Flatbed Weight Questions

The Admiral · Sep 13, 2011

One other thing i overlooked Resale. Think about that. Dave you bustin an old mans chops?

Diesel Dave · Sep 13, 2011

The Admiral said: ↑

One other thing i overlooked Resale. Think about that. Dave you bustin an old mans chops?
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Maybe a little.......

The Admiral · Sep 13, 2011

No respect for the elderly!

aiwiron · Sep 13, 2011

Also add depreciation onto the tractor cost as well, trade in value can either take one for the home team or make a newer power unit in the future.

SHC · Sep 13, 2011

blackw900 said: ↑

The hood was not adjusted properly...Nor are the hoods adjusted properly on 90% of the W9's out here.
If the rubber pins are in the right position and tight so that they can't work their way out of adjustment and the same for the seats that they mate with, the hood will not move or flap at all.

Most guys never even think about setting these up right in the first place and if they do, they rarely if ever maintain them...I check the torque on the seats every time I get a P/M done and my hood is just fine.

Most people think that P/M is ghanging the oil, filters and squirting some grease and maybe even checking the tire pressure...Proper P/M also includes periodic tightening of bolts and checking to see that all adjustments are within specifications so that other components aren't subject to excessive wear and premature failure.

How many times have you seen a W900 with the hood beating the crap out of the cowell? Most guys seem to think that this phenomenon is a design flaw that can't be prevented but anyone that actually maintains their entire vehicle understand that it's a result of a lack of keeping the adjustment within spec.
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I agree 100%. I go over the truck thuroughly each month. Heck, I even check the ride height on the suspension to make sure it's in OE spec's. Too many times have I owned a truck and the bags were set too high or low or the rod bent and the level was way off from month to month

American-Trucker · Sep 14, 2011

blackw900 said: ↑

Pre 07 is the best bet....The emissions crap will cost you.

Lot's of used trucks are ragged out and at 800,000 miles it'll probably have problems of the expensive kind.

The droopy hood might help fuel economy...but the BIGGEST factor in fuel economy is the drivers ability to operate the equipment efficiently.

I knew that...

You make a good point there...

SP was a very knowledgable guy that had the ability to do his own work and the means to get it done in the event that he could not do it himself.

There is no room for the word "hope" in this business!

You are right when you say that buying a tired old 379 that you don't know the history on is a bad idea....A bad truck can and will drown you and kill your business before you can get it stable.

Take your time, Shop around and most importantly...If you don't know how to look at a peice of equipment the way a buyer should, Get someone to help you find the right piece of equipment...

Lastly.....Don't listen to dick head oldtimers that are bustin' your balls about not getting a long hood!
We're just teasing you....Do what's right for you!
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Thats what i figured you were doing. I can work on my own truck, i was a mechanic before i started driving. I dont have allot of exp with big trucks, but i do know how to fix things. So that should save me a bit of money

I'll have my dad and his buddy (he owns a fleet of trucks) look at what ever i may want to buy before i buy it

Harvey Wallbanger said: ↑

AT I didnt know you had plans to go OO. You seem to be pretty happy with WS. Tired of working for the man? Just curious.
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I do like W/S but i also enjoy, not being on the road 3 months at a time because its the only way to get a decent amount of time off at a time, i also enjoy going the speed limit weather it be 25 to 80. I also would like to NOT drive a FL with 618,000 miles on it thats been wrecked a few times and make ME the one driving a truck thats held together with ZIP TIES look like a bad driver even though i havent put a scratch on it...

Hanadarko said: ↑

AT,
I hope you do the math in this idea every which way. While I certainly wish you the BEST, many company drivers think they will do much better as an O/O but either end up about the same or worse off...
I don't always know why - but just make sure you look at each and every thing that you will need and need to spend money on.

If it makes sense and you have a nice HUGE maintenance fund, I say go for it........
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I have $7,000 set aside for a start to a maintance account at the moment

BigBadBill said: ↑

You are going to spend 15-20k on pride asa new o/O? You have made a lot of good posts but guess you haven't read many of the posts. You are going to spend more money for a truck that's going to cost you more to operate that isn't going to be any more reliable than a cheaper truck. All because image?!?
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no i am not, a 386 isnt a truck to go bragging about, while it is in my opinion a very nice truck (if spec'd right).

If i cant get a Pete/KW the ONLY other truck i will consider is a century like mine, BUT it will not be spec'd by a desk jocky, it will be spec'd to run properly...i get 7-8.75mpg in this POS and i've put over 100,000 miles on this truck since last december and havent had any breakdowns except 1 leaf spring broke..so it would be a money maker. if i didnt want to strangle it while i climb 1% grades at 15mph

SHC said: ↑

I would highly suggest a T660 midroof. I personally know of 4 guys running these getting 7+mpg and still have the 86" studio... A&R Transport runs them with the 72" aero cabs with 46k of plastic pellets in a 13" bulk tanker and are avg a little over 8mpg according to their office.

That being said, it all depends on what you want to do and how you want to do it.
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I would LOVE a T660 with a studio weather it be a 72 or a 86 studio. But i have yet to find one under $60,000

American Trucker

American-Trucker · Sep 14, 2011

just for sheets and giggles i inquired about a truck while at a Rush Peterbilt in Nashville not to long ago and this is what it was sold for the other day.

$207,500!

Yes i know i wont see a truck like this in my driveway for a LONG time and has limited practicalty do to price and weight but it was fun drooling over it anyway. And i though some of you might be interested in this.

21,100lbs Full of Fuel

more pics here: http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3035503&dlr=1&pcid=45575

American Trucker

Shotsjc · Sep 14, 2011

Oh go ahead and just buy it! you know thats the one for you! What's 200k going to to do, bankrupt you? You can make it up with all your advertising money off of YouTube. LMAO

American-Trucker · Sep 14, 2011

Shotsjc said: ↑

Oh go ahead and just buy it! you know thats the one for you! What's 200k going to to do, bankrupt you? You can make it up with all your advertising money off of YouTube. LMAO
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lol wish. i dont make sheet off YouTube.

American Trucker

Hanadarko · Sep 14, 2011

$7000 isn't really enough....but people have done it with less!

While this isn't a worse case scenario...Consider....
One issue recently that happened to my friend, was that his engine sucked a valve and when it spit it out, it took out the turbo.
Total bill was over $7000 and that was at an Independent shop. Dealer wanted over $12k.

This is why it is recommended that this fund be closer to $20k....that's the safe mark especially with an older used truck.
One major repair and your out of business.....

I had a $6800 repair bill at KW and I am still trying to make that up...

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