2012 Freightliner M2-112

[R12RTee]

I'm looking at a 2012 Freightliner M2-112 with the Detroit 13 Liter (DD13) rated at 505HP/1800TQ. Is anyone familiar with this engine? I'll be pulling a 20K fifth wheel camper with it. It seems that it will be plenty powerful enough for the mountains but how about fuel mileage? Anyone drive one?

[aarondeere]

Or you could go with this. 13L 505hp/1750tq 12 speed automated manual with no clutch pedal. No problems with any fifth wheel.

[Mike_Up]

My sister has an 8 horse trailer that's also an RV with a changing room inbetween the RV section and horse trailer section. They kept burning up F350 transmissions so they got this truck. Unfortunately the maintanence cost was so high, it forced them to go to a F450 instead.

[recycler]

the M-2's are a comfortable truck though i would get one with an auto.. friends i work for now and then have one with the auto shift manual the control system for the clutching and shifting went out was fairly expensive to have repaired.. gets better milage than the f350 crew cab it replaced hauling the same weight.. both have towed over 30,000lbs.. also turns alot sharper..

[thomasmnile]

2oldman wrote:

R12RTee wrote:
Detroit 13 Liter (DD13) rated at 505HP/1800TQ. Is anyone familiar with this engine?

That sounds more like a Class 8 tractor rating. I think 1800 is a bit overstated.

DD13 Spec Sheet

According to the spec sheet, the OP is a little high on both HP & TQ ranges, but still respectable numbers.

EDIT: There is another spec sheet on Detroit's website with this engine offered in a Freightliner Class A DP chassis. It's rated at 500 HP and 1650 ft/lbs TQ. Might be what the OP was referring to.

[2oldman]

R12RTee wrote:
Detroit 13 Liter (DD13) rated at 505HP/1800TQ. Is anyone familiar with this engine?

That sounds more like a Class 8 tractor rating. I think 1800 is a bit overstated.

[john_bet]

hone eagle wrote:
Look at your typical school bus driving lady,older grandma type.
I drive both and my tractor is infinitely easier to drive,turns much tighter then my old F250 and the trailer is a lot simpler to back with the hitch behind the drive axle.
The only major issue could be the height .

Agree on bus drivers. Over 50% of the drivers in my county are ladies'. Most of those own the buses.

[hone_eagle]

Look at your typical school bus driving lady,older grandma type.
I drive both and my tractor is infinitely easier to drive,turns much tighter then my old F250 and the trailer is a lot simpler to back with the hitch behind the drive axle.
The only major issue could be the height .

[JN_B]

I live very close to Spruce Meadows http://www.sprucemeadows.com/ and on any weekend I see ladies driving these trucks in places that's very busy and not alot of room to maneuver. They must be easy to drive.

If only I could afford one.

[mpierce]

My wife is 5'0". Drove team with me pulling a reefer from MN to CA every week hauling produce. Sure got some looks when she climbed out of the drivers seat of that long nose Peterbilt, pulling a 53" Reefer!

[carringb]

The sight-lines on the M2 are so much better than any of the full-size pickups, I suspect even mommy-mobile-driving women would not be intimidated once they got behind the wheel. The bigger mirrors and sharper turning should help too.

Just be sure you wear your seatbelt for the first drive, because I guarantee she will give it much more brake pedal than she needs too!

[benalbert]

Depends on the wife. Mine has her CDL. :C

[hone_eagle]

Wife drives ours no problem ,no clutch peddle no shifting.
Easy pesy

[aemedic]

cabanaman wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

I prefer the higher ride position, giving better visibility. The ride is better with the air ride cab and air ride seats. The M2 turns sharper than my Ford F-350.

Wow, lets see.

Better fuel mileage than a pickup. Check

Better visibility than an pickup. Check

Better ride than a pickup. Check

Turns sharper than a pickup. Check

Way better range than a pickup. Check

Sounds the same as my buddies class 8 Volvo. If I ever get money up I may have to check into one of these. 🙂

Will the wife drive it? Uncheck:(

Ah, but due to the auto she could make it move in an emergency if she had to...

[cabanaman]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

I prefer the higher ride position, giving better visibility. The ride is better with the air ride cab and air ride seats. The M2 turns sharper than my Ford F-350.

Wow, lets see.

Better fuel mileage than a pickup. Check

Better visibility than an pickup. Check

Better ride than a pickup. Check

Turns sharper than a pickup. Check

Way better range than a pickup. Check

Sounds the same as my buddies class 8 Volvo. If I ever get money up I may have to check into one of these. 🙂

Will the wife drive it? Uncheck:(