Okay here goes

Is this an Acert engine?
Who is offering the warranty and what parts are covered?
Without any cash reserves, what are you going to do is you blow a tire?

 

I've done what you are talking about. More than once and it worked out. Sure there were rough spots but it did work out. You have the right idea, lease on to a carrier and use their money. There are carriers out there that give same day settlements.Most big name carriers have tire programs and other odds and ends. Sounds like a good truck to me. I hope you are blessed in your endeavors.

 

All used trucks will be a gamble. It sounds to me that you have done a good bit of homework and just need to make the jump.

If you lease to a good company and show that you are a good, reliable operator they will give you a bit of help if needed. Do not count on this as a long term way of paying for truck maint.

Good Luck!

 

I bought a truck Nov 1, 2014. Mechanic went into, around, under, over...crawled all over it AND drove it. Got a 6 month Warranty on it. Two days later it needed an overhaul. Warranty covered it, no out of pocket, BUT, 3 weeks downtime (that means cash cushion went to pay bills), got it back, worked it for 2 weeks and then just got a new Turbo (warranty covered all except a boost sensor and the labor to put it on???? $530 total bill), still, 3 days downtime...less cash coming in....my cash "cushion" is down to almost nothing, AND THAT'S WITH VERY FEW OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS!. The amount you'll spend in little stuff, mudflaps, a new seat covers, inverter, supplies (for the truck AND the admin side....), a new steel cooling line (almost forgot about that!)....is pretty daunting...not to mention plates, insurance, taxes and such.

I started with a 15K cushion (after Down payment, taxes, insurance and the lot)...I'm at less than a third of that ......

Just saying, CASH IS KING......

 

Which companies are you looking at to lease on with?
The pay lag time is a big consideration for 0/0's with their own authority, but some carriers settle up weekly.

 

i say, if you are going to own the truck (without payments) go for it

lease on to a company that pays weekly settlements, fuel card.

find a good mechanic that can stay on top of your truck, you stay on top of it, learn as much as you can, fix as much as you can

do not drive further than 500 miles from home at least for a month or so, do light loads, do detailed inspections

go for it