Future Owner Operator looking for my dream truck

Jack2024 · Mar 1, 2024

Knightcrawler said: ↑

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Completely understand that. Ive toyed with the possibility of selling mine. The wife and I are closing on our house in Florida in a month (almost exactly) and Im not sure if I want to be an O-O out of Florida or just go back to work for someone.. Havent really decided for sure one way or the other yet. Im 67, had my CDL 40 years next month. Until 6 years ago was a company driver, so you are now where I was 6 years ago.

I have a custom 2020 Western Star 5700XE. 505hp DD15, 10 speed, 308 rears. I get about 8mpg at 75mph, and 8.5 at 70. Over the last 60,000 miles, counting idle time, Im averaging 7.6 mpg. Single 82" bunk, tan leather and cherry wood interior. Leather heated driver seat (I live in Minnesota) and block heater. Refrigerator (that I havent used in 2 years, but I DID check it a few weeks ago, it still works). Disk brakes all around. I replaced the steers about 50,000 miles ago. Drives are still original and have a little rubber left (full of fuel, the steers are 10,800 pounds so they wear faster). Only damage that was done to it was I hit a deer about 3.5 years ago that took out the left fender (insurance covered it). For the past 2 years I have just run from Minneapolis to Green Bay and back once a week (about 650mi round trip). I dont smoke, but I do take 2 of my dogs with me.

The truck has just over 250,000 miles on it (252k maybe?) and is still under its extended warranty for almost 4 years. Im leased to Landstar so the truck is inspected every 120 days.

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Nice picture

Jack2024 · Mar 1, 2024

rollin coal said: ↑

I can't imagine the agony of trying to book decent van freight off loadboards in current market conditions. Having a paid for truck just means you'll be running to cover costs making nothing while other guys with payments are actually going in the hole quickly doing the same thing. Just takes longer to bleed out that way is all.
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I agree

Jack2024 · Mar 1, 2024

gokiddogo said: ↑

You dead set on dry van?
I have this for sale
Would be some work importing to USA.
I am exiting for other reasons, if you want to read my thread
Is this the end for me in trucking?

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Nice looking truck

Cdemars316 · Mar 1, 2024

Sons Hero said: ↑

The gearing your truck has, and the way you use your foot is going to have as much impact on fuel economy as what engine is under the hood. Get a pre emission one. You can thank me later
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Completely agree on this, went from 3.55 rears to 2.74 rears and my last ifta was 6.39, ifta's before that were always around 4.7-5.1. This is a flat top that gets stuck with vans probably 30% of the time, if I make the jump to fulltime flatbed with it like I am wanting to do I should be around 7 or a little better. My last ifta doing full time flatbed was like 5.3. If I would cut down my idle time and reprogram the computer for the heavier injectors it would be even better. You can teach an old dog new tricks when it comes to fuel mileage but it comes at the cost of regearing and transmission changes for some.

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