What would an experienced o/o buy?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Texzonie, Jun 24, 2011.

  1. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Yeah, but yours probably doesn't shed

    YOU win:biggrin_25514:
     
  2. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Here is the reason I have to watch every penny. Do you have any idea what a horse like this eats? And of course he has corn allergies and good luck finding a reasonable food without corn as the main base.

    Marley.jpg
     
    Gears Thanks this.
  3. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    You are one of the few people I have known that has driven a Volvo and didn’t like the ride. And I am thinking you probably drove 670. Night and day between 670 and 780.
    And I hear you on all of what you are saying. I am a regular patron of Blue Beacon, spent more on a trailer than I needed to (yet mine has the glue but would have had to wait 3-months for a new one) and could have spent $20k less on truck. But I wanted the ride and comfort and that was worth the extra for me. But could not justify the extra on the W900 that I fell in love with.
    I guess I just picked this thread to get into it. More often than not the answers to “what truck” questions are based on preference and/or a general financial belief. If I had listened to the advice that many talk about on this thread it would have cost me over $20k in a three year period. And actually, I should have spent more on a newer truck but just a little uneasy about the newer engines. Not enough data.
    And I fully understand that for some people trucking is a life style first. It doesn't matter that it is costing them 10's of thousands a year. They have their needs meet and everything revolves around the truck. That is fine.
    But when making business decisions we need to understand what the costs are. For me, my truck washes add $.01-.015 per mile. Your trailer, likely over the long-term will cost you less per mile (better reefers have a slower actual depretiation than fleet trailers).
    I guess in closing, from a business side something can be learned from the mega carriers. They aren't buying what they buy because some saleman did a good job. They have these trucks spec'd out to be as efficient as possible for the job they are doing.
     
    Texzonie and volvodriver01 Thank this.
  4. NealinNevada

    NealinNevada Light Load Member

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    Great job in the presentation, but I would add that from a strictly dollar and cents perspective the aerodynamic is the only way to go...here is my next one :biggrin_255::

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  5. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    Right on Bill. I admire your self restraint on not buying the W900. Personaly I couldn't have done it.

    As for that Volvo I test drove, this was pushing 12 years ago, and I admit it had a nice sleeper, but I couldn't get past the rest of it.

    I guess I am set in my ways. The next truck I buy will be either another Pete or another KW.
     
  6. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    WoW!!
    That is some aero rig there. I thought T600 cabs were narrow...that looks crazy. Are there more pictures of that truck?
     
  7. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    Thanks. Is that a real truck or a concept? It can be difficult to tell with all the computer graphics programs. It has lines like a stealth fighter. That must be to avoid radar. :biggrin_25524:

    I think that if fuel wasn't such a consideration, more of us would be driving hoods. I still love the look of a 379 or W900.
     
  8. groundpounder

    groundpounder Road Train Member

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    Same here if I ever get back into the O/O game..
     
  9. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Had I not driven my truck loaded right after driving the W900 it would have been great restraint. But while the 900 had a bit more power it was much louder and road rough. I could have gotten over the sound level but the ride was the deal killer. And the price.
     
  10. groundpounder

    groundpounder Road Train Member

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    I'm surprised Bill *usually* 900's ride pretty good do you remember what suspension it had under it ??