Uploads from A.Myers, tagged t660

Wide-base Singles

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:25 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

The previous truck came equipped with dual wheels/tires. When we switched to Autumn, we converted it to wide-singles to save weight (the singles tires/rims saved nearly 500 lbs compared to dual tires with inside steel rims and outside aluminum).

With this truck, we ordered it with wide-single wheels and tires. Aside from weight savings, they should also provide a fuel mileage increase.

The axles that this truck rides on are the Meritor 14x Dual Trac... They were a point of contention through the whole ordering process. Dad wanted that axle because of 1) they are specially designed to provide optimum load distribution on the wheel bearings when using wide-base single tires 2) they offer a rear-end gearing that we needed

First, KW said no problem... they a month later they said they were on "allocation" for the axle and couldn't get one... so we grudgingly switched to a lesser axle... then a couple weeks later they come back and say we couldn't have that axle and rear-end gear ratio with the 18sp transmission.... well that kinda defeated part of the reason for custom ordering the truck....

Kudos goes to the salesman who has been in the business for 20+ years and knows all of the top people in Kenworth. He worked hard at it and pulled some strings and called in some favors... somehow, they came up with a set of the Meritor axles for us.

Pretty lights

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:26:08 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

Full Instrumentation and gauges - actually two more gauges than the other truck had.

See Notes.

Left Side - "Junk Drawer"

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:54 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

See Notes

Autumn Kenworths (B&W)

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:24:56 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

Taken at Dysarts Truck Stop in Hampden, ME, near Bangor.

Autumn Transport Kenworths

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:24:54 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

Taken at Dysarts Truck Stop in Hampden, ME, near Bangor.

Tri-Pac APU

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:23 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

The previous truck had a Carrier Comfort ProAPU. Dad opted to go with the ThermoKing Tri-Pac for this truck. Both companies also produce refrigeration units for reefer trailers, and are probably the two largest players in the APU market.

There are key differences between a Carrier and a ThermoKing... The Carrier unit drives a large generator that provides power for the electric bunk heater, the electric AC compressor and HVAC fan, and for 110V power in the sleeper.

The ThermoKing, however, utilizes a fuel-fired bunk heater (ie, the diesel APU engine does not need to run), and utilizes an 1800W inverter for power in the sleeper. The engine only will run to turn a large alternator to charge the truck batteries, or to run the AC compressor.

There were maintenance issues with the Carrier unit - the generator was turned by a simple V-belt, which wasn't quite adequate for that kind of load and often need tightened or replaces. We were also on our third replacement generator b/c the bearings went bad in the firs two after about 1500 hrs apiece. The TriPac avoids both of these issues.

However, the TriPac is a little less "useable"... meaning the control unit gives you much less control... it's mostly automated. But with a few tweaks, we've worked around a few things and it works quite well now.

Both units share coolant with the truck engine (helps keep the truck's engine block warm in the winter when you're parked and the APU is running)

Custom Lettering

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:20 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

In addition to the custom lettering for the Autumn logo, I also re-designed the CrossRoads logo (CrossRoads being the business entity that is essentially Dad, the truck, and myself as an employee). I designed it in the same program as the Autumn logo, and utilized the same "chrome" material.

The late-delivery of the truck meant that we got the truck home on a Friday night, and I was scheduled to leave Monday morning. The lettering company didn't have time to apply the lettering in that short of a time frame... so I took on the challenge.

It took me a good 8 hours to do all of the lettering - Autumn Logo, Crossroads Logo, truck number, and a large block of regulatory ID numbers that are also required - and remember, it's all of those x2!

Sunroof

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:26:05 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

As far as I'm concerned, a must have. It has about three different manual-open settings, and sun shades that can be pulled out from the center brace.

Sleeper Doors & Windows

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:34 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

A nice change vs the old truck are the sleeper windows that now allow you to slide open a portion of the window for air flow. the sleeper doors open for easy access to the interior.

Disc Brakes

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:39 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

One upgrade on this truck was the spec'ing of front disc brakes. Until the past year or so, drum brakes were the norm, but air disc brakes are starting to come into use. They offer longer life of the components, and also decreased stopping distances.

We only got them on the steer axle, but they are available for all brake positions.

2012 Kenworth T660 (Right Side)

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:01 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

I had come off the road a few days before we were told the truck would be delivered and available. I had planned to take two weeks off for the transition - it would requiring not only the truck being prepped, but also switching over of the PTO, PTO shaft, and blower unit from the old truck tot he new one, as well as installation of a new APU (auxillary power unit).

It turned out that delivery of the truck was almost two weeks later than we had been told - this condensed the timetable considerably, but the KW dealer did an admirable job of prepping the truck and switching the blower, as did the ThermoKing dealer in installing the APU. From the time the truck arrived to the time all the work was done, the truck was lettered and stocked with all my stuff, and I was on the road with the truck in service was only about 10 days.

Left side - Couch, Window, Controls

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:52 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

See Notes

Refridgerator

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:26:12 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

Located on the right side, directly beneath the cabinet with the desk.

CB radio

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:26:10 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

View from the Sleeping Bunk

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:26:01 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

Right Side - Closet & "Medicine Cabinet"

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:59 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

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Right Side Cabinets

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:48 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

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Kenworth "SmartWheel"

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:26:03 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

Controls on the optional leather-wrapped Smartwheel allow for control of the engine brake, cruise control, and flashing of the headlights and marker lights.

2012 Kenworth T660 (Left Side)

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:24:58 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo:

Kenworth T660, 244-inch wheelbase, 86-inch Studio Sleeper.

As far as the exterior, it is essentially the same as the previous truck - same wheelbase, same color.

The 2008 model truck we bought off the lot (it was spec'd out by the dealer as an in-stock unit). That truck initially had the side skirts and top faring (which we took off upon switching to pulling the pneumatic trailer).

When custom ordering this truck, we ordered it without any of the faring. I requested a few small additions, such as the driver-side spotlight, and the top row of sleeper clearance lights.

The most unique aspect of this truck is the drivetrain... we have an 18sp transmission (double overdrive) and 2.64 rear end ratios... most trucks with that transmission have 3.36-3.74 rear end ratios. 2.64's are only used with a "direct drive" transmission where the final drive ratio is 1:1... with our set up, I simply use 16th gear - which happens to be 1:1, and never use 17th or 18th. Those gears single- and double-overdrives, which are quite inefficient. So with our setup, I get the efficiency of running in direct-gear, but also the ability to split gears in half on the 18spd (10 speeds don't allow that).

Paccar MX

nobody@flickr.com (A.Myers) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:25:41 -0700

A.Myers posted a photo: