Are you thinking of being a owner operator (Consider This First)

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Trenton325, Nov 30, 2024.

  1. Trenton325

    Trenton325 Light Load Member

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    I Bought my First truck with 460;000 miles on it 6 years ago if didn't do most of my own work I would of went our of Business. I made it to about 800,000 before I started having problems then they seem to come daily at least weekly. This is a list of what I did in 4 years amazing enough I missed very few jobs had I depended on a mechanic I would of lot my contract and there fore my business. This is just information for people thinking about doing it its not for the faint of heart.
    Rebuilt Engine
    Replace CPC Twice One was stolen cut the wire harness
    Replace ecm
    Replace ACM
    Water pump
    Turbo
    Waste gate on turbo 2 years prior
    Oil cooler
    Fuel Pump
    Air compressor x 2
    Set of injector x 2
    Cam housing Gasket 3 time under warranty but still down
    Cam housing freeze plugs
    Oil pan
    Transmission
    2 clutches
    Radiator
    A/c compressor
    A/c line
    One Box
    One Box wire harness
    Wire harness from ACM to one box
    Def pump
    Metering valve
    Bellow pipe 2 times
    Air Dryer
    Quick release
    Air valve
    Every brake camber 2 times
    Every Air bag twice
    5th wheel
    Fuel sending unit
    Too many Air fittings to count
    Transmission lines
    Tie Rod Ends
    King pins
    Passenger side spindle
    Injector cups

    Replace head with Rebuilt drop a valve at 1.3 million miles why had to Rebuilt in first place

    Driverside mirror
    All the Brakes obviously
    Power steering pump
    Drag link
    Soon many tires lol
    Brake Air lines
    (Amazingly still has same Alternator)
    Battery Several times
    Driver seat
    Both heater Cores
    Both Blower motors
    Most all dash Bottons
    Had do 2 jump wires in Sam chassis harness
    Not to mention preventable maintenance

    This is just what I remember! It huge headache and if you run the load Boards only you won't survive. It's not as simple as buying a truck even if you lease on somewhere it tough if you have ####y truck or won't touch a wrench. I've seen so many people go under cause they don't understand what actually goes into being a owner operator. Good luck this is just me but I fought my ### off to be successful
     
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  3. Sons Hero

    Sons Hero Road Train Member

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    2 clutches? Just curious, was this an International?
     
  4. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Some of the things on the list are to be expected buying an emission truck with 460k on it. Some things don’t make much sense.
     
  5. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    His list looks simular to mine and my truck was #### near the poster child for "lemon" and "worst semi on the fourm". Yet even im scratching my head at a few of those. Though considering how many times MINE left people scratching their head im more then willing to offer benift of doubt.
     
  6. Trenton325

    Trenton325 Light Load Member

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    No the freightliner and this is long story but the first clutch the throw out bearing broke off one of the ear I have no idea why so had to replace it again
     
  7. Trenton325

    Trenton325 Light Load Member

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    Not sure what doesn't make much sense! I drove almost a million miles in 5 years. The 2 sets of injector was changed one set then 100k miles later the fuel pump went out sent metal through the whole system. Some was bad mechanic for instance my transmission fell out after having it replaced lol
    Some of this is bad luck Some is bad mechanics Some is the fact I ran almost million miles on that truck in less then 5 years.
     
  8. Trenton325

    Trenton325 Light Load Member

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    Everything could easily explain and this wasn't a post about how much better your truck is then mine the bad luck or good luck I've had. It was simply to let people know who are considering buying a truck to know its very seldom as easy as it seems and can become very expensive quickly. I wasn't aware I would have people like need to know every detail of the #### I had done my truck and why after doing almost 1 million miles in less then 5 years
     
  9. Sons Hero

    Sons Hero Road Train Member

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    OK, dash switches is what had me thinking it may have been an international. Theirs are notoriously flimsy
     
  10. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    People keep saying that internationals are crap and flimsy.... but mine is more rock solid then my pete so far. Might be limited to the cheap prostars?
     
  11. Sons Hero

    Sons Hero Road Train Member

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    LTs and Prostars were the only ones I’ve heard that about. Never heard anything negative about a Lonestars quality. I always was kinda partial to the 9900i, they were cool. I had looked a day an over about 4 years ago, wish now I had bought it. Would be awesome for hauling grain!
     
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