Truck purchasing question?

[flatbedin]

I am planning on purchasing my first expediting truck and entering the business.

Just from a business perspective wouldn't it be wiser for a "entry level" o/o to purchase a used T-300 (I plan on buying a Kenworth only because of craftmanship, durability, longevity, rebuildability) for let's say 25000.00. Put the standard 10 to 20% down, take the excess reserve one has and rebuild the motor and tranny (mainly so there is warranty), and start out with a low monthly payment, and have a warranty to stand behind the new business investment? Has anyone tried to "refurbish" a used 2000+ truck and had a good success?

This is just my brain working, so any thoughts good or bad would be greatly appreciated..

Thank you

 

[LDB]

What if it would run ok for a year without a rebuild? Now you've spent money that could have earned a year's worth of interest and the rebuild is one year worth worn out and one year worth of warranty used up when you could have run that year on the old engine and had the interest income added to your reserves and a year newer rebuild to run. I understand the idea of proactively rebuilding to avoid surprises but it could mean tossing out a lot of miles that could have been run before the rebuild.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[darkunicorn]

my old truck was a used international and I spent more on repairs than my new truck payment and the down time cost me in reputation and lost revenue

 

[dieselphreak2K]

Well, keep in mind that a complete refurbishing is not only engine trans, and rears. I purchased a used t-300, a 2000 with 455K when I got it. THe drivetrain has been fine. Little things like, the transfer pump, shocks, batteries, etc. Are what I have been replacing recently. Sinking alot of money into a truck that isn't broken wouldn't be my plan. Sure, once you get it home, take care of any obvious stuff, but leave the bulk of the money aside for than repair you cannot predict. (like my roof/tree branch incident).

Better to have a backup plan than try to predict the future.

 

[Paul56]

Kenworth, definitely a very good choice.

It is very simple... don't purchase a used truck that will need an immediate rebuild for you to have confidence rolling with.

You already have the confidence of having a reserve + excess. Anything does go wrong, you have it covered.

 

[flatbedin]

Thanks everyone for the input.

Of course I was hoping that I would find a good enough truck NOT to have to do a complete when bought, but I also fret on buying a used truck. However going in debt to the tune of 75k or so isn't a option either.. Operating cost vs. Revenue is the key factor for me starting out.

One other question, what engine would you consider to be the most reliable, and also tranny with gears?

 

[dieselphreak2K]

My T300 has the Cummins 8.3 rated @ 300hp. Mine has custom injectors for a little boost, but I didn't need them by any means. It has been getting excellent mileage, and is almost too much power for the loads I haul. At 498,000, my last oil sample came back great. Parts are usually cheaper than Cat too. I have a Super 10, which is great if you don't mind big tansmissions. They are plenty strong enough for straight truck weight. My father's Int. 9400 runs one and they haul at max weight on every load. If a ten speed is too much, then I'd go for an automatic. In my opinion, the six speeds that are offered are more for crosstown work. An allison, or non-synchro manual is designed for longer service. Just my $.02