That is why I ordered a 2013 Columbia glider with pre-egr Detroit 60 in it. Spec'd to the gills with everything I wanted. $112K out the door and no FET. 18 Spd, new Meritor 14x rears with lockers and aluminum housings, Alcoa Durabrites all around, Custom interior with Arctic insulation package and Premium noise abatement package, built in fridge, painted set back fuel tanks, custom painted frame rails and undercarriage, Dupont Viper Blue Pearl with clear coat body and tank paint. Dupont Viper Red frame and undercarriage.
Good call, THIS is where we see the advantage that the little guy has over supermegacarrierfleet. I dont mean to sound like the sky is falling, I just want small business owners to understand that the next few years could be pretty hard for people who are under-capitalized. Small business NEEDS lending to help us through slow times or unforeseen expenses we will incur. That lending will be VERY tough even for the very well qualified borrower.
And that was with 50 to 1 leverage ratios. Dodd/Frank is requiring lenders to lower leverage ratios over the next few years way beyond what they have done for the last few years now that the out of touch members of the Congressional Banking Committee have decided that the economy is stable enough to slice lending by 75% (getting votes by going after those "evil" bankers). One year LIBOR is at 1.07% now. One year ago it was 0.70%. It seems that private sector banking has started to see the writing on the wall. At this rate bond yields will be less than LIBOR rates this year!
I love hoods too, plan on leasing a Pete 389 with Werner, already have a 359 running local, and having a truck you wants makes you want to drive it and make the miles while enjoying it
Screw the hood, I'm going fuel efficient. I rather make 1-2mpg or that extra few hundred than be pretty. Plus, u wont be so pretty while backing that big shiny hood into small parking places with no turning radius. But its your choice...bigger shining hoods with no turn radius or bigger bottom lines with a few extra Benjamin's each week!!! Minimize your expenses, whether you in the trucking business or the plumbing business, its business 101.