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Paid off

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Starboyjim, Apr 9, 2016.

Page 1 of 7
  1. Apr 9, 2016 #1
    Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

    2,039
    1,425
    Dec 10, 2011
    Weed, CA
    0
    Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm now free of financing, made the last 3 payments on my '08 Freightliner yesterday. I have to say, it's kind of a relief. I guess it's an accomplishment, but I never expected to fail anyway. I am glad it worked out, mostly, supported my family, paid off some nagging issues, made my taxes in good order, and kept my truck running.

    You know, my Columbia is a good, hard working truck. In 3 years, 375K miles, never towed, had to turn back once when my intake throttle valve gave up the ghost, but other than that, worked every time I accepted a load. Not bad, all things considered.

    Now I have to decide. The truck has 1.1M miles and quite a lot of new accessories, but runs great. (or will run great once I get the injectors replaced next week) I'd like a faster cruising truck, a newer truck, but I don't want to work long enough to pay for a new one and a used one might or might not be as good as what I've got now. Maybe I'll just keep this one and work less! Any ideas on part time driving for an I/C? Thanks
     
    Starboyjim, Apr 9, 2016
    Starboyjim, Apr 9, 2016
    #1
    Grijon, bzinger, double yellow and 10 others Thank this.
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  3. Apr 9, 2016 #2
    Derailed

    Derailed Road Train Member

    2,384
    2,657
    Dec 10, 2008
    Upstate NY
    0
    My advice would be to just keep on running her the way you have been until she starts to get a bit money hungry. Set aside the money you have been saving on payments and put it towards your next ride. Congrats on paying this one off
     
    Derailed, Apr 9, 2016
    Derailed, Apr 9, 2016
    #2
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  4. Apr 9, 2016 #3
    HopeOverMope

    HopeOverMope Road Train Member

    1,801
    3,211
    Feb 25, 2016
    I-20 LOUISIANA
    0
    MY opinion is, the best truck is the one that's paid for. There are a few that don't fit into this category but it sounds like yours does for sure. What i would do is a good overhaul on it, if it's using oil or losing coolant or when the time is right. And run it another good 5 years or 500k mi and go from there. Then maybe buy a new one then but pay cash or half cash etc. by then they might actually have fixed the emmisions that plauge the newer trucks; especially the ones that have all 3, EGR/DPF/and DEF


    Keep what you got man! That's my suggestion. If your truck has proven reliable then it's a keeper and its yours now. Who's to say you get a brand new one, which are bound to give problems with emissions sometimes within the first 6 months and the truck just not be worth much and etc. sure you'll have "warranty" but I wouldn't bet my business on warranty. I know the new ISX's are having the ceramic plungers in the fuel pump breaking and going straight into the oil/ clyinders and trashing blocks and all: not under warranty: Cummins has stated any engine failure due to the fueling system is NOT under warranty: OUCH.

    So, others will chime in, but I say it's great you've accomplished what most can't seem to do. You've been wise enough to reach this point and I think the wise thing to do is to enjoy the less overhead for a least a few years and keep it truckin'
     
    HopeOverMope, Apr 9, 2016
    HopeOverMope, Apr 9, 2016
    #3
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  5. Apr 9, 2016 #4
    Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

    4,663
    8,812
    Jan 27, 2013
    Phoenix, AZ
    0
    Life is soooooo much easier without payments that have to be made.

    No stress is also a good thing.
     
    Bakerman, Apr 9, 2016
    Bakerman, Apr 9, 2016
    #4
    fordconvert, Starboyjim, Straight Stacks and 1 other person Thank this.
  7. Apr 9, 2016 #5
    RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

    4,121
    6,710
    May 10, 2015
    Fort Myers, Florida
    0
    congrats Jim!!!
     
    RoadRooster, Apr 9, 2016
    RoadRooster, Apr 9, 2016
    #5
    Starboyjim Thanks this.
  8. Apr 9, 2016 #6
    Jonkie

    Jonkie Medium Load Member

    651
    395
    Mar 29, 2016
    0
    I know a fleet owner who just started a ' truck driver retirement plan '. You hand over the keys , he seats the driver and leases the truck out . 50/50 net split
     
    Jonkie, Apr 9, 2016
    Jonkie, Apr 9, 2016
    #6
    lee2442 and Starboyjim Thank this.
  9. Apr 9, 2016 #7
    truckthatpassesyouby

    truckthatpassesyouby Road Train Member

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    6,128
    Jun 3, 2015
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    Lol. So crazy, it might just work!
     
    truckthatpassesyouby, Apr 9, 2016
    truckthatpassesyouby, Apr 9, 2016
    #7
    Jonkie Thanks this.
  10. Apr 9, 2016 #8
    Jonkie

    Jonkie Medium Load Member

    651
    395
    Mar 29, 2016
    0
    He says he's sending 5 k dollar checks a month to a guy in the Philippines with a team seated truck at Custom Critical
     
    Jonkie, Apr 9, 2016
    Jonkie, Apr 9, 2016
    #8
  11. Apr 9, 2016 #9
    Thegasman

    Thegasman Light Load Member

    190
    398
    Dec 4, 2015
    0
    Well done driver. Be happy about your present situation and enjoy it for a while. We gotta live for these moments of happiness cos they dont last forever. Never know when things will hit the fan
     
    Thegasman, Apr 9, 2016
    Thegasman, Apr 9, 2016
    #9
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  12. Apr 9, 2016 #10
    Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

    4,268
    7,390
    Aug 2, 2012
    Connecticut
    0
    Congratulations. I bet it feels great, too.
     
    Puppage, Apr 9, 2016
    Puppage, Apr 9, 2016
    #10
    Starboyjim Thanks this.
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