Where did you buy your truck?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by DesiTrucker, Oct 28, 2014.

  1. DesiTrucker

    DesiTrucker Light Load Member

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    I am trying to get an idea of where can I look to find a decent used semi truck. Intentions are to hopefully buying a conventional sleeper but I am also considering looking into conventional daycabs. Daycabs seems a little cheaper and maybe that way pay the truck off quickly and save money to buy a sleeper. I also thought about buying a truck around 15k to 21k and use it for a 1 year or so and save money that way. But I am concerned about hhe problems that come with a aging truck.

    From reading threads on this website I hear that it might be better to buy a used truck from an owner operator since they take care of their trucks like its bread and butter. I am staying away from Ryder/Penske used trucks. This leads to my question, where did guys buy your truck/s? Sleeper or daycab?
     
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  3. Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

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    Dallas Peterbilt. 379, all the bells and whistles, 500 CAT 15 over. You will go broke with a used truck. Save up 20K and buy new.
     
  4. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    if you know what your looking for 15-21k can buy you a lot of decent used trucks that should have a lot of years of life left in them.

    i started in a 95 fld 120 42" flat top sleeper. needed quite a bit of work but paid under 8k for it put quite a bit into it the first year. then this last year has been fairly trouble free. (don't recommend going quite that cheap on a truck spent a lot of money getting everything up to par)

    i just bought another truck 2000 mack vision 70" mid roof sleeper for 18k just rolled over the million mile mark recent documented in frame done at a mack dealer, most all the items that come up around the million mile mark have already been done, seems to be a well cared for truck came with all the service records from the guy i bought it from. hauled my first load with it today runs great drives great i expect to get many years out of this truck. i did have a couple little items to fix between delivery and getting it out on the road nothing major a few 100 in parts and a day. another 3k getting it licensed. and then out on the road

    paid cash for both trucks no loans. still have my fld

    on a side note make sure you have a maintenance fund (min 10K) before you hit the road, things break/wear out on truck, its part of life if your a o/o you have to be prepared for it. and its never at convenient times.

    if you want/need a sleeper cab truck then buy that, you will regret saving a small amount of money on a daycab if you need a sleeper
     
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  5. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    The truck I have now I was driving as a company driver for the carrier I am currently leased with.

    I was originally in a very sweet 386 Pete. I really liked that truck. The owner wanted me to buy it, but it was just too problematic for me. Too many emissions issues and other minor things going on with it. Truck was a lemon.

    He was in the process of selling that truck when I went into this one. I called it the big green monster when I first saw it. Its an ugly green 05 Columbia. I did not like it at all. It rode different. Didnt have the same power. The steering felt loose and twitchy. It leaned into turns. It had only the basic gauges,.. lots and lots of interior issues, misc other issues.

    Slowly as I was driving it I got my boss to fix all the little knit pick things I wanted done. I then made an offer to him for the truck (Cash talks) and with a little negotiation regarding terms I would be working under, I signed on and I've been doing pretty well since.

    The truck itself was originally owned by Powell Landscaping out of Texas pulling a 48' van. It never worked very hard. Most of the mechanical wear and tear things had been replaced when my carrier bought it. He added a headache rack and had 1 other driver in it before me. My carrier is based out of Chicago. The notorious eastern european sweat shop of patched up trucks.

    Truck had 940k mi when I first got in it. I am now almost but not quite at the 1.2 million mile mark. I've had to put some money into it. I knew that when I bought it.

    Mechanically its been a work horse and money maker. I cant complain.

    I dont think location will have much to do with the condition of the truck you buy. There are crappy worn out trucks all over this country, being sold by all facets of people.

    It helps to know the truck you want to buy. Its history and current true condition. When buying blind I can only say, buyer beware. Just because its shiny and clean doesnt mean its been well cared for. Too look at my truck, you wouldnt give it a second glance. How ever,. I have given more than several DOT officers who pulled me for inspections the surprise when this tired old hoopty passed with flying colors.

    I run 3000+ mi every week. I took my wife out with me in June and we stayed out all summer till mid Sept. This truck never shut down. I idled pretty much all summer long to keep the AC going. Eventually I'll get off my butt and buy an APU. But I think you can find a good truck just about anywhere.

    Hurst
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2014
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  6. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    My first truck did not have a sleeper. I don't recommend that if you plan on running over the road. Unless you stay in motels and have receipts if you get checked, you could have a problem with the DOT. If you need a sleeper, then it would be much better for you to find one from the start. I have seen decent trucks with sleepers for as little as $10,000 recently. Unless you have a sleeper you should expect to spend at least $50/night for a motel. It would not take long to erode any perceived saving from buying a day cab. There will be times when you may want to rest or take a nap while waiting to load or be loaded. It will be much more comfortable with a sleeper. It is not always easy to find motels that can accommodate an 18 wheeler, either. All things considered, I would opt for the sleeper already on the truck. You will be glad you did in the long run.
     
  7. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Or save up $20k and pay cash.

    I bought used and in less then a year of O/O I will be hiring my first driver in Jan and already looking to buy my second truck and a brand new trailer next spring.

    I watch my pennies,.. but I'm hardly going broke.

    Hurst
     
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  8. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    Daycab cheaper than a sleeper ? Not around here.

    There are plenty of good used 25,000 $$ ( give or take ) trucks. My last one I bought was 28,000. Nearly 8 years ago, still running strong, only 1 major breakdown to put in shop. Plenty of maintenance, but no huge repair bills. Just look around.
     
  9. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Funny you mention that.

    My first truck was a 96 Volvo single axle day cab with a small 340hp S60 Detroit. 11.2 L IIRC. I bought it for $4500 and paid $9200 for a 4 car kaughfman. I nearly went broke,.. but it wasnt the truck. It was cheap rates for hauling cars in Fl. I only ran in Fla. DOT# only,.. no IFTA. I didnt want to go OTR. And once I was in it neck deep I couldnt afford IFTA. Actually it was the insurance that killed me. Not that I would have made any more money OTR,.. hauling cars is probably the most cut throat commodity trucks haul,.. that and containers. LOL

    I sold that and went OTR as a company driver. I was between a rock and hard place just trying to survive. I've paid my dues and then some.

    Hurst
     
  10. exhausted379

    exhausted379 Road Train Member

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    ###########!
     
  11. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    My first truck was a car hauler. The trailer was a Bankhead. It was a 10 car set up. I could haul 6 on the trailer and 4 on the truck. I paid cash for both of them. Insurance can be a killer, especially hauling cars. I believe I was paying about $8,200/truck for insurance. Hauling cars is very competitive. Florida used to be especially difficult unless you hauled cars for the snowbirds.
     
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