Old truck, paid for, or new truck and payments

You must know something, you came here. Best of the best for advice here. While I don't advocate ANY truck purchase for about the next 400 years, if you must, and just starting out, by all means, get a cheapie. If you have had an account for years, and a new dependable truck is imperative to keep the account, THAT'S when you buy a new truck. There are literally so many used trucks, that's clearly not the issue. Most wanting to this, seem to concentrate on the actual truck itself, and not all the rest of the challenges facing an O/O today. Hotshot is on the lower end of the spectrum, but face the same as a class 8 owner. Word of caution, with a used truck, choose wisely. STAY AWAY from a dealer, and try and find a truck being sold by the owner. Usually, they can provide everything that's been done, like you say, for a fraction. Keep in mind, with shop labor rates topping $150/hr., most repairs will probably devastate you,,,for a while, until the next one hits. I had older trucks, did my own work, saved a fortune, it's just, not sure you can do that today. Even new trucks break, and downtime is a killer. Good luck.

 

If you have the ability to wrench on it yourself, go old..

That said I wouldn't buy a '93 6.5L GM 3500 light duty pickup..

An FL50, 60, 70 would be an ok truck with 5.9, 8.3, cummins or 3126 Cat to run hotshot. I'd skip a gooseneck trailer altogether & get a lightweight 48'-53' step with ramps long enough that can load cars, & freight..

 

I've done both. I've always been a believer in buying a good quality piece of gear, then maintaining it forever. That said, if you have the money to buy an older truck, then basically restore it, then you can save a butt ton of money and basically end up with a new truck for a fraction of the cost. I am currently doing this for the third time in my life.
New truck option. Spend money on a brand new truck. It's completely under warranty, so basically no maintenance bills. Max depreciate it over 3-5 years. Sell it and do it all over again. My accountant preferred this method. So I do that with other equipment.
If you can not afford to rebuild an"old" truck from go, then the second option might be a better financial decision.
With a broke down truck you'll not only have a new bill, but down time and lost revenue as well

 

What kind of fuel mileage is expected running an FL 50, 60, 70 with the engines you described pulling a lightweight 48 - 53 step?

 

That would be a dam.

 

I had one of those. Great truck once I put in a 12 valve, 47rh, and 241dhd.

Here it is in action back in the single turbo days making a meager 65psi.

 

Well hello there William!! Lol
They call me Mikey..

That's a sweet ride.! Looks like she passes a quarter rather quick!!


Ironically nerver minded the 6.5L diesel. Have a soft spot for them, as the 1st diesel pickup I ever drove was a '97 Chevy dually with a NV4500 5sp. Pulled a 36' gooseneck for a tree farm, couldn't get out of it's own way, & would turn day to darkness.. Would just pour a black blanket across town before "rolling coal" was cool. Lol Was reliable though..

I just meant it would probably be a poor choice for a hotshot rig because how anemic they tend to be. Repowered with a 6bt, or LB7-LBZ (minus egr) it would be just as good as any other, & I'd reckon look way cooler doing it!!