Did you start out in a beater?

That's why it's so important, like Exhausted sez, to buy from a private party, so the entire history can be explained to you, usually, if they're any kind of truck owner, with documented proof, to back it up. A dealer may have gotten that truck through a number of different ways, and might not know (or care) about the history. Remember, there's that "sweet spot" in a trucks life, where most of the parts have been replaced. I'd definitely stay away from a 3 or 4 year old truck, as the previous owner knows full well, repair is around the corner, and doesn't want to deal with it. Where as, a 6 or 7 year old truck, had to have everything replaced, it's just the way it is. Granted, 20G's doesn't buy much nowadays, but say, 35 or 40G's with a good history, is totally possible to get a good truck.

 

To state the obvious, when down for repairs you also are losing revenue which can never be replaced. You will have repairs regardless, just makes sense to try and minimize, not only the most expensive repairs, but also the most time consuming repairs (which are usually the same anyway).

Another consideration is the mpg that a beater consumes compared to a newer, better mpg tractor. Fuel is a huge expense. If my calculations are correct, the fuel consumption difference on 120,000 miles between 6 mpg and 8 mpg is 5,000 gallons multiplied by $4.00 a gallon is $20,000.00 annually. Total cost of ownership needs to be in the equation. Nevertheless, it eventually comes down to what you can afford to do in order to get started. If you are too short on capital to weather some hard times, you will be out of the business sooner or later.

I know one driver who did great for a few years with Landstar, then his truck started breaking down and for six straight months, the equipment repairs exceeded his income. He ended up selling the truck and is now a company driver again. I am not saying this is typical, but it is something to take into consideration. There must be a reason why so many trucking companies buy new and sell (or lease out) their trucks well before the million mile mark. It might be just because they can, but it's probably because their "bean counters" tell them it's the smart thing to do.

 

Pre 2003 "beaters"?? I got 3 In service beaters that serve me faithfully and god willing I will retire with those 3 "beaters" I told my dealer the other day I'm going to have the one bronzed when it finally dies for being the most honest truck I've ever owned. I'm semi handy with wrenches and understand my trucks pretty good, they were all well maintained trucks when I bought them and I've continued to baby them, parts do wear out regardless of how well you do service, they are trucks from an era when durability and reliability was more important than emissions and fuel economy wasn't as important.
oh and I keep saying this on post after post: my dealers mechanics prefer to work on older well maintained "beaters" than this new stuff, I guess because the diagnostics are easier to do.
I paid between $18 and $29k for each of them. (Configured differently)
So are you in it for the money or the shine?

 

I started out in a 1970 Chevy Titan 90, and I don't want to think about anymore.

 

Yes. Still in one lol 😎. My lack of payments on a shiny new truck have helped buy my 2 trailers cash , afforded me a lot of family time and the privelege to refuse loads w crappy rates. Don't get me wrong just today I was telling Bayou I want a new truck but this ole beater has been so good , I'm scared to take 2 steps back w a unknown truck

 

Hi L, That's funny, you put a new driver in a Titan 90 (Chevy's equivalent to the Astro 95) they'd probably quit on the spot. Actually, the Titan/Astro was really one of the better cabovers of the time. Nice gauges, rode better than the Transtar I drove and that God awful Freightliner. Enjoy. (notice the play in the steering wheel)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY48GPj7AS8

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4259268]Hi L, That's funny, you put a new driver in a Titan 90 (Chevy's equivalent to the Astro 95) they'd probably quit on the spot. Actually, the Titan/Astro was really one of the better cabovers of the time. Nice gauges, rode better than the Transtar I drove and that God awful Freightliner. Enjoy. (notice the play in the steering wheel)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY48GPj7AS8[/QUOTE]

You just had to make me look at that did ya

 

There is nothing on an old truck that can't be replaced. If you want to go home and take a few weeks off do it. if you want to take a couple months off, do it. If you fall off the trailer and get hurt, you still own the truck when you heal up. When the economy tanks for a couple years, you are ok. It will be very hard for me to go broke in my 03 beater.

Now if I go buy a new 2015 truck It would be very easy to go broke.

 

What's the net on that 1200 gross is what you need to look at. I know I make a lot more than that just pulling RVs.