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I’ve been in my 2018 Freightliner Cascadia for almost 3 years. Soon I will be getting into a new truck, so I figured this would be a good time to give a review. So let’s start with the basics.
The Details
I drive a 2018 Freightliner Cascadia with the AeroX package. It is powered by the DD15 with 400 HP and 1750 lb./feet of torque. It is mated to the DT12 automated manual transmission, spinning 2.18 gears in the differential. It is a 6x2 configuration, running wide-base singles.
As of the writing of this, the lifetime fuel economy is 9.93 miles per gallon, with just over 390,00 miles on the odometer. I have tracked every mile driven and every gallon pumped into the fuel tanks since new. Nussbaum runs Freight All Kinds to all 48 contiguous states. In other words, whatever the customer loads I will haul to wherever they want it hauled.
The Review
The first thing that grabbed my attention, besides its awesome looks, was how quiet it is going down the road. The seals on the doors knock down wind and road noise surprisingly well. After being used to noise and occasionally feeling an unwanted rush of air on my arm, these well-fitted doors and windows are really appreciated. You can clearly hear the radio without turning it way up, and as a trainer, it is nice to actually have a conversation without raising your voice. Three years later, the truck is still as quiet as new.
The Drivers Lounge has made weekends much easier to tolerate. In fact, I am writing this in the lounge, as I sit here and watch TV. It is comfortable and easy to set up and tear down. 30 seconds and you are done. It has definitely made life easier. The downside is that you lose some storage space in the bunk. There is no under-bunk storage, except for what is available under the table when it is put down. You could store things under there, but it would not be secured.
The interior is still rattle free. No squeaks or creaks either. I did have an issue with the refrigerator door coming open once in a while, but a simple adjustment of the hinges stopped that.
The drivetrain has been reliable and trouble-free. No leaks, no breakdowns. The extended oil change interval has allowed me to spend more time driving, and less time at the shop waiting on an oil change. The DD15 has not used a drop of oil. The DT12 still shifts flawlessly and has really made heavy traffic situations much less stressful and easier on the left leg. I know AMT’s have detractors, I am not one of them.
I have had no emissions issues at all. I have not had to do a manual regen and passive regens have gone by unnoticed.
The ride is still smooth and the Cascadia still goes down the road straight. I have had no suspension issues at all.
In Summary
To summarize, this Cascadia has been great. The reliability has allowed me to stay on the road and earning money. It has had a few issues, but they were taken care of either by my shop or the vast Freightliner Dealer network. The fuel economy is outstanding, saving my company money. I look forward to getting into my new truck soon, but I will pass it on, knowing that the next driver will be getting into a great truck, that has been taken care of and will provide them many miles of reliable service.
When I get the new truck I will do a walk around of it and all it’s new technologies and options, but until then, I will drive this Cascadia proudly.