Why pull cheap freight.

I used to think there was no way I would ever become an O/O unless I was sure I could buy a new truck every 3 years and a premium truck at that. I always kind of looked down my nose at O/O's driving old trucks and wondered why they wouldn't just drive for a company so they could have a nice truck. Even when I got my authority I thought buying a 7 year old International was just going to be a stepping stone and it was one of my top goals to update my truck as soon as possible. Now I've spent quite a bit of time and money getting this truck set up the way I want and have plans to do more. It's just becoming less and less of a priority.

Honestly, I don't have the funds to trade it in on a new one. But even if I did, I'm not sure I would. Those O/O's with old trucks I used to look down my nose at are starting to seem a lot smarter now ! lol.

 

Totally agree with you.

I would have MUCH rather have bought a 2001 KW900 with a worn out DD S60 that needed a major. Talked to the bank, got them to understand the reasoning....

Final reason for the denial, "We don't finance equipment older than 9 years. Sorry." Even if it's documented with a new engine, tranny, clutch and maintenance records....o_0


CrazyD has got a good looking truck. And it's a 96. There is good looking, well maintained equipment out there. No doubt about it. It will make you money.

I also see companies with old trucks and you wonder when the last time it was either washed or even had the oil changed.

 

And some people carry on about how we get screwed, at LS. $2.50 per week, times 52 weeks is $130. $14.90 per month, times 12 months is $178.80. I'll take that 47 dollar and 80 cent screwing, any day and have a nice dinner at Red Lobster.

 

It's not just the age of the truck. But how it appears. Don't think that "sentiment" really came out correctly.

Paint and chrome don't put food on the table.

 

I don't buy a new truck because I can't justify the price of them. My W900L is an 05 with 1.3 million on it, I can count with one finger the number of times it has let me down and was unable to do its job without getting a repair done, and that was for a water pump. Besides, I HATE making truck payments, and ol' Oscar doesn't look like he has that many miles on him.

 

That's true, at least these days bodies don't rust and the paint holds up better. Besides, they all look about the same other than the hoods anyways. A guy can take care of a truck and most people don't have a clue. I've gotten tons of compliments from non-trucking common folk on my truck just because I wash it regularly I guess. Speaking of which, guess I should quit screwing around on here and do a little detailing. Been meaning to see about replacing door seals too.... always something.

 

How did you get 1.3 million on your truck Oscar ? I thought you only worked two months a year and only drove 500 miles/wk on $20/mile freight ??

 

I wish, last year I took off 2.5 months and put on 103,318 miles. The miles got put on before I wised up, when I was pulling a refeer and then hauled livestock for a short time.

 

Just to clarify, when I state "To the truck" that is what I get AFTER LS takes their cut. I see no point in stating a rate that is gross before somebody takes a percentage. I put out my numbers in actual dollar amounts that I am paid. It is too confusing if I did it otherwise.

I understand how to do math Trees, and I won't even touch a load for $2.05 off the boards. All my alerts are set to show up anything paying over $3 mile on the board (which is roughly $2.19 a mile to the truck in-case you didn't have your calculator) plus we get 100% of FSC, so that rate goes up a bit at the avg of .50cpm right now. So your $2 mile poland springs might be good, but even I would not haul that seeing it is heavy, long waits, ect ect... I do specialized freight, not FAK or general stuff and I pull a platform trailer.

And on the DH situation, I have the .50cpm added ONTO the rate I got, and only to the next good freight area....

Just so you can see what I'm talking about, here's the load I have on now, paying TO THE TRUCK $3.15 mile going 400 miles. It's killing me on the weight

 

Those are sweet loads. And just how long do you sit between those loads?