How to check used trucks

In no way am I trying to be a ##### so please do not take it at that, but if you look thru this section you will find 6 of one and half a dozen of the other on a answer to this question. It is all about what you feel the best or most comfortable with. As far as the vins go I am still not sure how to do that but there is a guy on here petetech I think that could probably help you out.

 

Carfax had some info on my Kenworth W900

Didn't buy the report but there were zero records for it.

Just an idea.

 

If you go to the dealer with the vin# they will give you a printout of the life of that truck , I recently purchased an 04 from a private lot and took my vin# to my local Freightliner dealer and they were able to give me a full printout of any work that was done at the dealer ,also you may want to ask for the ecm report and/or any service records.Good luck!!!!!!!!

 

tomast, you can do better than a 01 Freightliner Century. I know that for sure as I browse truckpaper a lot.

As far as tips: Run the vins and pick out the truck that has the least mileage, and engine problems. Also, if the brakes are less than 50% and tires, ask the dealer to install new ones.

I would look at a FLD120 or a T6. You can get parts easily for these makes and models and with the right specs a T6 will easily get 7.0+ mpg. Ask Bronc on that one.

King

 

My tip, as i am on my 3rd used truck so i think i have a bit of experience..... There is no such thing as a 7mpg truck hunter, it all depends on what your pulling and how your pulling it, you wont get no 7mpg pulling 80k lbs running the mountains..... Now, whatever truck you decide on, make sure AND I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH, to have dealer check oil in differentials and tranny, this will show you if its time to replace something. Also before starting check coolant level, smell it to make sure theres no diesel in it, make sure it has no oil in it DO THIS WHEN COLD. Check oil, im sure they wont change it so the truck has been sitting with old motor oil, look for any discoloration, milky residue, or tiny shavings. When starting the truck i like to put my bare hand on the exhaust manifold, each runner and feel as it warms up, usually if one is cold and the rest is hot it means its a injector dumping fuel. Tires, i wouldnt settle for recaps. GET A DYNO!!!! this will tell alot on how the engine is, blowby, this means oil comsumption, and power at the wheels.... Hope this helps.

 

550 those are some good tips right there. I like to follow those guidelines myself. You are right about the 7 mpg's. It is all about where you run and what you are hauling.

 

KH you give a whole lot of advice for someone with no experience. Granted some of it's good but some of it is based on nothing. you need to go get yourself some experince and learn what you are talking about before you go giving advice.
I can get 8mpg with my pete empty but you load it up and head up the road and it'll be at 5mpg in a heartbeat. there is no one size fits all. everything need to be taken into account.
Your pacar trucks will be better in the build quality (peterbilt and Kenworth) freightliners are cheap and they show it. they are loud and they rattle and squeek you right to the loony bin after driving for 11 hours. The columbia I'm in right now has 48k on it and it's crazy loud. look around at all the companies that run freightliners. That means every few years every one of those trucks is on the market. What's that mean? well two things. first, you can buy one cheap. But secondly it means they are worthless. if you do buy one when you go to sell it, it will be one of a million freightliners on the market. they will kill you on a trade value or outright sale. my 22yo pete is worth as much as an 02 freightliner

 

Rebuilds could be a scam... of sorts. Ask to see the papers. If someone spent the time and money for an in-frame or major they will have the paperwork. Look it very well. Also still run the vin at the dealer as it will give you some good insight as to the truck and how well its was cared for. My personal experience was I would only by a Pete. The fit, finish and just all around quality is far above the vulvo's and freight shakers. All of the Paccar family (Pete and KW) always have a better resale. You can also take a good look at the interior, the condition says a lot there too as if the prior owner tore it up and the exterior looks good, chances are they were hard on the truck. Now keep in mind people have lived in them so no matter what there will be some flaws etc as there are way more hours of the cab interior being used over the rest of the truck, but if you get in a few, you will see what I mean. Especially, go look at some fleet trucks and you will get a good idea. Company drivers don't give two shakes about the truck, they drive it for 3 years or so and get a new one. Buy a pete or a KW that is 5 or 6 years old and being an O/O rig, you will see the difference. I just bought my 387 and it was an O/O rig and it is very clean and straight. I paid a bit more for it than you have in your budget but it only had 119k on the clock and was a steal of a deal (yes you can find them but you have to jump cause they don't last long). This truck will be taken care of and I see no reason why it wont go 1m+ and look just as good years from now as it does today as well as still hold a good resale... As MM said, his 22yo Petercar (though he is in the process of getting it in good shape) is still worth more than any 4 yo 500K Freightshaker... that says a lot.