Buying a 2003 Freightliner

[JCM]

I am considering buying a 2003 Triple E Empress on a Freightliner raised rail chassis with a 330 Cat. It has the optional independent front suspension. Is there anything that any of you can recommend that I check over ist. Thanks.

[JCM]

I am considering buying a 2003 Triple E Empress on a Freightliner raised rail chassis with a 330 Cat. It has the optional independent front suspension. Is there anything that any of you can recommend that I check over ist. Thanks.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I can't think of any special about that one. Just try to get maintenance records, or at least the current maintenance status. If you don't know what has been done on it in the last 3 years, you are facing a substantial bill for a complete M3 maintenance so that you have a known starting point for future maintenance. You can pull a copy of the M1/M2/M3 maintenance schedule from the Freightliner Custom Chassis web site. Figure close to $1500 for a complete M3, which will include transmission and coolant changes as well as engine oil and all new filters throughout.

Don't forget that the generator will probably need maintenance as well - oil change and oil, fuel and air filters. Probably should have a coolant change too if there is no indication it has ever had one.

[JCM]

Thanks for the response. I was thinking of doing all that. I was also looking for any chronic mechanical problems to look out for.
Thanks for your advice.

[Bikeboy57]

I had a previous coach with that chassis. The only issue I had with the chassis was wandering steering. The front end REALLY likes to be towed in at 2/32. If the alignment is set at neutral, mine was a handful.

Koni FSD shocks improved the ride.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Bike boy57,
Was that chassis a solid front axle? I've never heard of a Freightliner with an IFS wandering.

[JCM]

That is what I have heard - is that the IFS wanders and needs a trip to Hendersons and the bank.

[Bikeboy57]

Sorry for the late reply. It definitely was an IFS. It was not a solid front axle. There is no doubt that the toe in was the culprit to the wandering.

To JCM, before I figured out the toe in issue I put a supersteer on it, which is a complex operation for an IFS. This setup is no longer in the Henderson catalog. The supersteer did NOTHING for the wandering. Adjusting the toe to 2/32 made it extremely stable. I removed the supersteer. It was a one handed driver after fixing the toe in problem.

This was a long and expensive lesson if suspension systems for me. Remember, as I stated in the first post. The original alignment was in spec. I fiddled with steering gear box adjustments, rear track bar adjustments, added the super steer system, and had it aligned three times. I finally got hold of some old mechanic info that said increase the toe in. I set it myself in the driveway. It was MAGIC.

[JCM]

Thanks for the feedback. I will put that in my notes in case I buy it.

[Canuck]

Hi JCM,
That Empress is a very nice unit. Did you ever buy it? You may want to check a couple of things. Specifically, the drive shaft yoke and the pinion seal on the rear end. You may also want to check the cab heater located on the front firewall. They sometimes leak, ever so slowly at first.
Canuck