How much $$$ is enough?

I'll consult with the O/M and get back to you guys.

I always think we're doing so well until I see these threads.

 

Just bought a newer truck in October of 2018, 420,000 miles 2014. $15,000 trade in for my old binder and financed $35,000 @ 7% for 36 months. First month $12,000 cash and 1 payment out of pocket. 2 weeks in shop to fix DPF and bendix wingman issues that no one could figure out.
I'm around 550,000 miles now with no issues but new steer axle brakes due to cracking and general maintenance.
Moral of the story, if I didn't have the cash I would have been in a bad place.
I would want minimum of $30,000 and would be comfortable with $50,000.
Also forgot I had my regular bills to pay at the house, which would raise the cash amount.

 

theres a reason lonestar mountain makes it easy for folks. its them high paying loads at landair

 

Never. Trucking is a great way to make a small fortune.

After starting off with 2 million or whatever large fortune.

 

Ok. I talked to the O/M. I was like seriously kissing her ###, hoping to get a trip advance for $40.

She said no.

I mean last time I got one, I had to beg and plead for that, and ended up spending $37 of it on cat food anyway. She's ok with that.

So I'm at a Love's right now, somebody just woke me up a bit ago so now I'm up anyway, and I went to see if there was any money on the card.



*****Disclaimer- For those that don't know me, I'm the village idiot, that has truck #3 hitting the road next week. Listen to the experts. It's all luck, no skill involved, no savvy, and certainly pulling a van cannot entail work.*****

Man. Had to use my points just to get a roller dog.

 

“Ahhh, hi - cough, cough - this is John here from Comdata, we’re calling to alert you of fraudulent use of your account at Petsmart - we need your password . . . “

 

First, I would check where the truck has been operating, if was in crash, what was pulling, 400,000 miles is not much if was pulling light on flat roads from Great lakes to Texas .But if was pulling reefer or other heavy from west coast, across the Rockies every week or day, this mileage means lots more wearing. There's no easy way out of west, every highway I-8,10,17,40,70,84,80,90 has long high grade sections stained with vital engine fluids on shoulder, more pressure on engines running hot at limits and hot steel gets soft, wears sooner.
Second, watch if the specs fit your needs, read about the motor , transmission, gear ratio, don't rush take a good mechanic with you inspect it, run dyno/oil test. Stay away from automatic transmission on used, i made this costly mistake.

 

What happened with the auto tranny?

 

Troubles only, time wasted in shops, i was stuck in the middle of intersection, thousands $ repairs towings, loads abandoned, stressful check transmission lights popping on the dash. During winter was even more sensitive running 3-4 month on roads covered with salt and corrosive deicing chemicals ended up mixed with water on transmission control modules harness causing all kind of glitches.
It was my first truck, got it used in 2003, because was nice shining red without paying much attention to what's under the hood, 2001 Volvo 770/D60 and 10 speed autoshift 3 pedals, 400k miles, ex US Express truck. The transmission was under warranty to 700k, but have to read the fine print,it covers basics only not electronic malfunctions.
Got tired of it because volvo won't convert to manual, sold it in 07 got a new Volvo 780 with Eaton 13 manual, run it team over 11 years, over 1.8 mil miles. The only expenses i had on Eaton 13 transmission was 4 or 5 synthetic oil changes, a 40$ for top splitter on the stick .

 

It's possible some improvements have been made in the last 17 years though.

But I also advocate a manual for used, cause no one knows really what the auto's are going to do when they get long in tooth.

And your testimony is what I would fear. It just has a lot of things that need to work properly.