Questions from a WannaBe

Like so many of the folks on this forum, I'm tired of sitting in a cubicle all the time, wondering if today will be the day they no longer have a use for my services.

I've come across a couple of deals on Craigslist and I wanted to know your take on them.

First is a 1974 Ford C-600 18' box van with a 4 speed tranny and 2 speed rear end. It's a smaller 351 gas engine. It's been someones storage truck for a few years but, they're looking to move it. It also has a hydraulic lift on the back end. Looks to be in decent shape and with that old of technology, you can still climb in there and fix things. Asking $1,595, could probably get it for around $1,200.

Questions: If I'm running O/O, will I get laughed out of the yard for pulling up in that truck? Will I be able to get LTL or Expedite/HotShot work with it or am I stuck to things like UShip.com??

The second truck I've found is a '77 Freightliner Cabover, no sleeper, single axle in rear. It looks like a very clean truck, the only thing the article says is new batteries, runs good. From the pictures, I can see it has some BIG fuel tanks on each side and the tires look pretty good. Asking $3,500. No trailer included..

I'd love the Freightliner to have a sleeper if for nothing else but to take a nap once in a while. The Ford doesn't have a sleeper and from what I've seen, there's an addon for them but, I'm sure they're pretty rare to find. Is it possible to put a sleeper on the F/L?? I see a place in Medford Oregon that has a bunch for sale. It's an awful short frame though..

What are your thoughts, what would you do, is this crazy?? I'm mainly thinking about staying on the West Coast, away from Cali as much as possible.

 

So, why is the Freightliner a wreck?? If I pulled up for a job in that truck pulling a 28' trailer, they'd turn me away?

What do you think would fail on the inspection on the F/L??

For the Box Van, it could be put to use for local hauls quite easily. It doesn't require a CDL license to operate it. Does it require an inspection from DOT?

I don't need to be all in or all out. There are plenty of guys starting out that stay with thier regular jobs and do this on weekends until they get contacts made and miles under thier feet.

I don't want to drive just to give the banker all my money, along with the gas stations, insurance company, and everyone else that has thier hand out. If I can eliminate the banker, I'd prefer to do that..

 

Thanks H/T, that's the kind of info I'm looking for..

Hypothetical situation: If you ended up with that F/L, what would you do to make money with it?? In the Pacific N/W, there's a lot of logging trucks which would take a little work to get the right trailer setup but, they're out there.. Maybe 28' enclosed to run LTL's?? Haul shipping containers out of the Port of Portland?? Pick up a 5-7 car trailer??

 

Thanks for the input Grog..