New here, considering truck purchase, need advice

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by GSF_LandService, Apr 7, 2021.

  1. GSF_LandService

    GSF_LandService Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Apr 7, 2021
    East Tennessee
    0
    Hello everyone. I am looking to purchase a 1999 kenworth t800 with a knuckle boom and dump bed, c12 cat motor.
    Issue with the truck is the frame rails have a bit of separation. Never seen one do this. I would like any commentary on the good, bad, and sad on this issue. 30381.jpeg 30381.jpeg 30377.jpeg 30379.jpeg 30380.jpeg 30381.jpeg 30377.jpeg 30378.jpeg 30379.jpeg 30380.jpeg
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,172
    22,655
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    I believe the truck has a "double frame", and I've seen that separation before. If there's no cracks in inside or outside rails, I wouldn't worry about it. One tough truck, I'd be more concerned with the floor of the box. They take a beating. Great trucks.
     
  4. GSF_LandService

    GSF_LandService Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Apr 7, 2021
    East Tennessee
    0
    Thanks. The floor looked ok in the pictures, and the truck seemed relatively well kept. Can't say too much without seeing it in person.

    But I'm thinking along those lines that is, it would be ok if there s no cracks or other obvious damage.
    Also what is DOT going to tell me? Truck more than likely won't be leaving Tennessee. But at some point it may see north Georgia and Carolina.
     
  5. GSF_LandService

    GSF_LandService Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Apr 7, 2021
    East Tennessee
    0
    Here's a few more pics of the rest of the truck img (3).jpeg img (2).jpeg img (1).jpeg img.jpeg
     
    Flat Earth Trucker and 201 Thank this.
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,172
    22,655
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    Looks good, if the price is right, I wouldn't dawdle, KW is the best truck out there today. As long as it doesn't have some silly 8 speed, you can't go wrong here.
     
    OldeSkool Thanks this.
  7. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

    1,257
    2,745
    Jul 17, 2018
    Arkansas
    0
    Looks good!!! I wouldn’t worry about the frame rails. Like has been said it’s double framed and that is most likely from the torque of being on rough roads with pot holes. Those T800 trucks are very solid.
     
    slow.rider and 201 Thank this.
  8. GSF_LandService

    GSF_LandService Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Apr 7, 2021
    East Tennessee
    0
    They are asking 37,900us which doesn't seem too bad, considering the knuckle boom crane. The main use will be for the tree service, loading the heavy stuff, and truck removal when it's close enough to reach safely.

    Thanks for the input guys!
     
    OldeSkool Thanks this.
  9. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,172
    22,655
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    Seems a bit steep, but it is a "specialty" truck, and not some rock hauler pounded into the pavement. That would be great for disaster cleanup and since we're coming into tornado season, could be quite valuable. I've always felt bad for these folks in the south, with their belongings strewn over 2 counties. And they rebuild in the same areas over and over, you'd think ins. companies would say, maybe once, but that's it. Since I gave up my CDL when I moved here, I wonder if one would need a CDL to volunteer for cleanup, like driving a truck clearing debris? I think those "knuckle booms" are like $8-$10 g's alone.
     
    GSF_LandService Thanks this.
  10. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

    27,627
    144,557
    Jul 7, 2015
    Canuckistan
    0
    Rust and scale forming between the rails is causing them to spread. I've seen worse but that frame is on its way out. Usually the spread is much worse between the lower flanges. Probably get a couple more years out of it though.

    Main reason I HATE double frames. Single heavy rail is usually better IMO.
     
  11. GSF_LandService

    GSF_LandService Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Apr 7, 2021
    East Tennessee
    0
    What might be a good option with this thing, if it lasted for a year of good daily service, and then the frame was determined to be "bad"? Swap everything to a different frame? Or just hope it made enough money to pay for a whole new rig?
    Ideally it would make enough to replace itself in the first year, but reality of it is life sometimes gives us less than ideal parameters.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.