Stepping Out With My Own Numbers

I’d say it’s just one of those deals. They both reached their end of life. It’s basically the beginning of the end for that trucks most usable life cycle.

 

350K to 500K about average for seals. This is what I call the "ugly time" cause this is about the time things wear out and the break downs are in the future. Plus you still have the new truck payment is why most fleet dump the trucks at this mileage. Low mileage higher sale price it a win win for them.

 

I was afraid you might take that the wrong way. If you think about it though, I’m right. Not that it matters.

The first 300k miles SHOULD be the most usable trouble free part of a trucks life. And at 350k it is the beginning of the end. But, from beginning of the end, to the end is a lot of miles.

I get it, it’s probably your baby. But, it’s a tool at the end of the day and tools wear out.

 

To buy any brand new truck for $145-$165 and then after 3-4 years to get rid of it because it becomes unfit seems unacceptable. They should last at the very least 1 million miles before overhaul and retain 60-80k value at 500k -600k. What good does it do that they are so fuel efficient if you need to replace them every 3 - 4 years?
I spoke with two different Freighliner Cascadia dealers. Their DD15 priced at $150k offer manufacturer's warranty 600k/6years for $6000. So that's better. I also spoke with a glider builder and their cascadias are priced at $156,500 with D60 series and those you can overhaul cheap over and over again. Maybe that's a long lasting solution.
Or perhaps after you trade it in, the perpetual truck payment of $2000 (more or less) is inevitable fact of life in this business.

 

The thing with a glider is there will never be a break down or expense of a emission system failure. Which is huge. Have owned three on my third one. Fitzgerald engine and Clarke engine where both pure junk but once both where rebuild and done right my cost was zero. The one I have now is a Detroit crate motor and so far is kicking along great. The other reason that is huge to me is the fact I can fixing anything on the truck. Including the engine for very little money and find parts any where in the country. Everybody has to make choice but I sleep better with less stress about emissions failure in my life. And no DEF cost