What would be the best path?

Pre def/dpf/egr and a series 60 , n14 or cat is the only way to go given that u can turn wrenches on all the little #### that will break . a c15 will run forever. Or if u have the money get a glider . these new trucks are shop queens , dont buy the hype

 

Yes those engines will keep running as long as they are taken care of and u keep rebuilding them . u have to rebuild them when its time but those engines are made to last . not like engines of today that are destroyed because of the emissions ####. That is going to be the source of alot of your problems on a new truck will be emissions related, which means very high repair bills because none of that stuff is cheap. And with a new truck u may have a problem that nobody knows how to fix. With a old truck everybody and there momma can work on a cummins or series 60 .. The only problem with an old truck is you will spend alot of time replacing all the other parts , suspension , drivetrain, etc. U should do some reasearch to figure out what u want to do , there is alot of threads on here that will help give u some realistic numbers on wat to expect from a new truck vs a old truck and some numbers that will help u make the decision if becoming an owner op is wat u wanna do

 

From this, it seems to me you really don't seem to get that you can do this when you are leased to a carrier.

 

true but leased at best for people who don't know if they want to be a true owner all the responsibilities some will even baby you through the process these are few and far between. the fact remains seems you want to vacation more than driving? am I getting this idea more out nowhere or on the mark?

You want to run a successful business you keep rolling more then stopped. you could also job hop yearly or something take a vacation and might I say less headache pay truck insurance, licenses, tolls, and a crap load more. I have my personal truck retrofitted for camping added in APU outside behind the tailgate might consider this even and do odd jobs instead of trucking itself sounds what you want is just do a lot of camping vs work. You can do both sometimes I would work on peoples RVs repairs at the site for the area and they give me free hookups I mean you don't need be a trucker for the life you want if that's where you want to go.

 

Going to see Yellowstone would be expensive. Somewhat.

Closest you can get a truck would be the montana wyoming border.

There's no going through.

 

Oh man you need one of those small motorcycles with a ramp for your truck. Now that would be a sweet setup for pulling off the vacationing owner op routine.