suggestion needed

are you wanting to buy a new truck or used? I suggest you being so green buy a good used truck.. that big money you hear about is hard to come by right now.. as for as those trucks you mentioned.. I would go backwards from the way you listed KW first.. Freightliner second.. and Volvo last, but I am not a fan of volvo the last one I drove had more rattling cabinets and crap I just couldn't stand that..

 

If like the Pete, the T680 is another version of the same truck, PACCAR makes both brands, but as the other poster pointed a good used truck is probably a better way to go, so look for a T660.

 

Make and model for the most part is a personal thing, trucks are like cars. Some like KW's some Pete's, some Freightliners, If I were looking to buy a power unit, I would shop around, find several to choose from, according to the application I was going to use them for, then take them have them thoroughly checked out. Then buy the one I could afford to pay for.

 

What exp do you have in running a business? If none, suggest you take some classes. Owning a truck is just not simply about having one. It is a business. You need a business plan.

 

I will offer a few words on becoming an O/O
It is not as easy as it looks,
Cost can be out there and the chances to fail are great...
Tires, Oil changes, are the least of your worries..
Permits brokers, new customers DOT paperwork, if you plan to open your own authority you better have your ducks in a row.

Owning your own truck means all the BILLS are yours Insurance, Fuel, Breakdowns, FUEL, lumpers, Down time, truck payments, permits and plates. FUEL

I know some companies hire O/O and take care of permits and plates, but that is simple stuff.. there are a thousand things to consider..
right now with fuel costing around 4.00 a gallon the math comes out simple if you average 6mpg (some get better some get worse but most newbies with a ungoverned truck get worse as you have a lot to learn to get the best MPG out of any truck) at 6mpg the cost per mile for fuel alone is .66 per mile.

If you spend .66 per mile on fuel and you run 10,000 miles a month NO IDLING you will spend the high side of 6700 a month, no to mention a truck payment ranging from 1400- 2400 per month, and if you have to lease the trailer, I will take the high side payment of 2400 a month divide that by 10k miles that is .24 a mile
So with just fuel and truck payment you are at .90 per mile in expenses (You ain't paid yourself or uncle Sam and they will get theirs sooner or later)
if you lease on with a company who pays less than 1.60 a mile you won't make any money..

Most of the O/O out there have been at this a while and would tell you as a new driver with just 1 year to be careful the bridge you are about to jump off can really kick your tail in the end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, you have to think about putting .11 per mile in to an escrow for maintenance all trucks will have issues, and having an escrow is the smart thing to do for when it happens.. Annual tire cost comes out to be another .04 per mile.. These are jsut a few things to consider..
If you were my Son or friend I would strongly discourage you from doing it until you have 5 years under your belt, as well as with the current economy not worth the gamble..
Google some things like HOW MANY CLASS 8 Repossessions in the last 12 months.. How many trucking companies have Sold, Merged, or closed..
Why are their less O/O today that there were just 10 years ago etc

 

Doc makes a good point here your experience level is what will hurt you the most,not to tell what to do ,but I to suggest to wait a few more years learn more about the industry then think about it again.We have seen many companies go under just in the last 5years alone to scare a normal person, do your home work wait a little longer. Good Luck

 

Volvo's with a few miles get gremlins in the rain.

I am actually a freightliner lover but would say try the kenworth first and the cascadia second.

 

DOC has a great point and perspective... I was a lease operator for a few months at Teton in knoxville before he sold out, and honestly i loved it.. I went in with little money and in a few months nothing broke down and i didn't have to buy any tires but mind you it was just a few months... didn't really have time to get my feet wet cause of the owner... I did have a business plan, and I did my homework, 1000's of hours of reading before I did anything... and to be honest i'm gonna do it again with another company because I'm not gonna be someone elses b!tch... When you work for someone all your doing is making the other man money... you only live once.. so go all out! just do your homework.

 

I'm like the O/P here. got a year in and have the itchin to do the same thing. lol even looking at the same trucks. haven't and don't plan on pulling the trigger for a WHILE longer. thanks for the great post Doc. sometimes i need that 2x4 wrapped around my head to pull me back to reality.