Buying truck, want advise before purchase.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by robertmason89, Dec 18, 2017.

  1. robertmason89

    robertmason89 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 18, 2017
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    Howdy all,

    Some background, I drove OTR for about a year then haul crude oil for three years in North Dakota during the boom. I kept my tanker and hazmat endorsement current. I've been active duty for six years now and coming home soon. After talking to local companies around my home town, I am confident I can get regional work or I could work for my uncle who hauls wood chips. I have created my LLC and business accounts too. Holding off on getting MC number and running on my own authority for the moment. The insurance quotes for own authority hurt my soul lol.
    The truck in question:
    2004 Kenworth T800 86" Studio sleeper
    478,XXX miles
    525 HP ISX
    dual 150 gallon tanks
    18 speed
    265" wheel base, 3/8" frame
    4.10 ratio
    16k front axle
    58k rear axle
    Full locking rears
    The dealership sent me; VIN history report, maintenance records, dyno report that shows 7.1" of blow by, and CAT scale ticket of truck with 1/2 tank of fuel. It is a southern truck the frame looks real clean. It is a two owner truck. Over all it is very clean.
    My only concern is the truck weight. 21,260 total with 12,400 steers and 8,860 rears. Is it odd that the truck is so front heavy, will I have over weight issues down the road? Is there something i can do to address the weight issue or should I just keep look?

    Any advise or guidance would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
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  3. J.S.

    J.S. Medium Load Member

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    Jun 27, 2015
    Texas
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    The steer tires my company uses allows up to I believe 14.5k on the steers. If you would like to know the exact tire let me know.
     
    robertmason89 Thanks this.
  4. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    Phoenix, AZ
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    That sounds like it’s spec’d to be a heavy haul truck, with the heavy front axle and the gear ratio.
    I imagine hauling wood chips you’re going to be at gross all the time.
     
  5. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    The only issue may be with scale houses on non-interstate routes where the steer weight limit is 12,000. When you load it you're going to be even heavier up front.
    The gross tare weight may be a bit high, especially if you are pulling wood chips if they pay by weight. For general interstate work you should be able to make this truck work for you. The rear gear ratio may be an issue if you don't have 24.5 tall rubber and are not cool with a top speed probably around 65-68.

    Fwiw I am running a highway 389 not heavy spec and I come in at 21800 full of fuel/def. And my balancing act occurs at 11500 up front/34000 drives. Already have about 170000 miles on steer tires looks like I'm going to be past 200 before replacement, has to be from lighter up front. Cannot move 5th wheel up or trailer will hit sleeper. I am good at playing the fuel game when needed.
     
    robertmason89 Thanks this.
  6. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    What price are they talking?
     
  7. I glide 47

    I glide 47 Road Train Member

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    Jun 3, 2017
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    478 thousand miles divided 13 year's about 36 thousand per year seams kind of low to me
     
  8. robertmason89

    robertmason89 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 18, 2017
    0
    Thank you all for the replay.

    J.S. : Yes please, that might be good to know one day.
    Bakerman: Yeah its a little heavy to haul wood chips, plus that huge sleeper is unnecessary. My uncle mentioned I could take the sleeper off and sell it. That will be a worst case.
    gokiddoge: The tires are 24.5, the spec sheet dose not say if they are tall or low profile.
    blairandgretchen: price is mid 40k.
    I glide 47: When i asked the seller about the miles, I had the same concern. He said the odometer matches the ECM. If that justifies the mileage.

    Still on the fence with this truck. Thanks again all,
     
  9. Steel Dragon

    Steel Dragon Road Train Member

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    Can you post dates and mileage from the dealer info?
     
  10. Majestic 670

    Majestic 670 Heavy Load Member

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    Tall rubber 24.5 11r pick the ply of the tire
     
  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
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    Go to a kw dealer and have them pull the original order to see who ordered the truck and while you are there, talk to one of the sales dweebs and see what that spec would be ordered for, becuase it sounds like as mentioned a heavy haul setup.
     
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