The risk of running older equipment

We don’t see older equipment used by the big companies because they’ve been brainwashed into thinking you have to trade every 3 years or look like a planet, plant, animal, and people hater unless you buy updated technology and run the latest Carb mandated emmisions crap. They spend Billions of $ they don’t have to just to look good in the greenies public eye. Old equipment to the greenies = global enviromment hater.
If Suburu built trucks there would be no Volvo’s on the road. Think about that. Lol!

 

I think a trunk monkey started it...

 

With carhaulers especially, there are huge benefits to 3 year trade cycles. I kept my last truck 6 years, probably won't do that again!

 

I can understand the need to do that with heavily worked specialized type equipment but not with standard everyday tractors just doing normal otr runs pulling normal vans and flats etc. Unless they are flat out tore up from abuse or maintenance lemons that is a waste. Imo. In the olden days 2 or 3 in frames and sometimes 15-20 years of use were very common before you threw something away. Not saying to go that long now but I think one in frame and 10 years wouldn't be unreasonable for something that has been taken good care of. Hell, paint jobs usually last that long before they start to go sour.

 

I believe it for a competent owner operator who has mechanical abilities or a good honest shop
To work on the truck. New trucks are ridiculously priced, prone to emissions issues and drop like a rock in resale value on the used market.
Big mega fleets run the trucks into the ground with inexperienced drivers who tear them up . They run the trucks into the ground for three years and trade them in or “ lease purchase “ them off to clueless wannabe owner operators who get to maintain and repair that time bomb . The mega fleets go long on maintenance intervals to save money and get rid of the truck when it’s out of warranty. They can get the truck fixed anywhere in the country under warranty and they depreciate the truck over 3 years for tax purposes. That’s a different
business model than the average owner operator .

 

I totally agree with you. When I built my glider 4.5 years ago I did so with the intention of running it at least 10 years. Yes parts will need to be replaced and maybe an overhaul, but with me behind the wheel 100% and turning some of the wrenches there is no way for me to justify a new rig every 3 years. If Jack Cooper can get 20 years out of a rig with drivers who generally don’t care, I can easily get 10-15 years of service out of mine. Yes it definitely will need repairs and welding on occasion, but that is very doable with a paid for truck. I also am not interested in trading for “tax” purposes. The depreciation was nice while it lasted, but the numbers don’t work in my favor just strictly for a write off to buy new. I get the same write off investing the equivalent of a truck payment in my retirement accounts. Those that want a new rig every 3 years, it is their choice but I will keep my money. Everyone has an opinion on what works best for for them and we all may do it differently and still succeed.

 

From the looks of that remaining headlight bucket, it doesn't look to be very old..