Buying my own truck, any advice?

@crazy.trucker
Have tough about limiting your risk and getting a truck from like Penske?
Rent one 6 months and see how it works out?
Granted you will lose a little revenue but you can see if it works without being on the hook.

 

Read post #21

 

While,I have indeed met a few OOP that have some old rebuilt Cabovers and trucks they have hobbled together from scouring junkyards and put a lot of time and sweat and work into...that ended up (working for them on the cheap).Not to be discouraging...but,that old saying about "you get what you pay for" is almost always true.A low end truck (won't make you any money if it's broke down 30% of the time.Tows,starters,waterpumps etc,get Expensive really Quick.JMO. Good luck to you.

 

Forgot to mention,these old trucks that I have seen that seem to "hold together" once they get all the bugs "worked out" have been mostly Macks and a couple of Peterbilts

 

I'm sure if the OP looks hard enough he can find something like this oldy but goody.

 

Save a 100k dude. You'll need the discipline it takes to save it anyways. What are you going to do when your 20 thousand dollar truck needs repairs? You can't fix it yourself you said you didn't know how. Plus you'd still have to buy the parts anyways.

Not saying you can't find a decent truck for 20 grand that will make you money because you can. But you need more in the bank.

Drive a company truck and in your spare time work in the shop. No shop is going to turn down free labor unless you're a total clown. You'll at least learn the basics there.

 

I don't own my own truck. There, I said it. BUT, IF I were you, I'd buy new or save a lot more money before taking the plunge. You need WAY more reserve $$$. I'm going to buy a brand new Pete. It's going to be VERY expensive. I'm going to put roughly 50% down and finance the rest in order to keep around 20K in cash on hand. I've been asking questions everyday for over a year now. I keep saving more money the longer I wait to buy. Right now, I'm looking at buying a 2019 Pete in March or April because I want to wait for spring and I want to see what (If any) changes come to the 2019s. I would stay the heck away from anything from 2010-2017. If it HAS to be used, go Pre-Emissions. And you need (at a minimum) 10K in the bank AFTER you buy. Just my .02.

 

There are many resources you can use for buying your first truck. Truck paper, e -bay and Craigslist. Do not limit youurself to just a Pete or K.W. Thats the truck you buy when you're ready to buy new. Always be willing to pay a mechanic or shop $100 to look over a truck for you...the more you know, the more you can save. $100 is a lot cheaper than replacing an engine, or trans one hundred miles from the point of purchase. You ccan find a bargain, but you have to look for it. That is a truck that was well taken care of, maintained, has paperwork to go with it, and will run for you, while you repair and replace items along the way. Be willing to wlak away from any deal that does not feel right. Do rigdig reports on every truck you are considering purchasing. Good luck!