Fredliner FL-70: classic American van

Fredliner FL-70 is also involved in field work, for transporting boards, hay and agricultural implements.

Truck tractors brought worldwide fame to the American company Freightliner. Heavy-duty vehicles that have become real stars of night highways are the company’s calling card. The cars received recognition and love from drivers for their skillful combination of luxurious style and interior with comfort and high power. However, besides the “heavyweights,” Freightliner has other trump cards, including the Freightliner FL-70.

Just look at compact cargo vans for every day, which have taken root in cities and small towns. Freightliner FL-70, a vehicle classified in the “7th class” in terms of tonnage, continues the traditions of the FL-60 model and is only one step below the usual “bonnet” models. At the same time, the car is ready to work in any conditions. Versatility and power are the main features of Fredliner vehicles.

Technical characteristics of FL-70

The car became a follower of the FL-60 model, located in the “6th class”, having received a minimal set of changes. The total weight of the car has increased to 12-16 tons. The power and strength of the frame structure have increased. The vehicle involves mounting lifting mechanisms, containers, tanks and other equipment on the chassis.

In addition to box vans, cargo chassis and refrigerators, and even buses, the Fredliner FL-70 can also be used as a classic truck-type tractor, that is, for long-distance cargo transportation. It is unlikely to be able to compete with the Fredliner Columbia, but the car is quite suitable for simple trips. The engines of the 70s are Caterpillar and Cummins, but of low power.

All engines are diesel and are very demanding on fuel. Because of this, problems with fuel filters are common. This is especially true for domestic Fredliner owners. The quality of fuel in Russian open spaces can be quite questionable. One of the power unit models, Caterpillar 3126 is equipped with the following characteristics:

• Effective power - 230 hp. at 2500 rpm;
• Turbocharging with intermediate liquid cooling;
• Working volume - 7.24 liters;
• Six cylinders with an in-line arrangement and a 4-stroke cycle.

The Fredliner FL-70 can often be seen as a special transport.

The car is equipped with several types of suspension. There are options with Leaf spring suspension. No less popular is the air suspension with Air Ride air cylinders, which has proven itself well. The wheelbase of the car is 4x2, without additional modifications and with partial drive.

The transmission is manufactured by the American company Alisson, which specializes in automatic transmissions and hybrid systems. Fredliners of this series have both manual and six-speed automatic transmissions. The car's equipment is simple, with few frills both inside and out. But, thanks to the machine being assembled to order, several important systems can be optionally included.

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So, you can install “anti-lock” ABS on your car, cruise control - everything that allows you to improve the car’s handling. Heated mirrors, seats with air shock absorbers, power steering and a radio can also be included in the package. In most cases, cars come to Russia with mileage and, as a rule, with already installed equipment. Often, as a bonus for a used car, you can get a powerful stove or refrigerator.

Special vehicles are produced based on the Fredliner FL-70 chassis. Fire and medical vehicles, emergency vehicles. Vans are converted to transport animals and special equipment. Often cars are converted into motorhomes and tuned. All this is possible thanks to the simple, high-quality and versatile design of the FL-70.

Freightliner tractors. Models and their technical features

November 4, 2015

Freightliner is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks and tractors in the United States. Currently it is owned by the Daimler-Chrysler concern and produces trucks under the Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star brands. They are sold in many countries around the world. Since 2004, the company began official sales in Russia, and these large, comfortable cars can be found today more and more often in domestic spaces.

Freightliner plants annually assemble more than one hundred thousand trucks of various models, as well as a significant number of specialized machines and equipment. But the core of the Freightliner model line is long-haul trucks and tractors with tonnage from 4 to 41 tons. The company's production covers 6 classes at once - from 2 to 8. At the same time, the most prestigious trucks of class 8 are tractors that make up about 30% of Freightliner's total production. It is thanks to this massive scale that American long-haul freight transportation is primarily characterized by the power, carrying capacity and comfort of Freightliner trucks.

At the moment, the company produces dozens of models and modifications of cars, many of which are small-scale. But there are trucks that stand out even among Fredliners, being true legends of the American heavy auto industry.

Freightliner Columbia

Freightliner Columbia tractors are an American classic, that is, a reliable, large, comfortable tractor that is capable of plowing roads in all directions for many years. The model has an aerodynamically adjusted cabin, due to which it is quite economical.

The Freightliner Columbia train is produced with seven types of cabins, including options with a sleeping bag (SleeperCab) and without it (Day Cab). Regardless of the type, the model’s cabin provides a comfortable driver’s seat, which is achieved through a good climate control system, high-quality sound insulation and excellent visibility in all directions. An interesting feature of cabins with a berth is that you can exit the sleeping bag through a separate door, which is especially convenient when a crew of two people sets off on the road.

Freightliner Columbia is an excellent, powerful and unpretentious tractor that can haul up to 30 tons of cargo.

Freightliner Century

Freightliner Century is a truck tractor for long-haul cargo transportation. This is a high-tech model that is characterized by increased safety for the driver, as well as excellent performance.

The Freightliner Century was developed with the goal of simplifying maintenance and achieving a long operating life. The original features of the model were a self-adjusting clutch system, as well as an aerodynamic hood, which provides good fuel economy.

The Freightliner Century truck tractor was one of the first American trucks to truly use durable and lightweight composite materials on a large scale. This made it possible to minimize the weight of the vehicle itself and increase its payload, reaching 34,900 kg.

Since this is a Freightliner and just an American truck, the driver's workplace and the cabin as a whole are very comfortable. The interior is spacious, quiet, and is not disturbed by any street noise or engine roar. To increase comfort, an exclusive system was also introduced that dampens cabin vibrations while driving.

Freightliner Argosy

The Freightliner Argosy is one of the manufacturer's few cabover models, as American drivers are notoriously disliked. However, this car is so good that it has taken root even in the USA, not to mention Europe.

The Freightliner Argosy model was created for the transportation of long cargo. The vehicle received a front wheel steering angle of up to 50 degrees and a well-thought-out length, making the truck very maneuverable. At the same time, thanks to the low profile and wide drive axles (their width is 2,590 mm), the car behaves steadily in turns and is generally predictable on the road.

Thanks to the abandonment of the hood design, the Freightliner Argosy cabin was made spacious and comfortable even from the American point of view. It should be noted that in terms of comfort, Argosy is one of the best Freightliner models.

Freightliner Classic XL

The Freightliner Classic XL tractor unit is one of the most famous trucks in the world. Its silhouette is recognizable from dozens of films and commercials, and its advantages can be seen at the very first glance.

The Freightliner Classic XL is one of the world's longest tractors, measuring 3.33 meters from bumper to rear wall. In general, the cabin of the model is large and spacious, perfectly equipped with everything necessary for a long journey. The sleeping compartment is separated from the driver's seat by a partition, so that while one crew member is driving, the second can get a complete rest. The exterior of the car is a mass of chrome, huge gas tanks, high exhaust pipes and other features that are classic for American truck tractors.

The model is powerful and fast due to the fact that it is equipped with a serious fourteen-liter engine that develops up to 608 horsepower. The Freightliner Classic XL is truly a king on any road!

Freightliner Coronado

The Freightliner Coronado is a truck tractor you can't resist. The machine turned out to be powerful, economical, reliable, comfortable and high-tech, equipped with modern intelligent monitoring and control systems.

Design-wise, it's a classic Freightliner with lots of chrome detailing, a long nose and huge exposed fuel tanks. The cabin cannot be called anything other than luxurious and spacious - it is designed so that the driver gets maximum pleasure both from driving and from relaxing in the sleeping compartment. The model is equipped with a new “Driver Message Center”. This is an intelligent system that reports downtime, current fuel volume, all faults and many other things. Such an on-board computer makes tasks more accurate and driving as safe as possible, since it promptly reports any, even minor, problems.

In addition, the model turned out to be powerful thanks to the use of a 625 hp engine, and maneuverable due to the fact that the steering angle of the front wheels reaches 50 degrees. Freightliner M2

The Freightliner M2 is a medium-duty truck that is available with or without a main cab equipped with a sleeper bag, designed for urban and suburban distribution. Freightliner M2 is one of the few models from the manufacturer that has a hybrid version - the M2e Hybrid.

The car is equipped with Cummins ISC or ISB engines, powerful but at the same time quite economical. In addition to the standard truck, the Freightliner M2 is available as a tractor unit with a payload capacity of up to 30 tons. Such vehicles are especially popular in Alaska because they are well suited for use in harsh climatic conditions.

Freightliner FL

Freightliner FL is one of the most popular models from this automaker, which has received many modifications. At the moment, 6 main series of FL trucks with a weight of 8.2-23.6 tons are produced. Different modifications are equipped with different engines. The most common are power units from Cummins, Caterpillar and Detroit Diesel. Engine power varies from 161 to 332 hp.

It should be noted that Freightliner FL trucks in all variations are especially in demand in transport companies involved in the delivery of universal cargo, since these medium-sized and powerful vehicles are optimally suited for solving diverse tasks.

Freightliner Cascadia

Freightliner Cascadia is one of the most modern truck tractors from the manufacturer, designed on an entirely new platform. The model is aimed primarily at the American market, therefore it is large, comfortable, spacious and not the most economical by European standards due to the 455 horsepower engine. But still, the consumption is not critically high, because the car has a modern lightweight composite cabin with good aerodynamics, and is also equipped with a number of control systems that force the engine to always work in optimal mode.

The cabin turned out to be really spacious. The meter-wide bed, a large number of compartments and shelves for storing various things make long trips quite comfortable. Noise insulation, a system for neutralizing vibrations in the cabin, powerful air conditioning, an electronic driver assistant - everything here is optimized to ensure that the truck driver gets as tired as possible on the road.

Overall, the Freightliner Cascadia is a new, modern truck tractor that still retains the classic American features of the Freightliner family of trucks, each of which is an American driver's dream!

These are just some of the models currently produced under the Freightliner brand. The company is widely represented on the market of special vehicles, including delivery and firefighting vehicles. The main models are the founders of fairly large families, differing in the installed engine, the presence of a berth, layout and capabilities. But one thing can be said about any vehicle with the Freightliner badge on the hood - they are the big, comfortable, reliable and very safe vehicles that truck drivers around the world dream of.

Key Features of Freightliner Trucks

Owner reviews about Fredliner

Alexander, Kirov

I bought a Freightliner FL-70 two years ago, mileage 650 thousand km, year of manufacture 2004. I was looking for a compact van, before that I drove a Europa - Renault Manager, MAN. I was looking for a reliable and compact truck. Fred "70" has a tonnage of 16 tons according to PTS - what I need. At the same time, the quality of Fredliners is much higher than their European counterparts. Before buying a decent car, I had to travel around the cities, because the market is wild - they are trying to sell wrecked cars with cosmetic repairs. In the end, I came across this one almost by accident, following a tip from a good friend. The car was immediately taken for diagnostics and then registered. I got a capricious CAT engine with a 10-speed manual transmission. My consumption on it is 35-45 liters, depending on the load and travel mode. They often write about 50 liters of consumption - this never happened: if you drive wisely, it won’t happen. The car comes with air conditioning, cruise control, reinforced springs on the suspension, ABS, heating and electric windows. Before the sale, the guys changed all the tires and pipes - in general, they prepared it well. It took me a long time to get used to European cars; it was not easy to understand the Fredliner. Don’t believe it if anyone says that you can figure it out in half an hour. It's also difficult to get used to the large cabin. The car is noisy in places; at first it is not clear where it will creak and make noise. You need to be more careful with fuel filters and refuel at proven places. The car is one of those that will not let you down on the road, while being high-torque and stable. The ascent goes well, and in winter it doesn’t get particularly cold. I'm happy because I found what I was looking for.

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