If emissions trucks are bad why are 90% on the road emissions trks

They are not.

The problem is with a misconception that new crap is bad and an expectation that a newer truck needs the same maintainance that a 1995 freightliner needs.

 

Almost anyone running a fleet of 5 or more will quickly decide to phase out the older equipment. Trucking has enough headaches and unknowns as it is. You have to minimize your breakdowns and achieve as much consistency as possible.

Also, your average driver doesn’t want “a smoky old truck” they want a brand new comfortable as possible truck.

 

As screwed up as this world is they will probably be driving there self by then! Scary to think about 20, 30 years from now, etc...

 

I know I will be. I even have a spare low mileage engine in case I crack the block on my current one and theirs a growing aftermarket for them that is getting to make even better parts for them than Cat themselves.

 

One of the things not really touted is that older trucks are easier for O/O to personally work on and repair. That is a driving factor for many of the older purchases. Newer trucks have a more complicated system under the hood that is not as "back yard garage" friendly.

For smaller operators, acquisition cost really comes in to play. A new 389 may run you $150,000+. With a commercial loan for $150,000, one could easily buy 2 older 379s for $50K each AND have $25K in reserve for maintenance costs on each truck. This allows someone to not only start driving but hire out the second truck with a driver and really begin to grow a business.

 

That is very true on all points. But, after you repeat again and have say 4 going. Trust me you will be wanting to buy as new or brand new as you can. Unless you want to quit driving and be a full time mechanic plus run the business. Been there.

I do find it frustrating popping the hood and being able to understand very little of these new motors though. Gotta have warranty at that point.

 

90% on the road. That means only 10% made it home

 

Add to that, more than half in those cities are on anti-depressants. Obviously they’re not TOO concerned about health issues.

Re: Yesterday’s medical release stating serious health issues caused by these drugs. To the person taking them, and their unborn children. Of course those with children are medicating them too. Got to catch them up

 

Well it can be more than two.

I have met a few fleet owners who all they do is fix the crap they bought, they will sit out there in the snow and mud, getting sick just to save a few pennies. I don't have time for that, never did even with one truck, I paid others to do the work because my time is more valuable than to sit there and try to fix something, run around to get parts, wait on parts and so on, just to save a few hundred.

The single truck or two truck owner just doesn't get that dependability is key and for every one older truck that is on the road, there are 10 sitting in yards waiting to be scrapped and 15 more sitting just rotting away because they are not dependable.

 

Exactly, well said!