how old is too old

Hauling salt here hardly pays for fuel Not here pays a good rate ( from the mine ) for dump trailer as well as bagged on flatbed.

 

In the northeast I would be more worried about corrosion and rust from winter time driving than the unit's actual age. An ancient truck that was used in farming and sat in the barn over winters might be in better shape than something much newer and badly corroded.

 

Just a thought, find a older rig that fits your needs for around less than 20k and redo her, not saying it is the best way but for 40-70k you can have a new motor and tranny with nice rebuilt rears and some goodies to boot. Done it before and worked out great for me, not saying it is the best but you can find a older non electric engine and laugh at the what's wrong with my computer killing engine.

Sometimes less is more.

 

Like I said being from CT you should use it to your advantage and go pre-emission. With the hills and high cost of fuel in the Northeast you could take that $40k and have yourself a nice truck that gets great fuel economy, and stays out of the repair shop!! Remember in CT you have to property tax on used trucks every year, so if you keep the initial cost of the purchase down and rebuild it, you will only be taxed for the book value.

 

It may be less expensive in the long run for a mechanical engine since most parts are easy to find and nationwide for the most part, nothing wrong having a classic rig if it fits your needs.

With emissions and other restrictions on newer engines you may be able to get around that, depending on your hauling area they may not have regulations and some older well tuned engines can get better fuel mileage than newer yet used trucks.

 

Maintence is EVERYTHING. Especially in dumps. If I were looking; I'd look far and wide for a outfit that has an excellent maint. program and their own shops. Talk to mechanics off premices. GOOD and USED don't often come together. Hard work up front will pay off.