What's the rule of thumb for down payment on a new truck?

Keep it in the bank.

3 to 5 years maybe it's 150K. Use 50K for a good pre emissions truck if you don't run CA. Keep the rest (And build on) against future expenses.

Or accept that your 35K is your small fortune from your life's work and continue to add to it. IN years from now when you and your body is no longer able to continue you should have freedom to write your own future.

 

As a general rule, the more you have down, the lower the interest rate, and the easier it is to obtain financing.

If it is your only truck, I really would be uncomfortable with less than 25% down, reserves for plates and insurance, while still having at least 4 months of operating expenses in reserve. You're looking at close to 100K, total.

 

I had 60k, put 36k down (20 percent), on a new glider. Bought my own plates and other essentials to get rolling. Truck payment is 2500.00 for 5 years. Planning on paying off within 4. It's a good feeling not having to worry about what you are going to have to rebuild or repair next. I went that route after buying a used truck and putting almost 40k into it the first year. Luckily I was making enough money to cover it. Add that along with half of the payment I have now, and figure out which one is putting more money in my pocket. Smartest thing I've ever done.

 

I'm getting to that point myself running this 95 W9. Who did you buy the glider from?