Just hate the way these newer trucks look

Plenty of good looking rides made after 05 but If yours is still making you money and isn't chipping away at your repair fund at a fast rate than keep running it and stash away.

 

I do agree, I dislike the new truck looks, or hell all the trucks that have been released the past several years. More so FL,Volvo,INT, etc. I've driven various makes and models and I just "prefer" a hood. While I (personally) prefer the look of a hood, I don't think it makes (ME) look cool. It's just what I like in terms of aesthetics, cab design, dash layout etc etc. I don't get picky when it comes to company trucks, but if I ever pull the trigger and buy my own, I'll be searching specifically for what I like.

I do understand the flip side of the coin, where it's all business and it shouldn't matter and that does make sense if you own a small fleet, or a large fleet. But if you're going to be a one truck operation, buy what you like and will enjoy. I compare it to buying a car/truck or motorcycle. Yea, I could buy a small fuel efficient car and save some money on gas, but that's not what I personally like and not what I'll be happy paying for.

If I'm going to pay money for something, there has to be some type of value in the machine besides what it will do for me. That's why I bought a Harley, and not a Honda, or a Yamaha, or hell an Indian. They all do the same thing and get you to the same place, but my preference is a Harley. It's just what I personally like.

Hell the same could be said for women. You can settle for a plain Jane broad who's out of shape, and not very aesthetically pleasing, and wont age well but hey.....she loves ya and she can cook/clean, OR you can go after what you really want and have your cake and eat it too. Might be a little more costly in one form or another, might take longer to obtain, but it'll be well worth it. I think you all catch my drift, as I'm on my out the door and didn't really care to make my analogy's more concise.

 

Easier to field fix as there's better under hood access. Don't have to tear half the truck apart access what should be easy to reach.

 

I'm doing the numbers and setting up the money to do the whole O/O thing myself. Looking to start out with a new truck, too. Warranties, custom order for my specific needs and freight and all that.

The ONLY truck I'm looking at is the Freightliner Cascadia with the DD15/DT12. And I will tell you why. I've driven several, and haven't had ANY of the problems many others complain of, unless that issue could be traced back to company beancounters monkeying with the ECM settings without understanding what they are doing!

My Cascadias have always been stone reliable and hardworking trucks. My two oldest (both 2012s with better than 400,000 on the clock) fired up every day and did their jobs without fail.

Further, I've been all over the DD15 engine. Unless it involves actually removing the cylinder head, my mechanical knowledge covers pretty much everything that may break. Just need to grab a few more specialized tools, is all.

Yes, the transmission could go south on me. But you know what? The transmission in my car could do the same thing! I have qualified, trusted people for that.

Yes, the DPF/SCR could go down on me. Hmmm...seeing as I helped tear a couple of those apart, they really aren't as complicated as some of you all make them out to be. Plenty of owner serviceable or replaceable parts there if y'all would quit complaining and start learning the systems.

But what do I know? I just run around and make ridiculous amounts on money as a company driver by being the most reliable driver in the fleet...

 

The t800 will always be a great looking truck

 

Dude this is simple, if you want to look like a truck driver, or drive something that looks like a truck, just get an international lonestar. Make you wear one if those leather vests, and only have a cigarette in your mouth that's a 100. That should just about cure your ills

 

If I ever replace this one I think I would do a smaller bunk Star Car, almost 19 years old and I keep fixing it. Trailer is a 2017. I have no issues buying new trailers.

 

Fuel mileage has much less of a bearing when running heavy haul. What are we talking about, maybe 10 cents a mile difference? Heavy haul runs at much higher rate with much less miles. So a hood could be considered.

 

Where?

I have a January order that I place just a week or two ago, my October order is going to be delivered on time and the dealer called me with four 2018 Ws that he had a fleet cancel on him that I am going to be taking.

 

Wasn't too long ago this was happening:

Weak markets hurt Cummins profit, set to trim engine line

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlot...tliner-to-cut-almost-1-000-jobs-at-rowan.html

Volvo Trucks announces 500 layoffs at Dublin plant


I just hope some of those people got their jobs back and the manufacturers aren't keeping things "lean" on purpose.