Freightliner Trucks has unveiled a host of enhancements to its Classic and Classic XL truck models. The Class 8 vehicles feature a new chassis design that will usher in new benefits in ride, maneuverability and handling for the owner-operator trucks.

Mark Lampert, senior vice president of sales and marketing, said, "We've made major improvements in ride and handling while retaining the trucks' rugged, traditional looks."
Incorporating dual exhaust stacks and other elements of traditional styling, Freightliner's Classic and Classic XL truck models have become the favorite of many independent truckers and vocational operators. The Classic XL, a perennial choice of long-haul owner-operator truckers, features a long hood, 132-inch BBC (bumper-to-back-of-cab) measurement and a host of interior and exterior features. The Classic offers equivalent styling features in a 120-inch BBC configuration.
The new design provides for a smoother ride, quieter performance, enhanced maneuverability and a stronger frame. A new leaf-and-a-half taper-leaf front suspension with a lower dynamic rate helps to smooth out rough roads. The Freightliner AirLiner front air suspension is now available on the Classic XL, to join the rear AirLiner suspension that was already offered. In addition, the cab suspension now features larger rear air springs for improved ride. Day cabs feature an air-ride cab mount as standard equipment, giving these trucks an added level of comfort and support.
Freightliner engineers improved the exhaust system's sound damping capability and incorporated a quieter clutch linkage design. Front cab mounts dampen vibration, while the new rear cab air ride suspension and improved engine mounts provide levels of quiet and comfort uncommon in a traditional truck design.
The chevron-shaped engine mount, made of natural rubber, minimizes the transmission of engine vibration. The front cab isolator housing dampens vibration, for a smoother ride.
In addition to the chassis noise reduction measures, high-density sound-damping materials have been applied to the cab floor and firewall, for reduced interior noise.
"The Classic has always provided one of the best rides available in a traditional-style truck," Lampert said. "Now it's even better."
Most of the available axle configurations also offer improved maneuverability due to new, narrow high pressure steering gears, which give the tires more room to turn. Classic and Classic XL chassis are available with set-forward front axles in variety of wheelbases.
The new Classic XL chassis features higher strength steel frame rails rated at 120,000 pounds per square inch -- 10,000 PSI higher than on the original chassis. The steel rails have a yield strength that is about 9% higher than rails on the original chassis, for a stronger and even more durable frame. In addition, an aluminum front casts delivers weight savings.
The trucks are available with a choice of diesel engines from Detroit Diesel and Caterpillar. The trucks' chassis features larger radiators with increased cooling capacity for the new engine designs. Radiators with up to 1,400-square-inch frontal areas are available for optimum engine cooling.
The new Classic and Classic XL trucks can be specified with a wide variety of component and styling options. The trucks are available as DayCabs for vocational jobs or with sleeper units for long-haul applications. Operators can select from Freightliner's industry leading SleeperCabs, including top-of-the-line Raised Roof models.
"The new models put the latest chassis technological advances to work for owner-operator truckers," Lampert said.
Freightliner Trucks is a division of Freightliner LLC, headquartered in Portland, Ore. Freightliner Trucks produces and markets Class 3 through Class 8 trucks and is a company of DaimlerChrysler.
Visit the Freightliner Trucks web site at www.freightlinertrucks.com.