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I absolutely prefer the t680 over a cascadia. Main reasons is I like the storage up top near the top bunk. I like the windows on each side of the bottom bunk. I like the huge desk so I can set up my gaming computer set up and play games during downtime. And even when I have 44 or 45k in the trailer I'm still passing cascadias uphill.
Cascadias have a slightly wider steer axle. So they tento to no fit in the groove of the road as well. They usually have one steer tire up on the side of a rut while the other is at the bottom. It causes a lot more wandering.
Steer axle width is a product of specification selection. Width as well as weight rating, are optional selections determined when the tractor is built.
Really good review / comparison SLOKEV. The newer Freightliners have an access door to under the bunk on both sides of the cab. Reliability and ease of obtaining parts are pretty important, especially if you are an O/O.
Crete does the annual trailer inspections every 4 months by policy. The annual tractor inspections get done every "B" service. They pull tires typically at 5/32 tread depth on all positions instead of running them to legal minimum. (I've been with Crete a little over 10 years now.)
Hello there fellow Crete driver! Thanks for those details. We have definitely noticed a difference in terms of trailer issues like lights, etc. Also...way less tire issues than we encountered with Werner. Saves a lot of time when you don't have to stop for service along the way. Hope we get to meet you some day!!
Preventative maintenance is key to keeping the trucks moving. My company does the annual inspection every 6 months. Anytime we get through the yard, they do additional inspections. They put new drive tires at the beginning of every other winter (unless you need them sooner of course). I was able to get 150k miles out of my first set of steers and 220k out of my first set of drives.
My favorite truck, was a freightliner classic XL. Long nose. The cadillac of trucks. Had that my first year at werner. Then the short hoods came in. You had to relearn how to back. And a rough ride. Hence "freight shaker". And easier to scale a heavy load too with the long wheelbase.
Basically…what the KW has, the freightliner has and what the freightliner has…the T680 doesn’t. For the most part. This is what I got out of myself when I was checking some new KW and Pete at the Joliet terminal. The biggest thing was for me, the interior spacing on each truck (and it’s distribution).
My '22 also has slide locking windows, both sides and side box access, both sides. I can't imagine even offering a build with no pass. box door. Keep in mind with Covid and supply chain issues, it's possible that a large company like Crete still may not have got every truck they ordered the way they wanted it spec'd. It's likely they took what they could get, including a special order truck where the buyer backed out. Of course, Kevin's is a 2019, but the same principle applies.
@@vendingdudes maybe, but my company didn't really have any issues getting trucks during the pandemic. I believe there was only 5 of the 100 that were different. 3 different colors and 2 midroof
Good comparison video. A lot of good information. I've never driven a t680, one of the few models I haven't driven in my career, so I was looking forward to this video.
I drove the Cascadia (2018) in 17’ brand new, it was a very nice truck. Then I had a 2018 t680, also a very nice truck. Last year I was assigned a Volvo VNL 760 at it the bees knees!!!! Nothing drives better than the Volvo. Keeping in mind I never drove a Pete! Anyhow, if you get a chance, drive a Volvo (2020 or newer) and you’ll fall hard for it!!!
Loving your channel SLOKEV 🙂 Hi Tanja! Here's an idea for storage space on top of those smooth cabinets: "acquire" some of short-sided, rectangular plastic crates. Think milk crate, but his shorter, wider cousin. Check for anything important to avoid in the cabinet and simply screw the crate into the top of the cabinet. Simple, cheap and safe storage for soft, lightweight items. And when it's time to switch trucks, it takes no time to remove them and the holes left behind are out of sight. Be safe and keep up the great work!
Found your page the other day and am enjoying it very much. I’m with Crete but drive for the temp division Shaffer. I’m currently in a 2020 Kenworth with Cummins and 10 spd manual transmission. My previous truck was a 2019 Freightliner. I prefer the KW over the Freightliner for many of the reasons you mentioned, superior ride, better steering and the auto start on Kw has a digital thermostat that is easier to adjust. Welcome to the Crete Family!
i had a 2020 kw manual when i was there those are rare at crete only have 25 manual kws got it brand new they idle all day if you bump up the cruise the freightlines wont
@@TheJoyofTrucking My Freightliner was in the shop and needed to get home. They gave me the KW as a loaner and after driving it for an hour, I asked if I could keep it as my permanent truck.
i haul milk for a living. i have driven the T880 and currently the company i am with runs cascadia. the T880 handles the off-road aspect of hauling milk much better. the cascadia DOES not like offroading at farms. it tends loose traction on uneven (but dry) ground. you're 100% spot on with the visibility cascadia has nasty blind spots. i didnt realize this at first and i think it's kind of dangerous. i typically drive day cabs, i am home daily.... i still thought id chime in. i have only driven T680's a little bit, drove T660's a number of times (older, but decent truck) and i drove T880's daily. the T880 is a much nicer overall truck, but i went where the money is better.
I don't know if Crete told you or not, but the AC box in the sleeper has an air filter, my company wants us to remove and clean it at least once a month. Keeps the air flowing better. Just pull the panel off and it's on the right side.
Freightliner has a control called " Hill Assist" and another " Fifth Wheel Release". Press the button to release the fifth wheel which 30 sec . Another control that you press to lower the vehicle after uncouple from the trailer, then can driver from underneath the. trailer then raise the rear suspension (supply air bags a air)
You are like me. You put your head and pillow on the end with the frig. I think the Freightliner was designed for your head at the other end where the reading light and AC heater controls are. I say that because of the lighting in the bunk. Also Crete has really improved their attention with tire care over the past few years. It was not always like that. So that is a good thing.
We agree about intended layout! We like it much better the other way. Less claustrophobic and a nightstand and room for my (Tanja) APAP machine! They need a reading light in this end. Yes…we are impressed with Crete’s tire and other performance. The T-1’s really help minimize surprises on the road!
What engine does the Freightliner have, the DD13, or DD15?, and the Kenworth, a Paccar or Cummins engine? This is very important info for a truck comparison.
Been with Werner 15 years..had a Peterbuilt...international..kenworth...10 years ago got a freightliner..absolutely positively love them and will not drive anything else!!!!!
@@TheJoyofTrucking it also has to do with Crete ordering them with a shorter wheel base. When I switched to this company, their trucks are about 12" longer than most cascadias. I can feel the difference between the one I had before with the shorter wheel base.
I was in a Freightliner for 8 months and loved it. I'm in a KW now and at first I hated it but I really like it now. I haven't had and issues with my KW yet. I'm really not sure which one I would choose if I was offered both.
The side mirrors sit lower on the KW than the Freightliner. There is a cutout on the KW that allows the mirrors to sit lower. It took me a while to get used to the mirrors on the FL, especially because you have to angle the passenger mirror down slightly to see the lower part of the back end of the trailer. The KW mirrors allow you to shoot more straight down the trailer. That got me into some trouble starting out but I got used to them. Also, Crete will send out messages before seasonal changes to test out either your AC or bunk heater to make sure that they work correctly so you can get them serviced before you really need them if you have to.
Thanks Rick!! Yes...takes some getting used to. But the 'blind spot' he perceives hasn't changed yet. Nice that they remind drivers to check the A/C or heater before they are needed. We had summer times in the KW with a malfunctioning A/C. It was not fun.
@@TheJoyofTrucking if it's a diesel bunk heater, I've learned that if you turn it on for about 5 minutes once a month (even during the summer). It keeps them from gumming up with old diesel.
My first truck was a 2019 freightliner now i have a 2023 kenworth Im in love with KW t680 for me it have more space and more confortable to drive the inside is more nice , the kw have more power.
Kevin the sleeper A/C also blows a bunch of cold air out of a vent at foot level by the bunk heater outlet (if you have one). This is in my 2022 Cascadia, I think my 2019 before this truck did too. I use a fan to help blow that air upwards if a rider is up top. That and closing the bunk curtain,at least the driver's side, helps a lot
Interesting how each company equipments their trucks differently even though they have the same truck model. Out of all the companies and truckers I follow, Maverick seems to be very good. Only complaint I've seen Maverick drivers report on are their trailers. Mainly trailer light issues. Their Freightliners seem to be very reliable. They also have the mirror technology installed. Big safety difference driving in bad weather and at night. Thanks for the comparison.
Yes...it's another thing to look at when choosing a company. We love having the fridge! Something we did not get at Werner. But...we miss that bigger window in the bunk. Something we got at Werner and not at Crete....
@@TheJoyofTrucking as usual you gain something, you lose something. If only there was that perfect job, and or perfect company to work for. Maybe it's on the planet Klaatu came from? Lol.
same thing with my pete ac they cant fix it i put on auto it works better sometimes works great other times barely works i have to reset the truck play with controls all day lol.
With the parts issue, KW is like Cadillac, there aren’t many parts available since it’s not extremely plentiful on the road. Freightliner is like F150s, there are always going to be parts available since there are more trucks on the road. But overall it just goes to show Werner doesn’t maintain their equipment well. I’ve never had major issues with any KW, with the exception of an old and tired transmission, while at CFI.
I call BS, I drove a 2021 cascadia with DD15 for almost 3 years nationwide and only achieved 7.3 mpg at best !!! All kinds of loads from 10K to 44K with a reefer . Plains . Terrains and mountainous grades!!!
@@supermarioxs1 yeah I’m out of a LT with the X-15 and the fuel mileage is way better than this DD-12 cascadia. Plus it seems to be pretty gutless on getting up to speed to merge into traffic
The cascadia is el garbagio…. The Kenworth 680 blows the crapcadia away !!! No comparison, I drove both and to boot . The crapcadia was a 2021 and KW was a 2019…
@@TheJoyofTrucking yep, old Cascadia is way comfortable for me. I’m not gonna lie, new Cascadia is very beautiful truck, just dislike how it rides. Cascadia ride better in my opinion. Only thing I hate most about new Cassie is hood mirror because it is too low and I have set seat high to top made ride stiffness. Old Cassie have tall hood mirror I could look at it while sitting on floor.
I also drive for Crete. 9 months ago I went from a 19 Freightliner to a 22 Kenworth and am loving it. They're both good trucks. Crete doesn't have the pull out desk in the Kenworth.
Low stance Freightliner matched with DD15, you can't go wrong on mpg. Most of my driving years have been Detroits. Blew one on Jacumba in the early 90s before cell phones; walked to a call box. One thing Cali did right
Transmissions in cascadias seem to never go bad for me so far. Compared to the Kenworths I used to drive. The suspension or something to do with absorbing bumps did seem a bit better in Kenworth though
Hi,Kevin that was a great comparison video,you nailed everything that matters to drivers, comfort,space,and mainly driving position, do you log any defects via you're tablet and how do you manage to get stuff repaired when you're on the go all the time,the Freightliner seems easier to handle, what power train is it Cat,or Cummins, again thanks for the video regards 👍🏴🇬🇧
Did you look into different seat cushions for Tanja. I forgot who, but they went over a bunch of them and how the help lesson the bumps. I 80 in Illinois but Chicago. You are talking the bridge. Last year they were talking about replacing it. But in Chicago that means in about 15vyears the will get around to do it. Have a good and safe day tomorrow.
Didn't mention other parts I feel should have been covered, engine manllufacturer, horse power, and transmission, gear ratio. I still prefer kenworth for livability. Had an apu on the company kenworth I was using.
Now that you’ve been with Crete for a few months can you give a review and comparison to Werner. I’ve been with Werner for 2 years now and it’s time to move on to a better mega carrier.
Funny you should ask…six months review coming this week. Turn on your notification bell if you don’t want to miss it. Short answer…come on over. Much better!!! 😃 Please use our referral code SLOKEV if you decide it’s a good fit for you. After the review video, if you have more questions be sure to ask us. 😃
@@TheJoyofTrucking *_it's not a bad company as far i kown it. Currently I am not in Canada but soon I will be there. I'm the biggest fan of European Trucks they have more advance than Canadian & American trucks. Here in Dubai i drive MAN truck the features & comfort what I have Canadian & American companies don't have._*
I drove two different freightliners over the course of a year with my previous company and with my current company I have driven to different Kenworth t680s over the course of the year. Overall I like Kenworth better in every way, however, I will say that the automatic transmission that comes with the Freightliner is substantially better and far more reliable and also both Kenworth trucks I have driven have an uncurable steering wheel shake that has developed which at this point I think it's just a Kenworth problem. The transmission and steering wheel shake problem is bad enough to where I might actually prefer to go back to driving a Freightliner or even a Volvo.
Yeah….we took that chance. Ended up in a Freightliner. So far, rumor has it, KW’s are only 10% of fleet. We hope to get one next time. 🤞🤞🤞But either way, we are very happy at Crete! It was a good move for Kevin. If you have questions let us know. 😃
That’s awesome!!!! Congratulations!!!! We wish you all the best in your new career!!! We hope a lot of our Werner videos will help you! Let us know how it goes! And, yes…see you on the road!!!!
I like my KW T680 🤷♂️ But I see why the freightliner is popular. The KW is made by the same manufacturers as Pete's, but slightly cheaper. The freightliner is a solid truck. So is the KW.
Not certain that minimal & singular exposure to either manufacturer is valid or reasonable. Imagine a pharmaceutical firm w/ one participant in each study. Freightshakers are the preferred "fleet choice" based upon cost. A few do own some PACCAR products. If you review owner/operator choices, where the driver selects the brand, those folks tell the story of the coveted tractor.
Thanks Bill. You are right. It would not be a very good scientific research study. The statistics would suffer due to the small sample. But we think it still provided value to our viewers. We hope you enjoyed it too.
freightliners get the job done, just not as comfortably as paccar units.you get what you pay for in the end.drove a FLC for over 10 years.didnt mind it at all.prefered it over W900 KW. no room in those cabs for a bigger guy at all.
The Freightliner is the budget truck. Freightliner the truck you buy if you can’t afford a Kenworth. There’s no comparison in quality. You want quality you get the Kenworth, if you want cheap get the Freightliner
@@sergiomedrano7832 Kevin’s truck with Werner was a KW. He likes the interior and the ride much better. Have a great first day!!! Let us know how it goes!
What’s Kevin‘s driver code number I’m gonna make sure they wrote it down because I wrote it down on my application I want Kevin to get paid so I’m gonna go find out
I prefer Kenworth. I’m in a 2023 T680 and I can’t imagine driving anything else. Last truck was an 18 KW, it wasn’t bad but it’s miles was showing. First truck I drove solo was a 12 Cascadia and it was a turd.
I've driven Volvo's Kenworth Peterbilt and my opinion the Freightliner is 10 times better than all those trucks put together neither if you get a if you get a Peterbilt or a Kenworth without that European piece of junk engine pack are and get it with a Cummins you would have a more reliable truck but I still rather a Freightliner these are only my opinion
i cant stand freightliners skinny steering wheel uncomfortable seat and backbreaking ride sure it may turn better easier cheaper to find parts as a company driver i hate freightliner and if i was to ever get my own it would be 579 ot t680 cummings 13 speed . Plus kw roomier sleeper
They had run out of Crete hats at his orientation. Now he only has a Shaffer hat. Pretty funny. Now it's Driver Appreciation Month at Crete!! Maybe he will get a hat. I'm still wearing my Werner hat....lol!!!
You mentioned the rough ride with a freightliner...you are 100% right.....but can't be reliabilite..mine is a 2020 cascadia...had it 2 years 4 months...have been down due to mechanical 2 days in Phoenix due to a emission problem...absolutely no other issues!!!!!! Regarding the space above the shelves...I cut 2 cardboard boxes to fit and velcroed them to the shelf...works great for lite stuff you don't need real often.....keep up the great driving!!!!!!
Not a truck driver...but I would think driver comfort would be the most important! Would have liked driveline info...but that's just me. Remember: If you have food...Thank a farmer If it's on your table...Thank a trucker If you eat in peace...Thank a veteran If it cost you an arm and a leg...Thank Joe Biden! IMHO!!!
