Flatbed Weight Questions

Reread my post i did not tell him what to buy i said buy whats right for him. I started out over 20 years ago buying fleet speced Freightliner fld120s and let me tell you what i almost lost my shirt on those trucks. Buy 1 for $30k run it 4 years and get $10k to $12k trade in buy a pete for $45k run it for 4 years and still get $35k to $40k for it.The cost to operate and repair the shakers did cost me more than it does to operate and repair the Petes. In my area the freightliner dealers are geared toward the fleets that have time and money to spend and could care less about the little guy where my Pete dealer gets me in and out and takes care of me parts wise. I would rather spend a little more on a well speced better built truck than a plastic shaker or Volvo where after a few years it worth very little in resale. I am a true believer in buying the best out there and running it as long as you can.

 

Apples to oranges – a lot has changed over time and even in the past 5 years. And in all fairness you really have to get down and look at the different models based on industry numbers. A Century vs. a Columbia are going to have completely different cost of ownership numbers.

When you are looking at used equipment in the ’05-’06 range (what I was looking at) the two biggest factors are depreciation and opportunity/interest costs.

When you look at trucks of this age they have taken the majority of their depreciation and start to depreciate at the same percentage rate. Some exceptions on faster decline but most are near the same rate. So if you pay $15k more for one truck, it will be worth more in three years than the other truck but you will have lost more money in terms of depreciation. Additionally, you have put out an additional $15k in cash or have increased finance charges. All of this plays into the cost of ownership.

My point all along is understand the true numbers based on industry data. And then, maybe the additional $.15-.20/mile cost is worth it to you. I know I could have gone cheaper than what I did but the little extra was a trade off.

 

Congrads dude...I wish you the best out there with this!

 

Congrats, again.

Will you get a different truck for that? Also didn't know they had FB. I hope they move you to percentage.

 

If you like it, don't walk, run. Your mileage will likely go down. But suck that part up to see what you think then start talking to TMC or another company that will take you with little experience. They will train you again but what you loose in lost time will be made up in a month on the better pay.

Exciting times.

And the securing is easy. Tarping takes a little work getting it right. Or so I'm told. Still haven't made it past white belt in tarping.

 

Flatbed doing the same miles as a van should be making 50% more.

You must have bumped into so unhappy TMC drivers. The handfull that I have talked to are making good money and happy with the company. I have been talking to one that wants to go O/O but I can't see him starting out making what he wants to make. He taking home $1500 a week with no risk of being an O/O. And home most weekends.

There are some others that have a good reputation and pay but have not spoken with their drivers.

Also, if your goal is O/O. Would an extra $500/week be worth and little hand holding? If all that went into savings how much sooner would you be in the position to buy your own rig?

Life is about trade-offs. And on the flip side the grass is not always greener. OK, will stop now before I come up with some more over used sayings.