I agree, but most of the owners of these trucks change the wheel to a wood and billet wheel, I guess thats why

No doubt the Pete is a nice truck. Around here, they're quite a bit more expensive. I've never been able to justify the cost difference.

All my FL's have air brakes- not a big issue. I wouldn't imagine the discs would present an issue to an occasional user- the service intervals are shorter on the discs but not as costly either. Discs don't decrease stopping distance but they're much less grabby when unloaded. They also are alot quieter. Just another tradeoff.

I've never had issue with FL service. They're not small-engine gurus but on the chassis, I've never had a situation where I couldn't get a part or repair anywhere in the Midwest 24/7. They also have a service-point partnership with a national network of truckstops- I've used them before and it's come in handy.

As far as the "Bayliner" comparison, that's probably not too accurate. Everything on mt FL's or Int'l's is the same as your Pete, except the body. Axles, driveline, frames, all the braking & running gear, seats, etc. come from the same sources. They mold a hood, stamp some body panels, rig a wiring harness and put it together. Is the Pete a bit more luxurious? Probably. Is the difference dramatic? Not really.

Congats! I just drove 700 miles yesterday pulling the MTI and it was a pleasure! As much of a pleasure as a 700 mile drive can be. Watched Direct TV, browsed OSO and watched a movie (when I wasn't driving).

The main difference is Pete/KW is a baby brother of our class 8 spec. It is a truck with lots of better engineering, materials and placement of items. Just look at the electrical lines rubbing the frame on a Freightliner. Or look at the swiss cheese frame which is punched 1 to fit all.

Freightliner sport is a big brother of a dually pickup truck. Has nothing in common with their class 8 except the nameplate.

For the small amount of recreational use, the Freightliner will perform well as noted above. Just don't get more than 50,000 miles on them, they don't call them Freight-Shakers for nothing.

as for the same parts I agree with the freightliner as for an IHC I stopped buying them when I needed oem parts to fix it. Everyone else shares parts. as for the bayliner comment that was just a joke. In los angeles the freightliner dealer is real bad for service. I will never buy another commercial freightliner again. As a sportchassis I like the way they drive. I just think the pete is put together better.

the truck with a new paint job that I picked up two days ago

Saweet

I returned home with the truck yesterday afternoon and after driving 430+ miles with it, I will say that I am now very impressed. I really like it.

I guess my problem was that I droev my friend's in a crappy part of Phoenix, and on the highway and around my area, the truck rides very smooth, almost like my dually now.

Great choice and thanks to everyone here for all of the comments helping me decide what to do. I really appreciate the help.

Pics?

Is Frtl still using the all white wiring with the little numbers printed on them. In the NE it is really a challenge and mechanics would rather have the color coded. Once the white wiring gets some time on it and gets some dirt it is tough to work with. Is anybody looking at GCWR's which rates the max combined rating of the chassis with trailers, cargos people etc? Gives you an idea as to the driveline capacity to do work and the braking.