How Long Will a New Truck Last?

Luck of the draw. A brand new truck can break down just as easily as a 2 million mile truck.

 

We ran a 2000 Century from mint to 210,000 by the time we got that far we bricked the auto twice, (Towed) replaced the alternator three times, worked on front end once, replaced all tractor tires later into year two for that winter pending and so on. By the time we got through with it we were about due to break in another new truck. Which did not happen because we moved into a different freight with a entirely different type of truck.

Its safe to expect another three years before it's pitch (Disposed of)

Long ago back in the 80's I was running tractors in some cases dating to the late 50's and certain vehicles closer to 1950 that are other than big trucks but big enough for the work we required of them. And with a little attention there is no reason they wont fire up today and get to it.

They do not make them the way they used to. It's plasticity and disposable. The last all steel truck we ran was about 1991. We could go into snow with that one barefoot that would strand most with chain.

 

If you buy a barely used truck you got to ask why they are getting rid of a barely used truck.
They either ran out of money, so even barely used maintenance will be an issue.
Or it's not worth all the downtime to deal with all the warranty work.

If you mean something out of mfg warranty, that's more than barely used...

 

Got a brand new 2016 Cascadia with the DD15 back in 2016. It went to the dealership three times before 20,000 miles. Steering box went out and then two DEF issues that derated the engine. Ya just never know.

Anybody that’s been doing this awhile has seen tractors that are just a nightmare. No matter what you do, they stay broke.

 

It doesn’t really matter what you buy, it’s a risk even with brand new.

Brand new 2005 - a few small issues with electrical and some other interior items. Covered by KW but still took time to fix. Lost both turbos on Acert Cat at 110k. After that she was cherry for the remaining 3 years I was in it.

Brand new 2009 - I had no issues other than a couple sensors up until 300k. After that it was non-stop issues with the DPF.

Then I ran a couple older trucks I bought myself. Had to overhaul one after I had it a year, but it was under $12k to overhaul a 12.7 Detroit. Spent a little money and a lot of my time fixing wiring and other “add-ons” that the previous owner had done. I sold that truck after 4 years and bought another one. I didn’t have to overhaul that one but was right back in the same boat of fixing all kinds of little stuff. Both trucks would’ve cost me an armload of money if I wasn’t doing the minor repairs myself.

Went back to work as a company driver in a brand new glider with a Cat. After the first few weeks of finding and fixing coolant leaks I didn’t really have any issues with it. I got out of the truck at 170k miles.

Now I’ve bought a 2017 Pete with a Paccar. I’ve put 84k on since I got it in January and I’ve only had to do the regular maintenance. It was a little over 2 years old and had 244k on it when I got it. If I hadn’t have known the previous owner and known that he trades every two years I would’ve had some questions about the truck for the reasons that @ZVar stated above. But I was confident with my purchase.

 

I helped a wheelholder in a 19 petercar that lost the fanhub at 96k on black mountain. He probably cracked the head as he ran it anyway.

 

Three 2016 Macks, and three 2018 Macks, absolutely 100% trouble free all six of them. Do regular maintenance, and they go up and down the road. Have many older trucks, constantly fixing something on them, but they are old and tired. Had tried a brand new KW with a Cummins engine in 2015, that pile of #### was lucky to go a week between major break downs. Nothing would get me to buy another new KW, or any brand of truck with a Cummins engine. I'm trying to decide how many new Macks to order, they seem to be bulletproof. They will be specced just like the ones I have. Meritor 69,000 pound rear ends, Mshift 14 speed automatic transmission, MP8 engine.

 

FYI Volvo is the same drivetrain. Just different tune in ecm. Mack Anthams are prone to issues.

 

Now it goes without saying that one or two of the older trucks I essentially totaled them. Either the chassis, suspension wheels, bearings or the engine inside and out got cooked and way over loaded or both. I never saw those tractors again, but dispatch was pleased to hand me a key to a spare and get to it. Takes a few hours to clear out accumulated issues of a multitude of drivers who did not really care to take care of them.