Kenworth chassis for tankers

[sfd7101]

Any input as to opinions or experience with the T-300 for a pumper/tanker
hauling 2500 gallons. We are specing a truck now and looking for thoughts.

[2004F550]

We have a T800 from 4guys with 3000 gallons, I would go with a t800, a true class 8, but if you go with the t300, atleast get the tandem. As far as KW, its a great chassis for us, the best I think since Mack's qualility has dropped off to nothing. One reason to go with KW for us was becuase we have the best KW dealer in the US 30 min away and service is great, the other brands are here but service is ahhh...not the same. In the same class as KW is Petebilt, they build a 330 which is the t300. Both trucks offer great visibility and great turning radius. In the t300 they have dropped Cat C7 now, and are using Paccar (Cummins) motors only, which can be a good thing. See if you can get the dealer to let you test drive some different chassis.

Where I work we have t300's as crane trucks and t800's as dumps and I would take the t800 chassis anyday, just drives much nicer. I don't know where you are located but if the country is hilly definatly take a look at the class 8 t800 and the bigger motors and chassis componants that come with it.

[chiefengineer11]

Any input as to opinions or experience with the T-300 for a pumper/tanker
hauling 2500 gallons. We are specing a truck now and looking for thoughts.

Even though I'm not a big KW fan, the fact is that they build a truly tough and durable truck. Just pay close attention to your engine and chassis components. DON'T SKIMP! This is not the place to say, "Oh, we ran out of money when we got to that part." (I actually had someone say that to me.)

Like so many others have said and will continue to say, consider your access to service, both for the chassis and the rest of the truck.

Do all of that and you'll get a good serviceable truck from KW.

Stay safe out there, everyone goes home!

[skipatrol8]

Sort of like this?

I found this at http://www.deepsouthfiretrucks.com/home.asp. It's either a toyne or ALF, but its 1250/2500. I guess it also depends on your area--if its flat I bet you'd be fine, bu out east, you don't usually see that big of a tanker on that chassis--usually the T800 or the Petey equivalent.

[shvfr4]

My company has an E-One T800 2800 gallon tanker and a Freightliner FL80 (it's somewhere around 1500 gallons). In Connecticut we have some pretty sketchy terrains to accomodate. For hills, the Kenworth is the way to go, but if we have to get on the highway...forget it we are taking the Freightliner because 53 miles per hour on a 65 mph speed limit highway isn't the most wonderful thing in the world.

[PierceGuru]

why you would limit it to 53 when around here the big rigs run 75+ and traffic runs 80+ is beyond me

[Catch22]

We just got our pumper/tanker, which was built on a T-300 KW. We love it! We looked at about every chassis available and decided it was going to be a KW or a PB, went with KW due to cost (basically same truck, PB is just fancier from my understanding).

It's a 2,500 gallon tanker, plus it has a 1750 top-mount with a pumper body. We've got it governed to about 65, and it's geared to handle our hills with a 330 Cummins.

[LVFD301]

What, no Sterling.... (Man, I slay me)

[neiowa]

What, no Sterling.... (Man, I slay me)

????

Tanker of choice in NE Iowa for commerical bulk milk transports are 6200gal +/- Sterlings. Apparently a money maker for guys that depend on their truck to pay for their home/food.

[LVFD301]

Sterling may be a fine truck...

My comments were sort of a mutual regional jab - about a
company that pushes AWFUL hard the Sterling trucks. Catch22
should know the company.... Nuff said. I don't want them calling
each of my board members AGAIN to complain that I am unfair
to them. (ROFL)

Outside of the region, it probably was an unknown.

[Catch22]

Sterling may be a fine truck...

My comments were sort of a mutual regional jab - about a
company that pushes AWFUL hard the Sterling trucks. Catch22
should know the company.... Nuff said. I don't want them calling
each of my board members AGAIN to complain that I am unfair
to them. (ROFL)

Outside of the region, it probably was an unknown.

hehe, I know exactly who you're talking about. We actually asked for a comparison on Sterling from who we bought the truck, the price was too high. We actually started to get a Freightliner (as much as I hated the idea since no one around knows how to work on the Mercedes), but when it came time to order KW wanted to sell some trucks. If I remember right we saved somewhere around $6-8K.

I will admit, FL has improved their chassis for fire service use. My paid gig runs FL's, some of the older ones and the rescue on an M2, the M2 is a vast improvement.

I just like the fact the KW is built to be an over-the-road truck and seems to be built a bit tougher. Plus, if there's body damage all the shop has to do is drill out some rivets and put in a new piece and paint to match (which we had better not ever have to do or there'll be some firefighters beheaded).

As a side note LV, I actually got a raised voice lecture (not quite yelling, but not far from it) on our pick when they called and I told them they didn't get the bid because they were too high. One of the big reasons I found another source for our SCBA if we get our grant this year.

[mitchkrat]

How do you like your truck

Catch22 - how are you guys liking your new rig?

Our dealer contacted us on Friday and they are wanting someone to go to Lyons this week for the pre-paint inspection. Might actually see our new truck in 07.

[Catch22]

Catch22 - how are you guys liking your new rig?

Our dealer contacted us on Friday and they are wanting someone to go to Lyons this week for the pre-paint inspection. Might actually see our new truck in 07.

Loving it man. The first week we had it, it ran 9 calls (mostly mutual aid). That's unheard of for us, since we've never really had enough water or trucks to run mutual aid.

We honestly haven't found a thing that we don't like about it yet.

[sfd7101]

T 300

The truck (chassis) we were just quoted has a single frame (120,000 psi)
verses a 100,000 psi frame. They also offer a "L" liner from under cab to rear of frame. I, thinking the liner would be a good idea with 2,500 gallons.
Any other input? 7101

[skipatrol8]

Freightliner/Sterling

Isn't Sterling owned by FL LLC? If so, does an M2 112 compare to the lower line Sterling Acetera, or is sterling just freighliner's heavy duty division?