Freightliner Heavy Duty Trucks: A Comprehensive Overview

Freightliner Heavy Duty Trucks have been a trusted name in the industry for decades, with a long history dating back to the 1940s. They've built a reputation for reliability and durability.

The first Freightliner truck was introduced in 1942, and since then, the company has continued to innovate and improve its designs. Freightliner's early success was largely due to its focus on building high-quality, rugged trucks that could withstand the demands of heavy-duty hauling.

Freightliner's commitment to innovation has led to the development of some of the most advanced heavy-duty trucks on the market, including the Cascadia, which features a range of cutting-edge technologies designed to improve safety, efficiency, and driver comfort.

The Freightliner Cascadia is the best-selling Class 8 truck on the road, available with a variety of options and cab configurations, including Detroit DD13 or DD15 engines or Cummins offerings. The Cascadia features world-class design and advanced aerodynamics, making it a leader in fuel efficiency.

Freightliner offers a range of severe-duty trucks, including the 108SD, 114SD, and 122SD models, which were introduced in 2012 and replaced the Coronado SD model in 2016. These trucks are built for the class 7 & 8 markets and feature big bore engines such as the Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15 & DD16, and Cummins ISX15 and later X15.

The Freightliner FLD series, which started in 1987, includes models such as the FLD112 and FLD120, which were class 8 trucks with aerodynamic designs. The FLD112 featured smaller engines, while the FLD120 had larger engines from Detroit and Cummins. The FLD120 was discontinued in 2010, but the FLD Classic, which was introduced in 1991, continued to be produced until 2003.

Here's a list of some of the key Freightliner models:

The Freightliner Cascadia is a top-selling Class 8 truck that's been leading the way since 2001. It's available in various configurations, including day cabs and sleepers ranging from 48″ to 72″.

One of the notable features of the Cascadia is its fuel efficiency. It features world-class design and advanced aerodynamics, making it a leader in this area. The Cascadia is also available with a variety of options and cab configurations, including Detroit DD13 and DD15 engines or Cummins offerings.

The Cascadia has undergone several revisions over the years, with the most recent being the 2018 model year update. This update included new chassis fairings, longer cab extenders, and a more dominant grill. Inside the vehicle, the truck was upgraded with LED lights, a collapsible table and seats, and a telescopic ladder to the top bunk.

Here are some key features of the Freightliner Cascadia:

The Cascadia also has an all-electric option, the eCascadia, which was introduced in 2020 and opened for orders starting with the 2022 model year.

The SD Series is a lineup of Freightliner trucks designed for severe duty.

The 108SD and 114SD were first introduced in the 2012 model year, offering a 108″ and 114″ bumper to back-of-cab, respectively.

These trucks were built to fill the gap left by Sterling Trucks, which Freightliner had owned and closed.

The 114SD was designed to provide more space and flexibility for customers.

The Freightliner 122SD replaced the Coronado SD in the 2016 model year.

It featured big bore engines like the Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15, and DD16, as well as the Cummins ISX15 and later X15.

Customers could order Cummins medium-duty engines, such as the ISC or ISL, for more significant horsepower.

These trucks were meant for the class 7 & 8 markets.

They are still available as of the date of this post.

The Freightliner FL-Series is a range of medium-duty trucks that were offered by Freightliner from 1991 to 2002. They were designed to be versatile, with the same cab shared across different models.

The FL-Series included the FL50, FL60, FL70, and FL80 models, each with its own specific classification and capabilities. The FL50 was primarily a class 5 truck, but could be built up to a class 6. The FL60 was a class 6 truck that could be built up to a class 7, while the FL70 was designed as a class 7 truck that could be ordered as a class 6 or 8. The FL80, on the other hand, was a "baby" class 8 truck that could also be built as a class 7.

Here's a breakdown of the FL-Series models:

The FL-Series was eventually replaced by the Freightliner M2, which offered improved capabilities and features.

The Freightliner Columbia was a popular truck of its time, first being available to customers in the model year 2001.

It was last manufactured for the model year 2011, marking the end of its production run.

The Columbia was one of its era’s most popular fleet trucks, priced accordingly.

It was the low-end spectrum for trucks that fleets could purchase at the lowest price point in most cases.

The truck released during the era when you could get a CAT, Cummins, or Detroit engine installed, so you’ll see many different configurations driving around.

The truck had a variety of day cab and sleeper configurations available.

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The Freightliner Coronado was a popular model that debuted with the model year 2003 and ended with the model year 2016. It was designed for the upper end of the owner-operators, featuring a unique air intake mounted on the side of the hood.

The Coronado had a well-designed hood, fender, and headlight assemblies that gave it a distinctive look. It was available in both sleeper and day cab setups.

Here are some key specs of the Freightliner Coronado:

The Coronado was eventually replaced by the Freightliner Cascadia in 2016.

The Freightliner FL106 was a regional/city type truck released in 1991, using the same cab and hood as other FL-Series trucks of the time.

It came in various configurations, including as a tractor or a truck without a 5th wheel, making it a versatile option for its users.

The FL106 typically featured smaller engines, such as the Detroit Diesel Series 50, which was an 8.5L engine.

Late models starting from the early 2000s included the Caterpillar C10 & C12 and the MBE4000 engine, marking a significant upgrade.

The truck was last manufactured for the model year 2004, and it was essentially a small step up from the FL80.

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The FLD Series was introduced in 1987, featuring the FLD112 and FLD120 models with 112″ and 120″ bumper-to-back cab configurations, respectively. These were class 8 trucks with aerodynamic designs.

The FLD112 had smaller engines like the Cummins M11 and Caterpillar C10 and C12, while the FLD120 had larger engines from Detroit (Series 60) and Cummins (N14). The FLD120 had a longer lifespan, stopping after the model year 2010.

The FLD Classic was released in 1991, using the same cab as the FLD112 and FLD120 but with a new hood and air cleaners design. This gave it a more owner-operator-friendly look.

Here are the key specs of the FLD Series:

The FLD Series was a significant step in Freightliner's push into aerodynamic long-haul trucks.

The Freightliner M2 Series is a line of medium-duty trucks that replaced the old FL-Series Business Class in 2003. It became the best-selling medium-duty truck in its class, and for good reason.

The M2 Series is available in various configurations, including class 5 through 8, with options ranging from a 106-inch bumper-to-back cab setup to a 154-inch setup with a crew cab configuration. The M2 Series is also available as an electric model, called the eM2.

One of the notable features of the M2 Series is its technology, which includes a chassis ECU and multiplex wiring. This allows bodybuilders and installers to customize features and improve repair and diagnostic time.

The Freightliner M2 Series is a popular choice among truck owners due to its versatility and customization options. It's available in various configurations, including a 106-inch bumper-to-back cab setup, a 112-inch setup, and a 154-inch setup with a crew cab configuration.