Stepping Out With My Own Numbers

I've got a 2014 with a 2013 reman Cummins in it and the only trouble I've had is two sensors, turbo speed sensor and one other one. Of course there are a few sensors on the emissions system that need to be changed every 200k miles. I have two complaints, it doesn't pull as good as the DD15 I had and the MPGs are terrible. I'm at 6.3 mpg over 200k miles. But as far as reliability, I have worries about that and as @Misesian said, the newer motors are really good. Only benefit to a glider is if you could still get one $35k cheaper than a new truck, in my opinion.

 

Yes, they seem overpriced. If you can get la new generation truck for the same price, that gives you a dilemma. They keep value though. Another concern about the gliders is some another state(s) doing California - style retroactive law. However, If I had to make a decision right this moment, I'd still reach for the glider. Intuition, if nothing else.

 

I’m not a fan of Cummins. I haven’t seen enough good results that it outperforms the proprietary motors. I’ve owned two and have number three in the Freightliner. My Peterbilt I got rid of was ok. The only issue I had out of the Cummins was the cam coming apart, and that was a big one.

 

Have you had an X15? I’d bet money no, it’s a phenomenal engine from my experience. I’ve had a lot of ISX as well and it’s not even remotely a comparison.

 

I've ridden on Cummins most of the time. In my observations, they seem outperform others in their durability. But I know some will say the opposite.

 

No. I’ll never buy Cummins again. There’s nothing to indicate it does any better than the proprietary motors. Cummins makes internal combustion products. If your one job is internal combustion products, I expect a product no one can beat. It hasn’t been proven to me that an X15 can do any better than the next product. I may as well get the product the OEM makes. I want to like Cummins, but they haven’t convinced me there’s anything groundbreaking about what they have to offer.

 

So that's the plan then?
Are you going to finance the new trucks? What is the timeline on that.
How is it working out with those 2 drivers?

 

Finance them. The drivers are doing fine. Now that the one guy is pulling a flatbed he doesn’t complain about every little thing. I want to get rid of both the used trucks by the Spring of 2023. They’d both have around 550k on the miles.

 

Sorry for all the questions, I'm curious about the business. Do you have a mission statement? You have done very well over these 3 years. What is the end game? Will you be adding more drivers/trucks/trailers in the near term? Have you explored other ways to fund your growth like private investment?

 

I’m not looking to grow fast and I don’t want to be full time office. Probably 3 for now and maybe go to 5 eventually. No more than that. I might put everything under my authority eventually. I’m in no hurry to go beyond three. I wouldn’t seek any outside investment. I’d use my own profits to do it. I’m not that motivated by money enough to commit everything to growing a fleet. I do fine with what I have and the two drivers do well.
When I first started I thought a lot about growing a fleet. The longer I do this the more I don’t want to hire truck drivers. I see too much stupid stuff every hour I’m driving. And the response during COVID19 from these protest groups, OOIDA, and others, has really changed my views. I’ll stick to a manageable number and stay on the road.