[louixo]

Has anybody ever been turned down signing on with a company because of the age of their truck? I know it used to be pretty standard that the truck be 5 yrs. old max, but that was a long time ago. Am i correct in assuming that tractors are still accepted up to 10 yrs. old, and straight trucks up to 5, or has all that changed?

[Broompilot]

By the looks of the age of the fleet, and as many different stickers once on a Box, I can only guess AGE means nothing anymore. As a matter of fact, I wonder how they even pass a yearly DOT inspection.

Just last Friday Charleston WV Freighliner 120, leaking fuel all over the parking lot. Rusted fuel tanks. Nasty Dirty, smaller co. signs.

[jasonsprouse]

This is just a guess - but I'm betting it related to the amount of experience someone has. They don't want to sign on a newbie that scraped up enough money to buy a 12 year old cargo van. But that same van switching carriers would probably be OK because the owner has demonstrated that they have the means to maintain the truck.

[mcclain]

Age means nothing in general as long as it is properly maintained. That is why some companies will allow 12-15 year old trucks but require 2 inspections at least per year.

[greg334]

To first answer the question - yes.

Second there are many factors involved in why a company would turn down an older truck - so far I have been told;

Reliability of the truck
Dependability of the driver (Jason is right about this)
Insurance won't insure the fleet

But by far the one excuse I have heard is the company wants to impress the customer - may be why some apartments on wheels do well while older units don't

[PalletJack]

Some companies have to be very desperate to invest in an owner with a 12+ year old truck. A shipper would have to be equally desperate to use such a company more than once. Two inspections a year don't create reliability in a business that demands reliability. Local deliveries is another story.

[fastrod]

I run as an independent not signed on to any company but what I have found is this. All the shippers I deal with do not care how old my van is. Up until jan. I ran a 1989 Ford van that was replaced with a 2000 dodge van. I have never had any problems with getting insurance on these vans. As far as impressing the shipper goes I have found that getting there freight where it needs to be when it needs to be there is much better than shiny new vans.

[nightcreacher]

in 1984,when i started in expediting,Roberts Express had a 5 year rule.I had a 1977 long nose kw,oldest moving part had 100000 miles,had an industrial cummins motor,nta 420.Roberts turned me down cause truck was to old,wouldn't even let me bing it in so they could see it.Till i got my price out of it,so i could purchase a newer truck,was 6 months,Rest is history,oh, and I bought a 5 year old truck,rebuilt it in 1985,then used the parts in 1986 to build a glider kit,funny thing,it had a 1986 title,but had 1979 parts
Here's a post script to the age thing,if an older truck isnt kept up,and your on a load that could close down operation of a company,that older tuck is more likely to break down.we all know that most people keep up with their equipment,but because we have a minority of older trucks that are not kept up with,this is ther reason for the 5 year rule.One other thing,when a customer is paying better than $3.00 a mile for his freight to be moved,it doesnt look good for a contractor to pick that load up with a truck heald togeather with duck tape,looking like its been rode hard and put away wet

[aristotle]

I just signed on a seven year old truck with Panther. No problem. Of course, I have a no truck payment and a 100% on-time rating built up over last several years. I think having an established record with the carrier helps alot.

[x06col]

Ya gotta understand tho, they are a bit of a predatory, bottom feeding operation when it's all said and done. Is your seven year old truck a class eight?

[aristotle]

Bottom-feeding is in the eye of the beholder. P2 has always done right by me.

[x06col]

"right" is in the eye of the beholder also ya know. Makes no difference to me, however, some may choose to differ.

[aristotle]

Col, I understand what you're saying. I do not own a class eight truck and have no interest in operating under my own authority. So, I reached a bargain that is satisfactory to me. My carrier has always kept its word and I reciprocate. I see no reason a seven year old truck, well maintained, cannot give a few more years of service. I prefer to operate an older truck with no payment.

[x06col]

I totally agree. And, me to prefer an "experienced" truck. Always have and always would. Always would prefer to work with a mechanic rather than a technician.