Brands Of Trucks Compared To Cars

Until they make one like a Subaru, it doesn't matter, they're not good enough!

Just kidding, but I love me some Subaru!

Mack = Volvo Volvo = Volvo.

Volvo owns Mack. Volvo's in North America are made in VA. I forget what state the Macks are made in. Parts for both are made in South Carolina.

Mack = Volvo Volvo = Volvo.

Volvo owns Mack. Volvo's in North America are made in VA. I forget what state the Macks are made in. Parts for both are made in South Carolina.

There is a Mack plant in Macungie PA, south west of Allentown PA. Renault owned them before Volvo (French Bulldog)...Macungie at one time was their world HQ.

Ironically, I think Toyotas are one of the most "American" made cars on the road in the US.

Haha!

Reaper, Western Star is generally considered "top shelf." You don't see many of them because they're expensive. Really though I'm hoping this little exercise is just for fun. You simply can't compare these trucks like you're trying to do.

It's crazy to try and say that Peterbilt trucks are more powerful than Freightliners or to make comparisons like that. The customer specifies how they want the truck set up. There is no such thing as a Peterbilt engine or transmission, just as there are no Freightliner engines or transmissions. I could spec my Peterbilt with a 475 horse Cummings engine, but your Freightliner with a 625 horse Caterpillar engine would be more powerful.

As a company driver you will have a generic truck that runs efficiently and comparably to all the other major carriers, regardless of brand. Even if you had an eighteen speed transmission behind a 650 horse power plant you'd still be governed to 62 mph defeating all the purpose of that set up.

Ultimately we're all neutered as company drivers, and there's statistically sound facts behind that reasoning to keep us safe and efficient while moving the nation's goods.

I assure you it is only for fun. I was curious if there were any comparison mainly to try to teach my fiance the difference. Also why truckers typically drool over w900s and 379/389 petes. She knows car brands generally so i figured it might be my only way to try to teach her lol.

Freightliner is owned by Daimler, a German Company, that owns Chrysler. Dodge/Chrysler is no longer an "American" Company. I believe the "Ram" Company, formerly Dodge Trucks may be a seperate entity now. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong........ Rick??? LOL!

Funny...

Dodge/Chrysler is current owned by Fiat. Ram is just the "brandname" as Fiat has split the lines so Dodge is "cars only", and RAM is "trucks only".

Most of these companies have common "parent companies". I bought a Gulfstream Bus (RV) in '08 - that had a freightliner chassis, and a Mercedes engine and Allison transmission. So while Gulfstream was a private company with no "parents" - their drivetrains were Freightliner.

Western Star is the most expensive - you usually find O/O's "treating themselves" to one. As far as mechanically - it's really no better or worse than a Freightshaker - just a little nicer interior.

They're both owned by Damlier - so think of Western Start as the Acura to Freightliners Honda. Freightliner "used to have" a few models in their lineup - Classic, Custom and the "Mac-Daddy" Coronado. They're pretty much offering only a few flavors of Cascadia now - the

Freightliner makes such a huge impact in the market - because they wheel and deal on fleet purchases a lot better than other manufacturers.

Volvo is probably 2nd in "fleet penetration" - mostly with the less expensive 670 model, the 780 model being the more roomy "O/O choice" of models. Volvo used to have an 880 that was the "Mac-Daddy" of their line. The 780's currently have the largest (standard) sleeper on the road.

Mack is owned by Volvo and fairly recently got into the OTR/Sleeper game.

KW & Pete are both owned by Paccar - so mechanically, their offerings are similar to the Daimler owned. As far as which is more "luxurious" - they're not the same as the Freightliner/Western Star relationship. Each line has pretty much retained their independent identities. And each continues to offer a variety of models (unlike Freight only offering the Cascadia).

If I had my druthers, my first choice would be a Volvo 780 with Workstation Interior, D15 Motor and AutoShift. 2nd choice would be the KW-T680 with MX-15 and Autoshift. Unlimited funds? WS 5700 with 82" Strato Sleeper, leather interior, DD15 and Autoshift.

Rick

How come nobody has brought up International? Just curious.

And Patrick, I disagree with you on the Kenworth remark. I started out in a T680 and LOVED it. But now that I'm in a ProStar, I'll take that any day just for the better handling in regards to backing. I wish I had the storage space I had in my KW, but you can't have everything.

I realize I forgot international

International = Oldsmobile Reason: are those things still around? LoL

I know international has the new ProStar line. I am just making a joke.

I was mostly referring to those old school truckers. Seems most of them fall on either the Pete or the KW side of a line. Neither will budge expounding their chosen brands virtues.

Funny...

Rick, I hope you took my previous post the way it was intended. It was a compliment! You truly are the "Deep Well" of knowledge on many subjects here on TT. Sort of like a One Man Think Tank. You may want to consider changing your "Handle", from the generic Rick S. to Rickipedia

Thanks for your in depth research!

Rick, I hope you took my previous post the way it was intended. It was a compliment! You truly are the "Deep Well" of knowledge on many subjects here on TT. Sort of like a One Man Think Tank. You may want to consider changing your "Handle", from the generic Rick S. to Rickipedia

Thanks for your in depth research!

Yeah - I knew what you meant.

Just another guy that has a wide variety of life experiences, does a lot of reading, and is good at finding stuff on the internet.

Thanks for the kudos...

Rick