Buying first truck. Thinking Pete 379

Ok while most everyone was arguing about the money you'll supposedly lose to fuel mileage I'll give you this point of view. In order to be more profitable as an O/O you need to stay out the shops! My dad owns an aero hood and when it comes to maintenence it's a pain in the ### to work on. Thank God I have small hands and can help him get to things easier. Buying a long hood is a lot more convenient for maintenance. The down time you save with a hood is a lot more than an aero with the repairs being a lot simpler. The 379 is also built better than these plastic trucks you see now a days. Even less downtime! Of course it has to be mechanically sound not jus some scrap yard buy. Its also not surpring to hear of water leaks with the new models! Also gotta consider resale value. Can make up the $$ you lose in fuel mileage.
Also somebody commented about a transmission replacement in an aero. Heard it was 30k no ifs ands or buts to replace an I shift. Go figure...

 

Oil is not nearly as limited as some would have you believe.

Several years ago "experts" were saying we would have gotten so low on oil by now that we would be having shortages.

The fact is, in this day in time, there are more known untapped oil reserves than any time in history, with new ones found every day. There are vastly more amounts of oil in the ground than the so called "experts" of years ago ever dreamed of.

If you are so certain of oil prices and business minded, as you say, I suggest you buy oil futures. That will make you more money than you'll every save on fuel mileage.

 

Bought my 379 hood in '07. Right before fuel went to $5.00/gallon. I'm still here. Fuel won't break you if your smart. I don't care if fuel is $10.00/gallon. I'm good.

 

Sorry guys, couldn't resist...hope the pic shows up

 

And one more....

 

I know Im late to this party, but In my experience, those that hate on hoods and brag about fuel economy are just jealous. They want to drive a hood. There is more to having a hood than just vanity or status. Those of us that have them, know what Im talking about. I'll Take my old iron over the plastic stuff any day. If I were to drive anything but a hood, it would be a T600 or 386. I would take RollinCoals truck any day. Good looking ride. I know too many guys chasing fuel mileage with "the newest greatest trucks and tech" but they always seem to be in the shop more, and have higher payments. I'll take 5.5-6.5 MPG with my hood, but its reliable. As far as Cummins, Cat's, Detroit's, I would own any of them. Im partial to Cummins, but all of them have their strong and weak points. When it comes to trucks, buy what you want to drive, not what others tell you you should be driving. If fuel is going to put you in the poor house, you should never have bought a truck........any truck. Those that want you to not get a hood.....wish they had one. I'm 10-10 on the side......

 

A 379 with a million miles? Really? A waste of money! Money that could go towards the business!

Disadvantages of a 379 Pete

- heavier truck than most
- poor turning radius
- aerodynamic is poor
- older CAT engines aren't CARB
compliant
- parts & repairs are very expensive

A better truck would be 579 Pete, T680 KW, or a 670 or 780 volvo.

 

Yeah everyone needs to be CARB compliant so they can haul all of that high dollar inbound and outbound Cally spot freight.

 

To be honest a 379 Pete will c15 cat wouldn't a good choice of a truck as your first truck. Here's why:

- heavier truck than most
- poor turning radius
- aerodynamic is poor, due to the design of the cab
- Poor fuel milage
- C15 CAT is not CARB compliant & the parts and repairs are expensive.
- the truck itself, parts & repairs are also expensive.

The better trucks would a 579 pete, T680 KW, or a 670 or 780 volvo.