Overhaul Used Truck or Buy New?

The more you know,the more you can get away with.I`m glad I don`t have any truck payment right now.Just remember that experience and tractor age are requirements with most companies.

 

Lets see....if you spend 20k to buy a truck, and then you have to sink another 20k into it (worst case scenario) it still has cost you only 40% of the price of a new truck.

 

Yeah but do not forget the down time. down time has cost me more than the repairs at times.

 

Warranty on a new truck loses the same revenue as a used one, actually more considering the payment. I'd hate to be the guy on the fitz glider thread trying to get out from under an '11 cascadia.

 

new, strip all the emissions junk off and drive it. If that isn't an option for you then overhaul but remember the engine is only one part of a high mileage truck.

 

Heck, probably only a third of the price of a new truck! And for those that are concerned about the downtime of used over new, sure seems like the new ones are down as much or more than older trucks. Seems like there is always a sensor going out or the DPF won't regen properly. Also, with a used truck, in most situations the downtime can be planned. These new emissions laden trucks like to have a fit at the most inconvenient time.

 

Mr Haney can fix you up for a lot less than $5K.......

Worry about finding a good truck.....and find a way to make money with it. Forget the other stuff...

 

Thought I'd weigh in on this one since I was in your shoes about a year and a half ago.

I went the used route...I currently have a 1999 Peterbilt 379 completely rebuilt..new engine, new tranny, clutch.

A lot depends on your current haul and, of course, money.
If you currently work for a company that demands you be in a certain place with little to no "wiggle" room for your deliveries AND you net around 10K a month (after all your expenses) a new truck payment wouldn't be out of the question. You have (somewhat) better reliability than worrying about your older truck breaking down.

The flip side is, like others have mentioned, customizing your ride the way you want it. I like having options. When you have a truck payment you have no option....you have to run. I have no truck payment and sometimes I take as little as one load a week and sit home the other 6 days. I'm always home on the weekend and thats when I do the majority of my routine maintenance (grease, tighten things)

I live in the Denver CO area and in winter I can choose to sit at home during a storm and not worry about making my non-existent truck payment. Insurance is also cheaper. I pay less than 125 a month.

Older trucks limit where you can work since certain companies limit the age of the tractor.

So it all depends on you and your particular situation.