Need a used truck, what should I be looking at!

If you're going to pay for fuel, maintenance, etc. you might as well plate it for 80k and not limit your load choices, IMO. One load could pay for that heavy use tax. IRP will let you choose the states to run in, so your cab card won't cost a ton if you're staying regional.

 

Oh, you're getting a single axle? Nevermind.

 

A 96 Volvo WIA might be one of the White/GMC variants. Lots of times they had Detroits, though I've seen random ones advertised with Cat motors. There are a good number of them running around the metro NY/NJ area..some look good, some don't.

In your situation, though, I might look for an ex Conway/CCX Sterling daycab. I've seen them going as low as $3000 each, and there are more and more of them on the market as Conway ages them out of their fleets. Though this won't work well if you need a sleeper.

 

There is a reason those Sterlings are cheap. Try to get parts for them, and very utilitarian inside. Did they offer a sleeper?

 

those mini-freightliners look real cool

the single axles that pull campers and horse trailers and stuff

 

i used to have to do this when i hauled used cars back in the 1990's we had a old gm brigidier car hauler and i had a board that was cut to fit around the gearshift worst part was i had to roll both windows down to lay down. head out the drivers window and feet out the passenger window. after i did that once i just started napping in the car behind the cab.

 

What did you eventually find? Mileage?