HDT/MDT tow vehicles alert

valhalla360 wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
One issue is that for Commerical class 8 trucks etc, the useable life of the engine is often decades so it takes a long time to get them out of service.

Maybe an old farm truck that sits except at harvest time.

Semis that put on lots of miles are usually good for 10-15yrs. Yes, you can keep refurbishing them but usually not financially viable.

So not drastically different from cars.

The "service life" of OTR engines can very a lot depending on changes in engine technology. Example, late 60s, early 70s dealers where selling about 10% glider kits so buyer could use old engine, trans and rearends with new cab and front axle. (I ran the engine number on my last 1693 Cat, found the 76 Pete was the 3rd truck it was in) Then oil embargo forced engine manufactures to re-design, improve the efficiency of engines. For decades few kits sold, because engines where improving, new truck buyers wanted the more efficient engines. Then there was a spell where emission regulation hurting the availability of some engines, and more importantly the dependability of the engine. (Shipper don't care if load was late because turbo exploded or the emission system shut it down. The load was late is only concern) So some companies are buying kits, using old engines. (The 3406E out of the 95 Pete I sold in 13 is in a Western Star kit from 2016.)