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Looking for some general startup advice

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by droopalong, Jan 9, 2012.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jan 9, 2012 #1
    droopalong

    droopalong Bobtail Member

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    Jan 9, 2012
    Indianapolis, IN
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    Ok, heres what I would like some opinions on.

    I am looking to go o&o. I have read alot of the information on here which has been quite helpful in some of my decision making. Which I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to add the information I have found.

    Basicall Im down to deciding on three makes of trucks: 07 columbia 10spd 3.42 with a cat and an apu. 2) an 06 T2000 cat w/fresh overhaul and warranty with papers, apu 13 spd 3.36 3) 05 western star with onan gen system 13 spd and a detroit.

    Im basically asking for some opinions here on those three. All three trucks are in great condition and theres not really that much of a price difference between them suprisingly. Which truck would some of you more seasoned o/o take as a good starter truck and why?

    I am also looking to lease onto a company to start. They would be used as a stepping stone to get my own authority, hopefully around the time I get a year as o/o in. My next question is:

    Does anyone know a good smaller company that would lease me on as a greenhorn o/o? My preference would be to run refer or dry box. I have experience in both, but would prefer refer if I could get the right pay.

    Thanks in advance and please, please stay on topic. I know its more difficult to get more than two drivers to agree on something than it is to get two people to agree on pizza toppings. :p
     
    droopalong, Jan 9, 2012
    droopalong, Jan 9, 2012
    #1
    123456 Thanks this.
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  3. Jan 9, 2012 #2
    Mr. PlumCrazy

    Mr. PlumCrazy Road Train Member

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    Jul 30, 2009
    Lexington NC
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    Mileage would help even though i dont like them T2000 that fresh overhaul with warranty could get me to liking them. It would be a toss up between it and the WS the detroit would be cheaper and easier to work on. What type of sleeper on each, engine hp
     
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jan 9, 2012
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jan 9, 2012
    #2
  4. Jan 9, 2012 #3
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    TN
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    I don't really care for T2000's nor Columbia's but I understand perfectly why others would choose these trucks, everyone looks at these things differently. Based on what you've posted I'd go with the T2000. An overhaul with papers is the best part. It's also geared just right for an acert cat. 3:42 is too low imo. Don't care for 14L Detroits. Everyone I know who has that motor always complains about how weak it feels and most of them,with few exceptions, complain about lousy fuel mileage. Sounds like the Star has some offbrand apu, dont care for that either. What does the KW have? I'd want a tripak apu but wouldn't let apu, offbrand or not, be a dealbreaker. You could pm BigBadBill about leasing on with a good company, although it sounds like you'd prefer to pull a refer, which we don't do. You could end up with your own paid for dry van in a short amount of time. Plus, Bill won't be upset with you for leaving when you decide to run your own authority, in fact he will give you guidance and help you to get there. You will not likely find another company out there with a reasonable trailer purchase plan like his.
     
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2012
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2012
    #3
  5. Jan 9, 2012 #4
    revelation1911

    revelation1911 Heavy Load Member

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    Dec 25, 2011
    Moody Alabama
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    You don't mention your experience? I'd make sure wherever I was looking to go, their insurance would cover me. Thats how I wound up with my own authority. Company I was going to work with and learn what I was doing insurance sunddenly wouldn't cover me. This was after the drug test and interview. Worked out ok for me anyway, good thing about flatbed operators they will help you out lots of times at shippers if you don't know.
    If I was going to lease on somewhere I'd go to mercer.
    Truck I'd pick would be a Peterbilt, a old peterbilt will outlast any other truck.
    I used to rebuild wrecked trucks and they survived better than any others I done and mack second pick.
     
    revelation1911, Jan 9, 2012
    revelation1911, Jan 9, 2012
    #4
  7. Jan 9, 2012 #5
    droopalong

    droopalong Bobtail Member

    10
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    Jan 9, 2012
    Indianapolis, IN
    0
    Ive been driving for 6 years and been fortunate enough to keep my nose clean (clean mvr/dac/low csa score). The T2000 has a carrier apu. Hp and sleeper size is 435 70', 475 70' (if I remember correctly on the t2), and 515 82' strat on the ws. The ws also has 3.70. The columbia and ws have just a little over 500,000. And the t2 has about 20,000 on the rebuild. The prices for all three are within about $3000 of each other too. Right now Im leaning towards the t2 as well. That warranty may come in handy, especially in my first year.

    Thanks for the replies so far.
     
    droopalong, Jan 9, 2012
    droopalong, Jan 9, 2012
    #5
  8. Jan 9, 2012 #6
    fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    Lol Rollin, Onan isn't an off brand and will be far more reliable than any other APU out there.
    I've got a WS and am a Detroit man and would definitely pick it over a Columbia (I owned 2 of them as well). As far as WS vs T2000, the overhaul papers go a long way for a newbie. If you don't have a knowledge investment in the engine group like I do with Detroit, I'd probably lean towards the KW. The WS will be far easier to work on, but most new guys don't want to hear about the downsides to being your own boss.
     
    fortycalglock, Jan 9, 2012
    fortycalglock, Jan 9, 2012
    #6
  9. Jan 9, 2012 #7
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I never heard of onan, figured it to be another rigmaster pos.
     
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2012
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2012
    #7
  10. Jan 9, 2012 #8
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    onan is one of the best made.........
     
    123456, Jan 9, 2012
    123456, Jan 9, 2012
    #8
  11. Jan 9, 2012 #9
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I'd still pick the T2000 :-D
     
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2012
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2012
    #9
  12. Jan 9, 2012 #10
    droopalong

    droopalong Bobtail Member

    10
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    Jan 9, 2012
    Indianapolis, IN
    0
    I kind of figured the detroit would be easier on upkeep, and that 82' sleeper is kinda nice too. All of the trucks are even priced in the area I feel comfortable spending to start. But, what would be the downsides to each? Im a newbie to o/o so I wouldnt mind hearing the good and the bad. What would be the downside to each truck?
     
    droopalong, Jan 9, 2012
    droopalong, Jan 9, 2012
    #10
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