Best tractor to invest in?

Helps if you provide a little more INFO

what are you planning on hauling and general area your planning on hauling it ?

 

Im not an oo but I do know not to get a Frieghtshaker since I have driven four of them already. If I ever becone an oo I will get a pete or a volvo.

 

According to ooida

Independent drivers and o/o

The truck will probably be a 2005 Freightliner 10speed with a 400-500+ Cummins engine averaging 5-6.9 miles per gallon.

Peterbilt and Freightliner are the trucks most likely owned

http://www.ooida.com/OOIDA Foundation/RecentResearch/OOfacts.asp

 

Pete's and KW have the best reps. Volvo's are nice but I wouldn't want something that a lot of people can't work on. I would get a truck with a pre emission before 2008 motor (non DEF), they are still trying to work out the bugs. I've heard good things about Cummins N14 motors, but I prefer Detroit motors they are good motors and also been know to get over a million miles without a overhaul. Talk to a mechanic he can tell what the best value is. It comes down to choice. Consider what your going to be pulling (weight), access to parts & service, try to get a truck where you know it's service history and access to the owner. Think long range and give yourself the most options possible, just encase your work situation changes and do longer range driving.

 

Freightliner with S60 Detroit would be my suggestion. Buy the right truck for what you're hauling and think about some what ifs; what if the local gig goes south and you have to run regional, etc. Avoid any CAT engine 2008-2010 like the plague.

 

Something to consider about being an owner operator with a daycab is what happens if the local work dries up, what are your other options to use a daycab for? You might be better off if you find a better gig doing regional or otr for whatever reason, but you would need something with a sleeper on it ... If you continue doing the same job you are doing now, but you want to be the owner, how much extra money do you plan to earn by doing so?

 

I've driven Freightliner, Peterbilt, a real nice KW900, Volvos and International.

The wheels on all these buses go a round and round . . .

 

I have the same question except i am looking at doing regional flatbed in the panhandle north and west areas. Any info would be greatly appreciated