After truck is paid off, what then ?

Mine's a 2000, It's got 1,500,000 miles on it. We talked about a new one this year but mine's like new inside and out. 1 owner truck that has been meticulously maintained. Trailer's the same age as the truck and has been taken care of the same way.
We're keeping them both 'cause when I want to take a week off I can "back it up against the fence" and go!

The truck is hardly ever in the shop in fact when it was new it spent more time in the shop than it does now.
When things need attention, They get attention and most major repairs have been planned for well in advance.

It's a little harder to predict major component life when the truck has had multiple drivers on it like some of the two year old fleet dogs that you see for sale all the time. When it's a one man truck that makes a huge difference.
I've alway had the new truck every three years mentality but in these unpredictable economic time I like the idea of paid for equipment.

Besides...I really like this particular truck it just one of those "good" trucks.

 

Mine's close to 2 million.....I'm the 2nd owner....

Big difference if you're the first and only owner....

 

Better to be the second owner/driver than to have an old fleet beater...

 

Truckers are really a laughable lot. They are forever discussing how horrible business is and how they are all going broke. Then in the next breath how they need to buy a new truck so they don't get whacked with a big tax bill.
My self I was never comfortable being in debt for a truck, I've bought 6 trucks and only financed 1 over two years. most of them I've keep long enough to rebuild the engines more than once. The Western Star I have now was bought in 99, it still isn't worn out or a "rattletrap". It's got 1.4 million miles and every time I look at upgrading the only upgrade would be to a new truck, as all the used ones seem to be in worse shape. The truck before this one was a 84 KW which couldn't have been a rattletrap junker either cuz I went to buy it back one day after trading it in and it was already sold. The one before that truck was a 78 KW, That one sat on the lot 3 days before it sold. In 30+ years I've needed a wrecker to rescue me 3 times, I do all my own PM work and farm out the major stuff.
Not every one can take care of their equipment as evidenced by walking through a truckstop parking lot.

 

When you get your truck paid off don't work as hard. Enjoy more time at home.

 

I agree, a walk around the truck stop parking lot and you can quickly spot the proud owner that really looks after his rig. Run away from old fleet trucks, yes they probably have a service history but the drivers don't give a crap, if you have skin in the game then you will take better care.