Advice for rookie lease op

Discussion in 'Prime' started by SavvyRed, Sep 4, 2016.

  1. ExOTR

    ExOTR Windshield Chipper Extraordinaire

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    Fort Worth, Tx
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    Why even lease right now? I'm not "anti-lease", but just run company until you have a 15-20k reserve. If the company truck breaks down they still pay you.
     
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  3. driverdriver

    driverdriver Road Train Member

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    You weren't misinformed they dumped a lemon on you so they wouldn't have to pay for the repair bill(s).Turn it in and move on if they won't make it right.
     
  4. nofreetime

    nofreetime Road Train Member

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    Oct 22, 2013
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    We need more information before we can advise you on turning the truck in. Now I'm not lease I'm an O/O but I don't think you lose your performance bond, just the tire fund.
    -how much is in the tire fund?

    -what type of problems are you having with the truck? Can you give us a summary of them and what's been done about them, and what the cost has been, please.

    -how many miles are on the truck? How many of those miles have YOU put on the truck?

    -how much longer is left on the lease?

    -did you look over the maintenance history of the truck before leasing the truck? Was there anything in the history that shows excessive maintenance problems, or any other problems related to the problems your having?

    -what was the condition of the truck when you first leased it? Was it used, or new? If used was there any damage or anything of other concern worth mentioning?

    -what is your maintenance cost per mile on this truck since you've had it?
     
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
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    Your information about SPECIFIC things broken, and claimed to be fixed by Freightliner does not exist. No one can sit and consider your situation because we don't know anything at all about what was broken, what was and what was not fixed.

    Winter is coming. You will need that tire fund.
     
  6. SavvyRed

    SavvyRed Light Load Member

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    Apr 22, 2016
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    I was attempting to be succinct. I have a set of problems on the truck that freightliner hasnt been able to address fully. Truck doesn't always start (it goes through checks but doesnt even attempt to turn over), jakes stop working intermittently, cruise stops working intermittently.
    The other day, I pulled into a rest area and pressed the clutch only to have every light go out on the dash. Truck finally started and I pressed the clutch only to have the truck die. This was the 3rd time I took it to freightliner this month.
    To back track: 1st time: loss of power, no cruise, no jakes, not starting often. They replaced 4 batteries. Down 3 days and 1100 dollars. Obviously lost the load and 2 replacement loads.
    2nd time: new freightliner shop. Addressing cruise, jakes, starting. New clutch switch.
    3rd time: truck died every time I used the clutch until I bypassed clutch switch. Tightened a wire to some box (I'm sorry they told me, but can't give me in writing until this monday).
    Now: cruise intermittently not working. Not always starting. It's only been about 36 hours, but the jakes have been ok so far.
     
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  7. SavvyRed

    SavvyRed Light Load Member

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    Apr 22, 2016
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    Tire fund is at 1300

    Im at 276k miles. I've leased 4 months and put about 40k on the truck. Lease is up next October.

    Cost? Obviously you guys know I've lost several loads. Ive been down 4 days total. 1100 for the batteries, 90 for a lane departure camera. Couple hotel nights at 120 total, but not sure if you want such detail.
    Maintenance costs per mile? I'll come back to you guys with this, but I've only lost the 1200 on labor and parts. Actually, they gave me day of shop pay that I should subtract from this. I'm not meaning to be confusing.
    I did go through the records. Nothing related. No wrecks. Truck was used when I got it (finishing the lease until October 17).
     
  8. SavvyRed

    SavvyRed Light Load Member

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    Apr 22, 2016
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    And just to add. The 1200 is fine. I know I'll have to fix stuff.. It's the weekly stopping that is really killing me.
    It's having to repower a great load to get the truck fixed. Then I get going again and have to hand over the load to get the truck fixed once more.
    RA had me go to Springfield in hopes they could find a resolution due to familiarity with the shop. It didn't help.

    I should add I've been told they can't replicate my problems in the shop. So, basically, they can't fix what they can't find. Had a guy at TA tell me it was user error 2 weeks into the lease (had problems starting since I got the truck). Basically been told there is nothing wrong by multiple people and then had them nod and smile when I try to further explain.
     
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  9. FullMetalJacket

    FullMetalJacket Road Train Member

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    ^^^^ Would suggest you heed whatever advise you might glean from above poster ^^^^

    His moniker of nofreetime is more reality than you would realize.

    He's been there & done that (here at Prime), did exceedingly well as lease, and has since moved on as "true" owner op.

    :biggrin_25525:
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2016
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  10. FullMetalJacket

    FullMetalJacket Road Train Member

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    Personal opinion, at this point I would try to see if you could bring it in for another truck.

    Never leased, so cannot really advise how they handle this. I run on the O/O side, but not my own. Kind of a hybrid, I guess. Be joining the real O/O ranks here, shortly.

    You may want to bounce your situation off @redoctober83. Pretty well versed on what can/cannot be done in a lease situation. Also, @darthanubis had to switch a few trucks around, but may have been while he was still company. I cannot quite remember if he was lease at that point or not.

    :biggrin_25525:
     
  11. SavvyRed

    SavvyRed Light Load Member

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    Apr 22, 2016
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    Thanks. I'm trying to make sure I'm making a good business decision, so I appreciate the advice.
     
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