Looking to buy a semi for car hauling and have questions

The tandem axle power units (52k gross 20f\42r generally). Are over kill (IMO) for a 5-6 car hauler. However to drag a skate or drop, or pull boats, its what you want. The standard tandem axle configuration allows you to do what you need to do without having to tell a customer no because the load is too heavy for the power unit's gross capacity.

But what do I know, I'm just a wannabe.

 

The T2000 is the oldest widebody on the market (and looks it on the inside) the 387 is better but still old. The volvo is well a volvo. Those three trucks are also designed to be fleet trucks, so light and cheap, expected to last 3 to 5 years. The T2000 and 387 are harder to do repairs on too.

If you want a widebody aero truck your probably better off with a FL.

There are always the T660 and 386 which one could possibly say is the best of both worlds (though I don't think aero truck will make any difference with your loads)

 

the total you can put on a single rear is 20K lbs but you have to subtract the axle weight and the empty trailer kingpin weight which varies greatly depending on how heavy your trailer is and what kind of truck you have. What ever is left is how much cargo weight you can put on the rear axle.

I would say no to that volvo they are known to have electrical issues and not having a sleeper takes a lot of money out of your pocket.

From what I hear the single axle trucks get a little better mpg but even in a big truck you can get good mpg if you drive it right.

 

The truck in the first link is alright its not really suited for OTR though. If your going to run out west you need 450+ hp and a sleeper is a must.

I would either go with a Freightliner Century or Columbia 70" midroof 240-250" WB with a Detroit 450+hp 13 or 18 speed 3.42-3.73 gears. For the best mpg I would go with a Detroit. try to buy pre 2004 to avoid the egr ####. you should easily be able to get one of these trucks for around $20K their are a lot of them out there.

My third choice is not going to get as good mpg but still should get 6 mpg driven right. Pete 379 63 in sleeper flat top with either a Detroit 450hp + or a Cummins. 240-250 in WB try to buy a pre 2004 to avoid the egr ####.. Their are Petes around $20K (and less) in the mid to late 1990s-2000

those lowboys were pretty junky check out truck paper dot com
they have a lot of lowboys and now is the time to buy people are desperate to sell.

If your going to be hauling boats if they are not on a trailer your going to have to have a cradle made every time unless you buy boat a boat transport trailer but those are $60K+

 

379, W900 those trucks are made a lot better and are spec'd for o/o's vs a T2000 or 387 etc are for company drivers less hp, gauges etc....

stay away from Volvo's especially with a Volvo motor and also stay away from Mercedes engines. expensive parts and not that many shops know how to work on them. vs. getting a Detroit, Cummins or Cat where there are shops all over the country that know how to work on them and the parts are less expensive.

Peterbilt and Kenworth are top of the line
International and Freightliner are about the same from what I hear.
Volvo (electrical issues)

I have two friends with 04 Columbias one with 675K miles the other has 550k miles they have been both problem free except one of them needed a fuel pump replaced it helps that they are well maintained.

the key is buying a truck that was/is well maintained. when you buy a truck you should have an oil analysis done on the engine, trans, differentials. and also the truck should be put on a dyno to make sure its making the power it should be.

I am in the process of buying a Freightliner century its not a Pete 379 but it will get the job done. My plan is within a year to get a Pete 379

 

You can't just buy an aero truck and magically get good fuel mileage, a lot of it is the driver and the load aerodynamics. The T2000 as I said before is over 15 years old with next to nothing done to it in that time. The 387 isn't much better. They are fleet trucks. They aren't built to last you forever like a w9 or 379/389 is. I doubt a 2002 T2 or 387 is really going to get you much better fuel mileage than a well maintained w9/389. If you really are concerned about getting an aero truck then think about a FL with a detroit or else a T660/386.