Trade Cycle

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by 217flatbedr, Aug 22, 2013.

  1. Aug 22, 2013 #1
    217flatbedr

    217flatbedr Light Load Member

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    Who's operating their business with a defined trade cycle for their tractor and/or trailer? One definition of a defined trade cycle would be every 4 years/500k miles. If you're running on a defined cycle are you purchasing new equipment?

    Personally I've always went (and will) go new. NEVER had any of the highly talked about mechanical problems!! NEVER!! That includes 2 Acert powered tractors and my current 2012 DD15. My trade cycle averages 4.5 years/500K miles.

    In my operation reliability rules!! New equipment (and my experience) has proven the best guarantee for reliability. Many companies of all sizes are set up on a regular trade cycle. Most of them are still in business too. Yeah, I get it why companies may opt for new equipment......driver retention, neglected maintenance etc. The way I see it is simple......do what the successful companies do. Perhaps the fact that I serve my own direct shipper/customer base plays into my decision as well.


    Bring on the firestorm........
     
    217flatbedr, Aug 22, 2013
    217flatbedr, Aug 22, 2013
    #1
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  3. Aug 22, 2013 #2
    FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

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    Lot of the " BIG OUTFITS" own nothing , they fleet lease there equipment thats why the 4 year or 500,000 mile turn over is about average for them.

    The 5th year of ownership of a new truck is usually the most expensive , so I try and get rid of them before that as well as watching for DEALS on new equipment. Just picked up 3 new CASCADIAS at a great savings as another outfit ordered them then lost a major client so they had to cancel the order and the trucks were on the lot ready to be picked up.

    Had glitches with some recent 2012 KW T660's but just sold a few 2011's and made good $ on them.
     
    FLATBED, Aug 22, 2013
    FLATBED, Aug 22, 2013
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    217flatbedr Thanks this.
  4. Aug 23, 2013 #3
    wichris

    wichris Road Train Member

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    I have run a 3yr/450K cycle since the 80's. With a 1.7 trl ratio(reefer)my total maint cost is less than .05/mile.
     
    wichris, Aug 23, 2013
    wichris, Aug 23, 2013
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    217flatbedr Thanks this.
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