Buying A Truck....

Hi,
I am new to the forum, not new to trucking. I have been driving Class "A" for over 10 years. I decided to take advantage of the current drop in truck prices and buy a truck. It will be leased on with a local Carrier/Broker running OTR. The two trucks I have been looking at . #1 is a 2000 Peterbilt 379 EXHD 3406E 550hp ,13sp ,3.55's . It's a very clean truck with 1,048,000 ECM . I like the way it looks and drives. Good rubber all around . Minor cosmetic fixes inside and it would be darn near mint. What scares me is the miles . I had it at at MI Cat on the dyno , 550 hp = 504hp # 1800 RPM's 5605 Ft lbs of torque to the ground ! And at 1600 RPM's 508hp and 6415 Ft lbs to the ground. Sounds strong to me and with acceptable blow-by, but the dealer and MI Cat has no info on any majors/minors etc. when they run the serial off the block . Kind of scary to think it has not been O/H'ed. My question is ??? That's a butt-load of power for a million mile plus truck . Would one just assume it's been majored? I don't assume .. I like facts . The dyno sheet don't lie... But the dealer as we all know tend to. Your thoughts on this are appreciated.

#2 Is a 2004 Freightliner Columbia # 500k or so . Series 60 Det 430/470hp, 10 speed with dual behind the door side stacks. ??? Rare??? I have not seen many like that, Have you ?. Looks good for a darn Columbia . And I am not going to say looks are not to be taken into consideration, cuz we all know they are. This truck is clean and sharp for a Columbia , it took a Lott for me to just say that , I hate them . But from a business stand point I will put my personal preference behind until i make the best decision based on a business standard , not a brand or manufactures name preference.

My guess , The Columbia wins on fuel mileage, and Warranty "2Yr 2k" .
The hood wins hands down on Horses ...
The hood wins with the 13spd... This may see some heavy haul up here in MI with 160,000 GVW . I don't think anyone would disagree that a 10 speed is not up to par to drag 45-50 ton wagon loads around. ---"Road Work" Even with 3.55's the Hood will do ok...
The truck will not be pulling heavy unless I have to putt it to work Local .

 

Thanks... I have been reading the forums for a week or so now. Figured I should join instead of just lurking around .. The info has been very helpful when puting my B/P together etc. I thank everyone who has shared all this useful information. Stay Safe ..

 

It's not a matter of getting a truck or not .... I will have another truck soon , very soon. It's a matter of what truck would make more sense over the long haul . "Time" that is. The Pete has a much better resale value , even if I have to stuff a new or re-man power plant in it at $10,000 , the truck is priced where I can do this without a problem. As far a freight rates, Local around$95.00 per hr , Long haul $1.40 to $3.00 per mile depending on the shipper. Why would anyone give out their actual freight rate?? Just so joe blow trucking can come try and undercut their rate ... Smart Real Smart... Tell the whole world exactly what your getting paid and from who..and where it shipped to and from. Not very good business plan. Might as well say , Hey all you guys over there just sitting... why don't you come over here and haul my contract freight cheaper... And I know I know .... The $3.00 a mile freight is a thing of the past. Right ? WRONG!!!! Maybe for some areas but not everyone is in the same position with the freight being slow. If you cant find work to make a $1000.00 monthly truck payment there is something wrong . Seems to me , I guessed right when I figured that all I would see is negative remarks about buying a truck. How the heck is anyone going to ever fail if your to chicken #### to try and succeed?? The only thing worst than giving up , is giving up before you ever try . I would say within the last ten years of my driving history I have succeeded. I am in a position to buy a truck financially , and the market is right. There is plenty of work and freight , you might just have to suck it up and slide by with less than you normally would profit. Everything in the world is moved in one way or another by a truck . You don't have to get paid an over abundance to justify owning a truck . I am not greedy , I will run my truck and make my payment pay my taxes , and live a little less in the high in the hog pen. This is not a get rich quick scheme ... as some think it should be . Work hard , drive the darn miles you can get and be happy . Things wont be this bad forever. Unless everyone keeps b#t#in and moaning about how bad things are , and get off their buts and be happy they even have a job or freight to haul. Where would I be right now if I never got my CDL ??? Well just like everyone else without a job. MI has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Freight is not going to just sit and wait for someone that has to get paid BIG BIG dollars per mile to move it. If so I guess we all die of starvation , because not a grocery store in this country would have stocked shelves if it was not for truck drivers moving freight for a fair price. Why pay a $2000.00 a month truck payment for a new truck , when a older nice used one can do it cheaper and move down the road just the same for less money to keep going. So It's not about looking good in a Big Hood , it's about fuel and money off the bottom line..... Working on your own truck when you can , saving a few k hear and there. And keeping overhead at a minimum. You cant make money sitting now can you?

I am sorry things are so bad for you right now... But you know , we are nothing but stupid truck drivers right??? I guess if we buy trucks because they make us look good then we are stupid.
These comments are not directed at anyone ..... It's just my opinion as well.

 

All I can say is Hmmmm...... That's your right ... I refuse to sit on my bum when freight can be moved for less than $1.80 ... Maybe if you have that as an average. then I would agree. But you will never ever see a set freight rate. There are to many fluctuations in the whole scenario. So you run with what you can , and make it up on the next decent load that pays a bit better. And your right it is basic math... You work and get by , or make a decent living or you give up and sit and say to hell with it and work at Walmart or Mc D's .... I don't know about you , but I will drive till I'm broke before I sit or work at a dept store or fast food joint.... Now if your sitting cuz you have that nice pad of money in your account from all that high dollar freight in the past ... Sooner or later the money will run dry.

 

I feel bad for you .... You must be in a area that it's hard to get freight back home or something . I know of over a dozen guys that would love to be in your position "Truck is paid for" How can you not make a profit. It has to be one of two things , #1 Ego Trip , Or #2 Your in a very bad area.
Now just so we are on the same page ... I don't figure in health insurance , My wife and (CFO) is a Personal Banker # Chase , I have heath , vision and dental coverage threw her employment . That alone helps out just a bit , but not much when you break it all down. Best of luck to you as well.. Thanks for the input.