specing out a truck

[schammer]

I am an otr diver atm I do not won't to own a full size truck. So I have found the short bus route. How ever I have found no one that specs trucks.
I am looking for a new class 8 with Cummings 100 in raised roof sleeper loaded Cummings generator for power belly mount refer tag axel Freightliner or Kenworth. Now I like some input as well like. what kind of box to get and lift gate. and any one have any idea what the msrp will be and any thing missing.

 

[zorry]

Why a bellymount ?
Not a good idea.
You need to come learn the business before you spec a truck.

I've spec'd many trucks, and built my first expeditor a few years back.
Just built my first DR and could have done some things better.

It's not as easy as specing a new car.

 

[cannedmeat27]

I drove a straight truck with a belly mount. The reefer worked just fine.

 

[davekc]

At the price of new trucks, why even look at a reefer? If they were a good idea, dealers would stock them. Since they don't, there is likely a reason.

 

[zorry]

They're too expensive to stock.
You stock one and the guy insists on a tandem. Or OH door.
Generally by the time a guy buys a reefer he knows what he wants.
By the time he builds his third he gets what he wants.

 

[davekc]

They're too expensive to stock.
You stock one and the guy insists on a tandem. Or OH door.
Generally by the time a guy buys a reefer he knows what he wants.
By the time he builds his third he gets what he wants.

I don't see the rates there to justify a new one. Several dealers have said the margin and credit keeps them from even looking at them. Outside of Stoops, I'm not sure any other dealers even do anything with them.

 

[zorry]

I'm pretty sure Stoops sells plenty. Someone must think the rates justify them.
ICT may be installing sleepers on two new DR Volvo's as you read this. Driver said he was hoping for June delivery.
I've been in contact with two or three others wanting to build DR Volvo's.

Harder to do than just calling Jones but I think those that have done it say it's worth the effort.

 

[schammer]

the reason I say get a new truck is sooner or later EPA missions laws are going to catch up with anyone. As for the belly reefer I have not been able to find a sleeper that meets my expectations in a flat top roof there would be no room for reefer on the front of the box. besides the reefer and the Cummings gen both will be on a rail. giving them a very good deep cleaning will possibly make them last longer than your roof top mount reefer. as for experience I have driven otr for the last five years and last two years working for Ltl as a company driver. as I understand it expedited freight no longer exist you have the occasional hotshot Run but now it is all called LTL.
but from what I gather there is no one dealer that can have everything done in house.

 

[davekc]

I believe Phil and Layout just said over the last couple of days they wouldn't invest in a new one.
If you are doing 200 to 250 for a new one, the rates need to be higher to justify that cost.
I believe one of the largest fleet owners stop buying them for that very reason.

 

[schammer]

I do agree about the reefer though I've looked at a lot of load boards and I see no reason buying a brand new reefer

 

[davekc]

I crunched the numbers pretty hard when we sold our last one. You can make money with one but the return against the investment isn't there. If I am going to spend 250 on a reefer truck, I can get a better return from buying two dry vans. That doesn't begin to factor downtime for repairs or....finding someone to do them that is open and actually know what they are doing.

 

[zorry]

Dave, you may be a little but of an exception here.
I think your dry trucks do better than most dry trucks.
To compare your above average numbers to average T-Val numbers isn't apples to apples.
I believe your carrier has a good number of reefers and someone must be operating them.
I don't think Phil or Layout would spend the money on a new reefer OR dry van at this point.
Anyway, a person buying a first expediting truck probably shouldn't be dropping $250,000 plus on a reefer. And definitely not a bellymount.
A team that recently went to LEA trusted a dealer to put them in a T-Val-able truck.
They never could get it to pass T-Val. T-Val is tough for good reasons.
They couldn't support a T-Val truck by not being T-Val.
They have changed carriers twice. I hope they are doing well at LEA.
You need to know what you're doing to succeed at T-Val. I'm learning as fast as I can. I had a lot of the other basics down.

 

[zorry]

Also, I think your more successful T-Valers are one or two truck operations.

E-S once had trucks at LEA.
It's not as good for a fleet operation. Neither is T-Val, in my limited opinion.

 

[davekc]

They do have reefers but I am seeing way less of them. Not many new ones either. The ones I see generally have switched to reefer trailers verses the straight trucks.

 

[schammer]

250 that is exactly what I was thinking and I have never even talked to a dealer yet

 

[zorry]

I'm thankful a lot of my deliveries don't have room for a 53'.

They tend to work cheaper. That may be why the carriers love them.

 

[zorry]

It'll be hard to be under $250,000 unless you cut corners.

 

[davekc]

They may be a little cheaper but are a better match to most carriers. One breaks, just grab another one. Tractor breaks down, easy switch to bring in another. Much more effective and efficient than a straight unless it is a place a trailer can't get in.
Driver will gross less with a trailer but doesn't have the investment, downtime for repairs, or the expense that a reefer straight would have.

 

[zorry]

I think the carrier suffers a little too.
A DR has to make it work. He has a big investment.
A guy can come in with a $20,000 used fleet tractor and hook to a company trailer.
The down side is often attitude. He really isn't concerned about the customer. Or the frt. if things go south he can hook to a flatbed or a tank next week for the same money. No incentive to put up with any aggravations.

 

[davekc]

I think the carrier suffers a little too.
A DR has to make it work. He has a big investment.
A guy can come in with a $20,000 used fleet tractor and hook to a company trailer.
The down side is often attitude. He really isn't concerned about the customer. Or the frt. if things go south he can hook to a flatbed or a tank next week for the same money. No incentive to put up with any aggravations.

Very true. On the other side, the carrier knows the guy with a 20k tractor will run for less. The more the carrier can keep the more they will exercise that option. See it going on now actually.
Several carriers have dropped rates or they will game play something in order to pay less like DH, FSC you name it.