New Truck, or Used Truck?

Well, I don't know if I'm deadicated enough to want to sit most of my weeks in one of those stylish rides...maybe the T600s they have are better, or maybe I can hang some nice curtains and a potted plant, maybe a tie-dye, a couple of small persian carpets, some throw pillows and an incense burner, a couple of Grateful Dead stickers..... LOL

Anyway, the spreadsheet says they're not outright LYING.....

 

Pacific Cartage out of Vancouver, WA. Google them if this link doesn't come up.

http://pacificcartagecorp.com/Home_Page.html

Can't testify about them...but those are their lease costs. The trucks are as seen, or T600s all about 5 years old, you own it outright in two years. Take a look at the site, talk to them if you like, see for yourself.

Good luck, let me know what you hear from them.

 

That's what I saw as the downside risk. Unless you're getting really good fuel surcharges, at $4/gal for fuel, you're gonna be hurting. At $2.32 a gallon, maybe it works.

I also had some serious questions about the veracity of their claimed per mile rate. Not all carriers want you to run their freight in a 5 yr old truck, either. Still, if fuel stays low, you get the miles they claim, and at least the low end rate, you might be able to pull it off.

As to your mpg, I think you have to govern that puppy to run at like 62-65 mph, keep your foot out of it, don't idle (APU), Run the central plains, average out your intermountain miles with the flats. (In other words, learn to drive like a Prime L/O) Spend some money up front to address/carry any iffy/old parts to avoid being taken out with repairs, and make SURE you have at least a few thousand in your maintenance account before you hit the road so that if you DO go down, you can repair and get on the road fast. And keep pounding cash into those tire and maintenance/repair accounts. At least with the lease described here, you can afford your three days of downtime per month.

All said and done, you have to run it like a business. If you don't know what that means in trucking, or you don't have the skills, drive a company truck. If you DO understand it, and can learn those skills, hell, in a couple three years, you could sell your funky old freightshaker, and be riding on of those sweet Petercars....... best of luck!

 

That was the point. Even a $1200/month lease on a 5 yr old truck is tough. Let alone what Prime wants.