Originally Posted by krockodile

Hey Medicineman, I have just applied at Landstar, they stopped charging their trailer rental fees! At least nothing I have seen on their website

Originally Posted by MilkMan

Cat is now getting out, or has already gotten out, of the new truck engine business and isn't planning to get back in. There's some obvious implications with their exit, but do you think parts availability and price will be effected also?

Originally Posted by im6under

they are required to continue making parts available for ten years... granted the price may go up?

That said, as with any manufacturer, soon you will be able to bolt cheap mis-fitting chinese clone parts onto your kitty... some of which have already been available forever...

primer pump: $179 or $37

though, of course, you must take into account the moral implications of your purchase. Feed a starving chinaman in a sweatshop or keep an american working (slowly) in a factory while he wonders how long it will be until it is all moved over-seas to appease stockholders and provide for higher ceo salaries leaving him un-able to make his minimum monthly payments on his (average) $40,000 dollars of credit card debt.

Originally Posted by Evilcapitalist

I sent my application (to be qualified as operator) on Thursday and a lady called today to say that they got the app. and that it is normally 3 to 5 days. I got my haz-mat back on the license and got a new 2 year card before sending off the papers. I didn't want to hear any smack about a physical.

My problem is that I don't have a truck and I don't know what to get or where to get it from: here are the pros and cons that I have now. I have started several threads on here but have received minimal input.

Freightliner Century:

Cons:This is the truck I know best, which is a con. The cabinets and dash vibrate like heck and screws start falling out everywhere. My knee gets banged up slamming into the cup holder all day. No majore repairs but nit-picking repairs every week.
Pros: An aerodynamic truck that I know gets ok fuel mileage with a Detroit and it is an affordable truck. I've never had any major problems with my freightliner. I will probably have to settle for a selectruck since I am a first time buyer.

Volvo: Pros: I drove one once, and it was a great ride with lots of room and I know they get good fuel mileage.
Cons: They're expensive and I have heard nothing but awful things about them. My friend was driving a brand new one and it had electrical problems and something wrong with the front end.

Peterbilt: Pros: An American truck of high quality made in America. I would love to have a 387, since it is aero, but I don't know if I can get one as a first time buyer.
Cons: I don't know anything about the 387 - I don't know if it has enough room in the back. I dont' know if I can get one as a first time buyer. I don't want a cat engine - I heard they get horrible fuel mileage and parts are expensive.

Kenworth: Same as above. Would love the t2000, but don't know how much room is really in the back and if I could get one, etc.

Mack: No thanks.

Western Star: Pros: truck has tons of toom in the sleeper. Cons: they're huge. You better know what you're doing with one of these even bobtailing. Had one for about 6 months and loved it, but I know they don't get good fuel mileage, so no go.

I am looking for 13 speeds, an engine that gets good fuel mileage (detroit 500???), and an aero truck, with lots of room in the front and the sleeper. I would love to have an APU as well, but I can't find many trucks with them on except for big ole pete's and western stars that have cat's in them.

Good luck at Landstar. I hope to get with them soon. I am excited about taking my life in a new direction by choosing where i get to go!!!