Freightliner is getting serious about the vocational truck market.
Dave Hames, general manager, marketing and strategy, admits that in the past Freightliner was primarily an on-highway company. While the company built a strong reputation in the vocational market with the FLD-SD product line, capacity was often hindered by on-highway production.
That has changed. “Freightliner is committed to vocational trucks,” says Hames. This was evident with the current product offering including the Business Class M2, recently introduced 114SD set-forward axle and Coronado SD.
Two new additions include the set-back axle versions. The 108SD features a 108-in. BBC with a 42-in. set-back axle position while the 114SD features a 114-in. BBC with a standard 31-in. front axle position and an optional 29.5-in. bridge formula configuration.
The 108SD is propelled by either the Cummins ISB or ISC engine, which provide 200 to 350 hp and 520 to 1,000 lb./ft. of torque. Axle ratings range from 10,000 to 20,000 lbs. for front axles. Single and tandem rear axle options range from 21,000 to 46,000 lbs.
The 114SD offers a choice of Detroit Diesel DD13, Cummins ISC or ISL. The DD13 offers a power range from 350 to 450 hp and 1,250 to 1,650 lb./ft. of torque. The Cummins options provide a power range from 260 to 380 hp and 660 to 1,300 lb. ft. of torque.
The new SD family incorporates a steel reinforced aluminum cab and unique chassis packaging with options such as front frame extensions and radiator-mounted grilles for body attachment applications. Front and rear power take-offs and body specific chassis layouts match the truck to the application. A complete offering of single and double channel frame rails feature a tensile strength of up to 120,000 psi and an RBM rating up to 4.4 million in.-lbs. per rail.
The 114SD and 108SD offer a shorter BBC, smaller engine offering and unique chassis packaging solutions. Combined with the Coronado SD, Freightliner now offers a complete solution for all vocational applications by BBC, engine displacement and axle capacity,
