buying a tractor

Palmetto_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2016

Ridgeline said: ↑

OK ...

Buying a junk truck, one that is ready to be scrapped is one issue, you can't predict what happens by trying to have an inspections done or fixing things you think are irritative.

Have an issue with an axle, or a rim coming off, or break down in the middle of the road. All of that matters and thinking that you can start a career where you are going to spend money on junk to just keep it running isn't a way to start.

DOT Inspections are crap, they tell you just enough to get passed and that's it. Having a truck checked by a good mechanic costs money, I have mine checked and it costs me a lot more than the $75 for the inspection but I tell those guys find things wrong so I can fix them.

When I was on the road, I had an inspection done and the very next day I was put OOS and had to get towed, not because I missed something but because the inspector just passed me and failed to see the brake issues I had, I was not just pissed, I told them the company they pay for the expenses or I will see them in court, my lawyer actually to the company he will work for free to mess with them.

See the problem you don't see is the problems we see, the accidents that can be prevented, the crap that falls off the truck, and the public who gets mad at us for the few can haulers who act as if they own the road.

Take my advice seriously, buy something in the $35k range, do your due diligence and tell the mechanic to find problems before they are serious.
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salvage titles don't always mean its junk and i know about the mechanical aspect on trucks because i know #### happens and i have someone close to me that works on trucks daily so that's no issue and I understand that every inch of the truck needs to be problem free because they will find something.

Palmetto_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2016

Lepton1 said: ↑

Whatever you do, if you buy an inexpensive older truck make #### sure you have enough money in reserve to keep it maintained and set aside money every settlement for maintenance. If you are over the road set aside at LEAST $0.20 per mile for maintenance. Have at least $5-10K in your maintenance account to start AFTER you do your initial "getting it road ready" work done.

If you are going off road plan on much higher maintenance costs.
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yeah i know wen you buy an older truck you need to have more money aside to make sure its up to par because things happen, and right now im considering logging/woodchips since its a lot of mills and i know people in that specific business and Cousin of Mines Working out the port with his own tractor

Palmetto_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2016

TripleSix said: ↑

Alright friend, I don't mean to sound like a buster, but I am trying to understand what it is that you want to hear. Do you want to know if we think that you can buy a $1000 Volvo, go trucking and make money? Nope. Like @NorthernMechanic said, if you're planning to run a truck offroad, youd better start with a pretty stout truck. Theres a colossal difference between STOUT and RUNS. With a POS truck offroad, the very best you're going to do is break even. That means you will never be able to put money back for a rainy day fund.

"But Six, I can turn wrenches...."

Time is more important than money. You're going to lose both.
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when i said about the 95 Volvo im saying that as an example you know and i mean with logging ikno the trucks go thru a beating pretty regularly ive been in the woods before i know what its like getting jerked and tugged round getting loaded and loaded. i know about the factors of fuel regular matience and when things happen

AModelCat · Sep 14, 2016

The cheap truck example I posted earlier is not made up. Its a true story. It'll likely never pull another load for profit but just to make that particular truck safe enough to roll down the road a guy is looking at about $15k IF I do ALL the work myself. As I rip it apart, piece by piece, I'm finding more and more things that need attention. I fully expect to have double that or more into this truck by the time its done. Not trying to discourage you at all but you really should heed the advice of everyone who is posting. Many of them know a lot about the business and are only trying to point you in the right direction.

Palmetto_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2016

NorthernMechanic said: ↑

The cheap truck example I posted earlier is not made up. Its a true story. It'll likely never pull another load for profit but just to make that particular truck safe enough to roll down the road a guy is looking at about $15k IF I do ALL the work myself. As I rip it apart, piece by piece, I'm finding more and more things that need attention. I fully expect to have double that or more into this truck by the time its done. Not trying to discourage you at all but you really should heed the advice of everyone who is posting. Many of them know a lot about the business and are only trying to point you in the right direction.
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I am listening to what everyone is saying its people taking the fact that i was talking bout the 95 Volvo for 1000 was an auction . i know it is going to take money to make it runn the way it should

AModelCat · Sep 14, 2016

Palmetto_Cowboy said: ↑

I am listening to what everyone is saying its people taking the fact that i was talking bout the 95 Volvo for 1000 was an auction . i know it is going to take money to make it runn the way it should
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Ok. Its hard to read context on these forums sometimes, not that I'm good at it in real life either lol.

TripleSix · Sep 14, 2016

Sounds like a plan.

Palmetto_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2016

NorthernMechanic said: ↑

Ok. Its hard to read context on these forums sometimes, not that I'm good at it in real life either lol.
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yeah and someone coming at me saying i have no business plan and all that other stuff

Palmetto_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2016

Palmetto_Cowboy said: ↑

yeah and someone coming at me saying i have no business plan and all that other stuff
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but its life i do appreciate the feedback lol.. just not feeling this negativity

Palmetto_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2016

TripleSix said: ↑

Sounds like a plan.
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allways have a plan in life cant get no where on just a dream

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