Opinions on Diesel Trucks???

[cmsedore]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Gary,

The problem is size. I don't know where it comes from, but the bigger something is, the more suspicion there is about it. The purchase of a $2000 computer creates a lot less suspicion than a $2000 tractor implement. I think the bigger problem for me comes because they are really more toys than requirements for me. Don't forget "Honey, it looks like we are a trucking company! I don't want that thing parked at my house." /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I always wondered about "private--not for hire" on the side. Makes sense.

I'm going to look into this at my next truck purchase juncture in a year or two.

-Chris

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

<font color="blue"> "Honey, it looks like we are a trucking company! I don't want that thing parked at my house." </font>

I have to admit that I laughed out loud when I read that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You might want to consider bringing home a big long hood conventional with a high rise condo sleeper on the back first. After she takes a look at that, a cute, little single axle will seem like a wonderful compromise to her. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ScottAR]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

I've considered this very idea quite a few times. A mid-size or full size single axle or twin screw with a dumping flat. Big trucks are fairly plentiful here, 4-6 independent dealers/auctions within 2hrs drive.
Here's my hangup. I don't know much if anything about them. The web has not been as fruitfull as for example TBN on this subject. Add to that the somewhat screwy licensing laws of AR and I wonder if it's more trouble than it's worth. I'm still scrimping pennies for now, so maybe I'll give a big(ger) truck a look.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Scott,

Be VERY careful of buying at an auction, especially if you're on a tight budget. You can spend as much getting a big truck up to DOT standards as you will purchasing one. At an auction it's the ultimate "caveat emptor" situation. You don't even get to drive the truck in most cases.

That having been said, I'll tell you I've bought at auctions, but I do it for a living. Someone once asked me what they should most be aware of when they're going to an auction to buy a vehicle. I told them honestly, "You should be aware that I am your competition."

A savvy seller and a good, strong auctioneer can absolutely skin a new buyer at a sale. And, believe me, they know who you are. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If you buy something from a dealer, independent or franchised, make certain you have as a part of your purchase agreement a right to have the truck independently inspected and have the dealer guarantee the truck to pass a DOT inspection. Have the DOT inspection done elsewhere, too.

If the selling dealer then has his people do an inspection and your list doesn't match theirs, it's time to chat. I farm out all of my DOT inspection work. I don't like the idea of dong the DOT inspection on something I'm selling.

While there's nothing technically wrong with it and it's done all the time, there's certainly an opportunity for some problems there. I prefer to have a third party tell me what's needed and then taking care of it in-house. That solves two problems. The people doing the inspection know they're not getting the work on anything that doesn't pass. Additionally, if there's any problem down the road with any DOT inspection required item, there can be no complaint of "Your people inspected it and passed it when they shouldn't have."

One thing I can tell you about big trucks has to do with repair costs. I learned early on that a good rule of thumb for estimating a repair cost on a big truck as opposed to a car, for example, was what I call 'The rule of ten.'

Simply put, if a big truck needs a repair, you can get a good idea what it's going to cost you if you simply take the cost to effect that same repair on your car and multiply that number by a factor of ten. It won't be 100% accurate, of course, but it's not a bad guide.

 

[dmccarty]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Gary,

Your posts on getting a heavier duty vehicle are very good.
I thought about this when I was getting my F350 but it just
did not seem like a good money idea for us. Good info, almost
should be its own thread.

But what just got me was your comment on taking the cost
of a repairing X on a car and multiplying it by 10 to get the
cost of repair on a big truck.

GULP!

On my long gone Chevy I had a couple of tranny repairs. At
least one was for around $1,200 which I think was a new
clutch. So a new clutch on a "big" truck would be near
$12,000!!!!!!!

Is that number really right for a new clutch? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Later,
Dan

 

[SageBrush]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

12K is a little high /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I drove a late 90's F-750 with the Cummins 5.9 and 6 speed. AC and tach was the only options. 16 ft rugby flat/dump bed with the stake pokets for adding sides.

Made a good daily driver for work days and was just uder CDL...although I do have a CDL. My only regret was the gearing was to low. 65 mph was tops ( speed limit is 65/70). Which seems fine on paper till you drive in Atlanta traffic in between the gridlock. Now days those trucks come with all the options of a super duty...extended cab, crew cab, leather, cruise control, electric windows and locks etc.. You can find those options on used hot shot rigs..

It was nice having enough truck. The medium duty trucks are a good compromise between a one ton and a class 8. When you get into 9/10 speed fullers which are common in big fleet trucks and also air brakes, everything cost alot more to fix. But, it takes around 600 to 750K miles before things start to need replacement, if the truck hasen't been abused too much. Thats why the price really drops out of a class 8 after 600K. A clean 12 year old Kenworth T-800 long wheel base day cab can run under $10k with 600 to 700K+ miles. But for most trucks, at that age, expect an inframe soon.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

I replaced a clutch on a Volvo with a 10 speed a while back and I seem to recall it was $1500-$1800. I didn't rebuild the transmission for that, mind you. I just did the clutch.

Something simple like an oil change which you can get done on your car for $12.95 to $24.95 depending on what all is included is something you'll spend $125 to $250 to have done on a big truck. Of course, we're talking gallons instead of quarts and a filter the size of a bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

A lot of work on a big truck is actually easier to do yourself than it would be on a car. Replacing a starter, for example, is a piece of cake because it's right out in the open and easy to see and get to. On some cars anymore you can barely find the thing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[ScottAR]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Great info! I only buy small items at auctions for the most part, but I like to go and "take notes" of what certain things are going for. I look over things I would be interested in and watch what they bring. All info is good info.

What perplexes me to some extent is what is a good combination of equipment?
What engine size?
What trans/how many speeds?
What diff gearing?
What suspension?
I may be getting too far into the hair splitting phase...

 

[looch]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

My friend, who is a contract diesel mechanic and driver, will happily charge his hourly rate to go to an auction on the buyer's behalf.

 

[SageBrush]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

What combination? Depends on how much and how fast you want to run it.

Farm rig: 300 to 350 hp for farm loads, for me the Cummins 444XT is my old motor choice and the C-15 (Cat) would be my electronic choice. I like at least 425 to 450 under the hood. But I hate slowing down /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Transmissions will usually be 9, 10, 13 and some heavy construction types will have the 8LL or 15 speed, those have super low gears for creeping along. Then you have the 18 speed which are great for heavy haulers that need the small steps. I prefer the 13 speed for the overdrives that allow you to run down the highway with 3.70 to 3.90 rear ends at 65 / 70 mph at a decent rpm for fuel economy. Most trucks will have the Eaton Fuller Roadrager. Mack uses ther own components for the most part, so the parts cost more...lower volume. There is other axel/tranny companys too....But the Eaton Fuller equipped trucks are the most common. Kenworth and Peterbilt are the most liked and prefered. But the Internationals, Volvos, Freightliner Centurys and maybe Fords with all the plastic and arrow looks can offer more value for performance. The Classic trucks have a higher resale.

As you can tell this is one of my favorite subjects. Trucks, like tractors are really personal preferance. For example, I drove a company Volvo once and found a nice running, roomy truck. But I like chrome, so the trucks I would buy would be the classic rigs with chrome gauges, bumpers, metal hoods, lots of after market stuff....a Peterbilt /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif or a Kenworth if the deal was to good to pass. Or a classic Mack with cummins power and black paint and lots of chrome or....... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif