mrbill1406
Seasoned Expediter
Please don't do what i did,
I have been a panther driver working for a fleet owner who decided to get his own truck
the cost to lease a truck seemed cheaper
460/month versus 1500+ /month.
all with 1200 down to start the lease
this used 2000 fl/70 expedite truck
has cost me 30 days of downtime in the last
3 months and over 10,000 in out of pocket expenses not covered by warranty.
leased from trucks at hand in kansas city
don't go there ... junk just junk.
gave me a premium 2000 truck warranty on the
repairs they did to the truck before i took delivery. truck only went 15,000 miles before
the engine sucked a valve thru a piston.
its $12,000 for new engine from catepillar
warranty will only pay for $10,000.
the electrical system shorted out in fuel island
after buying deisel. starter caught and would
not stop til all batterys were drained.
that was $3000 at freightliner plus towing.
the van roof had a crack in the fiberglass roof we did not know about cost 4,300.00 at great dane for a new van roof. + 600.00 for motel for 10 days.
there are no simple repairs for this abused truck.
we have changed the oil at 4k and 15k. and
500 miles after oil change the engine needed work.
the diesel mechanic at catepillar seemed to think that the repairs done at trucks at hand
were only meant to last a little while. Not being done completely, using used parts possibly.
dont buy or lease from trucks at hand unless
you want to go out of business.
by the way panther keeps deducting qualcomm
satelitte fees, registration fees, insurance, etc
to the tune of about 800.00 / month.
so we may not be in business next month
between the carrier deductions, high cost of diesel, cost of repairs - 8,000 + motel/food/truck payments (4,000) and revenue of 9,000 its been slow/and breakdowns - diesel costs of 4,200 thats 16K going out in 2 months and 9k coming in from panther.
panther is a good company and we have made
money working for a fleet owner, but be very carefull about what kind of used or abused truck you lease or buy. It can put you out of business.
I have been a panther driver working for a fleet owner who decided to get his own truck
the cost to lease a truck seemed cheaper
460/month versus 1500+ /month.
all with 1200 down to start the lease
this used 2000 fl/70 expedite truck
has cost me 30 days of downtime in the last
3 months and over 10,000 in out of pocket expenses not covered by warranty.
leased from trucks at hand in kansas city
don't go there ... junk just junk.
gave me a premium 2000 truck warranty on the
repairs they did to the truck before i took delivery. truck only went 15,000 miles before
the engine sucked a valve thru a piston.
its $12,000 for new engine from catepillar
warranty will only pay for $10,000.
the electrical system shorted out in fuel island
after buying deisel. starter caught and would
not stop til all batterys were drained.
that was $3000 at freightliner plus towing.
the van roof had a crack in the fiberglass roof we did not know about cost 4,300.00 at great dane for a new van roof. + 600.00 for motel for 10 days.
there are no simple repairs for this abused truck.
we have changed the oil at 4k and 15k. and
500 miles after oil change the engine needed work.
the diesel mechanic at catepillar seemed to think that the repairs done at trucks at hand
were only meant to last a little while. Not being done completely, using used parts possibly.
dont buy or lease from trucks at hand unless
you want to go out of business.
by the way panther keeps deducting qualcomm
satelitte fees, registration fees, insurance, etc
to the tune of about 800.00 / month.
so we may not be in business next month
between the carrier deductions, high cost of diesel, cost of repairs - 8,000 + motel/food/truck payments (4,000) and revenue of 9,000 its been slow/and breakdowns - diesel costs of 4,200 thats 16K going out in 2 months and 9k coming in from panther.
panther is a good company and we have made
money working for a fleet owner, but be very carefull about what kind of used or abused truck you lease or buy. It can put you out of business.
