I'm going to buy a used Schneider Truck

More update for my Ex-Schneider truck.

I am now leased on to MAG Carriers LLC.
I've been behind on my update so today, Sunday April 9th, 2017 will be the end of my 3rd week of owning this truck. This pass week have been nerve recking because i just put this Ex-Schneider truck to the test. I first took a 45k load from NC to atlanta area, 350 loaded miles. Then another heavy 45k load from Atlanta area to Philly, PA. Then deadhead to Pittsburg for personal reasons. And finally, Pittsburg back to NC with another 45k load. Dam, everything for dryvan is heavy.

This truck performed admirably and didn't have any issues. It pulls the hills just fine. So far, my gamble with the NOX sensors had payed off. Next test would be to pull a heavy load up to Ashville, NC and take I-26 to TN. Need to also go thru I-77 in WV. I am concerned that the Engine fan only comes on near redline at 225 degrees. I was told this is normal for the DD15. Looks like I will have to somehow install a manual engine fan switch on this truck. I know that the newer Cascadia have factory installed manual engine fan switch.

Miles per Gallons, MPG. I was too poor to fillup my tanks so I can only go by the computer's reading. Bobtail with no trailer, I averaged 9.25mpg. Hooked to an empty dryvan got me 8mpg. Fully loaded 45k got me 6.75mpg from Charlotte to Atlanta. Got 6.25mpg from Atlanta to Philly, PA with a 45k load. Pittsburg, PA to Rocky Mount, NC got me 5.75mpg on 44k load. I tried to stay at 62mph at 1350 RPM but i was lagging and had to downshift. So in VA and PA, I floored it to 65-75mph. My MPG improved as I went faster on the hills. My gear ratio is 2.64 and 10sp manual trans. My MPG is not that good because I have a Midroof Cascadia. It does have the extended top wind deflector but doesnt quite cover all the way to the top of the trailer. I plan on getting a flatbed soon so I chose a Midroof truck.

Oil Pressure:
When I first got the truck, it seems to have 50-65psi. But then it drops down below 20 psi during idle when the engine warmed up after being driven. That scared me because my previous Detroit series 60 motors was a lot higher during idle. After doing some research online and asking another owner, it is normal for DD15 to idle at 20psi or slightly lower. While running at freeway speeds, oil PSI ranges 42-50 psi.

Other Considerations.
With newer trucks utilizing DPF filters, you will run into more problems if you idle during the summer heat. My last lease purchase 2016 brand new Cascadia needed a parked Regen after I idle during my rest period. And it drives rough afterwards until the DPF clears itself. Trying to avoid issues with no idling in my rest periods, i need to find a solution to my AC needs. I wanted a ThermalKing APU but they goes for $12k. Ouch...too expensive for me.

So, After much reading online, I have a poorman's version of an APU. I got a Honda EU2000i generator and a 8000btu Portable AC unit, the kind that has a 6" vent tube. The included cheap heat exhause tube may be a problem because it is radiating too much heat inside the cab. The area behind the Portable AC is very warm, while the front of the AC blows cold air. Not very efficient. If after insulating the exhaust tube doesn't work, I'll have to cut a hole in the back of my cab and install a Window AC.

As for loads, I self dispatch myself using Internet Truckstop. The company I'm leased to take 10%. Since I'm using their trailer, they take another 7% and maintain the trailer. So my first week doing loads gross $3,050 on 1650 loaded actual odometer miles. Empty miles was off because I deadheaded from Philly to Pittsburg for personal reasons. I try to deadhead less than 100 miles and preferably much less. My cut is 83% of $3050 comes to $2531. Insurance and all other normal deductions are aprox $250/week and total fuel and tolls came out to less than $900 but that leaves my tank with more than I started. So I netted $1381 for the week and zero maintenence for the week. I should set aside $225/wk for truck payment and as much as I can afford for my Maintenence account. Not too bad for starting out on Monday, and returning home Friday and only did 1650 loaded miles. Had I taken a weekend load, I would of made more.

My main plan is to run cross country from May to September this year but I must be sure my truck is up for the task. So, I'm running short runs for now to be close to the shops I trust. The true test would be running close to 80k gross going through the western Rockies Mountains in 100+ degree summer heat. I'm worried about climbing those hills is OR, UT, MT and CO since some of those 6-8% grades streaches for over 20 miles. I know that most guys thinks I'm crazy to take such risks because long runs to and from California to East Coast doesn't pay well. I agree that straight shot Van loads will not pay to do cross country. I plan on running LTL Flatbed cross country and have had good results doing this in the past. Looking at the loadboards now, Van loads are paying less than 1.25/mile for cross country runs. Anyone stupid and desperate enough to do these runs deserve what they will eventually get.

 

If I didn't need to go to California, I would stick with a pre ERG motor in a Glider truck. My only concern with a Glider truck is that it other people have said that it may be harder to finance and reselling might also be harder since many traditional lender may not approve glider trucks.

Bottom line is $$$. Regardless if you bought a used, new, Glider, or what ever, I can say with confident that doing only DryVan freight and being able to pay a $2,000+ per month truck payment will be very hard to maintain for 5 years. Even If you have a dedicated direct shipper, it is still very risky since the shipper may use another less expensive broker. I lost my local great paying gig that way. A new truck payment is going to be 5+ years or more and a lot can happen in that time.

I've seen some guys able to do close to $2/mile gross for dryvans but I think that may only happen if you do short runs less than 300 miles. Right now, Internet Truckstop have crappy rates of less than 1.50/miles gross. It has only been one week of self dispatch on DryVan for me and I'm giving up on it.

It is very hard to self dispatch and be the driver with a DryVan. I spent 3 hours calling brokers on just one run. Then I had to balance my time to not go over HOS on my logs. If only everyone would post their rates, that would save so much time. For now, I think flatbed will suit me best since the rates are generally higher than Dryvans and there are so many Flatbeds loads with rates being posted that it should't take more than 15 minutes to book a good load.

I'm going to rent a Flatbed for six months, then buy one with the rolling tarp system.

 

Anyone here have experiences with TnT Trailers out of Saint Louis, MO area ? I have been approve to rent a flatbed trailer there but I'm concern with hidden fees and or wear and tear on the trailer when I return the trailer.