Simple quick O/O questions please

Two best places to get used trucks are from dealership trade-in lots or used fleet trucks from trucking companies. Prices vary widely.
I know several guys in Nashville area that bought used trucks from the Freightliner dealership trade-in lot and also Volvo trade-in lot and those still had some warranty left. Some of the Volvos are First Fleet lease trucks turned back in.
Some good fleet trucks with APU's are Melton Truck Lines, Mesilla Valley Transport, TransAm.
TLC and Maverick in Arkansas both have nice used fleet trucks.
The cheaper ones are from Schneider; think they have a big sale lot in Atlanta.

Truckng companies have info on what they have for sale on their websites.

 

A used fleet truck is probably not a bad way to go.
But if you can find a used owner operator truck it might be better. If it is a one owner truck that has been taken care of .
Some owner operators take very good care of their trucks and drive them gently.
I have a 10 year old truck with 1.1 million miles and it is very dependable. I bought it new. Todays complicated new trucks can be less dependable than a truck like mine.
Also, you might consider a glider with an old style engine, if you can afford it. If you don't plan on running California.

 

It's like this, you can buy one with 400,000 miles or a million. But no matter what you will dump Hellas of money into it. I bought a fleet truck and still had just as many problems as my 98 does with 750,000 miles.

 

From my personal experience and pov I'd say you need to have a criteria..
1st make up a budget.
2nd. What would you like to drive (brand namw and model)
3rd spec it out.. transmission, engine, rears.. (most times you won't match, but it will work as a guideline as to what you're willing to take
Would you pull skateboard or box
4th have you heard about 2014 CARB? Would you need a compliant truck
My "sweetspot" price can go from $45-$80k truck with good to greater/ not dog chewed up interior (come on this is your home)
The newer the year and the lesser the miles, means the less deterioration. It's not rocket science.
Anything mechanical suffers breakdowns

As a very personal note, don't be afraid, be smart and use common sense. I've been a driver for 11 years and an O/O For 2 months, I've been blessed and given the opportunity to jump on my own truck, even though I've been doubtful for too long. I won't ever go back to drive for no one else again.

 

The purchase price really doesn't make a difference, excepting nearly new equipment. Your best bet will be anything at your price point that is still in regular service, or at least not long out of service. The retiring owner operator being the usual best choice: someone that isn't broke, has a kept up truck, and simply ready to stop working. However, not until the truck sells.

The main thing you will get into with any truck purchase is fixing all the stuff that the previous owner didn't want to spend on. The farther you get away from last in-service date and owner, the more of a crap-shoot this becomes.

If you're going to use a dealer, watch their inventory a while and establish a sales contact that knows what you're looking for. I assure you they will call if they have an inbound unit that's a match. Don't buy anything without doing a rigdig report and finding out it's history, which will have some indication of when it was last in service.

 

It never ends....I know the feeling..I was in for service and passed inspection with my paid for 97 classic..

The guy next to me had 3 things wrong and failed...He had a 2012 $250,000 Pete car carrier with 139,000 miles on it.

 

First thing I want to commend you on is your love for trucking, too many people only look at it as a job, and they're not truck drivers, only wheel holders. You've been given good advice and I would have to agree with the o/o truck especially if you don't run California, and you can make a good living without ever entering that place. I'm driving a 1986 that I keep detailed records on, including putting air in tires and rain xing the windows. I'm sure I'm not the only o/o that does this just look around and ask, you never know when someone is ready to get out or retire. Good luck and don't be afraid to be different.

 

Buy an old cabover for 5 grand. Pay it off in a month and the rest is gravy.