, the Sterling Acterra 960 Express Cruiser.
“This setup has provides a great mix of power with optimal fuel mileage,” says Mosier.
Mosier adds that his customers are increasingly interested in trucks with Class 8 features, so his dealership also offers the Express Cruiser with the CAT C9 engine with 350 HP. This engine doesn’t offer a great increase in power over the Mercedes, but it is a wet-sleeve design that appeals to the buyers.
Mosier adds that the Allison automatic offers great service longevity and that an owner should realize 750,000 trouble-free miles with no problem.
The above powertrain arrangement (with CAT C9) is also used in Freightliner of Knoxville’s Command Cruiser series of expediters.
Mosier says, “We developed this powertrain combination through not only our years of experience, but that of our customers’ experiences – we listen to what they tell us about their equipment needs.”
“If you mismatch these components, let’s say an engine with the wrong rear end gear ratio, you can run into some problems. If you put a rear end that’s designed for local delivery work into a truck that’s running at highway speeds, you’ll have an engine that’s turning some high rpm’s throughout it’s life.”
Don Portice, Alumi-Bunk, says, “We’re putting the new expediting buyers into a Freightliner M2 chassis with a Mercedes MBE 900 260 HP engine. We mate that with a 6-speed manual transmission running into a 4:30 rear end. This is an entry level unit that will generate income just like a more expensive truck.”
“For the existing owner-operators, i.e., a husband/wife team, the next step up is the same chassis and powertrain but with a larger sleeper.”
“From there, those experienced expediters can move into an International 7500 with condo sleeper. The engine is an HT-570 with 310HP running into an Allison automatic. We’ve found that these setups have plenty of power and still deliver 10-12 mpg.”
“For those buyers looking for Class 8 platforms, Portice offers the Freightliner M1-112 with a 450HP engine, 10-speed Eaton Autoshift and 3:58 ratio rear end.”
Bobby Snyder of Fyda Freightliner of Columbus says that his dealership has found several winning powertrain setups with the Mercedes and CAT C9 335HP engines for medium-duty applications.
“Coming soon will be our Freightliner Columbia platforms that will have CAT C13 power that will be set at 370HP along with the Mercedes MBE 4000 engines set at around the 400-450HP range.”
“The Allison automatic is probably the most popular choice, people like the convenience and the resale value. The Eaton Ultrashift is a new design that’s out and we’ll be using it in some configurations.
He adds, “Of course, rear end ratios depend on the engine and transmission used, but we try to find a sweet spot so the truck can run up to 72-75 mph and still see good fuel economy.”
“My customers have reported that they’re experiencing around 8-9.5 mpg with the CAT engine, but that includes idle time. With the 250HP Mercedes engine in the smaller trucks, the owners report 10-11 mpg, but remember those are lighter trucks.”
Snyder states that Fyda is aiming towards three basic expediter platforms: an entry-level Mercedes-powered M2-106 with Ultrashift trans and 84″ Bentz sleeper, an M2-106 with CAT C9, Allison automatic and 96″ King Leisure sleeper and a Columbia with 70″ integral sleeper, CAT C13 and Ultrashift transmission.
These can be set up as a reefer for T-Val applications and can also be considered “a fleet owner-type truck with a powertrain that will last a million miles,” says Snyder.
