Getting back in the game

This is going to be a rather lengthy post with alot of questions, so please bare with me on this.
I have not been over the road in 9 years. I have been in trucking though for about 20 years. After my first child was born I left trucking to goto the oilfield because I needed benefits. I was laid off for 5 months and when I came back, I took a $40k pay cut. All that coupled with the new political landscape has made me really re-think things and I don't see a good future in the oilfield any longer. Which sucks for myself and alot of others. I have been looking at trucks and when I get home in a week I'm going to buy a truck and a new flatbed. Even though I left the industry, my wife has stayed in, she is a office girl not a driver though. So, here are my questions.

I have been looking at pre-eld trucks exclusively. One, because who wants to run a eld? Two, because that is the vintage truck that I'm used to. 3, they are easier to self maintain. However, it is really hard for me to swallow the cost. The prices are crazy, around $50k or so for something decent. I know these trucks are going to hold their value though because of the eld mandate and the fact that there are fewer and fewer on the road everyday. Supply and demand. I've seen some that are cheaper, but to be honest, they all need alot of work.

I've started looking at pre 2008 acert trucks aswell now. Here is where I need some help. It is my understanding that if you back off the emission controls and get a bully dog programmer, these trucks are good to go for the most part. These trucks are usually much nicer than pre eld trucks and roughly the same money. I want to buy the right truck the first time and keep fixing it.

I'm looking at w900s mostly. I've owned several flat top petes. I think they are the best looking truck around. however, no that I'm getting older, it would be nice to be able to stand up and put my clothes on and stretch and what not. I think the 63" stand up petes are just friggin ugly. However, I'm not opposed to the 70" bunk models. I'm really leaning toward the studio sleeper kw or the bed and breakfast pete. I like the idea of having a spot to just sit. The one thing I don't like about the pete though is the fact that you have to fold down the table to get into bed. Anybody who has had both pleae weigh in on the pros and cons please. I'm also afraid that the studio is going to be too heavy. I am looking at a 48x102 all aluminum mac flat with all the bells and whistles.

The one truck that I found close to me, the guy is asking $25k for. It is a 99 w9 with a aero flat top. The truck is an ex oilfield truck by the looks of it. It, like most trucks its age, is going to need a paint job. So there is $10k right there. It's prolly also going to need an inframe. it has a 9 speed. So, I will drop and 18 in it. After all is said and done, i'm back up to that $50kish mark again. Atleast the truck is going to hold its value though and i know it will be good to go after all this for awhile. What ever I get I will just put it in the shop as soon as I get it home and have it gone through. I would rather spend the money up front while I am still working a normal job vs on the road stranded.

My wife says that the non eld trucks at her company make about $30k a year more than the eld trucks. Is it worth getting an eld truck? Is an acert worth it if I do the fixes, or do I stick with an e model or a n14? Is a studio too heavy? Is the bed and breakfast pete better than a studio w9? Thanks for the replies. I'm just nervous about getting back in after all this time and all of the changes in the industry.

 

Forgot to add that no matter what I buy, I will be down for about a month waiting on my authority. So, I will bring the truck up to snuff in this time. Just want to be happy with what I buy. I know no matter what I get it is going to need something.

 

Why do the non eld trucks make more money?

 

Right ??

 

I have a 99 KW the best thing is it is easy to work on & less things to be concerned about(electronics & emissions). I'm looking to get a 2007 kenworth t660. I don't want anything older than a 2007 I'm not worried about eld or non-eld. I don't over drive. Those days are long gone for me. I worked on my friend's 2012 freightliner & I would not want that truck to tight to work on or anything like that. I would just get a good used truck that works for you & hasn't been beat up if you find one with some documentation. I hope all the best to you on your journey

 

I also noticed while looking at truck paper these older trucks are insanely priced. Ridiculous.

You mention the political landscape. What happens if fuel goes to $5/gal and your getting 5.5 mpg? Is that sustainable? What if they decide your truck pollutes too much? After all if they target cow farts, no doubt they’ll target coal rollers.

At that time those trucks will be worth nothing more then what a farmer will pay for them. Basically nothing. I’m not saying that will happen but it’s food for thought.

 

I haven't talked to those drivers personally to know the direct answer to that. my wife is the company's accountant, so she just opened up quick books and looked at last year's revenues across the company and $30k wasabout the average. If I had to guess, I would say for the simple fact that has always been true, those guys can run how they want and log it later, within reason that is.

 

I'm curious to see what happens with oil. If gas prices go up wouldn't the production go up on the wells still operating? It would be bad for the average guy commuting to work but great for those in the oil business.

I'm just speculating that you may actually be in a good position. What does more knowledgeable members think?

 

I can't really disagree with that. however, newer trucks don't really get any better mpg than the older models. I'm more concerned with ease of maintenance and longevity and the newer trucks aren't it. It is a gamble, but one I'm willing to take. I know what the oilfield holds, continuing lower pay. The keep cutting our pay and hours. I gotta do something.

 

I understand. I’m tempted to recommend buying a new truck and maybe saving some money on a used trailer. I understand the 07 to 10 epa trucks don’t do all that well. My epa 17 and newer (X15) do very well. I’m pulling van or reefer but fleet average is 7.5 with some trucks over 8 mpg. If fuel gets high again I’ll be positioned to be competitive. Something to think about.