It depends on how you define the best truck. I have owned several different brands of trucks including Peterbilt and KW. I think over all and for the money the International is one of the better trucks made. I think that I still prefer it to any of the others I have owned. I like the roominess of the sleeper and they are comfortable to ride in and drive. Unless you buy new, you can usually find a better deal in an International than the Pete or KW. And the mileage is better than either of the previous two, although I seem to do well with my T-600. Volvo has the best ride, hands down. Resale would have to go to KW (W900) or Peterbilt (379). It all depends on how you define the best.

 

All the cornbinders I've been in were rough as hell and LOUD like being inside a tin can going down the road!

They weren't the high end models though. That's the thing about volvo, ALL their trucks are quiet and smooth.

 

I love a big cab for comfort and Volvo does have that but....you need to have that kind of room under the hood also.My last truck was a 9900 Int. and the lay out of the truck was pretty good and one of the many times I was in Cummins for an update there was a V volvo in the next bay to my truck and I was told the fix that I was getting would take the mech. about an hour to do while the Volvo that was getting the same thing would take two techs all day to do?!?!?!?
Right now the price of a new Volvo is way higher than Petes or KW's and the cost of repairs is more foolish than all the others put together and the only truck worth less than a Freightliner at trade time is a Volvo,how could someone that operates their truck as a business buy something with this kind of track record????

 

This is from a new owners perspective, We looked at plenty of used tractors, most were day cabs as that seemed to be the most practicle for our application. If you look through the truck paper,truck trader, and any online truck sales site youll find the most prominent used truck is the Freightliner FLD120, Or Freightliner in general. Next I found the international 9000 series ( 91,92,93,ect) Do the numbers tell the story, good or bad. We decided on the 02 9400I for the price we couldn't do any better. 375,000 miles detroit sr 60 12.7 ltr 13 spd ac/cruise/tilt/jake/air ride air slide. Truck still rides great and is tight all around. Doesnt use any oil or have any leaks. Just a newbies opinion.

 

Diamond Reo

 

Well, I like my Classic XL. I love the room inside. The ride is pretty good. Its not an expensive truck. Its easy to work on. Looks okay. I love the outside of the 900 and the Western Star though.

 

Volvo and my Classic XL. The classic had plenty of room and road great but was a little load with the lack of sound proofing which is an easy fix. The Volvo with that panoramic view, quite the ride and turn radius just makes it a great truck. Not to mention if there is an accident the engine is designed to go down and out not back right at the driver

 

so far all I've had the pleasure of driving is my frieght-shaker, loud and such but seems to hold its own on grades.

 

What, nobody likes a Sterling? Hmmm, I don't know why. I drove a medium duty Sterling single axle day cab pulling a 45 foot drop deck. It was the worst truck I have ever driven. Although basically a Freightliner it was ugly and boring and had more plastic in it than any other truck I've driven and was in the shop nearly every week. The rough single axle ride destroyed the plastic dash to the point the fuse block was hanging by the wiring harness. I'm glad I no longer drive it and would definitely not look twice at a Sterling.

Most of miles have been in a Columbia which I didn't care for that much. It had lots of room but low quality construction, lots of Interior rattles and squeak which drove me nuts but overall a dependable and efficient truck, it never really had any problems at all. I currently drive a 96' W900 B with 630,000 on it. The inside has less squeaks and rattles then the 2006 Columbia did and the W900 B is a landfill truck.

If I had to buy a truck today I would look at a T-600 first. I drove one a little bit and liked it a lot. A little less room on the inside but good quality. I'd love to have a W900 with and 86" studio but the turning radius wouldn't be that great so I would compromise and get a T600 with a 86" Studio sleeper with a more workable turning radius.

 

Best riding truck I've ever wheeled was a 660 Volvo......nice ride, and quiet. Downside is, they're heavy, like the old Western Stars.

Favorite truck? The 1984 359 Pete I drove for a guy.....it has 2 millon ACTUAL miles, still rides and drives like it's brand new. 400 Cummins, 9 double-over, 4.44 rears.....I hauled a lot of heavy equipment.....

Toughest truck? 1956 Autocar sleepercab...retrofitted with a 400 Cummins, 13 D/O.........it's one tough truck, and has been redone nicely...