Seeking advice regarding first purchase of truck

Your numbers may be out of line.

Based on what you’ve given us. I’m left to assume you’re getting $2 a mile, or $1 per K. With an expected 14k+ driven per month.

You’re going to need a sizable maintenance account also. Hopefully you already have at least $10k in the bank. Preferably $20k.

Also note, at 600k miles. A fleet based truck is pretty much wore out. And that grinding noise is NOT cosmetic.

 

From this i deduce you idle the engine at night?
Am i correct?

 

How good a mechanic are you?

 

Your Frieghtshakers are going to start coming apart at 250-300k. Volvo's, don't have a clue, never drove one of those Hoover's. I'd go with the KW, I've spent a lot of time in them. Pete's are OK, but they're not Kenworth. That should start some controversy. I'm sorry there's nothing like a W9, if it's an EX that's a plus.

 

There are certain facts of life that can’t be ignored. High mileage trucks quickly become a money pit. That’s why large fleets dump them.

My previous company wouldn’t keep a truck past 500k, unless it had a recent inframe. Then they would TRY to get 750k from it.

Rule of thumb when buying a high mileage truck should be - Cost of an inframe plus living expenses for the period of time it takes to do an inframe.

 

I own the same basically the same truck although mine is an automatic. I am an owner, have an awesome driver whom I relied on to help me pick this truck.
I paid cash, so got a great deal and don't have payments. I bought from a fleet, with advice from a local truck mechanic, who went to look at the truck with my driver. He wouldn't let me buy it until several things were done - and then helped me negotiate a fair price where I only had to pay an extra thousand for what would have been about 3-4k worth or work otherwise. The previous owner leased it from the same fleet, and when he got it paid off, he bought a new Freightliner. (The mechanic I was working with knew the guy, and knew the truck had been well taken care of. The stuff that was done basically made it almost new again.) It was beautiful cosmetically inside and out.
I think most trucks need a major service/rebuild at about 500,000-600,000 miles. My truck already had that done, it had about 700,000 miles on it when I bought it. It doesn't rattle or shake at all, in fact it's quiet and smooth. My driver sort of re-designed the cab - I wanted her to make it comfortable and the way she wanted it, so she took out one of the cabinets and stacked her electronics in that space - they are all attached well so are secure. Got a really powerful inverter, so running any electronics is not an issue. It's like a little beautiful condo inside, and a real pretty truck outside, and is really sound mechanically. Hasn't given us an ounce of trouble. (knock on wood, God willing and the creek don't rise - all trucks are risky to invest in, as many people here will attest.) Now if we could just find a carrier to run for who isn't intent on making sure we starve.......

 

And rethink your specs.

You’ll need a bunk heater or Tripac on a late model truck. You do not want to idle any more than is absolutely needed. Otherwise you’re going to be seeing problems with your Regen system. That can cost you $10k just for parts.

You’re in a ###### if you do, ###### if you don’t situation.

I know guys who bought used with 500k on the engines. Never had a problem outside of regular maintenance.

I also knows guys who bought new. That spent every other month in the shop getting repairs. Covered by warranty, but that doesn’t cover your payment or household while it’s there.

I’m not trying to discourage you. Only trying to make you think MORE about what you’re about to do. It’s been done thousands of times before you. It’ll be done a thousand more after you.

But you’re the only person that holds the keys to your success. And that’s done by making informed and correct decisions. And a little luck doesn’t hurt either