Expedite Solo in a Hino??

Paladin921 · Aug 29, 2011

I've been offered a solo driver slot in a Hino w/ a 60/40 split leased to Panther. Told it gets 9.5-10 mpg at 62. Also it's over 26k gvw, log and fuel taxes apply. Don't know anything about these trucks, history, ride, cost to operate, etc. Told I'll only be able to do 400 miles a day and no long haul / multi state runs.

Any thoughts on this? Anyone with experience in these trucks?

Thanks for the benefit of your wisdom and experience!

Ragman · Aug 29, 2011

Paladin921 said:
I've been offered a solo driver slot in a Hino w/ a 60/40 split leased to Panther. Told it gets 9.5-10 mpg at 62. Also it's over 26k gvw, log and fuel taxes apply. Don't know anything about these trucks, history, ride, cost to operate, etc. Told I'll only be able to do 400 miles a day and no long haul / multi state runs.

Any thoughts on this? Anyone with experience in these trucks?

Thanks for the benefit of your wisdom and experience!

Send a PM to dakota. He can tell you plenty.

And read this
http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/truck-talk/31702-hino-nightmare.html

moose · Aug 29, 2011

I can't help you with the Wisdom part, as they took those tooths years ago, but if i remember correct, i could not help even before.
as to the Hino's, simply do a search here on EO, TON of useful info right here. for the most part peoples will either swear by them or puke .
as to the MPG, if the truck is geared right and have a stick, those #'s are right in the ball park. if it's have the Allisons Auto or geared too high, then you can expect 8 to 9.2
as to Panther solo's, again you can do a search, and for the most part the general opinion is a 'run forest run!' (away).
also, get the Owners contract before heading to the truck, and call some of his formers drivers.
Good Luck.

Dakota · Aug 29, 2011

The trucks are underpowered, you won't be able to climb a hill at anything faster than 40
The ride is terrible, I find Internationals ride much nicer
9.5 to 10 if your going downhill if your lucky
I averaged 8 to 9 going 65
The AC is very anemic. I also had overheating problems and the tranny went out at 225K I wouldn't expect the engine to last much past 300K especially if it geared wrong
Okay, mine was an automatic and the rear axle was geared for city driving...if you do decide to get it make sure it is geared for highway driving
I was not impressed, spend a little extra and get a nice International or Freightliner M2

moose · Aug 29, 2011

There you go... the Puke part.
what did you had for lunch ?

cheri1122 · Aug 29, 2011

"Only 400 miles a day and no long haul/multistate"? What's that about? HOS regs don't put those limits on drivers - if that's ok with you, fine, but you can do more than that. It doesn't sound like a very good deal to me.

Dakota, it doesn't read like he's buying the truck, just driving it.

Dakota · Aug 29, 2011

Here was my thread http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/truck-talk/39655-my-hino-nightmare.html

Dakota · Aug 29, 2011

cheri1122 said:
"Only 400 miles a day and no long haul/multistate"? What's that about? HOS regs don't put those limits on drivers - if that's ok with you, fine, but you can do more than that. It doesn't sound like a very good deal to me.

Dakota, it doesn't read like he's buying the truck, just driving it.

Oh I missed that part, well as long as he isn't paying for maintenance. I still prefer the International over all others

moose · Aug 29, 2011

Dakota said:
Here was my thread http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/truck-talk/39655-my-hino-nightmare.html

WoW, you had the salad bar @ the Petro...

mcavoy33 · Aug 29, 2011

Dakota,

Given the mpg you experienced would you recommend he take the 40 or 60 split?

Paladin921 · Aug 29, 2011

WOW

From what all of you have posted and reading the links provided.....I'd be better off driving up to the ER and shooting myself in the foot! At least that way I wouldn't have to limp very far.

Dakota · Aug 29, 2011

It depends, are you responsible for maintence or just for fuel?
If for maintenance I would pass.
What year Hino?

JimF51 · Aug 30, 2011

Not buying the truck, you don't have to worry bout maint., but, if it has lots of issues, you could do a lot of sitting while work is being done on it. So the quality would still affect you.

And no runs over 400 miles? even over a weekend? Fedex has a 500 mile limit rule for solos, but it's more a rule of thumb, as i have gotten longer runs during the week, and many times over a weekend.

Paladin921 · Aug 30, 2011

It's an 06 w/ "under 500k" for miles....but they didn't say exactly how many. Automatic w/ 86" sleeper and 22' box. Don't know the gearing and I would be responsible for fuel but not maintenance. The frig in the sleeper doesn't work. They've had it repaired multiple times, and there's no AC in it or APU. Makes me wonder what else may have issues.

They've only had one solo in the truck so gave me those numbers: 8 months out, never turned down a load, always running, average gross to driver after fuel was $800 a week. Seems like low numbers to me after I subtract personal expenses, food, cell phone, etc. I thought the gross would be at least double that. Also they want me out 4-5 weeks at a time. There rule: 10 days out = 1 day home.

The owners were friendly on the phone and didn't hesitate to answer all of my question but.....Since Panther gives preference to teams over solo and no one here has anything good to say about Hino's I'll keep looking.

Thanks again to all for the benefit of your experience.

skipr4520 · Aug 30, 2011

I thought Panther didn't have solo straight truck drivers?! When I called them back when I first got into expedite, that is what Panther told me, teams only. I am not employed by Panther, but have been told both good and bad. Also, as it was said before, research the owner as well as the company. There are several GOOD fleet owners out there and also bad fleet owners. Wish you luck. Skip

Dakota · Aug 30, 2011

No refrigerator because of problems, no apu or ac in sleeper
also it is an automatic, so those mpg numbers are probably optimistic, since you almost always have to floor the darn thing to keep up in traffic, I remember slowing down just going over overpasses LOL
800 a week does seem low, I'll bet a van driver could do the same
Good Luck!!!

jjoerger · Aug 30, 2011

Remember this phrase "Hi No"
I would keep on looking if I were you.

cheri1122 · Aug 30, 2011

The fridge is no big deal, they're not expensive or hard to replace, but the anti idling laws everywhere make the APU a necessity these days. And if you're going to spend 27 of every 30 days in the truck, it ought to be reasonably comfortable in the sleeper.

Paladin921 · Aug 30, 2011

Thanks again for all the input!!

I'm passing on this opportunity. Doesn't sound like there are many solo straight trucks. Either as drivers or O/O.

From the input and reading other posts Sprinter or CV is the way to go if running solo. Any suggestions????

jjoerger · Aug 30, 2011

I believe there are quite a few solo straight trucks as O/O's.
I don't think there are many fleet owners that take on solos because a team will make them a lot more than a solo will. And if you find one they will probably be offering an older truck.