So you want to "own " your own company

gears,
for me it has nothing to do with being fancy, functionality is more important.
I've been banking start up $ for some time now.
Also this truck could be sold today, that is why I've located 3-4 trucks similar to this one, all about the same price/mileage.

No refrigerator, microwave,TV or Satellite Dish ( yet),in it,

Also the Volvo is lower insure. due to me being a new O/O.

Question,
Considering driving habits being the same, axle ratios being the same, what is your opinion of fuel mileage on a Cumm. 15 liter, 500 HP, VS the smaller Cumm. 12 liter( I think) 400 HP ?

thanks,
crusin

 

gears,
This one only comes with a engine warranty, minus turbo,injectors,air compressor.

Another truck I have found is from a private seller,62 year guy,original owner,retireing, no warranty.Seller willing to deliver to a truck center of my choice for inspection/check out.

The other two truck's similar to this has the same engine only warranty.

No matter what, they will be checked out at a heavy truck center of my choice or I'll walk on any one of them.

thanks,
crusin

 

Newly, your picture looks like my truck's twin! I went with a drivetrain warranty, engine - trans - drives, and luckily I haven't had to use it yet. I'd suggest pulling oil samples from the engines, or asking for recent results on them. This is something I missed when I bought mine, although it worked out okay.

Blackwell Laboratories will mail you a free test kit, and then you just mail the sample back to them with payment - and they post the results online. I'll be running a few samples at the next service (engine and trans).

There's a forum member running the smaller Cummins locally (I think it's Kansas), but he doesn't run OTR. If you'll be running OTR with any standard loads, I think you'll probably work that smaller motor to death and see no better mileage because of it. I'm running an ISX at 475HP, 13 spd, 3.58's and 22.5LP and seeing about 6mpg loaded (in an '05 780). If you want better mileage and less trouble, you might want to look for a pre-EGR truck ('02 and earlier). Search my postings back a ways, I've talked about it in other postings.

Another thing you might want to check is the model of the 13spd. Someone pulled a fast one on my truck, and I wound up with the standard torque rated (1,650ft/lb) Eaton 13 (RTOC-16909A 9 speed with the splitter added on). The 13 speed you want behind that ISX is the full RTLO-18913B box (1,850ft/lb) to get the most out of that motor. Being that the ISX is rated at 1,850ft/lb I feel like they shorted my truck when they installed the wimpy trans at the factory. I'm just going to keep it in one piece until the warranty runs out, and swap in an 18 spd - then change to taller drive gears.

I think you'd be happy with the 670 or 780 out on the road. I went with the 780 to get the workstation lower bunk, I leave the table up all the time and sleep in the top bunk. It is a plus to have the extra width of the 780 to spread out, and the extra windows help, but I'm sure it adds some weight.

It sounds like you're a step ahead with some work already lined up. Good luck with the decisions, and best to you!

 

I would most definitely consider the truck from the private seller as they have a tendency to take better care of there equipment and some times a better price
most warranty are not worth what they cost

 

Hwy Pilot answered your post better than I could. I'm just glad to read you guys are running Cummins and not the Volvo motors. I've not heard ANYTHING positive about them, especially their support network. I think the only way I'd consider a Volvo would be if it had an ISX.
Hey Pilot.... Coming up to Nebraska any time soon?

 

Yeah the Cummins was the selling point on the truck - I've heard some nasty stuff about the Volvo engines, support networks, parts pricing and availability, etc. I had also heard that they were a PITA to work on because they're designed with Euro COE installs in mind - haven't confirmed that yet tho. If there isn't a Volvo, Cummins, or Peterbilt shop nearby, I probably shouldn't be there in the first place!

My trip up to NE is set for around Feb 10th or so, as long as I can finish up down here. I still need to get the DOT inspection *gulp* done on the truck, and the front air bags replaced before that. Looks to be a busy week coming up, the 10th isn't far out! You going to be around then?

 

The 10th? Heck, that's just right around the corner. I'll do the best I can, but the 10th is smack dab in the middle of the week. I'm heading out for Arkansas on Monday and then either back up this way or further South. Keep me posted as the time gets closer!

 

about tracking your fuel, the rand mcnally intelliroute TND 500 GPS logs mileage by state for fuel tax reporting, i dont have the GPS yet myself but theres a huge thread on here about it, hope this helps

American Trucker

 

HwyPilot,

Thanks for the well needed info.
As of right now I will be running locally with a radius of about 500-1000 miles,but this could change at any time and I could be OTR and I have to be prepared for that.

Your opinion of 400hp VS 500 hp is the same as mine, there is no alternative for displacement/torque.
Myself, as for the HP,I didn't know someone as an O/O would recognize the difference but having more power/torque and not needing it is better than needing it and not having it.
Thanks for your opinion of fuel economy, I asked several Owners/ company drivers this question and and got mixed answers. I thought the fuel economy was what you had stated, but it's good to hear actual fuel economy results from someone as yourself, thanks big time.

The 3-4 trucks I'm interested in are all the same with exception of this one,this one is the only one that is a 15 liter engine.Also this one does have an engine only warranty.

Yes the 670/780 with the work station would be a big plus, even though I will be running locally now, I could be OTR at any time and yes the extra space/work station would be a big plus.
Also when my boy's come with me in the summer there would be more room for all us,the wife joked and said take em for 3 weeks, I need a break.That will give me the excuse to install a flat screen, play station, satellite TV,etc. ( I spoiled my boy's with electronic stuff!)

I just burned an email to the salesman as to what trans is in that truck.

Any other suggestions, please post em.

Thanks again big time,
crusin

 

Jeremy's wife says:
My husband wants to buy his own dump truck for local haul, after having driven for his dad for 10 years. My concern, well one of my concerns, is how to know what paperwork I will need to handle daily, monthly, yearly - as I know that I will be the one who will have to handle the "office" end of things. I have just discovered this forum for Jeremy and he hasn't even had a chance to look through it yet, but I wanted to go ahead and post my question as I have no idea where to even begin in this new endeavor...
Thanks,
Sara