new truck

rode2rouen · Dec 31, 2005

>
>Regarding weight, it's not all that heavy compared to class
>8 straight trucks we've driven, (some with lift gates and
>reefers) which have hovered around 30,000 lbs (give or take)
>with all tanks full, our gear on board and no freight in
>back.
>

I'm wondering if KW is using tungsten for some components! I guess I figured that the new(er) trucks would be as light or lighter than an older unit.

My 9200 International weighs 24,400 full of everything but freight and it's already got a lift gate and all 8 rear wheels are steel.

Rex

Tennesseahawk · Dec 31, 2005

I don't understand it... please educate me. A truck that weighs 27k+ empty, has a payload of 17k+. That's 4000 over what a normal D-unit would carry. Not mentioning what you spent for this new truck, the milage alone would not warrant getting a truck that would only carry 4k in freight more than a unit that hovers around 10 mpg. Do you really need a 500hp engine to be hauling 17k max?

So, we'll say you get 10 loads in the next year that fall into the 13k-17k range. All the overkill you put into your truck doesn't make sense for that kind of chumpchange.

The long nose on this truck is just the opposite of what you were saying about 6 months ago. You said having a long nose would prevent one from getting into where expediters need to go.

Is this an experiment? Cause it seems that keeping the truck as a tractor, you'd be paid about .30/mi more and be able to haul 40+k in freight. I'm sorry... I don't see the profit.

I'm not trying to flame you, Leo, or cause controversy. I would like to know what caused you to build a truck that has no practical value than what is normally found.

LDB · Dec 31, 2005

My initial work suggested a weight of about 25k leaving about 21k payload. I was surprised when it ended up over 27 with only 18,550 available but that's how it turned out. I went with the 900 because the resale on it is enough higher to offset the penalty of the hood. It's the B model so it's the short hood version. It's not the smartest way to go probably but it's what I wanted to do and I was in a position to do it so I went for it. I still can go to D unit places which I couldn't in a 53 footer and I still can't go to Aerocell places. If I were doing it over again I'd probably do a few things differently but I'm pleased with it as it is.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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highway star · Jan 1, 2006

I know you've been asked already, but, how about some pictures?

Broompilot · Jan 1, 2006

What I am confused at is (and its not really any of my business) but you posted it twice is that your gona keep putting more $ for improvements into this truck.

When I ordered my truck I carefully went over everything 100 times. If it would not generate enough $ in one year or less to pay for itself I choose not put it on (lift gate) = a tag or pusher. So far the decision has rewarded me (very few NYC) and I go to a transfere dock in NJ so nice not to cross over and unload in the street. Once I even got an extra $ $150 because I had a floor jack and pushed the freight to the end of the truck and they fork lifted it off with no dock.

After my first year in Expediting I have spent to much $ on extras this year that have not brought in enough revenue or cut costs. Somethings were winners (big savings) others were a waist of my hard earned $.

Its your truck I just caution you to do the math. Will a liftgate actually pay for a Solo (not team) to add onto a truck, will it generate what I paid for it in one year and would it be worth the risk of injury vs reward? The carrier is just gona give you freight that is dangerious to load but thats of no concern to them its your problem if its to long, to top heavy, etc...

Good luck and stay safe.

greg334 · Jan 1, 2006

maybe this is off topic, sorry.

Broompilot,
OK so I am wondering about your comment, â€œSome things were winners (big savings) others were a waist of my hard earned $â€.

I would like to know in your opinion what these were/are so I and others can plan our trucks out.

Thanks

rode2rouen · Jan 1, 2006

Broom,

Keep in mind that Leo has his new rig hooked up with Landstar. If you look at the tandem axle Landstar straight trucks on the road you'll see that alot of them are lift gate units.

I talked with Landstar when I got into the process of buying my truck, and the agents (both LEA and regular Landstar) I spoke with said that a lift gate was a good thing. The regular freight agents were excited about the 26' box, they said it was fairly common to have a high cube load that was LTL but just a bit too big for a 22 footer.

Rex

LDB · Jan 1, 2006

The short version is you can't run FEMA without a liftgate. Running one week of FEMA will pay for a liftgate plus the 2 days downtime getting it installed. At resale you've got an asset that ups resale value. Will I get on a FEMA run in the next year? I hope so but don't know. I know definitely I won't if I don't get the liftgate. It's a case of the potential being worth the expense, at least to me. If I weren't with Landstar I wouldn't put on a liftgate though.

As an aside, I lost $245 on the load I'm on now because of no liftgate. Luckily I was able to work it to not lose the entire load which is still paying me $1.98/mile.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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Broompilot · Jan 1, 2006

Totally dissagree and have the proof. When looking for my second a truck there was a great Pete in Wisc. Only problem and the owner admitted it was he wanted his $ out of the liftgate. I was not willing nor was anyone else gona pay for his problem (he admitted this to me but had to get his $ out of it) He never used it after he had an accident with it and hurt his back. No sale here I bought another T-300 its all in the buyer not the seller. Your saftey is being compramised by being a solo with a liftgate your an accident away from being put out of commission for a very long time. As for FEMA I am not going to bank my future on natural diasasters. I will run consitant and profitable. I would beg to differ that even with FEMA you can make $10K in one week unless there is some majic price out there for liftgates.

Yeah the natural diastaster does pay more, but while all those people went running to save N.O. I was running freight in Ohio to Minn like crazy with no liftgate, no aggrivation, no downtime to repair the darn thing and my back is still in great shape.

You do what you think is right, I just believe for others looking at these Posts that you do not need all that X-tra equipment to make great $ in this industry. Sometimes you can over do it. Your banking on something that may or may not even happen.

LDB · Jan 1, 2006

I'm not sure where 10k liftgates are but what I'm looking at is in the 3500-4000 range brand new including installation. I don't expect to get that back at resale but somewhere around 1/4-1/3 of it. At that price it's paid for with just a few days of FEMA. I realize that's not guaranteed but it very well may happen. I'm not going to do anything beyond what I'm capable of so I'm not worried about getting hurt. It's one of those things everyone has to consider for themselves and make a judgement call on and it's not for everyone. I agree that all reading this need to consider it carefully based on their own situation. For me it seems the right thing at this time.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.