Buying a used Penske truck, are they well maintained?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by johnnycage, Feb 4, 2012.

  1. Steve62

    Steve62 Light Load Member

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    Oil change every 40,000 miles? I change my oil every 20,000 km. Cat says every 30,000 miles. I grease my truck every Friday. Check tire pressure every Friday. Tube of grease is what 5 bucks oil change with filter 180 tops cheap insurance.
     
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  3. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I have been to several Penski terminals and several states to buy trucks with an employer. They are not all the same. Most yellow trucks were in the rental fleet, does not mean they are all bad. Some ex lease trucks can be pretty nice with a lot of options and had very few or only one driver. I was the checker outer, drove them, looked at the records. If given a list of defects they would repair most things prepurchase. Have been asked for my license and a copy of my MVR.
    They are opening sales lots as Ryder has done. You go see a salesman and look at the trucks from many shops. Really liked to talk to the folks at the shop and many times the trucks were still in daily service.
    As for the paint they are supposed to be maintained like that all the time.
    I thank company standards are high but not all shops follow the rules very well. What was used for?
     
  4. Klh1021

    Klh1021 Bobtail Member

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    Looking to purchase my very first truck. Looked at 2012 Volvo at Penske, with 620k miles asking price 32k. any recommendations?
     
  5. River9601

    River9601 Light Load Member

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    I don’t think i’d ever buy a penske truck. My 389 keeps me happy even though it’s way more than I need.
     
  6. Russian Rabbit

    Russian Rabbit Road Train Member

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    ^^^This^^^

    From the pesky shops i've observed and worked with, NO they DO NOT do very good maintenance.

    Also, note that pesky AND ryder don't believe in balancing their wheels.
     
    Heavyd Thanks this.
  7. Truckrazy

    Truckrazy Light Load Member

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    Nice thread. How do the sceptics find an used truck, is there a guarantee for used truck not to be abused or maintenance being done "Good"?! What is the psychology behind buying a truck from a fleet vs buying a truck from a private individual?! What are the guarantees for an excellent buy vs a lemon?! How does one determine that?!
     
    PeterN Thanks this.
  8. rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

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    Most of our trucks have 700,000 miles on them with another year or two left on the lease. By the time the lease is up I doubt anybody would want the truck unless it was dirt cheap.
     
  9. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I worked for one of those shops in 1985. They had a tire machine and wheel balancer.
    Trucks were sent from out lying smaller shops for major repairs. Some were very nice and others were really hammered. All the same company but different shops and customers.
     
  10. RichTrucker2020

    RichTrucker2020 Light Load Member

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    Looking at one that is a couple states away. 2015 Volvo with D13 with 600K miles. Cheap enough at $25k. From looking at the maintenance record, it seems to have been taken care of. Should I buy sight unseen? @Dave_in_AZ
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2020
  11. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Never ever buy sight unseen. Buyer beware!
     
    magoo68, rabbiporkchop and 062 Thank this.
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