Our New Straight Truck !

[ChanceMaster]

We're a charitable organization, the truck was free because we volunteer to transport meals to homeless Trappist monks once a month. We are also qualified to transport Northern purple spotted owls in the event of a natural disaster.

The truck cost was substantial no doubt. If You call Mr. Jeff Jones at Stoops he can quote you on a comparable unit. No expense spared on operating equipment or amenities. As far as driver retention goes, I hope to be operating this unit for years to come, ad the unit and a fantastic owner.. Why go anywhere else.

 

[ATeam]

We have a large area of storage "behind" the upper bunk, though accessible, would be great for larger items not needed on a daily basis. Beyond food/water what else do you carry for that. Blankets come to mind, a crank radio/flashlight maybe, what else.

In mind when we packed those corners was the scenario of being stranded for a week in a Wyoming blizzard and running out of fuel. The corners hold two extreme weather parkas compressed in vacuum bags, snow boots, heavy mittens, face masks and extra food. Work wear and other clothing for all seasons is carried year-round in the closet and cabinets (131" sleeper).

Having never been stranded in a blizzard for a week, we have never had occasion to wear those parkas. It's all good, though. Now that we're moving to Florida, they will come in handy.

 

[ATeam]

As far as driver retention goes, I hope to be operating this unit for years to come, ad the unit and a fantastic owner.. Why go anywhere else.

If the "anywhere else" was a move to become an owner-operator, the reasons would be to increase your freedom and capture for yourself the profits that the fleet owner makes off the truck. The trade-off is taking on the risks of truck ownership, but those are the reasons.

 

[moose]

Yes, it's a Bentz sleeper.

nature always finds a way.
congrat'z

 

[moose]

. Rattling noises drive me nuts. .

yah, me too! 2 nights ago i parked for the night next to this pole. morning PTI was about 90% ground inspections...

 

[Wolverine]

The idea Gary, is make you soo comfy that you won't go home.
Nice, very nice.

Uh-oh, now my secret is no longer secret.

 

[Wolverine]

I'm guessing over $250k with the Federal Excise tax added in.

Actually, my fellow Michiganders, with a few bells and whistles yet to be added after-market (a four camera security system, a tire pressure monitoring system, an enormous, maize block M painted on the roof, etc., etc.) the total cost will be very close to that number WITHOUT excise tax.

I love my country, but fear my guv'mint - therefore have no desire to pad the Beltway coffers by an additional 35K+. Even by looking closely it may be difficult to detect a pusher axle, installed after I took ownership.

The guilt I suffer from not paying the 12% excise tax is somewhat counterbalanced by volunteer work I expect to be accomplished by the use of this truck. The redistribution of endangered wildlife species will be the main thrust.

As an example, I have contacted various "Green" organizations and am at the head of a very short list of businesses willing to transport Passengers Pigeons to more favorable habitat - as soon as an adequate number of breeding pairs are available.

 

[usafk9]

Actually, my fellow Michiganders, with a few bells and whistles yet to be added after-market (a four camera security system, a tire pressure monitoring system, an enormous, maize block M painted on the roof, etc., etc.) the total cost will be very close to that number WITHOUT excise tax.

I love my country, but fear my guv'mint - therefore have no desire to pad the Beltway coffers by an additional 35K+. Even by looking closely it may be difficult to detect a pusher axle, installed after I took ownership.

The guilt I suffer from not paying the 12% excise tax is somewhat counterbalanced by volunteer work I expect to be accomplished by the use of this truck. The redistribution of endangered wildlife species will be the main thrust.

As an example, I have contacted various "Green" organizations and am at the head of a very short list of businesses willing to transport Passengers Pigeons to more favorable habitat - as soon as an adequate number of breeding pairs are available.

Whether or not installed immediately after you took ownership or 6 months later, that responsibility to pay the FET still exists. One quick look at your cab card would make that detection a lot less difficult. A $35k gamble on an audit is a risk I'd rather avoid.

In any event, good luck with the new truck.

 

[zorry]

When you leave the dealer in a truck with hundreds of pounds of payload potential, you have to do it right away.
I guess you set back $25-$35 grand and get nervous with every letter that arrives from the IRS.
Or you pay it up front at delivery, and get on with your life.
Personal choice.

 

[jjoerger]

I thought if you waited 6 months before adding the lift axle you were only required to pay FET on the lift axle.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using EO Forums mobile app

 

[zorry]

Sadly when you buy a reefer, it's so heavy, that you can only haul 300 lbs or so w/o a lift axle.
So park it for six months, or put the axle on now and get to work.
A dry box is different although many put the axle on immediately.
There is little enforcement.

 

[TeamCaffee]

I have found that even standing on the bed I cannot reach the corners of the bottom or top cabinets. With the lighting running through the cabinets I can at least see back there. What I did with help of a friend is place a tray in one of the cabinets that I pull forward when I want to get what I have stored back there.

In the other cabinets I have baskets and one plastic tub.

In the baskets I store clothing that in the summer will be long sleeve shirts and light jackets, and in the summer this will be short sleeve shirts and shorts if we get down south.

On the other side I keep extra paper plates, bowls, paper towels in a plastic tote I can pull forward when needed.

We bought our covered ice cube trays at Bed Bath & Beyond and they work perfectly.

 

[ChanceMaster]

I've found that the bins work well, as you have said just pull it forward to view /retrieve contents. What a difference from our earlier freightliner, no more digging for items .

I use a plastic reusable "camping" plate and clean that with bleach wipes. I've found that many camping items work well for OTR.

I'm very pleased with the amount of storage for the team in this truck. Our dash is even void of typical items kept there because there is a place for everything. Makes for a really enjoyable driving experience.

 

[zorry]

Each builder has there own little features.
I like the way Bentz mounts the TV.
It is easily moved to be viewable from the front swivel seats.
Thus in effect gives one driver his space to relax while the other driver sleeps, cooks,or does a project on the table.

ARI, without asking, ran our block heater through a lighted switch. If you decide tonight you should use the block heater, just flip the switch. It runs off the APU, without going outside. The switch lights up red so you are aware that it's on. You can also flip it on for a few minutes just to put an extra load on the APU if desired.

 

[usafk9]

I thought if you waited 6 months before adding the lift axle you were only required to pay FET on the lift axle.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using EO Forums mobile app

Negative. Six months passing only relieves the dealer and/or upfitter from collecting, as it is no longer considered "connected to the sale". Six months or six years, if you change the GVWR over 33k pounds, the tax is due.....truck and axle. Just did a lot of homework on this subject. I thought like you did, and I lost a bet over this issue.

 

[zorry]

I would suspect that you would pay on current value.
If I bought a two or three year old truck and modified it, I can't see paying tax on the new value.

The way the IRS charges penalty and interest, I wouldn't want to be looking over my shoulder.

At $250,000 it sounds like the dealer did collect the tax.

A friend is building a 2014 Volvo, reefer, 120 ICT with shower, liftaxle,. Under $200,000 before FET.

 

[ChanceMaster]

Each builder has there own little features.
I like the way Bentz mounts the TV.
It is easily moved to be viewable from the front swivel seats.
Thus in effect gives one driver his space to relax while the other driver sleeps, cooks,or does a project on the table.

.

ARI, without asking, ran our block heater through a lighted switch. If you decide tonight you should use the block heater, just flip the switch. It runs off the APU, without going outside. The switch lights up red so you are aware that it's on. You can also flip it on for a few minutes just to put an extra load on the APU if desired.

Our front seats in the new truck Do not swivel. Apparently that changed between 2013/2014. The new seats are great, the swivel would have been nice

Same with ours, we have a red light switch for our block heater it's near the lower bunk. Pretty cool.

 

[zorry]

Gary, you've got to slow down the tour. I did't stay in the front seat long enough to realize they don't swivel.

 

[ChanceMaster]

Gary, you've got to slow down the tour. I did't stay in the front seat long enough to realize they don't swivel.

Yeah, dispatch called and said freight was ready, only stuck around long enough for dry clothes and a meet/ greet with you and your wife. Sorry for the rush. Several features on your rig have me thinking !

 

[zorry]

Glad you waited.
Wish I was younger. If I would build one more truck I could really get it right.