Buying a new truck this week, should i buy new or used?

PS#2 - you should have 4 way lockers, and get the dealership to make it so the lockers stay on and wont disengage if you're in hilly areas.

 

Hey Basic, who are you looking at signing on with if you don't mind me asking and what location? I'm considering doing the same thing but I'm from Ontario and need to move west. Have my own gig here with a couple trucks but freight in this neck of the woods aint what it used to be. I was out in central AB snooping around a few weeks back and got some job offers being an employee that sounded good but been doing my own thing for fifteen years and can't really see not owning my own truck. I don't know a whole lot about specs for hauling crude but I do know trucks and yeah you don't want an 09 anything, especially if its yellow. I love Cats, own an old WS with a pre-emission C-15 that's a bit hard on fuel but pulls like a bear still, starts up and works every day. My 2 cents worth, out this way anyhow, is that Detroit seems to have it figured out the best with the DEF engines and don't hear many issues with Mack/Volvo MP8 other than being Macks and Volvos and drivers want to drive long nose Petes and KW's. I know if I was buying, and I very well might be, It wouldn't be a Paccar or MaxxForce motor if it was free. I have heard enough negatives and not enough positives about Cummins ISX that I would not feel real confident at this point. That pretty much rules out KW/Pete and I don't have experience with Mack/Volvo so I would really need to look at that, but I think I would have a tough time going any other way than Detroit which would mean WS or Freightliner, just my 2 cents. If I had to buy used I think I would need really old (pre-emissions) which is too old now anyway, or something 2010 or later with DEF as they seem to be better than pre-DEF.

 

Sarabeara,

Been reading lots of your posts on these forums, lots of info, keep it coming for us old truckers, new to the oil field and looking for info. Where do you and you other half run mostly? Are you leased to one/same carrier and obviously you guys are doing ok with a new truck last year and a new truck this year, right?
Also, the pump thing is totally foreign to me as far as purchasing and what type. I've used 3 inch PTO direct drive pumps for unloading tankers in Ontario but I cant see a pump like that being worth 20 grand. What are the hydraulic pumps you are talking about and what size pumps are you using. Oh yeah, what are NLG's and having two pumps or switching so you can pump different products. can you explain a little more please?

 

Sarabeara, what are your experiences with your 2014 pete? How is the emissions system working? Any problems? Still too early to tell? Does it use more DEF and regen less like my peterbilt dealer says the 2014 ISX's do? I have no interest in the MX engine. Is the 2014, overall, have quality that Peterbilt is known for, or is it kind of in line with other trucks now?

Not trying to derail this thread just looking for some quick info on this motor. Can't seem to find many reviews on 2014 petes with the latest ISX.

 

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Is it actually a different engine?

If it's not, it's just reprogrammed with the latest updates...

 

The 500 is most definitely a different engine than the 525. A 525 does not take a lot of money to chip. But there is some serious hardware that goes into your 500 to make it work. When I built my 2014, I put a 525 in with an RTLO18189B Transmission. (Hope I have that right)
However, everything from the nut out, is built for a 2050 torque. If I should chip it to 550, all my hardware is in place.
But, I haven't seen the need as of yet to get that higher HP.
In December, when my 2013 is a year old - I will be trading it in for another 525 ISX. I agree - I wouldn't put my money into a Paccar engine.
I don't want to be the guinnea pig for them.
Both my ISX's have had down time for DEF related issues. Both within the first 6 weeks. In the 13 model, it was because the drivers side exhaust was pinched under the sleeper cab, and it needed a regulator installed. Since then, I've felt an increase in HP. (Yay)
But for Alberta Super B work, its still too slugglish and underpowered.

 

There isn't a "chip" it's a computer reprogram. I think the Cummins 15 liter engine can be set at 400hp-600hp. Could be wrong, not going to research it. You're sure so you post a link.

The old C-15 could be set as high as 8-900hp for marine applications, same engine as 475hp.

OK I looked it up, http://cumminsengines.com/isx15-hea...ters=3:EPA+2013&Categories=143,85,20#overview

Additionally a good tech can alter other engine settings, my last truck 2012 Cummings 550hp was altered to give 100% power during shifts, unlike the factory settings that will roll the power on a little slower during shifts to smooth things out and preserve drivelines.

 

I use a T&E 4 1/2" and have used also a direct drive. However, the "trend" is that I've heard major companies want to move to hydraulics to power it.
I have hydraulics on both my units now, but have been hauling butane and liquid asphalt for the past few months.
You can set up a direct drive pump for about 16k. But include the roda deco that needs to be put under the hood for another 2000-2500k. Now you're at 18,500.
Add the tax... and voila... 20k. Honestly, I've looked at other pumps like Roper which seem to leak a bit, or some of these centrifugal pumps. With 3 T&E pumps, I will honestly tell you I've never had major issues. One needed a re and re after 9 months. Are you hauling water? Or Oil? Water is much more difficult on the pump. Are you infield or long haul? Infield will have you using that pump several more times in a day than long haul.
Then who is installing your pump? That's a key question.
Everyone will have a different opinion - and that's okay. Sometimes it works out for you, and sometimes it wont. When it doesn't, you need to be financially prepared for downtime and for the cost of the repair.

 

You are correct, I shouldn't have used the word "Chip". I think I was looking for a shortcut way to say "increased power".
But, since I looked for an alternative to get more out of my 500ISX, and it was more work than I thought (hardware wise), I decided against it.
The 525hp IS just a computer adjustment. I did however build my truck with heavier suspension and torqueing parts. I hope you understand what I mean?