Good truck to get into the O/O business

You should want a truck that was treated the way you plan to treat it. Big fleets treat their trucks like something they plan on getting rid of before it becomes a maintenance project, meaning they don't spend on preventive maintenance what someone who's planning on keeping for awhile would spend.

Also you should have a clear picture of what you plan to be doing with a truck before you buy it. Match the truck to your business plan, not the other way around.

 

Most Mega Companies lease the trucks themselves from the Truck Manufacturer so the maintenance and maintenance record keeping must be followed, plus parts are replaced because there's a Factory Warranty up until 500k miles, so there's no really out of pocket expenses for the Mega Company other then fuel, tires, and oil changes.

It's not the Company that leases the truck that abuses it, neglects it and beats it to hell, it's usually always the driver of the truck.

It's like anything you purchase, especially a car, truck, a piece of equipment/machinery, make sure you do your due diligence, do your research, ask alot of questions and as always........let the buyer beware.

 

Fleet and lease trucks are maintained to make it to the trade cycle. The closer they get to trade time the less they do.

 

The truth, the way, and the light. Make sure it has a D13, and maintenance records. Missing either one of those, next truck please.

 

My two cents-Rather than take it to a dealer, if you can find a good, local mechanic to do the inspection on any perspective trucks you're looking at, I'd surely recommend it. That way, you know you're not just getting Johnny Just-Graduated, rather someone that already knows the ins and outs of what to really look for. When I got my second truck, I'd finally found such a mechanic, and he spent a good long time looking the rig over before I signed off on it. Heck, he told me "don't you dare buy this one" after looking at the first truck I'd considered.

 

Yes, and even when newer, they go extended oil change, which could be tens times as long for chassis lube!

 

Most megas own their trucks. Because of the large volume, they buy them with a major discount for approximately what they sell them for 3-5 years later.