Really cheaper to run a new truck?

My 07 is showing similar if I keep the weights down. Once I hit 40K in the box, I go to about 6.5.

It's the 06 EGR S60 14L.

 

Six years ago I bought an ex swift 95 FLD. New Crate 12.7,13spd,3.08rears for $14.5 cash. Since then I have Done pins and shackles on front suspension(twice),radiator,clutch,rebuilt back box on trans,fan hub,air compressor and usually a new A/C compressor and dryer every spring. It has averaged out to $1400 a year in repairs. If it gets below 7.5mpg I am dealing with a 40mph side wind. I ahve been way ahead vs making payments on a new truck. The truck now has over 2mil miles.

 

Probably a good plan to own an older truck like yours if you run out and back home weekly. This way you're much less likely to get stuck too far from home needing a major (expensive) repair and you can keep up with the extra maintenance at home where it's cheapest.

 

why?

A break down is the same if it's in a new or old truck. They both are going to be expensive.

 

Well, true to some extent. But if you could get the repair done at a shop you trust locally, you can sometimes save a few bucks. Or, if you have the wherewithal, you could do it yourself at home and save even more. Road repairs are going to cost the most unless you are on familiar terms with a shop outside of your home turf.

 

ANY unplanned break down on the road is going to be spendy. National chains like Thermo-King seem to all have similar shop rates at $120 per hour.

Same with the stealerships.

It comes down to finding repair shops outside the franchise's and working with them.

You'd do wonders to get to know the regional towing companies and find out who they recommend. You can find some really good ones that way.

 

There are still some independent truck stops that have shops. Some do a good job and charge far less than the big dealers. They will also not hold you up for days to make a repair. When you do find a good shop ask for a card. Keep it in a file or make a note on your computer with some notes about the service and pricing. Next time you need repairs and you are near one of those shops you can call and see if they can help you. I would also ask other owner operators who they may use in a particular area. Some truck stops also have local shops that they can direct you.

 

I would seriously consider MNdriver's advice here.

New or Newer truck may be covered by warranty, but what will you do while it is in the shop? Those big payments are just as big a liability in my mind as being prepared to do a major overhaul on a 20-30k truck within a year or so and after that you will have a solid and reliable truck if you do your homework. I have a 2004 and I get 7.5 average MPG. You don't have to by a new truck to get good MPG. Buying new or newer doesn't guarantee you wont have major issues.

 

Yup they sure do!
I have a 2004 PRE EGR Mercedes . I have installed a Tuner box pumping the HP to almost 500HP. I get over 7.5 average and as high as 8.5 on light loads run down her on the coast. I also have the DDEC reports to prove it.

I actually went out and got a data link and purchased the DDEC software so that I can troubleshoot my truck as well as follow my MPG. I also still hand calculate MPG now and then, but the DDEC is within 2-3% so I don't do that much anymore. Needless to say, I have learned a lot about how to maximize my MPG with the real time data I get from the DDDL Software and the datalink. I cant say that the knowledge I have gained will ever pay for the investment, but I am pretty sure it will.

Paying 115$ for a technician to print out a DDEC report and then screw it up was getting old in a hurry. Now I can run a DDEC report on each run if I want to. I also have some cool stuff to look at while I am driving down the road like real time engine usage% engine torque, instant MPG and average MPG and other cool stuff all in real time on my laptop.

 

My .02cents, at the end of the day you are going to buy what you want to buy, I got a 2005 columbia for 28,000 pay $2000/month for 18 months and its paid in full. I could pay $800 per month and pay it off in 5-6 years but I wanted to pay it off quick and have no payments, it was a rough 18 months especially when I have to d repair but like I said I had my mind set to struggle it out for a short time and get it over with.