bockofma Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Good day, all. FYI: http://www.chron.com/business/technology/article/Daimler-s-self-driving-big-rig-makes-big-entrance-6245467.php?cmpid=newsmail Regards, Michael 2007 Volvo VNL 670 2007 NuWa HitchHiker Champagne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 Good looking truck there......I'd drive one! 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDR Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 I have been told of major changes to the "F" brand coming down the line. It will be an interesting 2017 in trucking! Curt 2001 Freightliner Century, 500hp Series 60, Gen 2 autoshift, 3.42 singled rear locker. 2004 Keystone Sprinter 299RLS (TT) 2 & 4 Wheelers! 2013 Polaris Ranger 800 midsize LE Our motto "4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdonlybob Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 I am old, so find that scary.... Cheers, Bob 1989 Safari Serengeti 34'Towing a 1952 M38A1 Military Willys Past HDT owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollytrolley Posted May 7, 2015 Report Share Posted May 7, 2015 Well......I guess they said heck it was easy to make almost any truck out-shift me so.......what the heck it will likely be easy to out-steer me .......and everyone knows the cruise & jake can out-brake me already so.........I guess get to ride along to buy the fuel and smear bugs on the windshield.........(guess the robot does not cam out the windshield)........... Ok so I just buy fuel........ 97 Freightshaker Century Cummins M11-370 / 1350 /10 spd / 3:08 /tandem/ 20ft Garage/ 30 ft Curtis Dune toybox with a removable horse-haul-module to transport Dolly-The-Painthorse to horse camps and trail heads all over the Western U S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beyerjf Posted May 7, 2015 Report Share Posted May 7, 2015 I am sitting at an independent repair shop with a towing service. This gentlemen tells me he is making a killing picking up nearly new tractors and dragging them back to OEM dealers. There the wait is typically days before a tech can be scheduled to look at it, if he can really figure out what is wrong. Before Freightliner or anyone else starts trying to sell me more and more "advanced" engineering, how about diverting some of those resources to the current reliability problems. In 40 years I have in the biz I have never seen the service end of this business been so totally overwhelmedby the twin problems of bug ridden new trucks and fleets trying to keep older stuff running. Jeff Beyer temporarily retired from Trailer Transit 2000 Freightliner Argosy Cabover 2008 Work and Play 34FK Homebase NW Indiana, no longer full time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted May 7, 2015 Report Share Posted May 7, 2015 I am sitting at an independent repair shop with a towing service. This gentlemen tells me he is making a killing picking up nearly new tractors and dragging them back to OEM dealers. There the wait is typically days before a tech can be scheduled to look at it, if he can really figure out what is wrong. Before Freightliner or anyone else starts trying to sell me more and more "advanced" engineering, how about diverting some of those resources to the current reliability problems. In 40 years I have in the biz I have never seen the service end of this business been so totally overwhelmedby the twin problems of bug ridden new trucks and fleets trying to keep older stuff running. I agree with you on all of that! Seems like there is only time to build the new project, but many manufacturers abandon the products the recently launched. In this case it's a product that an guy is dependent on making a living. The problem is compounded here in CA where the old iron is being forced to retire. I can't imagine being required to replace my perfectly good running truck that is paid for with one that gets horrible fuel economy and breaks down along with the $2-3000 payment. Then I assume like the modern LDT diesel's, the new truck's engine won't last as long as the old ones either. 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdonlybob Posted May 7, 2015 Report Share Posted May 7, 2015 I saw a piece on the news about this last night... Only works on major highways, with driver having to take control to exit/enter Interstates, etc. Driver has to stay in seat, as truck detects "bad things coming" touching off an alarm warning the driver to take over... They are pushing it as less driver stress... Hmmmm......I am not sure I agree with that...but certainly just my opinion. Cheers, Bob 1989 Safari Serengeti 34'Towing a 1952 M38A1 Military Willys Past HDT owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorts Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 I can't help but wonder what that tire and aero package would get for mileage with a old school 425 cat and a 13 speed with gears matched for maximum mileage at 65 or 70 mph on flat ground Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDR Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Folks; It's time to smell the roses. The Tesla "base model" automobile has that option now! Driverless cars are arond the corner for all. On to trucks, 2017 will be the year things start getting better. The engines prior were all fill models. The EPA made each model obsolete basically every 2 years, so why invest in technology/longevity. Use those resources for the next generation of engines. 2017 will start the slow down of the hard line EPA standards as they will move to restrict something else...... (hint). Curt 2001 Freightliner Century, 500hp Series 60, Gen 2 autoshift, 3.42 singled rear locker. 2004 Keystone Sprinter 299RLS (TT) 2 & 4 Wheelers! 2013 Polaris Ranger 800 midsize LE Our motto "4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomMarik Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 When they build one that will guarantee backing into a narrow RV site, I'll consider it. 2004 Peterbilt 385 2004 New Horizon 41 foot fiver One Trek for chores and one for fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Before Freightliner or anyone else starts trying to sell me more and more "advanced" engineering, how about diverting some of those resources to the current reliability problems. In 40 years I have in the biz I have never seen the service end of this business been so totally overwhelmedby the twin problems of bug ridden new trucks and fleets trying to keep older stuff running. Competent mechanics are not easy to find, either. My DW works at a school district and their lead mech retired last summer. He could do a major overhaul on every engine in the fleet, work on the transmissions, weld, and (with one helper) kept their 25-bus fleet going with no visits to any outside repair facility. No one to replace him. At any price. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollytrolley Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 No problem Wa-Rat, Maybe the School District needs one of the "NextGen Trucks /busses that the Computer(s) will............Reboot.........and all will be well again.......... No mech needed....... Us old geezers just are so.........old........ In my "Past-Life" in aviation, I was able to partake of many "Advanced Programs" and............somehow.........I am still alive........many of the "Programs" did not make it.............Yes , I got lucky a few times...... Progress is often a bumpy road......... Cheerz 97 Freightshaker Century Cummins M11-370 / 1350 /10 spd / 3:08 /tandem/ 20ft Garage/ 30 ft Curtis Dune toybox with a removable horse-haul-module to transport Dolly-The-Painthorse to horse camps and trail heads all over the Western U S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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