purchased a headache rack today

The reason you are having trouble locking in financing is because you don't have any experiance as an owner operator. Look into a truck only lender, they will be alot more willing to lend than a normal bank. It took me six years to get my local bank to lend me money for a truck, and I have very good credit. They told me they have just been burned to many times over the years and are a little apprehensive when it comes to trucks.

 

Hey EZrider, I did a blow up to check out that side shot of your 5th wheel space to the headache rack. Is that 5th wheel stationary? Cause from these photos it looks like it's crowding the front drive and if so does that leave you enough room for a flat with or w/o a load to turn inside of that rack without touching the chain box?

Just asking....

 

Used trailers are in very short supply right now. I have been looking, but not finding anything worthwhile.

 

A friend of mine just picked up a 99 Utility flatbed yesterday for $12,900.

 

In my opinion....the FLD 120 was the best truck Freightliner ever built!!

 

I can't say I'm finding lots of used up here but there are some, and like you are finding, they are mostly rode hard and put up wet. the combo trailers have too much rust in the cross members and around welds. These are 11 or 12 year old Manacs mostly and are listed for around 9500. In my book that's too much for something that is rusting like that.

 

The problem you are going to run into is the area your looking. as you obviously know, everything in ND is going for WAAAAYYYY more than what it is worth due to the oil boom. I saw rooms for rent for $1,000 week.... anywhere else that room would have been free to anyone wanting to clean it and share it with the mice LOL. Same is to be said about equipment and trucks. If I was going to sell a flatbed or a truck, i would head up there and spend 2 weeks and wind up selling it for a few grand more than i could have elsewhere.

Keep an eye on truckpaper for stuff around OH/MI/IN and KY. They are a bit cheaper and in better shape down here. If you want a really good deal on a flatbed, then look in FL/NY. Remember, you can always drive and go get it.