Why did you buy it???

MAINTENANCE !!!!, and I don't mean some mega company maintenance. Look for O/O's (not flease operators) that is selling, most are good about keeping their rig up. Than drivetrain specs, get the truck that can do the job you need it to do. With me the stacks, wheels and all the chrome can be added quit easily later if the truck is maintained, speced right and at the right price. JMHO

 

I think a good clean interior with everything that is put together correctly! xxxlcj pretty much sumed it up. A lot of company trucks get beat to death by inexperienced drivers. A good owner/op truck has been driven and taken care of correctly. Watch out for frame damage on trucks! You will burn through tires if the frame is damaged or repaired incorrectly! Look for a brand/model that is proven! Stay away from old penske's and rentals. I think carfax does big rigs now. Maybe check out there site.

 

Peterbilt, extended hood, big motor and 18 spd, chrome and lights
''Life's tough ... it's even tougher if you're stupid.''

- John Wayne


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LOL wrong tractor I know. But hey its a real fixer upper that will still turn more heads in a parking lot.

 

Dont plan on making much money do yah ?

 

If I was to buy 2nd hand, I would take a look at the inside, and have a look at the engine.. the looks of both cab and engine say's alot about how the driver respects the truck.

 

I would add one thing to Frosty's post. Check the maintaince records and idle time. High idle time is hard on a engine.

 

A shrewd salesman can clean up an engine making it look clean. So dont use the looks attitude.

If your going to look it over. Get in the cab, start it up, if your a non smoker turn on the heater at full blast. If the former driver was a smoker you will smell it when the heater kicks in.

Get under the dash and even open up the fuse panel. Look for loose wire ends. If some one has done anything to that truck it will be around the batteries and fuse panel. Mechanics will only cut off the offending wires.

Next after the truck has the air built up shut it off and now listen for leaks. The air line behind the seat sometimes will hiss away (needs to be corrected).

Get outside and crawl around underneath. Dont look at how clean the engine is, look to see where the dirt is still. Look for weeping. If your going to go for a test drive, get some Arid extra dry and spray it near the base of the compressor. Spray around the valve covers and any where else you may suspect of an oil leak. Now take it for that test drive. The Arid extra dry??? Old mechanics trick. If there is a leak you will see a real quick stain in the white of the residue.

Ask the salesman to get a history of the repairs of the truck. All trucks have them, its a religious thing. DOT required. Find out what if anything has been done. Be thorough, dont just take the easy assesment that it "looks" fine.

Remember, your paying good money on a vehicle. We are not talking just kick the tires here. You want to be in depth about everything. I asked a salesman to post an image of the trucks idle time, he replied he didnt know how to do it. When I told them how, they got pushy wanted me to sign before they would get all the answers. Dont let them get pushy. Its a red flag. The salesman will respect you if your informed about what you do, if not, there are plenty of other sales out there.

 

An APU that has been on the truck for most if not all of it's life is a huge plus.
Check the idle on the engine by checking the computer. If it is over 25% most maintance people will steer away from that truck.
With trucks that have APU's for the life of the tractor you can find them with under 4% idle.
Idleing a truck for an hour is the same as 40 miles wear on the engine.
So if a truck as 500k miles, and 3000 hours of idle. That means the engine has wear of 620k. On many trucks with 500k miles 3000 hours of idle is low. So pay attention.
Also, I would steer to buying a truck with a Tri-pak or Carrier APU. They are much easer to find shops than the other brands.
I would not pay more than an extra 5 grand for the APU being on the truck though. Unless it is in very good repair and the truck has very low idle hours.