Looking to join the club.

redfrontier · Oct 2, 2011

First want to say hello to all, and say that this is a very nice and informative website.

A little background, I've been an OTR driver since I was 22, I'm 27 now and recently struck gold and have been hired on to a local company hauling food grade tankers that has outstanding bennies, great pay, I work a "floating schedule" meaning essantally work 14 days a month with nice full-time pay and all the bennies of an "in-houe/private fleet" has to offer.

So, here is the kicker. I hate it! The saying is true. Once the road gets in you, you're screwed. My co-workers all think I'm crazy! But, they have never been OTR. They have no clue, I'm hooked on the road. I would turn all of what I have now in to return to the "big road."

I've recently been looking at straight trucks, I've really taken a liking to the Freightliner M2 for sentimental reasons. Before trucking I drove tow trucks it was my first ever driving job and they gave me a brand new at the time Freightliner M2 with the 190hp Mercedes engine...Can't say I was too fond of the engine but the truck it'sself was nice!

My main things I am concerned with is, on these type trucks (primarly the Freightliner M2's with the cummins or CAT engines) how long do these last? I've seen some on the ad's that have been overhauled at 170K and I've seen them go as high as 600+ with no mention of any work done and everything in-between.

It's obvious that I'm not going to get a brand new 2012 right off the bat. But, I've had my eye on a few that have upwards of 400K in the 20-30K range. Would I be able to lease on with that criterea? Are there any good companies to look out for out west? I live in Washington State.

Sorry for the long post, but I miss the road and if I am going to return I want to do it right. I know I won't be a millionare right off the bat

but other than a cell phone I have no bills. My POV is paid off and housing has not been an issue as I'm renting. I'd cut bait as soon as I'd return to the road.

Any other advise would be great! Thanks all!

Moot · Oct 2, 2011

redfrontier said:
I've recently been looking at straight trucks, I've really taken a liking to the Freightliner M2 for sentimental reasons.

Don't buy a truck for sentimental reasons unless it will only be used for Sunday afternoon drives. A truck is a business tool and it's purchase should be well researched. Dig around here and you will find most members suggest a class 8 truck for expediting. A private carrier gig is rare these days. Tough it out for a couple more years and save up some money to do the expediting thing right.

tenntrucker · Oct 2, 2011

Moot has given you good solid advice. Do lots of reading in the forums here, put together a solid plan and save up and do it right. You will find if you have a plan, doing a job you don't like to get there is more bearable.

Sent from my DROID X2

redfrontier · Oct 2, 2011

Thanks all for the great advise, I should state that my job isn't terrible it really is cush it's just not for me. I work floating 12hr shifts (4on-3off-3on-4off and repeat), but since I'm a tanker yanker out of those 12's I honestly work about 4-5 hours.

A day's shift looks like, Pickup clean tanker go to customer to get loaded takes 3-5 hrs at times, drive 2-3 hours many times less, go to delivery and sit and get unloaded again from anywhere from 2-6+ hrs.....So, my job is a lazy mans dream come true, but I find myself constantly envying the OTR guys/gals.

I guess I will wait and save to do it right. Another thing I was thinking of doing is picking up a box truck and doing some sidework on my off days and a possible fulltime transition if things go well....

leezaback · Oct 2, 2011

I down graded to a M2-what was I thinking !!Have cummins-a castrated puppy !! continual problems. I know I won't see a million miles-when warrenty gone-so is the truck-love the benz sleeper-thats why we bought it.. rethink-yes sentalmental reasons will cost you-the one good thing is you will learn what shops to stay away from.I have seen more in one year than I did the 9 years with my other. I want my detroit 460 series back ! Anyway, enjoy the ride.

redfrontier · Oct 2, 2011

So are the Freightliner M2's and International 4300/4400's that bad? It just seems so wasteful and uneconomical to run such a huge truck (Class 8) and engine for a 22-24 foot box. It seems ideal to have the 250-330hp range, anything more seems overkill.

I guess sentimental was the wrong choice of words, it's just that when it comes to Freightliners and Internationals the two truck makers I have the most experince with. I much rather stick with the Freightliner as long as it does not have a Mercedes engine. I currently run an International 8600 and it just feels so cheap and full of plastic and poor quality, even the Prostar is rather unimpressive.

Moot · Oct 2, 2011

redfrontier said:
So are the Freightliner M2's and International 4300/4400's that bad?

For durability and better warranty coverage a class 8 is made for the long haul. Research this forum and I think you will find most would recommend a class 8 truck.

redfrontier said:
It just seems so wasteful and uneconomical to run such a huge truck (Class 8) and engine for a 22-24 foot box. It seems ideal to have the 250-330hp range, anything more seems overkill.

Get a 10 liter in the 350 hp range.

p.s. milk hauler?

redfrontier · Oct 2, 2011

Moot said:
p.s. milk hauler?

Yes soy milk primarly, also beef and chicken broth/base.

Ok, copythat on the truck size engine. Now to be an O/O I am guessing I would have to find financing? It's my understanding that getting financed for a expediter is more difficult than a regular tractor?

Also, was doing digging on truckpaper.com. Market seem's like it's slim pickin's out there......Not too many choices a few older centurys, columbia an International here and there and that's it!