mercer transportation

Most trucks hold 40 to 44 qts, 10 or 11 gallons

 

It's not just a dispatcher, but so many other things that we tend to forget about.

He made mention of only making 60 thousand a year because he was nickel and dimed to death on a used truck. Even with 1080 dollar A WEEK PAYMENTS for a BRAND NEW TRUCK, you can clear that while under full warranty. Just saying.

 

That warranty doesnt cover down time. I have a 16 cascadia and it spends so much time in the shop im considering an older truck.

 

How are the rates these days in the contract game

 

what are the reasons it is in the shop?

 

Transmission
Air leaks
Collission avoidance system
3 wiring harnessess
And everything freightliner fixes has to be fixed again a second time

 

I started out with a used Kenworth a few years ago. My first year down time was about 5 weeks and repair costs were 28000 dollars not including hotel bills. This was a 2016 KW with just over 200,000 miles on it. Used trucks scare the crap out of me.

 

I had a 13 kw and only thing i did to it in 450k miles was an exhaust manifold gasket. Never shoulda got rid of it but thought newer would avoid the issues that would come with age. This is my first freightliner and im really not impressed. Spent a week down 3 weeks ago while they replaced a bushing in this auto trans. Today got towed in because trans is pouring coolant out on ground.

 

Well, it's kind of luck of the draw sometimes but I can completely understand your frustration. I'm just starting with a freightliner 2019 and following their guidelines I spent 1200 dollars out of pocket for an alignment and a complete oil change within the first 15000 miles. I'm just approaching 20,000 miles on this truck. If I have your kind of experience, I'll be right here beside you complaining.

Editing because included in that 1200 was a repair that I caused with bending the sleeper farings on one side. I wasn't use to the turning radius of my new truck and wasn't paying attention due to nerves.

 

Pete, I would strongly consider

Pete, I would strongly consider a inframe and freshening up the trans while your doing the clutch. I've been in your boat and sold my lousy Columbia with 1.5 million for a new Cascadia and cuss myself everyday. Might cost ya 30 grand but it will be better than any used truck Lone mountain is selling for 60. I'm sure you have already weighed your options, just don't want you to have the regrets I have lol. Just keep on rebuilding her. It's always the most cost effective. Just not always the most pleasant.