What can i buy with 30K?

Those type of trucks are $150k now

 

Two years ago I didn't get any bites on a 1989 379, day cab, 3406B, Brakesaver, 15 speed, @ $20k. Since then I put about @$18k into it. Work included roll in bearings, reseal rear main and Brakesaver, and go through injection pump and timing advance. It is a solid truck and a good backup for our 89 378 that we use for pulling our lowboy.

I'm not really thinking of selling it, but if I were I would want around $30k for it now. One has to be decent dealing with minor parts changing and chasing simple electrical issues, but the whole truck is very simple and easy to diagnose.

 

I there are lots of quality older trucks out there but the owners are sitting on them as long as possible, I'm one of them .

 

Yes those deals do exist. However, this is a new driver just starting off looking for a 30k rig. While it is even today posible to get a rig for 30k thats a decent runner. For every one of those there are for sale. There are 500 more that will bankrupt a new O/O as most wont know what to look for or ask for. There is also the impulse buy of an exciteing new thing that further hampers them.

Additionally many drivers especially new O/Os have the mechanical skills of a monkey with brain damage and come from driver mills, If the truck dont run they just go to a dealer and pay $3500 rather then do it themselves for $250. Are there exceptions? Of course but for a new O/O a low cost old beater is far far FAR more likely to end up with a bankrupt driver then a sucessful business.

 

Wow.. your definition of old and mine is like compairing apples to baseballs

 

Check the ritchie bros auction if u like that 387 pete. You couldve paid 15k at ritchie bros for it. Thats where the dealer got it.... The auction yards is going to be your best place to find something under 30k

 

I agree.

I think the OP, and most starting out are looking for a bit too much. A 30k$ truck that'll run coast to coast reliably, right out of the gate is gonna be a stretch most certainly.

I'd start with one of the several cheaper (under 20k$) options that are less desirable. That little Columbia I posted would be a good option I think. Obviously it would need a good inspection first, but it's cheap because it's a small bunk, short hood, smaller engine, just overall less desirable.

Buy that truck and keep it within 750 miles of home until you're sure of it's abilities, and make good money.

 

OP won’t say what he plans to use the truck for .
Several have asked and he won’t say.

If you run regional or local and have some decent shade tree mechanic skills , you can do ok with an old truck .

but if you have to take it to a shop every time it needs a sensor replaced or a minor wiring problem diagnosed and repaired .
The down time and lack of revenue is gonna hurt .

 

I posted this one up a while back
Looked like a good truck for the money

 

https://www.auctiontime.com/listing...ude=34.091059&longitude=-118.408372&zip=90210

This is where all the dealers get their trucks , at auctions .
They wash it and double the price .

For a one truck owner op the two people that are
Most vital to your success are a good mechanic and a good accountant who specializes in owner ops

I bought several of my trucks through referrals from my mechanic
I’d let him know I was looking for another rig and he always had some regular customer that was thinking of selling a truck .