Should I buy this truck?

[ultrarunner]

The issue with transporting classic vehicles is always the liability insurance.

BTW, Tom Lester, Lester Industries and Passport Transport was origionally based in Solon, Ohio and Tom's family started out in the pressure die cast metals business and Tom started Passport Transport because he was a classic car collector and wanted a company dedicated to hauling them world wide. I got to know Tom through the Crawford car museum. My employer at the time did work for them restoring vintage vehicles. I believe Reliable is Michigan based but I don't know much about them. Transporting classic and vintage vehicles never sparked my interest as I had no desire to live on the road, even if it was a large car woth a 'house' on the back. Bad enough I hauled electrical transformers for Westinghouse and switching locomotives for them out of Cleveland. Those loads were always permit loads and always took a lot of road time and again, I never got into living on the road. I did it because they pay was fantastic but that was it. Got to drive a double bunk K'whopper with an 1693 Cat and a 13 double over and pull a Kozad or a Rodgers detachable with a tridem rear and a flip axle. Always permit loads, always escort loads and always daylight running as well. Got away from that and became a local company driver and never looked back.

Was an interesting experience but not something I would want to repeat.

Reliable dropped the ball and Passport had go to Reliable New York yard to pick up the car I had paid Reliable to pick up.

It was a total screw up on Reliable’s part…

They said no problem and I extensively confirmed with dimensions, etc. in emails and Reliable picked up the car in upstate New York with a roll back but didn’t have a single cross country rig to take it to California due to the Crosley narrow wheelbase..,

Car sat months at the Depot…

Lesson learned is transport companies even with a name like Reliable can not be relied upon because you can find your vehicle abandoned thousands of miles from home…

Just be careful when third party transport is involved and document everything.

 

[Hay Dude]

Looks like we have 2 separate discussions going in one thread.

 

[4570Man]

I wanted to make sure to avoid that altogether, although this truck has EGR (all do after 2004.5)
I have the Ram with DEF/DPF and its been fine so far, but even earlier cooled EGR’s scare me, too.

I don’t love the DEF either but I wanted a truck with an automatic and enough power to get out of its own way and as you’ve probably seen those are hard to find in a pre def truck especially a pre def truck that’s not clapped. Working ac is another big bonus which the def truck has.

 

[5030]

Reliable dropped the ball and Passport had go to Reliable New York yard to pick up the car I had paid Reliable to pick up.

It was a total screw up on Reliable’s part…

They said no problem and I extensively confirmed with dimensions, etc. in emails and Reliable picked up the car in upstate New York with a roll back but didn’t have a single cross country rig to take it to California due to the Crosley narrow wheelbase..,

Car sat months at the Depot…

Lesson learned is transport companies even with a name like Reliable can not be relied upon because you can find your vehicle abandoned thousands of miles from home…

Just be careful when third party transport is involved and document everything.

Not something I'd be partaking in anyway but I still feel your pain. The 'glitz and glitter' concerning classic transportation still comes down to logistics and profit and that applies to every commercial operation as well as independent operators. Today, profit margins are slimmer that ever while the cost of equipment is constantly rising as is the cost of liability insurance. I will say my hunting buddy with his 56 units leased on to Fed-Ex does quite well but that is a different ballgame entirely and he still has to be cognizant of every aspect or he would go **** up as well. I believe he did around 7 million last year before expenses. I have no idea what his net was however. Once you pay your employees, pay the health and welfare, pay for the trucks (a portion of them have notes on them all the time), workers comp and liability insurance, I suspect he's not getting overly wealthy, at least it don't appear to me he is. Still drives a couple year old pickup truck and lives in a modest home not far from me. I'd say he's set for the present but that can change quickly, depending on what the economy does. I do know that his fuel costs last year were a couple mil and that is factoring in the fuel discount Fed-Ex provides for it's contractors.

 

[5030]

Looks like we have 2 separate discussions going in one thread.

...and you seem to be partaking in both as well along with your typical disparaging comments....lol

 

[Torvy]

I know of some ag farmer/ranchers who use their rigs as a side-hustle when/if they have time. The really smart one will manage to get a load to take the 'other' way when moving/buying equipment.

 

[5030]

The 'taking a backhaul to pay for fuel' was the main reason why the owner operator segment of the industry has gone to the dogs. Bad policy and bad business, hauling cheap freight just to cover fuel costs and not taking into account everything else like insurance or finance notes or general upkeep. The 95 cent per mile dry box freight just accelerates the end of the business for the not astute OO. Not something that ever concerned me as I only ran (hauled) specialized freight when I owned my own outfit. If it didn't pay at least 3 bucks a mile, it didn't go on my deck and the only reason I got out of it was the fact that I prefer staying close to home so when I had a chance to hire on with a local outfit and not having the inherent responsibilities of owning an outfit, I sold out and became an employee. having said that, I still own an outfit but I purchased it just prior to retirement from the outfit I worked for and I drive it because I like to motor it, not because I have to. Besides, it's paid for. A note on a truck, especially a current model truck can be exremely steep today and factoring in a trailer and it gets even worse.

 

[not2old]

From the overall looks of it, I'm leaning towards the turd end. 20 grand isn't a lot but you could very well have 20 grand in repairs as well. JMO.
[/QUOTE]


You need to check it out better OR take a chance. You could spend twice as much or more and still end up with 20 grand in repairs.

 

[Hay Dude]

I know of some ag farmer/ranchers who use their rigs as a side-hustle when/if they have time. The really smart one will manage to get a load to take the 'other' way when moving/buying equipment.

If you don’t get a back haul, you’re hosed.

 

[Hay Dude]

From the overall looks of it, I'm leaning towards the turd end. 20 grand isn't a lot but you could very well have 20 grand in repairs as well. JMO.

You need to check it out better OR take a chance. You could spend twice as much or more and still end up with 20 grand in repairs.
[/QUOTE]

I’m figuring on some repairs. We facetimed and he started it, showed me oil pressure after it warmed up, jumped out of cab, pulled oil fill cap, no blowby. Pulled dipstick, too. No blowby.
Took it out on the road, drove back roads, drove 55 for a few minutes. Looked at oil pressure again, shifted good, looked pretty solid.
The AC blows cold and all the gauges work. That tells me there was someone keeping up with minor issues. Usually means the major issues are kept up, too.
I understand there could be some issues. I’m not using this thing for a limo service, I’m using it for a farm truck, so it don’t have to be perfect.
And I’m not married to the heiress of a fortune, so I have get started with something in the “value” price range, then address things as they arise.
I still might have someone look at it, but my connections in that area are slim to none.

 

[Torvy]

If you don’t get a back haul, you’re hosed.

It's all gravy. If you're driving an empty flatbed to pick up used equipment for yourself, any load or partial load helps offset your deadhead costs.

Similar of you're hauling something one-way, like grain or cattle (though its harder to find a load that works in those trailers).

For off-season work, its more like a hotshot type deal. Definitely better to have both ways, but they either figure it out or don't take the gig.

 

[Hay Dude]

Everytime I get something hauled, they won’t move my load unless they have a haul going the other way. Otherwise, the costs would be way high.

 

[Hay Dude]

Heres a perfect example of a heavy spec 6x6 with power (C-13), but the frame has to be stretched and its a manual trans. Plus I have to add a flatbed.
I’d have 70K in that truck before alls said & done and still be rowing gears.

Here’s another example. This one is a 2000 Freightliner 6x6. Its automatic and has 24’ of frame. OK, great so far, but $30,000 and have to remove bucket body. Then have to add $10,000 for a flatbed. Now were at almost 50K. Powered by a 275HP engine and allison 3000 series.
Might have enough power to feel adequate when unloaded. Now add 12 tons of square bales and a trailer with 10+ more tons and its slow goin.

One more. I tried like hell to buy this one. Cat C-7 250HP, auto 24’ frame. Low miles, auto, lockers, AC.
Seller jerked us around for weeks. Finally gave up on him. Liked the truck, but sheesh, the guy was impossible to get answers from and talk about underpowered….

 

[5030]

The High Ranger as well as the utility body are extremely marketable fyi.

You look on FB Marketplace per chance? Bucket trucks, unless they have a chipper box on them don't require a big motor as all they are hauling is the high ranger and probably some saws. One of my arborist customers has a Freightshaker with an Allison and a Cat but he also has a chipper box on it. The High Ranger (Altec) is mounted right behind the cab so he can dump the box when it's full of chips. Last year I helped him reline the Altec, that was an expensive deal just for the hydraulic hoses. They require special non conductive hydraulic hoses and are made to a specific length. If I remember correctly, the hose set was over 5 grand.

 

[Hay Dude]

...and you seem to be partaking in both as well along with your typical disparaging comments....lol

You’re the one calling the truck a turd. Constructive criticism is welcome, but you’re just here to troll, and tell the same stories you’ve told here for the last 10 years.
You’re top poster of the month again, no surprise there, either.
Go on now, run along and polish your little tailpipe on your little kubota.

 

[Rustyiron]

Thats what I was thinking.
If I don’t have to give much, I figure what the heck, I’ll give it a shot and throw farm tags on it. I’m not hobby farming and cheating the system it’ll be for real farm work hauling bales, IF I buy it lol

Still looking, but I like the features, size, capacity, price of this truck



It’s growing on me, but I’d like to have all trucks same color. I think dark green will cover the camo better than white, again IF I buy it.

To me, it checks a lot of "boxes" for a farm hay hauler.
Nice long bed, nicely equipped with straps and a box or 2.
Set up as a tractor with air to the back.
Nice drive train with axle interlock
Relatively low mileage
Front floaters
And a cool paint job
Would 3 days off and hauling home with your Ram and the GN be out of the question?
I can appreciate you being a little timid with some of your experience with the IH chassis. At least this truck appears to be able to go to work right away and for this hay season.

 

[Hay Dude]

To me, it checks a lot of "boxes" for a farm hay hauler.
Nice long bed, nicely equipped with straps and a box or 2.
Set up as a tractor with air to the back.
Nice drive train with axle interlock
Relatively low mileage
Front floaters
And a cool paint job

You had me till the cool paint job

I actually like camo for hunting of course, and even some casual clothes.

Would 3 days off and hauling home with your Ram and the GN be out of the question?
I can appreciate you being a little timid with some of your experience with the IH chassis.

It would if it was a detachable low boy.
I’d be close to 15’ tall with the truck atop my Kaufman GN.

At least this truck appears to be able to go to work right away and for this hay season.

Tough to say. IF I buy it, I will run it up to my buddy’s repair shop and check it out for safety, throw farm plates on it and take it from there.

 

[5030]

You’re the one calling the truck a turd. Constructive criticism is welcome, but you’re just here to troll, and tell the same stories you’ve told here for the last 10 years.
You’re top poster of the month again, no surprise there, either.
Go on now, run along and polish your little tailpipe on your little kubota.

I call it like I see it. Nothing more and to that end, maybe you should go polish the tailpipe on your big tractors as well. Far as your personal tailpipe, too much info for me but maybe you should stop over at the Biden residence and polish his...lol

I'm waiting patiently for you to start posting pictures and expounding about your mushroom hay like you have done in years past.

According to you, you are quite the producer, big time operator... I'm not and I admit it. At 74, it was time to get smaller, not bigger.

I'm just a certified alfalfa hay grower with a dedicated customer base, small potatoes but good potatoes none the less. Really like to cut my 'tiny' fields but the weather isn't being cooperative.

Finally, only you will determine if the used truck is a turd or not as you will be the one who covers any expense. I don't need a truck like that because my customers come here and pick up the bales. I don't have to deliver squat and have no intention of doing so either.

I removed you from 'ignore' because I falsely assumed you had matured a bit. Guess I was mistaken.

 

[Hay Dude]

Looks like I’d have to cut the moffitt apparatus off the back. The brackets behind the wheels would bottom out coming out of ditches.
Theres air to the back and a beefy pintle hitch. Looks like the tool box seen better days.

 

[Rustyiron]

I wondered about height.
You know about the 6x6 dream, I have limited experience in that class truck (in awd), but in reality (and IMHO) if a tandem with inter axle lock is not enough to pickup your big squares in the field, you really shouldn't be there unless it's just the morning dew and a few hours of sunshine would make it passable.
Maybe adding some additional time to the weather guesswork that hay making is and stack near a roadway or somewhere with suitable (flat & hard) 10 wheeler access.