First Time Owner/Op Needs Purchase Advice!!

Hey all. As the title says I’m a first time owner operator looking to purchase my first truck. I can’t afford to purchase and spec a new truck off the line so unfortunately have to purchase used. Gotta’ start somewhere, right?

Today I test drove a 2014 Pete 386 with a 455HP Paccar MX in it, 3.25 ratio and 240” WB. Lifetime 7.1 mpg on the truck. Over all I was pretty satisfied with the truck until we entered the local interstate and I accelerated up to 70 mph, which is the speed limit. I noticed as I got into the 60-ish mph range the truck began vibrating a bit the way on old car does when it goes fast. Should this be a major concern of mine? I know it could be something as simple as a tire wearing uneven or the tires being unbalanced etc. The alignment was a little off as it pulled right, which they’re going to fix if I decide to buy it. Could it be something more expensive like the drive train? Front shocks or an issue with the breaks?

Buying used I know is always a risk and I fully expect the truck to have issues here and there. Just didn’t expect the vibration on the test drive and I can’t shake it from my mind as it has me worried about buying it. Truck has 433,000 miles on it and previously hauled precut lumber and steel loads via flatbed all highway. Also has 5 months/67,000 miles left on the initial Paccar warranty. I’m planning to haul strictly 53’ dryvan ranging mostly 26,000 - 37,000 lb.

Sorry so long winded. Any veteran advice is GREATLY appreciated! Thank you!

 

Tires looked good to me. Honestly I didn’t check them all as far as air pressure but none are re-treads and all have a good amount of tread left. It didn’t vibrate at all when we first left the yard and rolled smoothly at 45 mph. Wasn’t until I got into the Interstate that I noticed the vibration.

 

I agree with you there. Impossible to look inside the engine as well and see anything that might be going arry. I don’t really have a choice though. Like I said I can’t afford something new. I’ve driven for a couple of guys who bought used similar to the one I’m looking at when it comes to truck mileage etc. Their trucks had issues here and there but stayed on the road quite a bit and were run pretty hard as well. I’m just trying to do the best I can with what I’m able to afford and then I have to cross my fingers and take the risk. I’m just wondering what might be causing the vibration other than a tire issue and if I should be worried about it, ya know?

With regards to what’s been written about these engines, I’ve seen about 50/50 good and bad. I have noticed though that most of the bad was in the earlier models (2010/2011/2012). Not that they’re flawless but I think Paccar has cleaned up most of all the ridiculous sensor issues everyone kept having early on. One of the trucks I recently ran for a guy was a 2012 Kenworth T660 with a 400 HP Paccar MX. He bought it with over 600,000 miles on it and it now has over 800,000 and he’s never had to have the engine worked on at all. He’s taken it in for minor things here and there but so far no major engine trouble.

 

Since it didn’t vibrate until the Interstate at a higher speed, what in your experience do you think that could possibly narrow it down to? I agree that trucks with this mileage are a crap shoot. I’m trying to do the best research I can and then take the risk and keep my fingers crossed that the truck doesn’t nickel and dime me to death.

 

You may be right! Haha. But I’m kinda’ at a lack of options. Any suggestions? What would you do/look at for a first time used truck? Please don’t say “I wouldn’t buy used” . Pretend you are forced to buy a used truck with similar miles. What would you be looking for? Would this be a minor concern to you if the rest of the truck didn’t initially concern you? The fleet that used it before kept it regularly maintained and cleaned. Doesn’t mean it won’t crap out, but definitely gives it a better chance to run well longer than a truck that wasn’t maintained well. It also has 5 more months of warranty, so anything major right out the door would be covered.