How can a us my 3/4 ton to save up for a 1 or 2 ton?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by chris_karr, Sep 6, 2014.

  1. chris_karr

    chris_karr Light Load Member

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    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I bought a '02 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Cummins back a couple of years ago because quite frankly I just needed a vehicle and the deal was great. Now I am looking at getting into hot shot loads such as hauling three car trailers or other small freight that I can still profit on. The issue I run into is, I can't afford a new truck yet, so I would like to know if there is anyway I could use my current 3/4 to save the money to put down on a truck in the next twelve months. I would also like to know, where do I need to start after getting a MC# and USDOT #? Sorry for posting in this form, i'm not sure if it's the appropriate form or not.
     
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  3. Rooster1291979

    Rooster1291979 Road Train Member

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    Why can't you sell the truck and use that as a down payment?
     
  4. chris_karr

    chris_karr Light Load Member

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    The truck needs a lot of cosmetic and interior work to be worth anything in the view of others.. the blue book with the dashboard cupsholders and seats all fixed and new pain would be 14,500. right now I could maybe get $5,000 for it? because people want pretty you know?
     
  5. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    How about going to a junkyard and get a 1 ton rear end & springs, install it under the truck-and there you go. Much cheaper than buying a new truck.
     
  6. chris_karr

    chris_karr Light Load Member

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    That is actually a fantastic idea! How do I prove to the DOT that my truck meets their standards in that case though?
     
  7. Nola 32/65

    Nola 32/65 Bobtail Member

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    What type of truck do you want? A local Ford dealer had a '08 F550 cab and a half with a flat bed with a gooseneck hitch installed with only 65k miles and they were only asking $17k for it. $5k-$7k down would help a lot. I was so tempted in trading in my Ram for it.
     
  8. chris_karr

    chris_karr Light Load Member

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    I was looking at getting a newer RAM 2014 3500 or 4500 c/c. I just don't want to be purchasing someone else's issues.
     
  9. Nedrudt

    Nedrudt Light Load Member

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    Bite the bullet and get rid of it. If you think it's that beat up you won't want to get it on the open road and have a break down. Especially mid load. Also something people don't really talk about is a shipper can refuse to load you for whatever reason. I've been on the phone with brokers before and they ask what my equipment looks like. If it looks like it's a 50/50 shot their load might make it, they won't load you.

    MC and Dot, I used one hour authority. One stop shop for everything you'll need to be legal.
     
  10. Lite bug

    Lite bug Road Train Member

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    Chrisyohn even if you put bigger rear-end on your truck DOT will go by the GVW sticker on your truck
     
  11. chris_karr

    chris_karr Light Load Member

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    The engine only has 120,000 miles on it. Brand new transmission and lots of new engine parts that I put in for the purpose of preventing any future issues with weak parts within the engine. So I would say freight has a 90-95% chance of getting to the destination. the issues are all COSMETIC, even that will be fixed over time. I plan on sanding her down and putting her in my booth soon.

    Now on to the DOT and MC #'s. I get them there, but what other permits may I need, and do I need to get a business license and fill out a w9?
     
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