Buying A Truck....

Sweet laptop stand. Was that there or did you add it? Was it pricey?

 

What a FIND!!!! Those things are about $300 + I've seen.

 

gotta admit the truck is looking good!

 

BT you hauled one yet???

 

I was pulling for 3 and waiting for 3 of my 6 days out. Now I'm home since yesterday for the weekend. Nothing until Monday Grain and fertilizer prices apparently went up and buyers are waiting it out.

 

what is your average wait time?

 

Hi,
I am new to the forum, not new to trucking. I have been driving Class "A" for over 10 years. I decided to take advantage of the current drop in truck prices and buy a truck. It will be leased on with a local Carrier/Broker running OTR. The two trucks I have been looking at . #1 is a 2000 Peterbilt 379 EXHD 3406E 550hp ,13sp ,3.55's . It's a very clean truck with 1,048,000 ECM . I like the way it looks and drives. Good rubber all around . Minor cosmetic fixes inside and it would be darn near mint. What scares me is the miles . I had it at at MI Cat on the dyno , 550 hp = 504hp # 1800 RPM's 5605 Ft lbs of torque to the ground ! And at 1600 RPM's 508hp and 6415 Ft lbs to the ground. Sounds strong to me and with acceptable blow-by, but the dealer and MI Cat has no info on any majors/minors etc. when they run the serial off the block . Kind of scary to think it has not been O/H'ed. My question is ??? That's a butt-load of power for a million mile plus truck . Would one just assume it's been majored? I don't assume .. I like facts . The dyno sheet don't lie... But the dealer as we all know tend to. Your thoughts on this are appreciated.

#2 Is a 2004 Freightliner Columbia # 500k or so . Series 60 Det 430/470hp, 10 speed with dual behind the door side stacks. ??? Rare??? I have not seen many like that, Have you ?. Looks good for a darn Columbia . And I am not going to say looks are not to be taken into consideration, cuz we all know they are. This truck is clean and sharp for a Columbia , it took a Lott for me to just say that , I hate them . But from a business stand point I will put my personal preference behind until i make the best decision based on a business standard , not a brand or manufactures name preference.

My guess , The Columbia wins on fuel mileage, and Warranty "2Yr 2k" .
The hood wins hands down on Horses ...
The hood wins with the 13spd... This may see some heavy haul up here in MI with 160,000 GVW . I don't think anyone would disagree that a 10 speed is not up to par to drag 45-50 ton wagon loads around. ---"Road Work" Even with 3.55's the Hood will do ok...
The truck will not be pulling heavy unless I have to putt it to work Local .






the cats are good for a million +if there not abused but on the other hand they cost twice as much to fix~than detroit /cummins and cats usually get around 5-6 mpg
the detroits are a good choice ~on the other hand there good for about 500k then they need an inframe there about the cheapest to fix/operate some detroits u can get up to 7=71/2 ive seen if ur startin out ~id go detroit unless ya got 20k setback for a cat rebuild