Which to buy?

IH Branded · Dec 2, 2016

Ridgeline said: ↑

Please read this entire post - I added some stuff at the end.

Read this (the link is at the bottom of my post.)

Here is the post - I will post it again.

OTRReeferRunner wrote this and he is right in target.

FYI! A lot of problems could have been avoided if you guys would have spend the extra $1000 or so to get the truck fully checked out! That is why you should have a 3rd party repable diesel mechanic or dealership check the truck out from the front bumper to the rear mud flaps! The following things a the least should have been done before you took procession of the truck:

1. Oil samples (detects any internal problems with engine, transmission, and rearends)
2. ECU download (detects fault codes, idle hours, actual miles on the truck, and etc.,)
3. Blowby Test (piston & rings, compression test and etc.,)
4. Dyno test ( a full report on the complete health of the engine)
5. Obtain maintenance reports.

If you don't do the following things you are sure have serious problems with truck! Buying CMV is not like buying a regular passenger vehicle, just walk around it, kick the tires, drive it round the block and sign the paperwork! You are setting youself up for guarantee failure with this approach!

So you can get this.

The truck is spec'ed for the work you do, it does not matter what brand it is because they are all the same. But it does matter on what you are going to use it for.

The truck is cheap part. The repairs and maintaining it isn't.

There are a lot more trucks chasing owners than owners (potental or real) chasing trucks.

You have the check out costs on the front end to fix the problems and then negotiate the price if the truck is acceptable. I wrote up some really good info on how I buy a truck and what I did for a few on the last few used ones.

If you are not willing to put in the $400 to $1000 to check out a truck, then you are asking for problems down the road.

I have bought trucks for $5k and I ran them for 5 years. On the other hand I have junked a couple trucks that were in better shape than those selling for $20 or $30k I've seen advertised.

ADDED

I have grown very suspect of dealers because when I would see their dyno results, take their word on it, then get the truck home to do mine, it is completely different. One reason why I just pay for it by someone who isn't related to the dealer/company or person i'm buying it from.

ECM dumps are also a PIA, many times you get a summary and I want a detailed dump. I finally went out and bought a properly license system to use that I can actually use on all of my trucks. It was expensive but now I don't have to depend on someone else to get a report.

A while ago I wrote up a real detailed piece on what is what but I am transferring my data onto new computer(s) and it is lost for now, when I find it, I will post it.

I can't stress this enough - a truck is a tool, you need to do what you can with Due Diligence to make sure you get a tool that works for a while without dumping money into it.

One of the other pieces of advice I can ready share is if you guys don't have mechanical experience, do NOT buy a truck that you have to dump money into to get it road ready. It is a waste of time and eventually money.

Link
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ne-delt-with-otr-leasing.245383/#post-5495187
Click to expand...

Yes I know this and will do it but trying to narrow down a truck first. I have always bought low mileage lease returns "figured wasn't traded in because it was a lemon etc" and could see maintenance and warranty work records etc. Thanks though

Cat sdp · Dec 2, 2016

If you go new I'd do the cummins not the mx.....

And get all the warranty they offer on the emissions system.....

I got screwed once in 08 and it'll be a cold day in you know where before I buy another emissions truck...

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Which to buy?

IH Branded Medium Load Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Cat sdp . .

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Which to buy?

IH Branded Medium Load Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Cat sdp . .

Wait, employers can't reach you!