Taking the plunge. My journey as an O/O.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Farmerbob1, Jan 7, 2019.

  1. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    ^^^^^
     
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  3. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    There’s this new thing now that prevents those embarrassing mistakes, it’s called proof reading.
     
  4. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    Sometimes I swear the autocorrect program kicks in after I hit 'Post Reply.'
     
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  5. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    They make a dry lube. Available at trailer supply. I think it’s a graphite based product. But if the pads are wore out, best to use wd or pb blaster, anything. Diesel fuel will also work if in a pinch
     
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  6. Y-L

    Y-L Light Load Member

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    GOOD VISE GRIPS WORK ALSO.
    ALSO WANTED TO ASK AND NOT SURE IF WAS ASKED BEFORE,
    WHAT WILL THE TRUCK BE WORTH WHEN ITS PAID OFF?
     
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  7. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    I cannot say for sure what the truck will be worth when paid off, because the truck market fluctuates.

    However, if the truck is not worth at least twice scrap value when it is paid off, I will probably just convert it into an RV.

    I doubt I will try to keep it as a working truck for more than a year after paying it off. It is a freightliner that was maintained by a Mega for 440k miles, and I do not have much confidence that it will be cost efficient to operate for more than a few more years at best.

    But we shall see.

    EDIT ADD: Pulling the tandem release then clamping with vice grips is actually a #### good suggestion. Sort of kicking myself for not thinking of it before you mentioned it. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2019
    Reason for edit: Autocorrect can kiss my butt
  8. 1nicevette

    1nicevette Medium Load Member

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    Farmerbob I have learned in my trucking life is a truck that is paid for has way more value to it. For me if I had a truck payment I would not be able to run local (Colorado) would not be able to be home when I need/want to be as well. Sure you might have to replace parts and stuff like that but knowing you don’t have to be put on the road killing your self means a lot to me.
     
  9. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Completely agree. And I'd add that a paid for older truck before emissions and the over engineered integration of so many systems has even more value. There is absolutely no reason headlights and power Windows need to be integrated into a main bus. Al that integration just creates a nightmare of wiring problems down the road
     
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  10. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Reality is though, with each year the older models get harder to come by.

    And with the newer trucks getting upwards of 9 mpg.

    I drive an 07. And it's nothing but a headache. With the same old problems every 2 months.
     
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  11. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    I would normally agree, but this truck runs between 6 and 7 MPG, depending on the time of year/fuel mix.

    I have driven a 2015 Kenworth that ran 8.6 MPG on winter fuel, with a substantial number of 40k+ loads.

    Having an older paid off truck might be nice, and I will certainly take advantage of it being paid off to build some bank before buying a newer truck, but @ 2 MPG improvement in fuel economy will be enormous.

    Nothing is set in stone, however. When I start seriously looking at a new truck, I might just get gunshy of that price tag.

    We shall see.
     
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