Should I buy This truck?

It has been some time since I have been to an auction. Some are done outdoors rather than bringing vehicles into a building. You can check out trucks prior to buying. I would expect that you could drive it and see if you can find anything wrong. If it is something you are interested in doing, you may want to call the auction before the sale and ask about their policies. Most equipment is sold as is without any warranty. It will be up to you to check everything out on the truck. Often equipment is brought to the auction days before the auction to give potential buyers an opportunity to check it out. Some of the major auctions will list equipment that will be sold on their website. Ritchie Brothers is one of the largest. Taylor & Martin is another.

 

You might be able to buy two decent used trucks for $30,000. Why would you want to pay that much down and have a big payment when you can find a good used truck and pay cash? You don't want to start with a big payment. There is too much instability in the market. You don't need to spend a lot of money to buy a good truck. I have known some who have purchased new trucks and they spend more time in the shop than on the road. I might consider one of those Schneider trucks if they have manual transmissions. I would prefer a larger sleeper than the one shown. I would check them out the same as any other truck that I was interested.

 

That was my thought also High over head is the number one killer in the trucking biz. I use to work at SNI and have talk to Maintenance guys about these trucks was told most are repaired and DOT ready. the plus side would be complete maintenance records and oil Analysis. Negative side it's a Pumpkin truck My other thought is buy one IF I can run it for a couple of years with out it breaking the bank I could then buy a second one parking the first and use it as a parts truck and or pull the motor, transmission and rear end for a complete rebuild as the money allows over the next year or two then do a complete swap out and have a New (rebuilt) drive train on the second. Any thoughts on this?

 

The good news is: fuel prices are about to spike high. Really high this time- every time diesel goes up high, every one tries to unload trucks.

If you have the discipline to hold out, those trucks ought to start showing up soon. I would say, if you have any negotiating skills, you can get a better unit for a lower price. The longer fuel stays high the better deal you'll get.

 

No I was just saying I would buy an IH before a freightliner. Much better built truck it seems. I would throw out the number 7 for MPG with a 9400 and a pre egr detroit and proper driving. Low 7s that is. I don't see that being far fetched or impractical.

 

Looking at a truck paper and I see a few good choices for you. Look at www.belleway.com seem to be decent trucks.

 

It is always a plus for me when I can check maintenance records. Being from Tennessee I have a fondness for "orange." GO VOLS! You can always either paint it a different color or add strips or other trim. I would not discount a truck just for the color as long as everything else checks out. There is no reason you should not get more than a couple of years out of the truck. I would not do a rebuild until needed. Many of today's engines are capable of going well over 1 million miles with good maintenance. You could drop the pan and replace lower bearings at some point, but as long as they are in good shape I would not do anything. If the truck lays down and dies, you could use it for parts or sell what is left and use that to buy another truck. I will continue using a truck as long as it is serviceable.

 

G/MAN, I understand not caring about color, but rather the COMPANY it came from. As u know, I am a Schneider advocate and think they are a great company and try to turn as many guys onto them as I can that are looking to get into the biz. But I would NEVER buy one of their fleet trucks. I was with them for 5 years and trust me, I don't care if it has records, it is a pile of scrap by the time they go to get rid of it.

 

Good place to get some quality used equipment at a descent price. And they are local to me, tho I've never been there. Some of their stuff catches my eye every now and then.