Where is a good place to buy a used semi truck under $10k

Trucktrader or TruckPaper.

That won't buy you much in terms of a truck that is reliable and ready to work though. It will need everything. You pay one way or another.

 

A few years ago a friend told me that another friend of mine was thinking about selling his log truck, and for 10 grand. I said no way possible, as even though it is an older mechanical, and even a freight shaker, I knew the history and how he maintained it, even helped him at times.
Anyway I had always wanted to drive a log truck, but never had, so I called him that evening and sure enough, he told me 10 grand. I just told him sold. I knew the guy he hauled for and knew another trucker that had just bought a bunch of logging equipment and was starting up that winter.
This truck was also set up to pull the log gear and throw a fifth wheel back on, with a wet kit for a side dump.
A couple of weeks later I met the guy that was starting up his logging company between here and anchorage, and he called out on the radio and ask if I would sell it, when I said no, he ask what I was going to do with it, and I told him I was planning on hauling logs for you, lol. Several years later I still am hauling his logs.
That truck paid me back in less than a month and made the first logging season without so much as a flat tire. I ran it that summer pulling a side dump for a little over a month and paid for it 5 more times, with a set of steer tires being the only expense, other than just regular maintenence. I did rewire the log gear, put all new wheel studs, bearings,, brakes (everything) changed every hose wire and even the pancake rubbers in the brake cans.
The next winter logging season, I did have 2 flats, and even laid it over, which cost me a mirror off aof a junk truck. lol
This truck does not get a lot of miles, but several years later, I would not have any trouble at all getting 15,000 out of it. Sometimes you just get lucky.

 

Im a young guy who Recently bought a 96' International 9400 Pro Sleeper with a Cummins N14 Red Top and Eaton Fuller 10 speed for under 10k.

I turn all my own wrenches and not afraid to hire help if something is out of my realm of experience.
Parts are relatively cheap for these older trucks from my experience thus far. Find you a good pre emissions truck and a trustworthy diesel shop to work with. Im going to remain a company driver until my rig is ready for the big road. It can be done if you have the grit. Good luck op.

 

Copart

 

I don't even know you but I like you!!! Get out there and do it. Sometimes all it takes is hard work.

 

If I was going to recommend a cheap used truck for a road truck, that is exactly, what I would recommend for a cheap but worthy truck.
I have a 97 that I bought in 99, eagle with artic package, fancy as they came back then, but mine is detroit and 13 spd. It is by far the cheapest hwy truck I ever owned. I also had kenworths at the same time, but I drove the binder, to me they are a more comfortable otr truck than a w9 or T8. The ac and heat is not as good, but good enough and everything else is more driver friendly.

mine just sets, and I could sell it easy enough, people trying to buy it all the time, but the most I could get out of it would be around 15000, so why would I sell a good dependable truck for what I could make in a couple of weeks if I ever have too?
It still looks good, runs good, drives good, and has new rubber on it, but if I wanted to go to Glorida tomorrow, I would have to wait till tomorrow evening to leave, because I would want to change the airbags. lol

I personally would rather have the detroit, cheaper parts.
I personally like a 13 over a 10, but for cheap, 10 spds are cheaper and everywhere, I have a couple laying around myself.
No matter the components, a 94,5,6,7, maybe 8 international with the 72 inch midroof sleeper would be my truck of choice, if I was going to run the big road again.

 

96? No ABS!

 

Everything mentioned above is spot on imo. Cat 3406B and Big Cam cummins are good engines. Im not sure of the detriot equvilent but I would start here.

Couldn't agree more. The older gentlemen that I purchased my truck from was slowing downsizing his fleet as drivers left. The timing was right and I had cash in hand.

 

Don't be scared to look at trucks that are listed with a higher asking price, and make an offer. Sometimes standing there with a handful of cash, gets a really good deal. That truck seller asking $16,000 for example, may take your $10,000 cash. An employee of mine just bought a used pickup truck that was listed asking $39,000 for $25,000 because she had a pocket full of cash, and its hard to say no to cash. From what I can see its a $35,000-37,000 pickup.