Glider kit vs New truck

Well, it seemed to be the ideal time to do the glider thing. Used truck values are up this year and continuing to rise, so will not get raped on selling my current ride. I ordered a 2013 Columbia mid roof XT with factory rebuilt 500hp 12.7 Series 60, factory rebuilt Eaton 18 spd, (both with full new equipment warranties with extended warranty option), everything else brand new. The latest Meritor 14x axles with 11mm aluminum housing and DualTrac option, complete with lockers. Everything that could be spec'd out in the cab and sleeper. Alcoa durabrites and Michelins all the way around. Painted set back fuel tanks with step boxes under the cab. Dupont Viper Blue Pearl Elite with clear coat on body/tanks, Dupont Viper Red painted frame and undercarriage. Top of the line stereo with surround, iPod interface, USB ports, AUX jack, and AM/FM/Weather. Top line interior, wood grain throughout. Built in fridge. Arctic insulation package and premium noise abatement package. Final cost $111K. Couldn't even talk to FL or International regarding same specs for less than $150K at the bottom for a new emission truck.

It would take one heck of a lot of guaranteed high paying freight in/out of CA to cause me to consider an emissions truck. Not sure it would ever make it worth while.

 

No offense taken. It is what it is. Here's my thoughts: If the CA rates move up, it is because of the cost of grabbing those loads. Carriers doing Western lanes will gear up to comply and pass that cost to their customers. I'll remain competitive outside that market when the high dollar, newer hardware rolls East. Might even pick my rates up a bit and leave me more profit opportunity. At the moment the "golden goose" of CA reefer cargo is too expensive and too much of a hassle for my operation to chase after. Certainly not the case for everyone. Same thing could be said about states North and East of PA/NJ. By the time I pay for NY weight/distance, sorry reload market, and my EZpasses, it's just not worth it. For me, for now.

 

Not that I have a dog in this fight...

But, it seems that the pricing of Fitzgerald's and the other players completed gliders, is comparable to new model pricing at this point. If the only advantage is the lack of EGR on the spec'd motor, and the lack of FET (which shocks me that the greedy-az$ feds haven't closed that loophole) - then I just don't see the advantage - for the limited number of body styles available.

If I had an older truck, with a solid drive-train, that I wanted to "freshen up" with a new frame/body - that would be one thing - but for the $120K+ they're getting for new gliders - I'm still better off "investing" in updated/compliant equipment.

OTOH - if Volvo was making 780 gliders available - it might get me thinking in that direction.

But again - it brings me into the area of - what if - I happen to WANT to run in California (of for that matter, my travels happen to take me THROUGH Cali). I'm not a tree-hugger, and I'm really not going to argue about the "fairness" of CARB regs. Fair or not, they're a REALITY that people in this industry are forced to deal with. Instead of going for that "once a year exemption" for one run - or taking my chances by running out-of-compliance (and hoping not to get caught), I'd prefer to "position" my business to be able to run where/when the rates dictate me to run. Though like Red - I'd prefer to stay out of the expensive/cheap-rate NE.

Rick

 

For a additional $16,000 they #### well better be just shy of taking flight.

 

That $16,000 will seem like a deal when the bone stock truck is in the shop every few weeks.

 

I was thinking glider but me doing the work. Wonder if I could get one with throttle linkage???

 

so.....you don't see the advantage of having a totally new truck (with a reman transmission/engine) WITHOUT all the problematic emissions junk?

I think you would find more people who believe the world is flat than would actually buy a Volvo glider! It amazes me the people that will put up with a POS truck to be able to run ONE state. Better make a lot of money there to make the headaches worth it.

Les, it's 2012. :smt064

 

Rick, there is a certain percentage of value in a glider compared to brand new. If the glider is more than 80% the cost of similar New trucks it is not exempt from federal excise tax. Or something like thcowpie can probably explain it better.. From the looks of price increase on Pete gliders being so close to new factory Pete looks like no-one buying a 389 is getting the excise tax exemption .

 

I don't think he understands that most people are building them to avoid the junk motors. The cost is secondary, I for one would pay more for a glider vs a problematic EPA pos!