NEW RIDE !!! - Montana Owners Club

carlson · 02-24-2008, 03:37 PM

Well we did it.
After looking at all the options for a tow vehicle and each year we go from NH to Yuma AZ.
Being full time.
We bought a new 2007 Frieghtliner M2 106, crew cab, air ride suspension, air ride cab and air ride seats.
What a ride
The body is built by Mountian Master in Pheonix, AZ
The rig has a GCVW of 33,000 lbs and the truck weighs 13,260 with a full load of fuel (120 gallons of fuel)
The back body has two large compartments, 54 x 24 x 24, large rear storage area.
We are geting around 18 mpg around town, have not towed yet.

D and M On The Road · 02-24-2008, 04:35 PM

...WOW.

That IS some ride.

richfaa · 02-25-2008, 03:42 AM

Are you sure that is enough truck???? Good thinking, good choice.

H. John Kohl · 02-25-2008, 03:50 AM

The Grand Teton (40') next to us pulled in by a Freightliner with a Honda behind the Teton. Yes he was definitely over 75' long.
That size is my dream truck.
Cheers,

exav8tr · 02-25-2008, 04:19 AM

carlson, what are the engine specs on that heavy hauler you got? I have seen many of these around and have always been curious as to the HP and Torque of the engines, certainly they are big enough....

carlson · 02-25-2008, 09:21 AM

Phil,
We had many options on the power plant.
What we did was to look at our driving style, that it would be our full time transport for 6 months a year (AZ).
When we haul, I am a 63 to 65 mph driver and I don't want to go over the mountians at 65 mph, I want good mpg around town when not hauling, but good power going down the road.
We went with the Mercedies Benz MBE900, 250 hp 700 lbs of tourque, the Mercedies Benz 6 speed transmisson, rear end ratio 4:33 with 22.5 inch tires.
The neat thing on the transmission control, is that it is a paddle. You slide the end for R, N, & D, can operate in manual or automatic. In automatic pull the paddle up and increase a gear or down the paddle and downshift.
When hauling and get into a grade and keep the rpm in the power curve when it hit 1800 rpm, it won't shift till 1500, so at 1800 rpm, push the paddle down and it will downshift
We are getting about 19 mpg around town.
When going down the road at 45 mph in 6th we are only turning 1100 rpm, a friend of mine that is a Master Mechanic says the reports on the engine is that it loves to run at low rpm and lugging.
It is a joy to driveand ride in.

D and M On The Road · 02-25-2008, 06:01 PM

Carlson... here ya go. I think this is it:

(Carlson asked for help in posting a pix of his new ride in this thread.)

carlson · 02-25-2008, 07:06 PM

Doug & Margee
Thanks for putting the picture of my NEW RIDE on the site for me.
Someday I will figure out how to do it.
Road trip from Yuma to Pheonix on Wednesday, our center console is in at Mountian Masters and I have to stop by Frieghtliner to have a Utility Switch activated for the rear and side spot lights and have a door light switch replaced
Thanks again
E. Sven

PartyCrashers · 02-25-2008, 07:18 PM

Carlson-
Wait! You are getting 18 mpg. in that ride!?....You are getting better mileage then we get in our pickup.

Maybe I need to tell the husband, it's time to trade in.

LOL! Can you see me at the grocery store with that rig...LOL!

Nice set up you have!

quarrles · 02-26-2008, 02:30 AM

Carlson CONGRATS!! what a neat ride, to say we are envious would be an understatement. Good for you. Enjoy in good health.

John & Val

D and M On The Road · 02-26-2008, 03:53 AM

Well PartyCrashers..... if there isn't a parking spot open at the grocery store, you certainly could create one. That thing is like a bulldozer! But pretty neat. I'd love to drive one.

Delaine and Lindy · 02-26-2008, 04:24 AM

Carlson, Great Truck we know the people at Mountain Master, Jerry and his son. They build two Generators for us. We also look at those Trucks when we went to Az to pick up our second Generator. I think you will get good service out of the Freightliner. And you for sure have a real MDT not a pick-up. Good Luck... GBY.....

fulltimedreamer · 02-26-2008, 05:40 AM

Carlson,

Great tow vehicle!! I would love to drive one of these. Congratulations and enjoy.

DarMar · 02-26-2008, 07:00 AM

Oh my, what a nice tow vehicle and I certainly admire that fuel economy. May you enjoy it to the fullest for many years to come!

sreigle · 02-26-2008, 07:13 AM

Congratulations, Carlson! That's excellent mileage, too. Must be a very nice view from way up there, huh?

steves · 02-26-2008, 08:17 AM

WOW! That's an awesome truck. Good luck with it and I hope it gives you many years of service!

ronstan · 02-26-2008, 08:40 AM

Nice ride. That should pull your trailer like it wasn't even there. Does that have air brakes. I would think it does. Have safe travels

skypilot · 02-26-2008, 08:49 AM

Not sure if Carlson's has airbrakes but I did have the opportunity to test drive an M2 Sportschassis while in Albuquerque last fall. Had hydraulic disk brakes all 4 sides; air was an option (actually hydraulics was the option but it was listed on the window sticker as the other way around....). Wonderful vehicle but as said above -- it is a true MDT and rides rough without the trailer added. Of course we didn't do a lot of air pressure changes on the suspension or seats -- wanted the wife to ride in it first and she said we had other uses for our $$$$ at that point (FCOL) (opposite of LOL)...

Carlson -- congrats and may the sun always be shining on your travels in that beauty...

carlson · 02-26-2008, 09:08 AM

I will go back and answer the questions.
It is a great ride.
We take it everywhere we go, Home Depot, Lowe's Walmart, Albertson, Burger King (can't user the drive-up)
Great for shopping, under the back, there are two compartments that are 54"L x 24"W x 24" high.
It has air brakes, with air bag suspension, air ride cab and air ride seats.
We where looking at a new pick-up Ford, Chevy etc. and I looked at engines, rear end ratio's, fuel ecomoney and cost per month to trade.
Well I was looking at about $700 per month.
Well we stepped into the Frieghtliner for $700per month, but just out 12 years.
I look at what I paid for my 05 and what it worth now, a lost of about $12,000 per year.
I look at what I paid for the Frieghtliner and what a 7 year old Frieghtliner is going for, the loss per year is allot less by a mile.
The insurance with full replacment at $115,000 is under $100.00 more than I was paying for my 05 Chevy.
As my good friend Stew of Stew and Louis Potvin says, HERE FOR A GOOD TIME NOT A LONG TIME!!!

Tiffensdad · 02-26-2008, 12:22 PM

Carlson
What a grand ride.

I am jealous..of it and the milage. Sadly I will not ever have one. DW is doubious about driving the Dodge 3500, telling her she would have to use one of these to go to the store would be the end of my happy lifestyle.
Enjoy it, hope you have thousands of happy safe miles...

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