What is the deal with older trucks?

Good to see this informative dialogue... I'm one of those crazy fools who would NEVER own his own truck, due to all the b.s. I've seen over the years. Another reason: after being in the Army, I HATE PAPERWORK WITH A PASSION, and I made as much as a whole heap of O/Os when I was haulin' that Hazardous Waste as a Company Driver... that outfit was the "big fish" in a "small pond"---that's why they paid pretty well, and the runs were long enough to make up for everything else, 10? So I don't know... I'll probably catch heller grief from O/Os, but I reckon I'll always be a "Company Driver." I don't care how much abuse they heap on me for that reason... when they're stalled and spiralling out of business, I'll be that "Company Driver" who actually offers condolences, instead of doing THIS number:

Just remember that, O/Os, when you're at your rope's end and ya look over to see some knucklehead (moi) offering ya an ice-cold beer to give ya a big ol' ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. I've seen the most astute O/Os FAIL FOR REASONS WHICH HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH 'EM... like this economy, for instance. So, I won't rattle on here... as a diehard company pogue, I feel that once you're with the right outfit, you'll make good money and be treated with respect. The last GOOD outfit for whom I drove (IBT, out of Dago) suffered a financial blow when some scrub with three trucks leased on to IBT turned around and defrauded the boys just before fuel spiked... either blow taken singly would have been weathered, but one on top of the other did 'em in, slowly but surely, 10?

Anyway, I sincerely wish all you O/Os the best... as a CONFIRMED BACHELOR (i.e. a man who NEVER makes the same mistake ONCE), I just don't see the POINT in owning my own truck, especially when I can load my nieces and nephews into a company truck and take 'em camping (as I'm about to do, and as some of these nieces and nephews have already done with me in a big truck---see photo collection). I guess it boils down to financial laziness---I hate dealing with paperwork, permits, licenses, and ALL the other b.s. involved in truck ownership. But don't write me off yet... if I win the Mega Millions jackpot, you'll see me pass your sorry a__ in a BIG OL' CLASSIC XL (at least 600 Ponies under the hood), with the fifth-wheel assembly removed, a big ol' diamond-plate BBQ deck installed over the exposed frame, and multiple dirt bikes strapped down in formation as we BLOW PAST YA AT TRIPLE DIGITS!!! You'll see "THE RAILSPLITTER" logo splashed across the upper rear bulkhead of the sleeper, "10-FO'???????????????"

 

rail.....you must have been a CDAT, cuz yer FUBAR'd

my 14 year old kw does 7mpg regularly....that said i dont blame the lifer's in company trucks....i wouldnt trade em, but i dont blame em

 

I didnt mean anyone specifically. But yeah, exactly. We're talking about like 1000 gallons of fuel and meals that would have to be paid for some other way...

 

I can understand why some would prefer to not buy a truck and step out on their own. Each has to live within their own comfort zone. I guess it comes down to what I heard on a business show one time regarding business entrepenuers..... I would rather be captain of my own boat (even a row boat) than a restricted passenger on a luxury liner.

This has been the nature of things for as long as America has been around. Should I stay in my situation with the job I have or should I give it all up and move west to settle the fontier. Should I remain in a regular infantry outfit or volunteer for Rangers or SF (pay is the same except for a small hazardous duty pay for jump status). Should I stay in my nice 8-5 job or should I venture out and start my own business and put in 80 hrs a week instead of 40? One thing for certain... there are no rewards if someone is not willing to take the risk. Sure, one can fail. And there will be lean times. Most every person that has succeded and made it to millionaire status has filed bankruptcy once or twice.

I guess that is why a lot of us do it. The challenge, and if we succeed, the reward. Many fail and only a few make it. But most that try will admit that trying was worth the effort. That is the wonder of Liberty and the free enterprise system.

 

Well said Captain.

 

I got a 86 359 short hood with a 63" sleeper, I'm going put it otr just got out local with it and going otr, but I can't do much now I'm with swift going be a lease operator,I'm going put somebody in that truck,

 

Terrible idea, IMO. As someone who owns older trucks you've got to give them a lot of love to keep them going. Putting someone in an older truck is bound to leave you with an unhappy employee who is going to abuse your equipment.

 

OTR your going to need a newer truck if your leasing.

however if your aggregate local you can use any age truck you want most of the dumps around south florida are early 90's.

 

Very infomative. Have a 97 classic bought and paid for with a fr esh overhaul including the head. Have driven the new trucks and they do have a lot of problems. I know they take some wrenching. But I enjoy working on our truck that no one can take away. Love the freedom. The great thing about them older trucks is that if I had the money to buy a new one I can completely restore mine for a lot less and as long as you stay up on your maintenance you usually don't have much issues and having a padded truck account helps. Plus the parts are usually alot cheaper with the older trucks.

 

Hey truckhog.....
Dont know why you are having a hard time putting your "'99 show-truck" to work.

I have a 94 KW W9 and 84 Pete 359. I have had no problem putting them to work. Had the 94 with Mercer until March 2011. Are you are just going by what the companies are putting out in written information ........most will accept older trucks if you can pass their inspections and the truck is kept up. Mercer is such a company.