Trade in Value

mcbride · Aug 19, 2004

We had our truck appraised while at the Expo by Knoxville Freightliner to see what kind of trade in value we can get for our truck....What a SHOCK!!! Especially after looking at their book of used vehicles for sale. (I don't think one was listed less than 50k) We were told our truck had a trade in value in the high teens to 25K. Now, we don't claim to have the best truck around but this quote seems a little low to us...we would appreciate some comments from others who have traded in their vehicles...like where they traded and for what etc.

Our truck:
2001 Freightliner 106-
Allison HD4 automatic-
Pusher axle-
9'6" sleeper w/shower, RV hook ups etc...
500,000 miles-with documentation for oil changes every 10k-12k miles.

mcbride-
--What goes around comes around--

Dreamer · Aug 19, 2004

Seems pretty low to me, considering simlar trucks are going for much more than that... example, this link from another EO sponser, FYDA Freightliner which is near me:

http://www.expeditersonline.com/am/listings/l0071.html

Especially since you've got more accessories..I'm not positive how it works on commerical trucks, but I still am a licensed auto salesman from when I worked for my brother... and a trade in value of 30-50% of retail sounds VERY low to me.

Dreamer

Glen Rice · Aug 19, 2004

Unfortunately your situation is not uncommon! Premium trucks should bring more money, period! Your options are very desireable. Maybe you should try some other dealers to get a better idea of a more realistic value? You did not mention your sleeper manufacturer? The companys like ICT, Bentz, and others bring a premium price over some of the other companys. The other thing that always held true in 18 wheeler operation was the big Peterbilts and Kenworths always had the highest value at trade time. Even if the truck was in worse condition than other brands. People want the big hood,big power. It's no different here in expediting! Of course you can try to sell it yourself on the web! We have had great results with the sales section on this site! Best of luck. And keep us posted how it goes.

davekc · Aug 20, 2004

You would do much better selling it yourself if they only offer 25,000. Your truck will be resold for 40,000 to 50,000 depending on condition ect.
As Glen mentioned, sleeper manufacturer, and several other items would determine what you could get out of it.
Price of used trucks are climbing as the pool of good used trucks are shrinking. You truck might be very appealing to someone shopping and realize that your truck speced new might be 90,000 or 100,000

cat can do · Aug 20, 2004

I think that they will low ball everyone on trade-ins they seem to have a lot of used trucks on the lot. Look for a dealer that has your desired truck in stock with a low amount of used trucks this will bring up your trade value.

mcbride · Aug 20, 2004

Thanks for all of your replies.

I was so shocked that I didn't really depict the spec's of our truck completely.

Truck has detroit 50 series engine, crew chief custom built sleeper, roof air, aux gen, 4 diamond plate belly boxes, etc...we have even been known to win a prize or two with it in the past...haha.

It feels good to post once again. Thanks for all your replies and I suspect we won't be doing any business with Knoxville Freightliner in the near future.

mcbride-
--What goes around comes around--

davekc · Aug 20, 2004

Maybe a stupid question but it sounds like a nice truck. Why are you selling it?

mcbride · Aug 21, 2004

Hi Dave,

Yes, it is a real nice truck and we have been very, very happy AND very fortunate with it. The truth of the matter is, we saw the sterling truck that Knoxville had at the truck show and really liked what Bentz did with the sleeper. We were thinking of having another truck built with the class 8 sterling tractor but not now... haha. We saw photo's in their used books of trucks they had for sale and most of them, if not all, were above 50k and they, (in my opinion), weren't half as nice as ours. We thought gee, our truck is still in pretty good shape we might get a pretty good appraisal on ours and trade it in for a new one. It is ironic but we have been offered much more a couple of times for our truck by people just approaching us, BUT as you know, money talks and we didn't see any. Ha Ha. After their appraisal, we will look definitely else where. We will drive it until the wheels fall off or for that matter I would push it over a cliff before trading it there.

mcbride-
--What goes around comes around--

teacel · Aug 21, 2004

Sounds to me like they were trying to rob you without the gun!!! Maybe they thought you guys were star struck and would have jumped at their offer thinking you didn't know any better.

You may even look around for a decent team to lease it to if you really want the new truck. Handling the contract and/or lease would be the easy part with your background. The key would be to find the right team though!!! LOL

Doggie Daddy · Aug 21, 2004

nancy,i think glenn is right about some sleeper manufacturers having a better reputation than others. this can translate into higher or lower value at trade in.now let's see,who is the parent company of crew cheif? hmmmmm, i wonder x( x( x( x(

DD.

mcbride · Aug 21, 2004

DD,

let's see,who is the parent company of crew cheif? hmmmmm, i
>wonder x( x( x( x(

DD.

LOL, I know but you have it twisted I think Crew Chief is the parent...or at least they seem to have a better product. We made a decision not to go to the "other" company after we saw a race car toter Crew Chief made. The people driving it loved it so we called up to Dundalk to see if we could get a toter made without the back door. That is really what our sleeper is. They were also the only company that let us have a shower put in it without much fuss. We looked at many others and they didn't recommend it or it would have cost a fortune.

I have to include here that we have had zippo problems with our sleeper. ie no leaks, rips, plumbing problems...zippo...that can't be said for a lot of 'em. LOL BTW, the first truck we drove was made by another VERY well known company that many are using now and the cupboards came out, and off the wall, the doors didn't close and they screwed up the exhaust when they put the sleeper on, which they never fixed. (It banged under the sleeper non-stop)

So, I guess you never know.

>mcbride-
--What goes around comes around--

guest · Aug 21, 2004

If you'll take the sleeper and the rest of that junk off of the truck and install a nice USABLE 16, 20, or 24 foot box on it with a roll-up door, you'll sell it a LOT faster!!!!

For some stupid reason, most of the dealers have put useless 22 foot boxes on straight trucks and -IN SO FAR AS A PALLET IS NOMALLY 48 INCHES - I could never figure out what they th0ought someone was supposed to do with that 'extra' 2 feet of space!!!!

As you might now realize, a sleeper isn't much use in a city delivery truck and THAT'S juyst what a straight truck is. In case you haven't noticed, the expediting business isn't exactly booming! Turn the truck into a delivery truck and trash the Home On Wheels sleeper and you'll sell it. Hey - sell that doofy 9 foot sleeper to Reliable Carriers!!!!

Just as well ............. trash the stuff that's useless on a straight truck and sell the cab and chassis. I have a friend whoi owns a big truckj junk yard and he sells the heck out of straight trucks but almost always splits up the CC and box.

RichM · Aug 21, 2004

Boy you sure do not know about the expediting business,, Nuff said

Doggie Daddy · Aug 21, 2004

i'll second that rich.DD

davekc · Aug 22, 2004

I think 2legman is uninformed. Yes, expediting is not a booming business... in Hawaii. Too bad. Everywhere else it is thriving.
Apparently he did not attend the Expo. I think he would've come away with a very different opinion.
Davekc
Large sleeper is much cheaper than a divorce. Pennies on the dollar!

blucolr · Aug 22, 2004

>Large sleeper is much cheaper than a divorce. Pennies on the
>dollar!

AHMEN! that's why I'm still looking and listining to all you folks. I saw your truck at the Expo Dave. Very nice! Do you and your wife like that bunk as much as I think you probably do? What changes would you make? Mike

Dreamer · Aug 22, 2004

>
>As you might now realize, a sleeper isn't much use in a
>city delivery truck and THAT'S juyst what a straight truck
>is. In case you haven't noticed, the expediting business
>isn't exactly booming! Turn the truck into a delivery truck
>and trash the Home On Wheels sleeper and you'll sell it. Hey
>- sell that doofy 9 foot sleeper to Reliable Carriers!!!!
>

Dang... I don't remember when I've laughed so hard at a post! Every driver I've talked to lately has said they've had the best 2 years in memory last year, and so far this year! Records are being broken.. and expediting isn't booming.. LMBO!

I love informed people!

:+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :+

davekc · Aug 22, 2004

Our sleeper is a 126" ICT Can't really think of anything I would change except maybe the corner caps on the exterior. Should have chrome or aluminum as the paint has had to have been touched up twice from rock shots. We may remove the micro and convert to a convection microwave. Just a replacement more than a change.
I did like Bentz setup but too small, and no bathroom or shower.
Wife has become too spoiled.:7
Davekc

copdsux · Aug 22, 2004

Reading what "2Legman" had to say reminded me of a quote I think I've
used here before: "Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt".

tazman · Aug 23, 2004

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at an old (12/2003) NADA Truck Guide...

2001 Freightliner FL106...

Wholesale - 28350 Loan - 25535 Retail - 32775

Add for 2-speed rear - 1100
7.2 Cat over 250hp - 3300
Air ride susp - 1900

This does not account for the sleeper or the cargo box value...
Standard mileage deduction per the table for 2001 Type A unit is
(140k-170k/year) times 3 years 510,000
You have 500k, so no real deduction would apply...

Hope it helps

"The Beast in the East"