I am a pete 379/389 guy and I am looking to buy my first truck, after driving mack trucks with eaton fuller (18s) I have to say I fell in love with it, the looks, the ride, the dash and now I am experiencing a change of heart. Absolutely stunning truck.
I had a 2015 Pinnacle with the auto,, hated it! But it looks like they made some changes , like the quick downshift. I found it took forever to downshift on it's own so I would push the buttons on mjne. but the seats look nice, I drove CH for quite a few tears they were always good trucks, the Pinnacle is just a CH with a new name.
We have Mack Anthems with the mDrive and MP8 engines, and them things are power houses! I myself like a manual stick, but I’ll give credit where it’s due, and the mDrive works rather well compared to other automated manual transmissions.
I really enjoy seeing the trucks from that area. The drivers/owners really dress them up with pin stripes and super chrome and stainless. Just don't see much of that anymore. Those guys doing the pin striping are incredible.
I've been pulling flatbed, hauling sod in a 2022 Mack Pinnacle PI64T with 505 HP MP8 and mDrive for about 18 months. Sod farm owner asked me "if money was no object, what truck would I buy?" I've driven just about every make and I told him a Mack. I'm 72 and it's the best I've driven compared to everything from Autocar through Peterbilts. In another 20 years you'll appreciate the option of an automated transmission and the quietness!
Dad and I almost bought a new Mack triaxle. It was setup the same. I thought it was a really nice truck but decided not to because we didn’t want a payment. I like my loud, rattling, black smoke blowing 99 Ch 600. Paid 10 grand for it 2 years ago and she’s rolls out every day. Thanks for the “tutorial “. Lol.
Nice, glad to see a new MACK in the barn, I had a new CH back in 2006 long hood pulling for Quick Crete & it was pleasure. My last truck was a 2015 Pinnacle set back axle.
Hate the auto,, My 2015 sucked , my 2006 had a 10 speed & it was fine, I like down shifting to slow down the truck especially in snow. But the MACK is a nice truck,, went in my friends Anthem last week, that;s nice also
@@toddreynolds8875 - The Mack M8 engine is nothing more than a Volvo D13 painted red with slightly different ecm programming. Same as the M-drive, nothing but an I-shift.
Volkswagen owns NAVISTAR International trucks now have Volkswagen diesel engines from their MAN Trucks subsidiary (A26 diesel engine) and MAN Trucks diesel engines (Maxxforce Advanced EGR diesel fiasco) Daimler (Mercedes Benz) owns Freightliner Trucks, Western-Star Trucks, Thomas Built Buses and Detroit Diesel...All them powered by Mercedes Benz diesel engines badged as "Detroit Diesel", except for light duty models and school buses using diesel engines from Cummins. Paccar PX diesel engines are rebadged Cummins diesel engines and their MX engine series is from European DAF Trucks....yet no-one bitches about those, just about MACK and VOLVO doing trucks together.....
I've been driving a 2018 Pinnacle with the M Drive, that's just how they run. It takes some getting used to, but let it do its thing and it'll get you where you need to go
During the winter I've been delivering new Macks from the plant, in fact I took a Pinnacle to Ballard in Rhode Island and a really nice black one to McDevitt up in Manchester. Even though the cabs on the Pinnacles are the same as on the Anthems and Granites, The PIs are definitely my favorites. It's amazing how quiet they are (at least when they're new), generally they're really comfortable to drive. And, I do agree that the indicator lights on the dash switches aren't easy to spot. Maybe after a while you know what to look for. As for automatics, might as well get used to them. I've delivered maybe 60 or so trucks since December 2018, and only 4 or 5 have had standards. In fact, I heard from more than one service guy that Mack has stopped installing them altogether. I like the Mdrive much more than the Allisons that are common in the Granites. They shift way smoother, at least when you're bobtailing!Keep these videos coming, but find a way to mount your phone so you don't get busted for distracted driving!
They were not really a problem for me, I always found them comfortable. But as I think about it, maybe it's harder to get the air out of the lumbar because there's no good way to push against it with your lower back. The seat air would exhaust by your weight or the weight of the seat, and you can press against the upper seat with your shoulders. Or maybe it's just that the valve's no good on yours. I've had a few breakdowns in new units, too, sometimes weird little things.
New always looks nice but ,no thanks. I want a truck to do what I tell it to . I don't want it to shut off because it idled too long. I don't want it to decide when to shift or not to shift. I don't want it to apply brakes because it was programmed to be "safer". I don't want DEF , down around 13°F that garbage turns into blue slushy. I don't want to be anti progress but is all the high tech nonsense on trucks gaining anything besides higher repair bills and more breakdowns because of all the useless integrated systems?
I look at all this regulation crap now just on the emission side of things and I don't think I'm going to even try and get into this industry now. I got a feeling a lot of drivers are going to quit anyway when they need a new truck and all they can find are ones with the EPA junk.
@David Hotaling I really don't blame ya for leaving and I'm damn sure you're not the only one to walk away either. And California is stupid with their shit anyway. I don't have to drive a truck to see that. Guess I'll just have to keep playing American Truck Simulator...
I'm with you bro. @Matt Berg My last truck was a 2015 Pinnacle, nice truck but hated the auto. I found out that if you're hooked to a trailer, or can back into a curb, place wheel chocks in front. You can push the brake button in & the truck will stay running, Helpful in the winter.
Good to know about the transmission modes. I'm used to trucks taking a bit to get up to speed so I plan my speed based on my experience. Will tuck this nugget of info away so I can be respectful on the road to you guys.
I love to drive my mdrive...... off a cliff, but the 13 liter motors got a really really low torque curve, anything past 1500 is just more fuel and noise
Great video!! Could any Mack driver share if you please how to engage the power divider and lock differential on a 2019 Mack Pinnacle? When you press on the bottoms to engage these functions nothing is illuminated on the instrument pannel to let you know they are engaged. Any information will be greatly appreciated, thank you so much!!! By the way, I am the driver for this vehicle, I am thinking there is a malfunction with the power divider & diff lock, but I feel we don't know how to use it. By the way Mack are amazing work horses!! Thank you for this great video!!!
Nice truck, I hesitate to say this but, I used to film while driving until one of my friends pointed out that if I ever had a accident a good lawyer would go perusing my social media and show that I was unsafe because I was holding a camera, so needless to say I use my camera mounts now, that way I can say I am now a responsible and safe person LOL
@@TheBostonTrucker I just finished watching...I was blown away when you opened the door, then closed it again....im not or never will be used to a MACK like this...
They put a leg blocker in so you can't move over due to crash standards. Depending on the options you got the engine will try to learn how you drive to compensate for your load for max mileage.
I drove one of the first automatics in a Freightliner day cab (around 2001 or so I think), that our company had as a demo. Drove into NYC from NJ, was actually surprised how well it did. The salesman told me the computer would start to program/optimize itself based on the regular work it did, and driver practices (if it usually had the same driver), to max out its efficiency. So this has been going on for a while.
I hate everything about Mack’s but they do make the quietest cab. I used to drive a granite tri axle and I could sit in the truck next to a crew jackhammering and not even hear them. I had to always drive with the window cracked so I could hear fire truck sirens and whatnot when driving.
My company got 3 brand new pinnacles in 2015 with 13 speeds. (They get 3 to 4 a year. Now getting anthems.) all 3 of those trucks the cb didn’t work. One truck was in a different location. My partners had a disconnected antenna wire in the dash and I and our mechanics could never figure out my antenna on my truck. So I added a third antenna on the back. I think the next years trucks had cb antenna problems as well.
Hey Boston Trucker, love the videos keep them coming. Like the new Mack, love the kenworth. I drove a few Mack trucks in my days, they were like the dog on the hood, no ball's, what's the newer truck like especially with an automatic in it? I am with you, I like a clutch and 18 gears.
I’ve driven all the truck transmissions. From 18speedsto the 5and2. I’ve driven the Allison, 18 speed ultra shift and the MDrive. When it comes to automatics the M Drive is my favorite. It feels more natural to me .
I'm 6'2", I've driven a bunch of these, and there's plenty of room in them. Way more than the Pete I drive regularly. Pinnacles, Granites and Anthems all use essentially the same cab, btw.
I love the mack door slam. An old driver once told me when he closes a truck door he wants it to close. He was taking about the mack doors 👍check out my new pinnacle at chris frane. Or mack truck. Thanks for your great videos Boston trucker
@@TheBostonTrucker sorry I don't know how to send a link lol I'm not very good with the internet. But if you search mack truck I'm the one with the 2 old r models behind my pole barn and the new silver pinnacle with the mac aluminum dump
I like it im sure its a pleasure to operate but I am old school too I would prefer a maxitorque manual but your employer is looking at his annual fuel cost the mack salesmen must have been mighty convincing on that M-drive option
@@mr7badass ya I know when I started in 87 I was intimidated with it but my coach really pressed me stuck by me after 2 weeks you could not differentiate me from any one that had 10 or more years in the saddle
Is not an automatic, it is an AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION , still operates like the typical multi-gear standard transmission, just that now clutch actuation and gear selection is done by computers. It has the same clutch-pack structure as a regular manual transmission. It is not an automatic because it has no torque-converter and no wet clutches. Automatic (Torque Converter) transmissions are built by: ALLISON Transmissions CATERPILLAR Transmissions ZF Transmissions (Powerline Series) Automated-Manual Transmissions are built by: Mack-M-Drive / M-Drive HD. Volvo- I-Shift. Eaton- Ultrashift / Ultrashift Plus Detroit Diesel- DT-12 (Mercedes Benz)
That DEF is horrible. I had a Pinnacle it was 2016 I loved the truck but the DEF system was always screwing up , it would clog up exhaust system and basically would compact in exhaust system shutting me down on numerous occasions.I talked to a head mechanic at Mack and he told me the system wasn't ready to be put into public use. I use to call Mack Headquarters and they couldn't even tell me how to fix it. Well my boss and I finally got tired of all the breakdowns and we found a place that removed those systems from the truck. As long as your not going to California you don't need it. After th3y did what they did that truck was the best truck I ever had. Good luck with the DEF system items pos at best.
We have a few CH Mack's, set back axle. I was in a 15 and got moved to a 16 I think. Last year before the Anthem. It's JUNK compared to the 15. The door seals are garbage, don't stick to the door jamb. The headliner in the sleeper is already falling down. The exhaust has like nothing supporting it and breaks off. The cabinets in the sleeper are cheap junk, doors won't latch good and flop open. I'm about 6ft3 and not enough leg room. The dash has this clip piece and it gets loose in the dash rattling around. Sorry VoMack, I'm not impressed. Check engine light. Hate the stability control. Atleast it's a 10sp Eaton I guess.
The little slot is supposed to be a phone holder and the long narrow channel is supposed to be for the cord I never used them in the Anthems at my last company. I never used them because they didn’t work that well with an otter box and I don’t like my phone sideways
Bizarre exhaust piping. It looks like it favors the right side exhaust pipe. Left one is going for the ride. Like how the center gauge cluster shows what gear your in.
You can see the Volvo relationship. Yeah, there’s a clock in the accelerator & if you tap the jake down a notch, it gives max jake power. It’s the new wave, these are the new standards & you have to opt for the old school not the other way around. 🤷🏾♂️ you think that shifts low, the KW T680 shifts just over idle just about. 🤦🏾♂️
Nice looking truck, hate to say this but under the hood looks exactly the same as the d13 in the Volvo i drive every day. And it sucks. Hate the engine in my truck. Couldnt imagine mine with an auto, 0 to 60 in 3 and a half weeks. Hope yours has a little more power than mine does. Other than that, sweet looking ride. Too quiet tho
During the winter I deliver new Macks from the plant, and all but a very few are automatics. For my money, Allisons can't touch an Mdrive. The Mdrives shift much smoother. Granted, that's from driving bobtail tractors and chassis. But during construction season I drive a 2005 Granite with an Allison, and it shifts more or less the same.
Clutch pedal or no clutch pedal. It's not an automatic. It is a manual transmission that is electronically and/or air double clutched and shifted therefore called "AUTOMATED". Which is different from an automatic transmission. It is an automated manual transmission, which these days they have figured out how to get rid of the clutch pedal. So your salesman is right in that regard.
The rear suspension looks like a version of the old Kenworth Neway system, when you have to replace the bushings in those trailing arms, your mechanic isn't gonna like it lol
Not Automatic, Automated. computer is shifting a standard gearbox. also the performance mode in Europe ( Mack is Volvo) is good for roundabouts, so you you don't tortoise away and block the circle.
Say what you want about autos, I prefer a stick. You can't downshift an auto to slow the truck down in bad weather I always used the tranny in bad weather and stay off the brakes,
That’s the difference between a mack and a Cummins if that’s the big 6 it’s really a Volvo engine. They operate at a lower engine speed some run all the way down to 900 rpms
Abenog Cyklen totally. As beautiful as those trucks are they’re light years behind some of the Euro wagons from Scania and Volvo in technology, power and efficiency.
Mack or Volvo nowadays its the same thing.the engine that you have on that truck its a Volvo.even the noise on iddle its 100%volvo 🤣🤣🤣but its a good truck 👍
I would take an automatic any day, I’m sick of shifting. The only way I can see a stick being better is no electronics to leave you stranded a stick will always get you home
Beautiful truck but it needs a clutch the 12 spd manual Mack tranny would be great in that pinnacle I drove the Mack 5 spd 6 spd mud stick 12 spd and 18 spd I prefer a clutch more control over the truck
@David Hotaling Sounds illegal as hell to me. Next they'll be staking out places like Fitzgerald and snatching them the moment they leave the lot probably.
@David Hotaling I thought Europe had emissions regulations for their trucks and tractors. Anyway regardless I'm thinking hard about changing my mind and not getting into the trucking industry.
@David Hotaling Yeah I actually figured that out after the fact. Wish they would put something on their website that says so too. Their website left the impression on me that the EPA had relaxed on the gliders.
@David Hotaling I'd imagine ones even older than that have gone up in value too probably. Maybe I'll get lucky and find an Argosy G-K floating around. Know some Freightliner dealers had them even up to around 2015 or 16 as a you-know-what kit. Sure cabovers are a niche item now but I fell in love with that European style front end on it when I saw one.