the truckdoctor on
Expediting
and if
you do, the
HDX™
Kenworth T300 Heavy Duty Expediter trucks
The HDX is a custom built truck with years of
expert thinking behind it . The Kenworth T300, Bentz Sleeper, Supreme Body,
how all that and more fits together...
... the HDX standards are;
The "KingCab" opening from the T300
leads into a specially designed 72" Deluxe Comfort double custom sleeper manufactured
by Keith Bentz of Bentz Transport Products. Keith is his generations able
representative of the oldest family in truck sleeper manufacturing. Keith and his
people know how to build and stand behind a nice sleeper.
Kenworth's T300 is a truck that uses many of the
same parts as the legendary truck manufacturing companies T600 or T800, this is true
particularly in the cab structure and front axle assemblies. The result is a proven,
premium class 8 chassis doing a class 7 job.
Drivetrain; Cummins, ISC 310HP - The
match-up of today's midrange diesel engine choices goes to Cummins, it is the standard of
the premium quality HDX configuration. Plan on ten to fourteen miles per gallon,
where you will fall depends on speed, weight the terrain and you. The engine loafs
in this application. One area of irritation: engine l filter placement in KW chassis. 
Eaton/Fuller Class 8, 10speed transmission and
rear axle with a 5 year 750,000 mile parts and labor warranty. That is a long
warranty. The transmission is about the easiest to shift manual transmission around.
An AutoShift by Fuller and an Allison Automatic is an available option but
cost are likely to run 10% higher than stock units.
Within a year or two, watch for a ZF Merritor,
like driving a car!(No, it is not available today in the T300. KW will engineer this
promising transmission into the class 8; T600, T800 and W900 before a class 7 medium duty
release)
"D" Class Expediter 22' Supreme Box with
full swing rear doors, e-track and luminescent roof panels. All can be important
features. Ken Marks of Supreme does this setup work, he has been around for a
long, long time and does a great job representing the Supreme Body Company. In 15
years I can't think of an issue he didn't help resolve in fairness and with
responsibility. Meanwhile, Supreme is a national company and a leader in its'
industry.
This truck is complete with a full load of well
thought out details to ease the life of the expediter ...the truck, the truck owner
and the truck driver. As of this update, these trucks run about $76,500 set up and
out the door. Usually it will take 10% down, OK credit, your CDL proof and
your work verification contacts. |
The
Super HDX Expediter trucks
Find EXPEDITER TRUCKS
|
 note;
If you are not currently working for a company using expeditor trucks please do your
research carefully. Team drivers and single operators have different success
percentages. Expediting has been an up and down industry this due largely to
economic swings the market segment served and historical expediter company hiring
practices.
It is to the expediter companies advantage
to have an abundance of trucks and drivers as this produces the best customer service in
terms of expediency (that's what they do, move stuff quick). With more trucks and
drivers the company can offer better service. Problems for owner drivers occur when
the expediter companies supply of trucks and drivers get ahead of their sales and
marketing efforts. This can lead to too few loads to haul or too few paid miles.
Expediting is a great way for a young team
to get started, if they are conscientious, success is nearly assured. With a team,
you might sit the same time as a single but get up to 5 times longer loads. The
numbers work. With most any company a team can gross well above 100K and be
able to sock away money toward other goals. You still need to do your research; make your
calls, prowl the truck stops... ask questions.
With the single expeditor owner op, it is
simply harder. Financial success depends more on the expeditor company you choose
and the markets it serves. How much value you add counts too, but plain and simple;
single op's need to be on their toes and juggle money and sometimes companies more
often. I suppose 90% of single owner op's can and do send a fair amount of
money home, pay for road expenses and make the truck payment. Be advised that
there are other areas of trucking and truck driving that the alert, single owner operator
has a lower risk of failure.
It is even more important for the single
unit expediter to ask many questions (if you are a team there is no doubt that many
questions will be asked - another demonstration of how two heads are better than
one?). In general the regional companies are better for the single op and the
national companies will give the team more variety and longer runs.
In any case you will want a good truck and
the HDX is that. Good luck!
Fort Wayne Truck Center
is the home of the HDX Kenworth Expediter
and other great new and used Kenworth trucks
SPECIALs!!! sorry gone...
all 3 used HDX's SOLD - in the last 3
months call Jeff, Mike, Lynn or Grant at Fort Wayne Truck Center for new or possibly
another used Kenworth HDX. The best of the Worlds Best!
800.234.7712
this is an example of the typical HDX
2000 HDX NICE!! |
