New Member with questions

Hello everyone. I am a new member and have been lurking for a few months. I was a teacher who is now transitioning to farming. I have driven class A and B truck before delivering propane, grain, and hauling heavy equipment. I have the chance to buy a '04 Peterbilt 379 with 569,xxx miles at what I think is a decent price. It has a CAT C-13 and runs well. I believe it has been kept up as far as general maintenance but some cosmetic things will need to be addressed down the road.

I was wondering what sort of things should I keep an eye out for or make sure I check before signing on the dotted line. I plan on doing as much maintenance as my knowledge allows so oil/filter changes, brake chambers, chassis lubrication and so on. Also if there are any other tips and lessons you have learned along the way I would love to hear them. I will only be pulling a hooper bottom for my own grain and for hire to keep busy.

 

First thing I’d do is try figuring out if that’s the correct mileage. Seems like super low mileage for the year. Was it just used locally all those years?

My 23 already has 335 k on it.

 

2004 could have a non-egr engine, which would be a bonus. Mileage does seem low, but C13 could be a local truck.

 

The mileage is correct. It is a day cab used only for local grain deliveries. The engine has not been touched. The owner said it does have a tuner on it but as they have never driven the truck he is not sure what it is set at. The driver took care of all the maintenance and he just wrote the checks. He said it has been pretty problem free with nothing major other than a new air compressor or power steering pump. **I need to correct it is a '05 and it is an ACERT C-13.**

 

Make sure they haven't changed the oil and do a sample on it. I'd also do a bottle test on the cooling system as well. Get the hours off the ECM as well to make sure those miles are actually a benefit or not.

 

Good idea. I should note the truck is owned by my uncle and godparent and though we are not super close I don't think he would try to slip one by on me. He has a pretty large farm and hog operation and said he would like to help me get my start. He wants $35K for the truck if I agree to help haul his grain at a reduced rate for a couple years as he bought a new truck/trailer. I will be pulling his hopper bottom with the option to purchase that down the road.

 

Ten4 but cracked heads and blown head gaskets usually progress from nothing noticeable to a 20k repair slowly over time and those BS Pittsburgh Power type boxes are known for causing both of the above issues.

The current owner may not even know there's damage yet because it hasn't become obvious but a year from now you'll be the one dealing with it. So did the driver give all the work orders/receipts to the previous owner?

 

NEVER, NEVER, buy vehicles or real estate from friends or family!!

 

I wouldn’t be scared of that truck. I know a number of guys that run C13s, and they aren’t bad. It likely has high hours from waiting in line, but if you’re staying local with it, I’d run it until it blows and then rebuild it right. By right, I mean don’t cut corners. I did that once, and it blew up 6,600 miles later. I would ask your uncle what he wants out the door price, no obligation to haul at a discounted rate ever. Thats a massive future headache for you. Who decides when your obligation is fulfilled? And, get a cut and dried rate for rent, or a payment plan set up for that hopper, used hoppers are generally pretty reasonable, so do your homework, yeah I know you want to trust your uncle, but do your homework. Why buy his trailer for a higher price than any other just because it’s his? I don’t know your uncle, he may be genuinely trying to help,you get started, but way to often, that “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine” logic is a way for an individual to control someone trying to get started. Good luck! Also, we like pictures around here!

 

You can do RigDig report. It’s like carfax report for big trucks. If truck has been run local it might not show much.