After ten plus years working for others I am going to buy my first new/used truck and could use some input. I have around $25,000 saved for the down payment and would like to stay in the high 20's to low 30's range. I am looking for a day cab with a 26' to 30' box and around 52,000-54,000 GVW. Since I am just starting out I will have to be very careful about overextending myself with truck maintenance and repairs. So I am looking for a combination that will be reliable and inexpensive to maintain. I need your help with what to stay away from as well. I have been leaning toward a 1997-02 INT 4400 with a DT466 pre EGR and an Eaton ten speed or possibly an automatic. I'm still not to confidant about the automatics; I only have about 40,000 miles in a truck with one. I'm also possibly looking at a Freightliner M2 with a CAT 3126 but I have been reading a lot of negative things on this board about the 3126. I have driven a truck about 120,000 miles with one and never had a single problem. I'm open to suggestions to other trucks like maybe an INT 8100 or something along that line. Please feel free to comment. Thanks in advance. Robert
Need truck buying advice
- Thread starter RobertD
- Start date
moose
Veteran Expediter
Hey Robert ,thanks for stopping by .
by the 'day cab' remark ,i understand that this truck will not be used for Expedite ,right ?
i don't think i ever read here on a 80%+- down payment,either your business can support payments over time or not . most here will tell you to pay cash for a starter truck ,and buy your self up as you can afford . the only comment i will have on this is what kind of ROI do you expect from your down payment ?
look up this,and other forums for instructions of steps needed for inspecting used trucks (front end,ECM download,service records,ext.),break downs will always happened ,and no mater what truck you buy ,you MUST have the cash reserve (not credit line) to keep you aflote .
i think low 30's will get you a nicer ,more dependable trucks ,then the ones your considering ,maybe look somewhere else ?,what parts of the country have you looked at ?are dose trucks reefers or lift gated ?
if im not mistaking the Eaton is not an automatic transmission ,but an automated one .big difference .
CAT stopped making on HWY engines some 2 years ago ,only time will tell how long they will continue to support this market.how long are you expecting to own this truck ?
good luck.
by the 'day cab' remark ,i understand that this truck will not be used for Expedite ,right ?
i don't think i ever read here on a 80%+- down payment,either your business can support payments over time or not . most here will tell you to pay cash for a starter truck ,and buy your self up as you can afford . the only comment i will have on this is what kind of ROI do you expect from your down payment ?
look up this,and other forums for instructions of steps needed for inspecting used trucks (front end,ECM download,service records,ext.),break downs will always happened ,and no mater what truck you buy ,you MUST have the cash reserve (not credit line) to keep you aflote .
i think low 30's will get you a nicer ,more dependable trucks ,then the ones your considering ,maybe look somewhere else ?,what parts of the country have you looked at ?are dose trucks reefers or lift gated ?
if im not mistaking the Eaton is not an automatic transmission ,but an automated one .big difference .
CAT stopped making on HWY engines some 2 years ago ,only time will tell how long they will continue to support this market.how long are you expecting to own this truck ?
good luck.
Moose,
Thanks for the advice. I will be using the truck for day runs only. I live in Michigan and will be running machine/auto parts to the big three then back home each night. Most of my trips will be around 100 or fewer miles each way per day from loading dock to loading dock. So, no I don't need a reefer or a lift gate just a van. I plan on paying for the truck w cash at around $25,000 plus maybe a little. That's all that I have at the moment.
I have been using the advice of a respected 30+ year heavy truck mechanic as far as help with truck choice. That’s why I mentioned the 97-02 INT 4400 pre EGR w the Diamond Logic Controller. From what I'm told that would be my safest bet as far as reliability is concerned. I have read on here that the new body style from 2002 and up has had some electrical problems that the older trucks did not. Whether there is any truth to that I do not know.
I was trying to decide between the Eaton/Fuller 10 speed and an Allison automatic. I guess I'm still a little old school, I don't know the auto's enough to trust them yet.
I was thinking and advised about the DT466 because of its reliability and longevity.
Any questions/comments please.
Thanks for the advice. I will be using the truck for day runs only. I live in Michigan and will be running machine/auto parts to the big three then back home each night. Most of my trips will be around 100 or fewer miles each way per day from loading dock to loading dock. So, no I don't need a reefer or a lift gate just a van. I plan on paying for the truck w cash at around $25,000 plus maybe a little. That's all that I have at the moment.
I have been using the advice of a respected 30+ year heavy truck mechanic as far as help with truck choice. That’s why I mentioned the 97-02 INT 4400 pre EGR w the Diamond Logic Controller. From what I'm told that would be my safest bet as far as reliability is concerned. I have read on here that the new body style from 2002 and up has had some electrical problems that the older trucks did not. Whether there is any truth to that I do not know.
I was trying to decide between the Eaton/Fuller 10 speed and an Allison automatic. I guess I'm still a little old school, I don't know the auto's enough to trust them yet.
I was thinking and advised about the DT466 because of its reliability and longevity.
Any questions/comments please.
Are you going to have your own authority or lease to a carrier?
If you are going to lease to a carrier check with them on the age of the truck.
If you are going to lease to a carrier check with them on the age of the truck.
bluejaybee
Veteran Expediter
I like Internationals, but the DT466 (in my opinon) is not a long life engine. They are a good running engine, but if you read alot about them, they don't last as long as others. As for the wiring problems, I read that it was the wiring harness to the transmission that was the worse. Now, if that was an auto or manual shift, I don't remember.
As for the 3126 CAT engine, I have had 3 of them and will say they gave me no more problems (if any) than any other engine.
From what you posted here, I'd say that you should be able to find an International to fit your needs at a very reasonable price. Look at the rental or lease companies. They have decent trucks and guarantee most of them. Just make sure it has air brakes. I don't believe you would want hydraulic brakes if you will be bumping docks. Usually an International the size of an 8100, comes with a variety of engine makes. You might find one that has a Detroit or Cummins in it. Or whatever brand engine you like. I like Internationals, but the smaller trucks do not make a good OTR truck (my opinon).
As for the 3126 CAT engine, I have had 3 of them and will say they gave me no more problems (if any) than any other engine.
From what you posted here, I'd say that you should be able to find an International to fit your needs at a very reasonable price. Look at the rental or lease companies. They have decent trucks and guarantee most of them. Just make sure it has air brakes. I don't believe you would want hydraulic brakes if you will be bumping docks. Usually an International the size of an 8100, comes with a variety of engine makes. You might find one that has a Detroit or Cummins in it. Or whatever brand engine you like. I like Internationals, but the smaller trucks do not make a good OTR truck (my opinon).
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My plan is to get my own authority, but I am keeping my options open as of now.
I have been looking at some 8100 series trucks. The state of Michigan has some 8100's with a 30' box coming up for sale with low miles on them. most of them have a Cummins and a couple with Cat C-7's. I'm looking at the Cummins units, trying to avoid any potential Cat parts supply problems.
I have been looking at some 8100 series trucks. The state of Michigan has some 8100's with a 30' box coming up for sale with low miles on them. most of them have a Cummins and a couple with Cat C-7's. I'm looking at the Cummins units, trying to avoid any potential Cat parts supply problems.
bluejaybee
Veteran Expediter
If I found exactly what I wanted and it had a CAT engine, I wouldn't let that stop me from buying it. CAT parts will be around for awhile yet. (If CAT doesn't) Somebody will make them available.
