Copperhead
Veteran Member
The IRS finally caught up to the deal a couple of years ago, so now the exemption from Federal Excise Tax on new equipment was eliminated for glider trucks. The EPA is going to mandate that even new glider trucks (not currently on the road gliders), around 2021, will be mandated to have DPF systems on them. So the guy you were talking with is partially correct. That type of thing will be far easier to delete or circumvent than the new engine setups. There is no move to restrict any glider trucks that hit the road prior to the EPA thing. Only California has painted with a broad brush and demands that all commercial heavy trucks meet DPF requirements. I have not seen any evidence of a national move to take any currently operating diesel trucks off the road in the future. And given the time frame, and various political meanderings, even the EPA move might not come into full implementation. If one is in the mood to go the glider route, then jump on it. Then later when it comes time to get another truck, deal with the situation at the time. I was told all kinds of paranoia stories about getting a glider setup when I ordered. This has been one of the best commercial trucks I have ever owned. A true keeper if there ever was one. At 494,000 miles on the odometer, it has been the most reliable, most cost effective trucks I have ever owned in over 3 decades in the trucking game. And saving almost $40K on the initial buy compared to a similarly spec'd new emission truck was one of the best business moves I have ever made. The tax exemption was still in play when I bought mine.
Even with the tax exemption elimination for gliders, they are still the best value on the road. Far less cost to put to work and keep working. Hey! It's a business! Minimizing cost and downtime is where it is at!
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