Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/58364
forth for the right gear to keep you rolling on down the highway. With 475 horsepower sitting under the hood, I'm not surprised to find the CT660 gets up and moving in a hurry — even with a full load in the dump behind us. The Cat CT diesel family consists of EGR-only engines. There is no diesel exhaust fluid tank or urea after-treatment in the exhaust system. Cat says this configura- tion simplifies life for both fleet owners and drivers while deliver- ing reduced smokestack emissions without compromising power or fuel economy — which is rated slightly above 6 mpg right out of the box for this truck. All told, the CT13 is exceedingly quiet out on the road with plenty of smooth, on-demand torque and power. It's an engine that has the raw power required to get a fully loaded dump out of a muddy rut but still cruise endlessly down a straight stretch of road without skipping a beat. A nice surprise on this rainy THE COMBINATION OF ENGINE POWER AND TIGHT STEERING HELD ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE HILL COUNTRY AS SHARP CURVES AND STEEP GRADES APPEARED OUT OF THE MIST IN FRONT OF US. Alabama day is the well-heeled handling characteristics this truck exhibits. Nothing highlights design defects in steering and handling like bombing down a rain-slicked interstate at 65 mph. But the CT660 was unusually sure-footed in the rain. Steering response to control inputs was intuitive and precise. The truck didn't wander all over the road, even when blasting through deep puddles of standing water. It's a nice shot of confidence that the truck is up to the task at hand when you're behind the wheel. As we transitioned off the highway and onto two-lane back roads, confidence levels remained high. The combination of engine power and tight steering held all the way up into the hill country as sharp curves and steep grades appeared out of the mist in front of us. Another interesting aside was that very few cars behind us felt the need to pass — as is so often the case when you're taking a big rig down a hilly, two-lane highway. Partly this was due to the poor weather condi- tions, but the CT13 accelerates so well no doubt some of those other drivers didn't feel we were holding them up all that much. Ultimately, based on my time behind the wheel of the CT660, I think you can ex- pect Caterpillar trucks to make their mark on the trucking industry in the months to come. My IntelliRoute® TND™ saves me time, which means I'm saving money. " I have always relied on mapping to help plan my routes. I started with laminated atlases and when truck-specific GPS devices were introduced, I was right on board. The Intelliroute® TND™ saves time by routing me efficiently, which in trucking amounts to saving money. My TND™ has paid for itself after just one month. Talk about a good return on investment!" Jimmy Nevarez Owner Operator and IntelliRoute® TND™ owner To read more trucker stories and tell your own, visit us at randmcnally.com/truckerstories IntelliRoute and Rand McNally are registered trademarks, and TND is a trademark of RM Acquisition, LLC d/b/a Rand McNally. © 2012 Rand McNally. U.S. Patent No. 7,580,791. Circle 305 on Reader Service Card or visit truckersnews.hotims.com TRUCK DATA APRIL 2012 | TRUCKERS NEWS | 31 TND TM