I have recently had an opportunity presented to me to move away temporarily from reefer hauling to tank hauling. The basics of it are as follows : Hauling A train tanks at 10500bs gross, 0.20 cpm increase on current rate, steady miles ranging from 400 to 600 per day, hauling loaded one way returning empty.
My concerns are as follows: my truck has 900 000 miles on it original engine and trans etc no rebuilds. I am still getting on top of repair bills etc and do not have a big reserve fund at the moment. I am concerned that the extra weight may be detrimental to my truck as far as wear and tear is concerned. I am also enjoying what I am doing now and am in the "groove" of it so to say. The tanker money is better and the fuel mileage would be better as its 50% empty miles( all miles are paid at the same rate loaded or empty) but I am concerned that I may acclerate wear on my truck and it could contribute to an earlier failure in my engine or drive train etc. do you guys think this is a legitimate concern and a good reason to continue doing what I am doing by turning down the offer?Please share your thoughts and ideas.
New opportunity, seeking advice.
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by seabring, Sep 11, 2012.
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My main concern is Will the extra weight be detrimental to the truck at the mileage it's at or am I worrying too much?
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I doubt it will make much of a difference unless it's heavy hill/mountain country. Consider making the extra pay for your maintenance fund as long as you have the option to return to your groove.
kw9's rock Thanks this. -
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I would be very much concerned in winter months but if your truck is well maintained I might just do it anyway as long as you have a way to keep from freezing if the truck won't run and some emergency help isn't out of reach.
kw9's rock Thanks this. -
it will put more wear on the truck thats without question, but if you drive easy it will be fine, i did similar thing with a 99 379 with a series 60 i bought the truck with 930k on it and it lasted to the 1.2 million mark and i was running the pacific northwest at the same weight and loaded 85% of the time
kw9's rock Thanks this. -
I wouldn't worry about motor/drivetrain if you drive right. I would worry about bushings in the suspension and tires. If you have 14 ply tires on the steers they won't last long.
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You're in a risky spot whether you take the job or not. getting towed 5 miles or 100 miles isn't going to be much more or less unpleasant. I would take the job, take it easy loaded, and try like heck to get some money saved up for that rebuild !
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I would have thought the patch would have paid better than that. .20 is quite a bit but sounds like your going to be pulling a lot more for it. I would have to think about that real hard, is the routes going to be out in fields or on solid roads? There's also a lot to be said for being happy with what you do, and it sounds like your kind of happy where your at and with what your doing. Take it for what it's worth, I have read where there can be some major sitting and waiting sometimes up there, your not the only one up there!!, don't know if thats real thats just what I've read. Good luck to ya.
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