Ask a Feeder Driver, Feeder Driver FAQ

[Johney]

I heard the exact same story except it was about International refusing to switch back to leaf springs.

I still miss my 268 International.

I drove a 269 series and those things rode like crap. Great power just a back breaker even with the air seat.

 

[Cementups]

I jumped on a 1am run recently before bidding back to 7am after 2 weeks. The run was sweet, sleeping when the sun was up was not.

I can sleep whatever the suns position in the sky is so that was never my problem.

 

[Covemastah]

Happy Mother's Day to all you guys who drive an automatic!!

 

[robot]

I heard the exact same story except it was about International refusing to switch back to leaf springs.

I still miss my 268 International.

Those internationals were ass beaters. They pulled like champs though. And they turned like a shifter

 

[ManInBrown]

We have plenty of new Mack’s here. IMO they are the most uncomfortable tractor to drive. I don’t find the ride or the seat comfortable. They are also the most reliable unlike KW’s and Freightliners.

 

[ManInBrown]

Those internationals were ass beaters. They pulled like champs though. And they turned like a shifter

I love those old flat nose internationals. When I came to feeders we had a few left. Never minded driving them. I’d take that over a Sterling every day. The only thing that sucked was the suspension. Every bump you broke your back. Shifted like a dream, smooth as butter. Turned on a dime.

 

[qdg2]

And now you know why Sleepers are white........dime a dozen. Shield and voila!

The issue with Mack started years ago. And UPS does not forget. One of the reasons they started ordering Kenworths and Freightliners. It used to be just Macks and Internationals. There were Fords (Sterlings), but only for a few years.

The deal with Mack was that UPS required springs, not air bags on the rear axle. It all boiled down to cost. The springs were cheaper to maintain than air bags.

Macks started coming standard with air bags. So Mack would have to build all their trucks for everyone else, and then at the end of that model year, would have to retool the assembly line to build the tractors for UPS with springs.

Mack finally got tired of doing this, and told UPS to take or leave it over the air bags.

I believe the 273 series Macks were the first ones we got with the air bags. But this was the start of negotiations with Kenworth and Freightliner. I heard there might be some Petes coming in also. They got away from Macks for a long time, but have started ordering some again.

Kenworth and Freightliner were very eager to get UPS's business....especially away from Mack.......pretty obvious. With some pretty steep discounts.

Mack had to "re-tool" for many other UPS requirements.

 

[robot]

I love those old flat nose internationals. When I came to feeders we had a few left. Never minded driving them. I’d take that over a Sterling every day. The only thing that sucked was the suspension. Every bump you broke your back. Shifted like a dream, smooth as butter. Turned on a dime.

The old snub noses? The ones where the shifter would get so loose there would be a foot gap between gears?

 

[pkgdriver]

Carol is planning on bringing these bad boys back.
Who’s station wagon is that?

 

[Thebrownblob]

Carol is planning on bringing these bad boys back.
Who’s station wagon is that?
View attachment 429048

That’s @MECH-II s

 

[pkgdriver]

That’s @MECH-II s

Tons of firewood capacity.

 

[MECH-II]

Tons of firewood capacity.

Bucked down a big boi this weekend

 

[govols019]

Carol is planning on bringing these bad boys back.
Who’s station wagon is that?
View attachment 429048

If you were involved in an accident in one of those at least you'd be the first one there.

 

[RUDoneYet]

View attachment 429049
Bucked down a big boi this weekend

@MECH-II Is that an empty Corona bottle? Glad to see you're staying hydrated

 

[Johney]

Carol is planning on bringing these bad boys back.
Who’s station wagon is that?
View attachment 429048

Clark Griswald’s?

 

[pkgdriver]

Clark Griswald’s?

 

[Johney]

View attachment 429062

Pretty close huh?

 

[pkgdriver]

Pretty close huh?

Yep… Does the simulated wood paneling burn?
@MECH-II

 

[Johney]

Yep… Does the simulated wood paneling burn?
@MECH-II

Lol! I’m pretty sure that was a sticker, don’t ask me how I know that.

 

[Covemastah]

I drove a 269 series and those things rode like crap. Great power just a back breaker even with the air seat.

Those internationals sent many ah good men to the chiropractor!!