jayhaitch said:
I'm curious. Which are the most popular engines in OTR trucks? I thought CAT had a good reputation for equipment and engines.
Intigued by your question, I Google'd around for some info. Facts seem to get pretty "murky" real quick due to multiple claims in a fast changing market.
Based on what I am reading on Class 8 trucks (tandem drive axles), Cummins has the market on over 400hp engines but once over 625, CAT is the leader.
Detroit was pretty strong but since Daimler made the choice to limit them exclusively to Freightliner, I don't see them being the king of the hill.
For sure, it really is a tough market regardless of truck class. For class 8 for example, besides the before mentioned big three, you have Volvo (which can be spec'd over 600hp) and Mack and Mercedes.
I know Navistar was working or has available a large engine as well. I don't know what the status on that engine is.
Less than class 8, you can add engines from Paccar (MAN?) and Navistar for example.
FWIW, you can find a lot of discussion on the current technology that these manufacturers are utilizing trying to meet the EPA mandates.
The last Cummins I drove was about an 04 or 05 N14 only rated 435hp and it was kind of doggy. I have however put a number of miles on the C15 twin turbo CAT's.
One was an 07 that I put about 100k on and one that had 350 or so when I got it plus several others for a day or so when my regular ride was out for service.
Perhaps I am just an old mechanical FI kind of guy but I never liked the throttle response on these engines.
I was not impressed with the consistancy on that 07' at all. The older one was about an 05 or 06, I forget now and have since moved on but that one generally behaved the same day to day.
The company had several of those engines with 300-400k on them with several instances of going down for major engine work.
