New truck... but what truck?

Oh true. All the Pete's I've been looking at are 260-290"wb

Ethan

 

Yes, you Canucks are one goofy lot of folks with all your rules and regulations...

I wouldn't run anything under a 280" wheelbase myself. My Star Car has a 285" and I still don't feel like I have enough frame space.

 

I deliver new trucks for Paccar, and you might have one more option. I dont know how the laws are up there in Canada. But down here in the states I've delivered quite a few glider kits. (Brand new truck with no drivetrain) If you can do that legally in Canada, it might give you another option. You can get your brand new truck and still get a pre-emission Kittty-Cat under the hood.

 

I don't know if it would help you out any but down here in the states theres quite a few companys that buy the glider kit, put the engine in it and sell you a RUNNING truck. I'm assuming the financing is hard to get because its an incomplete vehicle. Also KW had quit making gliders for a while but they started making them again. So you could get a KW or a Pete with a hood.

 

2005 pre emission is salesman speak for pre DPF. But they still had egr/egr coolers for Cummins or twin turbo CATs. I am sure you know this, but the way they are driving the pre emission thing home, am sure some will think they are buying a old school trouble free ride.

 

I have a couple of questions for the OP. How certain are you that your rates are going to stay the same and how certain are you that your company won't be undercut? There is a lot of that happening in Canada right now, it's very cutt throat. I run a 05 kenworth w900 with 550 c15 cat , 3.55 rears , 18 sp, 12/40 , twin 150 gallon tanks, 800,000 miles. I bought it in Canada for 37000. I don't know if your looking hard enough when you say you can't find a decent used truck with the power you need. There's is plenty of used Pete's and kw out there with 550 cats . It your willing to buy new I think you would be better off buying used and putting some money into a few choice upgrades. It's only 500 bucks to get a c15 updated at cat to 550 from 475. As for the rusty frames , get it sandblasted and painted, won't cost more than a grand . If you get quoted more , pm me and I will put you in touch with a guy who does it professionally for a grand. I know guys pulling turnpike doubles and lcv with flogged out detroits and old Mack's. I also have a friend pulling pikes with a 2010 kw t660 cummins getting 6.5 all day long. You sound like your more interested in the appearance of the truck instead of the drive train. If you want max power and a w900 then go new with a 575 cummins and enjoy your 3000 dollar a month payment and hope like hell some half assed east Indian company doesn't cut the rate and steal your work, because then your ######! Or find a decent used truck with a 550 cat, cats are good for hills as they have great low down torque . You want a 3.55 rear end with an 18 speed. This is a common drivetrain setup in Canada so it shouldn't be hard to find. Your going to be looking at trucks in the 800000 mile range at around six to eight years old for around 35 to 45 thousand. You will pay more for a Pete in Canada, that's a fact! If you have the coin then upgrade as you see necessary but a well maintained truck with those specs will pull an lcv all day long with no problems . And if your company loses the work then your not stuck with ridiculous payments to make. Put some more thought into your plan, look a bit harder for used and be sure you have job security and you should succeed. I wish you all the best of luck.